When it comes to hair color trends, there’s literally never a dull moment. From bronde to balayage, this year saw its fair share of haute hues, but as we usher in 2016, what will be next?
“Trends can start with people on the street wearing an intriguing look that others want to replicate,” explains Jim Markham, founder and CEO of ColorProof Evolved Color Care. “Other hair color trends are celebrity driven — a star can wear a new look and it will catch fire, influencing women nationwide to recreate the look as their own. Color trends can also begin on the runways at New York, London, Paris and Milan. These editorialized hairstyles provide inspiration and are interpreted in a wearable version for every day.”
Whether you want a new look or just a slight update, these stylist-approved hair color trends 2016 are pegged as the next big thing. Get ready to book your next appointment!
[ Next: Top Hair Color Trends of 2017, According to Top Stylists ]
40 Hot Hair Color Trends for 2016
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Coming Up Roses
"This tone [rose gold] and all its variations will definitely carry over into the new year," shares Ian Michael Black, Aveda global artistic director of hair color. "It has been a way of giving a new spin on blond hair by giving it more interesting tones, while not taking it too dark."
Image: @mstudiossd
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The (Rose) Gold Standard
"Rose gold hair is a solid, but dimensional hue — plus, it works in darker or lighter shades, which makes it versatile (for most hair colors)," explains Henry Zeegers, Fekkai Melrose Place colorist.
Image: @botbw2013
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Rosy Outlook
"If an all-over shade seems overwhelming, ask your colorist to apply pastels in panels for a peekaboo effect that is completely wearable for most," explains Jim Markham, founder and CEO of ColorProof Evolved Color Care.
Image: @melbournehairblogger
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Stop and Smell the Roses
Move over redheads—rose gold is the perfect complement to blondes looking to have more fun. Not in the mood to make an appointment? The hue becomes even more charming as it fades, leaving behind a subtle tint.
Image: @cassandraplatinum
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Gray Gardens
"We will start to see more blue gray, violet gray and pink gray tones," explains Black. "Like a lot of trends, it's all a natural progression as people get bored, but don't want to move too far away from the original idea."
Image: Pinterest via Pretty Designs
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Silver Lining
"The metallic phenomenon has matured over the past few years," shares Robb Dubre, Kenra Professional senior artistic director. "From traditional 'granny hair' (with only one tone of silver) to become a full metallic obsession, blended with cool tones, warm finishes and pastel influences."
Image: @hadeelaisme
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Gray Matter
Pegged as one of the hottest shades of 2015, #GrannyGray continues its reign in 2016. Will you get in on the trend?
Image: @ninagabriellass
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Age Ain't Nothin' but a Number
"Your age should not dictate if you should follow a trend," Zeegers reminds us. "The most important aspect is achieving a shade that is flattering to your skin tone."
Image: @victoriouslogan
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Gray's Anatomy
"Every head of hair is different," says Zeegers. "The key to maintaining vibrant color is color-protecting shampoo, avoiding excessive heat styling and the sun's harmful UV rays."
Image: @aaanirac
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Good Girls Gone Gray
"If you like to extend the time in between salon visits, I recommend a low-maintenance color, typically within one to two levels of your natural level," says Dubre. "If you like to go and be bold, plan on keeping your salon visit to every four weeks."
Image: @stephanieparizi
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Purple Reign
"Being a mixture of the two Pantone colors of the year, we are going to see [violet] as a standalone tone," says Black. "Seeing it as a tone on platinum hair, giving it the '60s colored setting lotion look' that old women used to wear."
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The Violet Hour
"Hair loses shine from product buildup and excessive heat styling," Zeegers reminds us. "Use a clarifying shampoo once a month (like Fekkai Apple Cider Shampoo) that refreshes the hair and a deep-conditioning product that restores luster and moisture."
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Purple State
"Pastel continues to influence and grow within hair color, from all-over applications to metallic finishes to hair with a multitude of tonalities," says Dubre.
Image: Pinterest via Outfit Trends
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Purple Heart
Colored hair has transitioned from being spotted on angsty teens to every It girl we know. Celebrities like Katy Perry, Nicole Richie and Lauren Conrad participated in the trend in 2015, so expect many more to join in next year.
Image: Pinterest via The Style News Network
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(Not So) Shrinking Violet
Candy-colored hair doesn't have to look over the top. The more contrast between your hair color and skin tone, the more dramatic your look will appear.
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Into the Blue
"[Steel] is a new twist on the blue-black color. Perfect for urbanites who are adopting the 'healthy goth' look," explains Black. "All-black strands are infused with very fine pieces of steel blue to give a much stronger cast of tone to the hair."
Image: @hugosalon
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Blue Blood
Determining your undertones can help you find the perfect shade for your skin tone. If you look at the inside of your wrist and your veins look greenish, you have a warm skin tone. If they’re blue, you have a cool skin tone.
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Blue Lagoon
"The best way to find the most complementary shade for your skin tone is to search for images of hair color you like," explains Zeegers. "Compile them and schedule a consultation with your colorist. A few professional opinions can be an eye-opening experience!"
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Once a Blue Moon
Although the color blue is typically associated with boys (hello baby showers!), it's actually quite feminine. Don't be afraid to take the plunge!
Image: @bescene
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Rhythm and Blues
"There is no one way a hair color trend or fashion trend begins," explains Dubre. "It is an influencer’s blend of artistry and passion that drive hair color trends to be born."
Image: Pinterest via Modern Salon
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Brilliant Blondes
"This classic, timeless color continues to be hot year after year," explains Markham. "Be sure to keep platinum hair bright and brilliant with ColorProof’s SignatureBlonde System that instantly cancels brassy and yellow tones, while nourishing hair from the inside out."
Image: @debbyryan
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Blondes Have More Fun
"To revive over-processed hair, make sure you treat it with the love it deserves," advises Black. "First, stay away from strong heat styling, this is a killer on the hair. Next, invest in some top quality professional level haircare products."
Image: Pinterest via The Beauty Department
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Have a Blond Moment
"Most textures can participate in most hair color trends. I highly recommend consulting with a colorist to see what is possible to achieve," cautions Zeegers.
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Platinum Status
"Often the infamous [at-home color] box may look easy to do," Dubre reminds us. "But with the art of hair color, you should leave this to a trained professional — it will save you time and money in the long run."
Image: @chrisettemichele
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Blond Bombshell
"No matter which color you choose, be sure to protect your color by always using sulfate-free, salt-free formulas designed exclusively for color-treated hair," Markham reminds us. "Always look for products that provide full spectrum UVA/UVB color and heat protection through every step of your routine, from your shampoos and conditioners to your stylers and finishing sprays."
Image: Pinterest via Glam Radar
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Middle Ground
"Bronde works well on most skin tones," explains Zeegers. "[It's] a happy medium between a flat brown and being over highlighted."
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Smooth Sailing
"The ombre hair color phenomenon has continually evolved into more seamless color transitions," says Dubre. "Look toward melding or subtle color transitions from dark to light instead of the ombre’s traditional hard contrast."
Image: Pinterest via Refinery29
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Switch It Up
"One of the best ways to hide a regrowth is to start playing around with where your parting is," Black comments. "As your color grows out, switch it up to a diagonal parting as this will expose less of that natural root color."
Image: @eleanorpendleton
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Baby Love (and Babylights)
"Ombré can be fresh for 2016 by adding babylights in the crown of the head, where the hair is parted, and brighter highlights around the face," says Zeggers. "A fluid tonality and brightness updates the ombré trend."
Image: @the_real_iman
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Join the Dark Side
"Expect to see blondes going more 'natural' in 2016 by incorporating darker hues of light brown and gold throughout their lengths," shares Markham. "This trend is perfect for the blondes who want to go darker, but not too dark!"
Image: Pinterest via Refinery29
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Rainbow Roots
"For those that want to adopt the 'root area as a feature,' but don't want light ends — especially good for those with dark hair," shares Black. "The first 2 to 3 inches of hair at the scalp will be colored a bright vibrant color, this will create something fresh and new."
Image:@cocodevile
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Make It Pop
"Deep shadow roots give your look a bit more edge," says Zeegers. "There are many new products that camouflage roots. Usually, a darker-colored powder works best, either in an aerosol spray or brush-on formula."
Image:@cassderosa
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Over The Rainbow
"This technique produces similar results to ombré and sombré, but uses color for lift or deposit instead of bleach for a more controlled results," shares Markham.
Image: @cynthiaglam
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Crown Yourself
Lowlights, highlights and now crownlights? Roots take center stage with colorful depth for a reverse ombre effect.
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Color Me Bad
Don't hide your roots, showcase them! This trend effectively combines the shadow root and pastel trends without trying too hard.
Image: @lottietommo123
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Pretty in Pastel
"Yes, pastel hair is still a thing!" Zeegers reminds us. "However, the trend has transitioned more into opal tones — think more muted and smoky."
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Taste the Rainbow
Maintain a sense of normalcy by infusing an array of colors with your natural color.
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Vibrant Thing
"Water and shampoo are the killers for a lot of hair colors, especially those more vibrant tones," shares Black. "Trying not to over shampoo your hair is a good habit to get into. Extend the periods between shampoos by using a dry shampoo to freshen up your look."
Image: Pinterest via Curls Understood
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Pretty in Punk
Want to try the hair color trends without the commitment? Opt for temporary color that washes out in two shampoos or less.
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The Alternative Ombre
"This trend is fun for an edgy client," shares Markham. "With this technique, color the ends of hair to look like you literally dipped them in paint in fun, fashion-forward colors."
Image: @mydarlinglight
