How to Get Oil Slick Hair

When you think beauty, gasoline and oil are probably not the first images that pop into your head. That is, until the oil slick hair color trend began to dominate social media timelines. This stunning hair color is perfect for those with brunette or black hair that want to try a rainbow hair color without excessive bleaching (which can cause hair damage). While it started to hit runways and celeb heads a few seasons ago, the trend made a full comeback this year. And it’s actually a complex-looking style that you can do right at home. So keep reading to find out everything you need to know about getting an oil slick hair color.

What Is Oil Slick Hair?

Let’s start with a refresher in case you missed it when this hair color began to gain popularity a few seasons ago. Inspired by the colors reflected in puddles of oil and gasoline on the pavement, the oil slick hair trend is equally as gorgeous as it is edgy. Oil slick hair dyes are hues of magenta, purple, cobalt, and green. These rich colors need a dark base to fully stand out, making it the perfect hair color option for those with dark strands. And it’s customizable—you can have your ends sport the trend or color your entire mane. Oil slick hair also involves less maintenance than other colorful hair trends since each color is a strong, bold hue that will last longer than the pastel shades you may have seen out and about.

How To Pick Oil Slick Hair Dyes

Depending on the placement of your colored strands, you may want to go to a professional who has an eye for creating the perfect oil slick hair color. But, if DIY is more your thing (or salon closures are happening again), you can absolutely get this look at home. Note that before any coloring occurs, you will have to use a hair bleach, like the L’Oréal Paris Colorista Bleach, to lighten any strands you want to color. Then decide how long you want to sport this trendy color to determine if temporary, semi-permanent hair color, or permanent hair dye is the best option for your oil slick hair.

If you want temporary oil slick hair use a washout hair color like the L’Oréal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup Temporary 1-Day Hair Color Spray in Blue, Purple, Hot Pink, and Pastel Mint. This hair color washes out with just one shampoo and you can mix multiple shades to customize your oil slick look.

If you want semi-permanent oil slick hair use the L’Oréal Paris Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Color in Midnight Blue, Hot Pink, Purple, and Teal. This hair color will wash out in four to ten shampoos, making it the perfect option for those who want their oil slick locks to last more than one day but don’t want to change their hair color permanently.

If you want permanent oil slick hair permanent hair dyes in blue, purple, pink, and green. If you want to commit to oil slick hair for the long haul, a permanent hair coloring kit will be able to give you the oil slick hair color of your dreams.

How To Maintain Oil Slick Hair Color

Once you’re rocking oil slick hair, you want to make sure you switch up your hair care routine to take care of your trendy color. Swap your usual hair care products for shampoo and conditioner that are safe for color-treated hair. We love the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Strengthening Color Care Shampoo and the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Strengthening Conditioner which help to repair weak hair bonds that become fragile from bleaching and coloring. 

Hair and Photo Credit: Danny Willis, IG/@mista.willis