So, you’ve been considering taking your hair in a wild new direction. Unlike regular ombre and dip dyes, we have a few techniques up our sleeves that will have strangers stopping you on the street to take your picture. Purple and blue hair? Check. Fiery phoenix mane? Check, check.
Whether you’ve just been through a difficult time in your life or can’t wait to celebrate something new, a drastic hair change can help. Rather than wear an itchy wig all day, settle into a salon chair. With these wild styles, you’re guaranteed a fresh start.
Two-Tone Color
Why choose one fantasy color when you could have two at the same time? We’re in love with the statement these gray and yellow combination makes. In a ponytail or an updo, it’s a real stunner.
Reverse Ombre
We usually see ombre hair with dark roots and light ends, which means fewer touch-ups and a more natural-looking grow-out process. If you’re willing to try out a new look, ask your stylist for a hair color that includes a statement color at the roots and the ends.
Indigo
Why save indigo color exclusively for your denim? Try this near-black hue on long locks, creating a color that’s deep and dramatic. If you’re starting with naturally dark hair, chances are good you’ll be able to sneak in a few extra weeks between touch-up appointments.
Short
Long hair has always been considered feminine, but we prefer a punchy short look over mermaid lengths. If you’re dying to try a whimsical hair color, there’s no better way to do it than on a cropped cut.
Rainbow
Embrace every single color at once with a rainbow hair color. This technique has ruled social media for several years but does require a fair bit of maintenance to stay brilliant. Make sure you have a thorough consultation with your artist before settling on the shade.
Peacock
Peacocks are legendary in the animal kingdom for their jewel-toned feathers and charismatic strut. If you’re searching for a look-at-me moment of your own, this blue, purple, and green hair look will certainly garner attention.
Half And Half
There are many ways to wear multiple colors at the same time, but half and half is a particularly dramatic one. Whether you choose to divide the halves vertically or horizontally, you’re sure to feel like you’re wearing art.
Fairy
Don’t mistake fairy-themed hair for a look that belongs to the realm of children. While you might imagine anything that’s remotely magical might involve a hefty dose of craft glitter, this many-hued hair color is surprisingly wearable.
Shoulder Length
As a rule of thumb, punchy hair colors look better on short locks. Think of it the way you might plan an outfit: one red piece makes a statement, while a whole outfit of red fades into the background.
Ash Grey
The most important part of wearing trendy great hair is making it clear that you’ve chosen the color, not had your hair turn silver prematurely. To ensure the shade looks as intentional as possible, opt for an ash or slate-inspired shade.
Ashy
The ashier the hair color, the more modern it feels. Take any pastel—be it pink, blue, or green—to the next level with a cool, muted finish. Just wait until you’re the envy of every influencer.
Mint
Most women don’t want to wear neons, but they’re interested in the idea of an off-the-wall hair color. If you feel like pink is passé, opt for a bright mint with blonde undertones.
Royal Blue
For years now, women with an eye for show-stopping color have turned to reds and purples. We’d like to propose taking the opposite track and asking for a royal blue. Your stylist can help customize the color to flatter your complexion.
Sky Blue
Instead of blonde or brunette, wear a hair color that’s reminiscent of a perfect, cloudless summer sky. This pastel shade is sure to bring out your blue or green eyes.
Burgundy
No matter the season, burgundy hair is a surefire stunner. Sitting directly in the sweet spot of red and purple, the shade flatters all complexions and makes even the shortest ‘do remarkable.
Navy Blue
Blue hair can’t be beaten. Although the color can be high maintenance to take care of, it may be a smart choice for ladies with naturally dark strands. A skilled stylist can recommend a specially tailored product routine to keep your new color looking fresh.
Lime Green
Add a retro vibe to your look with a snappy lime green hair color. This shade won’t be much more effort than maintaining bright blonde would be. If you’re familiar with the ins and outs of blonde hair care, take a step outside of your comfort zone.
Mauve
Does pink hair feel a little silly to you? Mauve is the grown-up version of the pastel shade, one that incorporates moody notes of lavender and rose. Try it during any season for a fresh, feminine look.
Dark Hair
If you were born with naturally dark hair, you’re in luck: The world of hair color is your oyster. We like a dramatic, vibrant balayage to take chocolate brown hair to the next level.
Underlights
Underlights came into fashion shortly after the rise of rainbow hair. They serve an obvious purpose: If you want multicolored hair but don’t want it to be the first thing people notice about you, hide gorgeous fantasy color under the top layer of your hair.
Aquamarine
Neither blue nor green, aquamarine is a rich, expensive-looking shade that beautifully elevates medium and olive complexions. Try it with a sharply angled bob to look whimsical and sophisticated at the same time.
Opal
Fully committed to the platinum or silver lifestyle? Amp up your look with subtle, reflective shades that come along with opal hair color.
Fade
The loudest hair color isn’t always the most flattering one. Sometimes, less can be more. Talk to your stylist about a faded fantasy color in lieu of neon or jewel-toned shades.
Pop Of Color
Feeling edgy, but not too edgy? Start your whimsical hair color journey with a single pop of color hidden somewhere in your hair.
Galactic
We’re living in a golden age of science fiction, so why not show the movement some love with your hair color? This retro mix of shades will certainly be eye-catching.
Quartz
Pink doesn’t always have to be faded and blonde-infused. This ultra-cool shade is simultaneously futuristic and chic, which means it’s perfect for short cuts like lobs and bobs.
Oil Slick
Not a rainbow hair fan? Try oil slick, a color that starts with a dark brown base and develops into a myriad of jewel tones.
Holographic Hair
Let’s start with a brand-new technique, one that’s been making waves in the beauty community. Holographic hair is a color treatment that takes place over top of very light blond hair.
The stylist applies tones of green, blue, purple, and pink to a plate, pressing it against the hair in multiple places to apply and layer color. The result is a mesmerizing, multifaceted take on opalescent locks, and we can’t get enough of it.
Pastel Hair
Ah, the craze that started it all. Some of us aren’t meant to settle for brown or blonde hair. On the inside, we’re dying to let loose with pastel locks.
Whether you go for gold, pink, blue, or mint, we support your decision. Why fit in when you could cause a scene?
Cotton Candy Hair
Confession time: Cotton candy is not actually that appealing. It’s sticky and tends to accidentally end up in our hair. Instead of opting for a sugar overdose, we’d rather take a seat at the salon and give cotton candy hair a try.
Mixing shades of blue, purple, and pink, this colorful hair calls to mind children’s toys and long, hot days of summer vacation. Asking your stylist for very cool tones is the key to getting this look just right.
Unicorn Hair
Think of unicorn hair as cotton candy hair with extra sugar and glitter sprinkled on it. This hopped-up version of the festival favorite involves a range of cool brights, including green and yellow. If you’ve always wanted to wear a rainbow but can’t quite commit, give unicorn hair a shot.
Geode Hair
By now, you’ve surely seen geodes all over your social media. The ordinary-seeming rocks split open to reveal dazzling, jewel-toned interiors. If you’d consider decorating with these extraordinary pieces, why not wear them as a hair style?
Brunettes, this one’s for you. Ask your salon professional for deep chocolate roots that transition into deep blue, purple, and green shades.
Galaxy Hair
When it comes to choosing your next hair color, think outside the box. For that matter, think outside the planet with galaxy hair. The technique is inspired by the deep blue-black of space, not to mention the red, violet, green, and purple shades of galaxies.
To attain this color, you’ll want your stylist to mix a variety of rich shades evenly. There shouldn’t be any stripes or oversize blocks of color. While this look might take a fair bit of maintenance, it looks absolutely otherworldly.
Mermaid Hair
Here’s one for the girls among us who’d rather be at the beach right now. If you’ve always dreamed of trading your legs for a fishy tail, give mermaid hair a try. The ’do mixes aquamarine with notes of green, resulting in an ocean-inspired melange of colors.
Pro tip: This vibrant hue will take a little extra love and care to stay lovely. Make sure you’ve talked it over with a stylist before fully committing!
Glow-in-the-Dark Phoenix Hair
Neon is often a polarizing subject. If you find yourself cringing at pastel hair and can’t stand the look of blonde, then we have an over-the-top style just for you. Phoenix hair is an electrifying mix of red, orange, and magenta, one designed for wild parties and elaborate Instagram photo shoots.
Feel like rising from the ashes of the winter? Phoenix hair is the right pick for you.
Sunset Hair
Sunset hair might be like phoenix hair in color scheme, but it’s far more dramatic. The style begins with deep violet roots that transition to red, orange, and pink before ending in lemon yellow tips. When it’s well done, sunset hair is fiery and deep—nothing you’d be able to look away from.
If the full spectrum is too intense for you, try a purple to magenta ombre. It’s the same bright color with a little less drama.
Graffiti Hair
Graffiti hair may have started among celebrities, but it’s certainly taken off now. The art-centric technique involves applying pigment in stenciled shapes, making this style optimal for very straight or short hair. Got a buzz cut? That’s even better.
If you’re an art child at heart, graffiti hair might just be your new hobby.
Color Blocked Hair
There are many ways to wear color blocked hair—across the bangs, in top and bottom layers, you name it—but no style appeals to us quite like half-and-half hair. Dividing your strands as if he or she is about to make pigtails, your stylist will dye each of the ponytails a different color.
In the past, we’ve recommended red and green, pink and blue—even purple and blue hair. It may be a bold, comic book-style look, but we’re feeling it.
Tiger Eye Hair
As far as whimsical looks go, the tiger eye hair trend is very subtle. The brunette-centric look, which has risen to popularity over the last few months, features blended stripes of caramel, copper, and bronze.
To fit into this list, we’d half expect the trend to call for full-on tigers painted in your hair. Still, the natural-looking style gives hair incredible texture and depth.
Rose Gold Hair
In the year 2017, there’s nothing we aren’t willing to pin down and paint rose gold. Whether we’re talking phones or hair, the pink-gold trend is fine by us. If you’ve been hesitating to fully commit to pastel tones, opt for something that’s rich and beach-ready.
To achieve the right shade, ask your stylist for notes of bronze and pink throughout your hair. Whether you’re a blonde, brunette, or something in between, there’s a way to make this look work.