7 Hair Dye Trends You Need To Know, From Balayage to Babylights

Tip: Not sure you want to make the commitment to a different hair color? Perhaps just try the look first by purchasing a colored wig!

Try this trend because: No matter what your skin tone or hair color, this trend will work for you.

Image credit: Kim Wasabi and Guy Tang via Instagram

2. Blonde Babylights

Also known as Californian Balayage, the goal of this technique is to imitate the natural highlights little kids get after being out in the sun. It’s a foil highlighting technique that’s applied to very thin hair strands, and the hair can be lightened up to several tones, using variable levels of transition.

Because the colored strands are so fine, this technique can take a long time to do, and is probably best done by a pro. But the results are natural looking, and thus last a long time, without the need to top up often (well, if you’re naturally blonde, that is!).

Tip: Be sure your hair stays healthy with a good color protecting shampoo that’s free of nasty chemicals, like this one.

Try this trend because: It’s actually pretty classic, and is unlikely to go out of style soon.

Image credit here and here.

3. Cotton Candy Dips

Love the colour pink but a bit worried about having an entirely cotton candy coloured mane? Bleach the tips then dye them just a little bit for an ultra-trendy look!

It works on any hair color, and no matter what your skin tone, the tips won’t make a difference to your look – your main hair color will still dominate. Regard the colored tips as a kind of ‘accessory’, not the ‘main outfit’.

Tip: Not keen on cotton candy pink? Any bright rainbow hue can be subbed in for this dip dye look! Teal is one of our favourite options.

Try this trend because: It’s perfect for summer holidays! While you’re off school or work, go a bit crazy, dye your tips, and cut ’em off before you’re back to ‘real life’.

Image credit: Bella Hadid via Instagram and here.

4. All Kinds of Balayage

It may look ultra-modern, but guess what? Balayage has been around since way back in the 60s! The original technique involved painting hair strands in wide sections, with cotton strips. It resulted in a sun-kissed look that became a favourite with the likes of Brigitte Bardot.

Today, balayage is distinguished from your typical hair streaking techniques because strands on the outer surface of your hair are dyed without the use of foils or mesh, by using a 1-point, 2-point (V) or 3 point (W) method, whereas hair painting is heavier, thicker and more uniform – more like the traditional foil technique.

Tip: to get this look right, strands should be dyed close to your natural hair color, and the dyeing process shouldn’t start at the root; it looks more natural further from the crown, and the tips can be dyed slightly lighter than where the dye begins.

Try this trend because: It’s super easy to maintain. Since your natural roots will show through, there’s no need for frequent touch ups.

Image: Instagram @CRIS_COBUCCI and @adcallison

5. Ombré

Ombré is a bit different from bayalage, because it’s all about gradually transitioning to a different color. It starts out darker towards the crown, and gets much lighter towards the ends of the hair, whilst bayalage stays the same shade throughout the streaks.

Also, while there’s a clear fade line between the two (usually contrasting) colors in ombre, in balayage, the highlights usually blend seamlessly into your natural hair color.

Finally, ombré is a trickier, more subtle hair dye style to achieve, and is thus best left to the experts.

Tip: Because the tips of your hair will be dyed longer and possibly bleached, you’ll need a good argan oil like this one to save the ends of your hair from splitting. You can also use the oil on your face and body.

Try this trend because: It’s still pretty cutting-edge in terms of hair trends.

Image: Instagram:RachelleMariano.che and Pinterest

6. Copper

This look is pretty as a penny! (is that an expression? It should be!)

Copper hair colors can easily be achieved multiple ways. Some organic henna brands provide a copper colored tint to the hair, and are possibly the most natural way to get this look. Alternatively, you can use a commercial hair dye, but we’d recommend a brand that’s as natural as can be, since many are, in fact, full of nasty toxins.

Some of the best shades we’ve found for copper coloured hair are:

1. Rose Brown Henna Based Dye by Saachs Organics
2. Dark Caramel Blonde by Madison Reed 
3. Logona Herbal Hair Color in Sahara

Note that these are all different shades of copper; it’s important to consider your skin’s undertones when selecting the right tone for your hair. For example, if your skin has fair or warm tones, try to stick to warmer copper colors and highlights, while those with darker and cooler skin tones are advised to try cooler copper hair colors with touches of violet or ruby to them.

Tip: Stay out of the sun if you dye your hair copper, as the sun will quickly fade your color and make it look brassy.

Try this trend because: Copper hair is a happy medium; it’s not quite as punky radical hair colors like cotton candy, but not as boring as your average natural hair color.

Image credit: Melissa Steven on Instagram and @parlourandjuke

7. Temporary Fantasy Colors

A look that was seen on many catwalks last season was fantasy hair colors. But given that models have to keep their personal looks as neutral and flexible as possible, you can rest assured that the teal, pink, lavender and green hair on display was 100% temporary.

The great news is that you can get this look yourself easily! Just purchase a semi-permanent or temporary dye, and see what happens! Try a vegan friendly semi-permanent dye at home. Two brands we love are Arctic Fox and Manic Panic – they both have a wide variety of paintbox-inspired hues.

Tip: These dyes don’t require bleaching before application, but note that the resulting color may vary, depending on your natural hair color.

Try this trend because: There’s no major commitment required, it’s just temporary fun, so why not?

Images: Tumblr

Main image: Wella hair color