The Coolest Pastel Hair Colors to Try Right Now
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Whatever is going on in beauty, it’s a safe bet that there’s a slew of hair-color trends to play with. Currently it’s all about the pastel hair colors, with pale pinks, blues, and oranges becoming just as popular (and socially acceptable) as shades of blonde, brown and red. Pastel fashion colors may not be the most low-maintenance of hair color looks, but they’re arguably the most fun! Celebs like Megan Fox, Rihanna, and Kim Kardashian have all hopped on the trend in recent months, making pastel hair one of the trendiest dye jobs of the moment.
Aside from instantly brightening your mood and being cool as hell, the popularity of pastel hair colors is probably because they’re pretty easy to DIY. Because fading and imperfections are part of the appeal, it’s way easier to dye your hair pink at home than it is to apply a natural hair color. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind before reaching for the Manic Panic.
How do I get pastel hair?
Stephanie Brown, master colorist at IGK Salon Soho in NYC, warns that even if you have darker blonde hair, the color may not turn out as vivid as it looks on the box. Generally, the only way to achieve that shade is by bleaching your hair, which she absolutely does not recommend doing yourself. She finds pinks are easiest to do at home, since they look pretty no matter the tone, and green is the most unpredictable, since it can veer yellow.
Sierra Kener, celebrity colorist at 901 Salon in West Hollywood, agrees, adding that bleaching your hair is the best way to get the results you want. “To achieve pastel hair colors, hair first needs to be lightened as much as it can be while maintaining the integrity of the hair,” she says. “It’s important for hair to be as light as possible so the colors will look soft enough!”
How do you know if pastel hair suits you?
When it comes to deciding on a shade, celebrity hair colorist, Aura Friedman recommends finding up a shirt or scarf in the color you’re considering and holding it up to your face. That way you can see how the color brings out your eyes and complexion.
Does pastel hair look good on all skin tones?
If it’s pink you’re after, you’re in luck since the shade suits a range of skin tones. “For blondes who tend to have pink skin, I recommend putting pink in their hair,” says Friedman. “It will actually pull the pink from your face and give the impression of a more even skin tone.”
Kener says that pastel colors work on all skin tones, as long as you select a shade that works with your undertones. “Pastel pink can bring out warmth on fair skin, Arctic blue works beautifully on medium or olive skin tones, and deep skin tones look amazing with lavender or coral,” she says. To get the look, she recommends the dyes from My Identity.
Can’t pick just one? Jonathan Colombini, owner of John Henry salon in Malibu and creative Director of style & color for L’Oréal Paris says, “Split dye (half and half) is a big trend I’m seeing for spring and summer.” So you can pair your two favorite shades side by side for a totally unique-to-you look.
Does pastel hair fade fast?
“Fading is something to be aware of, so proper maintenance is key if you want to dye your hair a pastel shade,” explains Colombini. He recommends using a sulfate- and paraben-free shampoo and conditioner like L’Oréal Paris Ever Pure to prevent color fading. It’s also helpful to incorporate a color-toning gloss, which will help enhance color and shine.
Whatever shade you decide, we rounded up the best pastel hair ideas to try right now. Scroll on for all the inspo you could ever need.
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