7 Hair Trends That Are in and Out for 2018, According to Celeb Colorists

The beginning of the new year may be a time for resolutions (ahem, #DryJanuary), rebooting certain areas of your life, and a slew of other feel-good, health-conscious decisions, but it’s also the perfect time to embrace a new look. Tired of your tresses and the color that carried you through 2017? We hear you, which is why we enlisted Hollywood’s top pros to let us in on what’s hot and what’s not when it comes to the hues that will reign supreme this season.

IN TRENDS

1. All the Reds: According to Matrix Celebrity Stylist George Papanikolas, 2018 is going to be the year of the redhead. “My clients will be pushing toward not only coppers and gingers, but also rich merlot reds and auburns. But maintaining such rich red tones requires extra care,” says Papanikolas. “Since red involves a single-process color, touchups are needed every 4-6 weeks, and when touching up your roots, an additional gloss like Matrix Color Sync will refresh the mids and ends and keep the color vibrant and balanced… especially for the more intense copper shades. I also suggest using a mask once to twice a week, such as Total Results Miracle Creator Mask, to ensure your hair is receiving the nourishment it needs.”

2. Highlights Placed Closer to the Roots: Madison Reed Educator and Master Colorist David Stanko is a big fan of this style. His trick for making it look more casual? Grow the highlights out slightly for a more lived-in vibe.

3. Softer Pastel Tones: 2017 might have brought us mermaid/unicorn overload — from hair color to Starbucks lattes — but it’s all about softer pastel hues like apricot, rose gold, and pearl this year. And if you want to test those pastel waters before taking the full plunge, Stanko suggests trying Madison Reed Color Reviving Gloss to have fun with temporary pigments.

4. Low Subtle Dimension on Brunettes: Joico Guest Colorist Gion Vincent predicts the hair color mood will be going darker with very low subtle dimension à la Bella Hadid and Sabrina Claudio. “I love using the Joico Color Endure Shampoo/Conditioner, as it works to keep hair from fading,” he says.

Out Trends

1. Platinum Blonde Hair on Dark Brunettes: One thing Papanikolas insists we won’t be seeing more of in 2018? The tired (and uber harsh) platinum color and obvious roots combo on deep brown-to-black locks. “I suggest giving your strands a break and straying closer to your natural shade,” he advises. “The Biolage R.A.W. ColorCare line will maintain your subtle color, and Biolage R.A.W. Styling products are great for maintaining a more undone look.”

2. Mermaid and Unicorn Color: “It’s become mainstream and way less interesting now that everyone’s done it,” says Stanko. “Color chameleons should let their inner mermaid swim back to sea and see those bold colors fade to softer pastel tones, but nothing too sooty, gray, dusty, or dull.”

3. The Gray Fad:

“I’m so against anyone under the age of 55 purposely having their hair bleached to make it ‘silver’ and ‘gray’ mainly [because] it’s so over and the process destroys the hair, leaving it like a dried-out, unmanageable broom that basically has to be mostly grown out or heavily treated with protein to even have any chance of evolving into another color look. So 2018 says goodbye to the gray fad and hello to healthy hair trends.” (Photo via Michael Bezjian/Getty)

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