Is it biased to say spring is the best time of the year? We have the flowers, the weather and the chic fashion picks. But our favorite part is the chance to refresh, renew and restart. While it can mean sprucing up the house for some, others are looking to update their physical appearance.
If you were hesitant in the winter to book your hair appointment, let this be a sign for the new season ahead. ( Read more: Top beautiful hair colors will “dominate” winter 2022 )
Spring’s hair color trends are shaping up, and if this sneak peek is anything to go by, 2023 is looking bright. From the lightest of blondes, to the boldest of blues, to the shiniest of brunettes, it’s all about creating colors that glow from now until summer comes along.
So, let’s spring into the hottest hues that are about to blow up in salons. Notebooks and mixing bowls at the ready; here are the spring hair color trends your clients are going to love…
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Top 9 Spring Hair Color Trends to Mix Up Now
Bombshell Blonde
Think Pamela Anderson’s Baywatch era, and you’ve got the tone to a tee. Bright, platinum blondes are back in a big way, complete with backcombed volume and a bouncy blow-dry. It’s not the easiest shade to maintain, so clients will need to be ready for the high commitment. However, when it comes to making an impact, there’s no shade of blonde quite like it.
This is one look that’s heavy on the pre-lightener, so use bond-strengthening BlondorPlex to achieve the lift. Then, tone with demi-permanent Color Touch 10/81 or permanent Illumina Color 10/1.
Mocha Brown
Spring hair color: Ring Lighting Hair
Denim Blue Hair
Contrasting Caramel Highlights
When it comes to blonde highlights on dark brown hair, it’s all about making them pop. Go for high contrast, caramel tones at least three to four shades lighter than the base to achieve a trend called ‘twilighting’. You’ll need to pre-lighten chunky sections first – try Blondor Freelights painted through mid-lengths and ends – then tone with a warm blonde. Some of our favorites include Koleston Perfect 8/39( can you remove this), Color Touch 8/0 and Illumina Color 8/37.
Cool, Crisp Copper
Sandy Blonde
Pastel Pink
At-Home Hair Glossing
9 Ways To Avoid Hair Color Fading
- Wait 72 hours to shampoo—after your initial wash to remove excess color, of course. The reason? The process of coloring your hair opens up the hair cuticle to receive artificial pigment, so one of the most important steps you can take to preserve your color is to allow enough time for the cuticle to close completely. We’re not saying don’t take a shower for 3 days, just wear a shower cap, mmkay?
- Take lukewarm showers whenever possible. Yes, this is an incredibly hard thing to hear. We’re all about the piping hot showers, too. But here’s the thing—cold water is much gentler on colored hair. Hot water can actually re-open the hair cuticle, allowing color to escape. Cold water, on the other hand, locks your color in. May we suggest investing in a space heater for your bathroom?
- Put a filter on it. On your shower head, that is. Installing a filter will cut down on your hair’s exposure to minerals like iron and lime, and even small amounts of chlorine, which are way too harsh for artificial hair color to be subjected to on a regular basis. Your hair will likely feel softer, too.
- Avoid sulfates in shampoo and conditioner. Sulfates can strip your hair of color, so it’s important to wash and condition your strands with color-safe products only. Try our sulfate-free Color Protecting Shampoo + Conditioner for a gentle cleanse that will leave your hair feeling softer, shinier, and stronger.
- Wash your hair less often. This one is very low-effort. The less you wash your hair, the better for your color. Unless your hair is very oily, you should definitely refrain from washing it every day. If you can go three or even four days between shampooing, do it. Remember, dry shampoo is a beautiful invention we could all be buying more of.
- Take a break from hot tools. The less heat you subject your poor hair to, the better. But we know how hard it is to quit hot tools cold turkey. Instead, baby steps. Commit to air drying your hair once a week. Keep your blow dryer and straightening iron on the lowest possible heat settings. And always, always use a heat protectant before styling.
- Stay out of the sun. Getting too much sun isn’t just bad for your skin, it accelerates hair color fading, too. UV rays can penetrate the hair cuticle and oxidize or bleach out your color. Luckily, sunscreen for hair actually is a thing…our Color Protecting Shampoo + Conditioner contains fade-resistant UV protection. But if you know you’ll be spending the whole day outside, you should also bring along a cute hat.
- Make masking a hobby, for the sake of healthier hair. When your hair becomes dry or brittle, it’s actually far more susceptible to color-fading. Adding hydration back in is key. Once a week, apply a deep conditioning treatment or hair mask to your mid-lengths and ends. Then leave it on for at least one hour. Moisture is the essence of hair color longevity…or something like that.
- Use styling products developed specifically for color-treated hair that aren’t too harsh or too drying. Products containing alcohol, ammonia, or peroxide (listed as one of the main ingredients) can be especially damaging to color-treated locks. Your hair color is crying out for nourishing ingredients, not drying ones.
While you can’t prevent your color from fading, you can take simple steps to keep it looking and feeling healthier and more vibrant. And when it is time to color your hair again, just remember: a little pampering and protection goes a long way.
How To Keep Dyed Hair Healthy
The 10 commandments to follow after you colour…
So you’ve joined the Colorista clan, you’ve gone rogue on your choice of shade. But even though Colorista formulas care, coloured hair simply needs some extra T.L.C. So how to keep your colour fresh – and your hair silky, shiny and smooth? There are 10 top secrets that every Colorista should know…
1. Wash your hair less frequently
The more you wash, the quicker your colour will fade – it really is as simple as that. So buy back some time in your everyday routine and skip the frequent washing. The best way to care for your colour is to wash only twice or thrice a week – then soak up oil from those roots with dry shampoo when needed.
2. Skip straight to conditioner
So, you’re having trouble weaning yourself off daily washing – you’ve been doing it for years. At the very least, put your hair on a “low poo” diet by skipping shampoo and jumping straight to conditioner. You’ll add softness, shine and caring nourishment – all without washing that crazy colour away.
3. Pick the right shampoo
There’s a reason why colour protective shampoo was invented. Whilst some regular shampoos can wash away your colour and accelerate colour fade, formulas like L’Oréal Paris Elvive Colour Protect Shampoo actually work to protect your colour, helping to keep your pastel, vivid or metallic shade looking beautiful and vibrant. Whatever you do, choose a “low sulphate” shampoo as it will help to wash out less colour from your hair.
4. Condition, condition, condition
When we colour our hair, it becomes more fragile – this helps the colour make an exit and therefore, that’s when fading occurs. So allow the oils, butters, conditioning polymers and other hydrating elements that often go into a great conditioner to help form a protective barrier and help prevent your colour making a bid for freedom.
5. Heat Protection
They work – In particular, the ingredients in heat protection sprays reduce heat damage, most likely by evening out how the hair heats up. However, they can’t insulate your hair from most of the damage, so you still need to minimise your hair’s exposure to heat styling!
6. Make time for masks
Did we mention condition? Just for good measure, it’s back in at number six. If you’ve been on a colour break and become slack about masking, now’s the time to get back on the wagon. Just 5-10 minutes of masking twice a week can add a super dose of healing nourishment that helps to repair damage, increase shine – and naturally, keep that colour going stronger for longer.
7. Air dry
There’s a blow-dry backlash brewing amongst the style set – and we think we know why. Addicted to colour – that’s crazier by the second – they know that all that heat from blow-dryers, straightening irons and curling tongs may not only be damaging to the hair, but also be pressing play on yet more moisture loss and compromising that radiant colour. So do as they do and simply apply L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Hair Oil to damp hair to nourish and add shine – all whilst helping to save your colour from the perils of the hairdryer.
8. Use filters
One of the number one enemies to long-lasting, super bold colour is UV light from the sun. Even in winter when the days seem dark, light loves to play havoc with your hair. So add a UV filter finishing spray to your morning routine and show the sun who’s boss.
9. Swim smart
Remember the stories about chlorine turning coloured hair a slimy shade of green? Chlorine can not only change your colour (obviously not colouring it green), but it can also fast forward fading. So if you’re heading to the pool, prep your hair and pre-condition. Apply a layer of conditioner to your hair and spin it up into a bun to form a protective barrier against chemical damage. After all, if you’d wanted to go green, you’d have picked Colorista Spray in Mint.
10. Eat right
Condition – like beauty – starts from within, so feed your hair from the inside out. A diet rich in oily fish such as salmon and mackerel will nourish your hair with omega-3 fatty acids, making it shiny and strong. Add some walnuts in and get a hit of vitamin E to help combat dry, brittle hair post-colour.
