It’s no secret that different colors of the rainbow are having quite the moment when it comes to hair. From everyday life to our social media feeds to what we’re streaming, hair with pops of color are just about everywhere. And with work from home the new normal for so many, there’s never been a better time to get in on all the colorful action. Fortunately, that doesn’t mean you have to dye your entire head of hair. There are plenty of inventive ways to incorporate a fun hair color into your look. Below, we’ve rounded up 10 fun ways to embrace a colorful look without going overboard, including inventive highlights, dip dye techniques, and ombré styles.
1. DIP DYE
One of the best ways to add a pop of color to your hair is to dip dye the ends. The best part about dip dyeing is that—much like a messy bun—it’s not meant to look perfect. So, whether you want to dip some sections higher than others or use different colors altogether, the end result will be nothing short of eye-catching. You can experiment with different colors using the L’Oréal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup Temporary 1-Day Hair Color Spray. Simply wash it out when you’re ready to move on.
2. COLORED ROOTS
Once upon a time, a harsh line between your roots and the rest of your hair color was a big no-no. Not anymore, though! Nowadays, street style looks are teeming with colored roots that make a bold statement. Adding a hint of color to the center of your crown can be a great way to experiment with a hue you might want all over, too.
3. BOLD BANGS
Whether you have straight across, side-swept or curtain bangs, your fringe can be the perfect place to add a pop of color. With just a smidge of color, you can frame your face and bring out the colors in your eyes. Pick a hue that’s complementary to your skin’s undertones. If you have warm undertones, opt for warm pops of color and if you have cool undertones, choose cooler hues.
4. FACE FRAMING COLOR
If you don’t have bangs but still want to add a pop of color to frame your face, simply color the pieces at the very front of your hair in the hue of your choice. Whether you go bold with a completely contrasting hue or add a subtle shade that draws just enough attention to your face is up to you. If you’re not sure how long you want to keep it, try L’Oréal Paris Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Color which will gradually fade after a few washes.
Editor’s Note: If you have dark hair you’ll need to lighten it first with bleach to see the best color results. Try L’Oréal Paris Colorista Bleach in All Over.
5. SUBTLE STREAKS
Perfect for the girl who loves a good trend, but is somewhat non-committal, subtle streaks can add the perfect amount of color—not to mention dimension—to your strands. Whether you’re excited about the pink and purple hair color trends that are flooding our timelines, or want something uniquely you (hello turquoise!), you can do it with streaks that won’t make you need to pull your hair into a back ponytail every time you have a virtual meeting.
6. TINTED DARK HAIR
Who said light-haired girls can be the only ones having fun with their hair color? Sure, it may take a bit of bleaching and a little more time at the salon or in your DIY sesh when you start out with a darker color—but it’ll totally be worth it when you see the end result. Whether you want to go bold with a vibrant shade or keep it low-key with a muted lavender or deep eggplant, your hair will be on point.
7. GO FOR GOLD…ROSE GOLD, THAT IS
If a headful of highlights and lowlights or an allover classic dye isn’t your idea of being creative with your hair, then why not switch up your color palette a bit? Consider a gorgeous rose gold hair color. This metallic hue puts a twist on redheaded bliss with a pinkish finish, making it a stunningly unique alternative to traditional color choices. Get the look temporarily with the L’Oréal Paris Colorista 1-Day Spray in Rose Gold.
8. HIDDEN HUES
If you’re back in the office, an allover vivid dye job may be out of the question. But that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the fun. Instead of dyeing your full head of hair, opt for a hidden dye job. The color will live within the under-layer of your hair, so it will only be visible during excessive hair flips and when you pull your hair up. Hide it on the weekdays and show it off on the weekends!
9. PASTEL BLONDE
White blonde hair is pretty alluring on its own. So can you just imagine the statement you could make when you incorporate a series of pastel highlights or an allover wash? Perfect for showcasing super-pale hues, white blonde hair will be the base of your bold—but not overstated—new ‘do. To take this look for a test drive, add subtle stripes of the L’Oréal Paris Colorista 1-Day Spray in Pastel Blue or Pastel Mint.
10. BALAYAGE
Why not get creative with a slightly-more-than-dip-dyed ends approach? With the right ombré painted onto your strands, you’ll be able to gently transition between your natural color and a series of others without any harsh lines of demarcation. And since balayage features lived-in roots, it’s super low-maintenance.
