There’s something about the first sign of warm weather that makes us want to ring up our colorist and make an appointment for a fresh hue and ‘do. One of 2022’s biggest beauty trends is bright hair colors, which includes everything from striking blue hair to vibrant hot pink hair to fire engine-inspired bright red hair. It even includes less “out there” shades like bright blonde hair or rose gold.
If you’re looking to get your summer started with a bold hair color this season, you’re in luck. Here are 20 brightly colored hair ideas trending in 2022.
The Best Bright Hair Colors to Try Now
Wondering which bright hair color is right for you? Whether you want to upgrade your ash blonde hair or are trading in your dark brown hair, these 20 vivid hair colors will instantly brighten up your life.
White
Interested in lightening and brightening your blonde? It doesn’t get much brighter than white hair color. While cool-toned platinum shade is definitely a head-turner, it does require a bit of maintenance. Head to a professional colorist for safe bleaching and then make sure you’ve equipped yourself with products to keep your new bright hair gorgeous and healthy.
Since bright blonde hair colors typically require a hefty amount of bleach, you’ll want to use strengthening products at home. One of our favorite strengthening regimens is Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Bundle, which helps keep your strands healthy, shiny, and strong. We also recommend using Redken Color Extend Blondage Color Depositing Purple Shampoo for Blonde Hair once every week or two to help neutralize brassy and yellow tones.
Silver
For a slight twist on white blonde hair, try silver. You can either lean into your silvery roots, or have your colorist go in with silver hair dye or toner. To keep your silvery strands from becoming brassy, incorporate color-protecting, neutralizing products into your routine. Matrix Total Results So Silver Deep Conditioning Toning Hair Mask enhances silver tones in gray or platinum hair while also hydrating.
Greige Hair
Not quite feeling bright white or silver? There’s a slightly warmer, sunnier hue you could try instead that still has that cool-toned effect. We’re talking about greige, a bright hair color that combines both cool (gray) warm (beige) notes.
Fire and Ice
Speaking of cool and warm, can we talk about fire and ice hair for a sec? This bright hair color idea combines two starkly different hues—red and blue—to represent earthly elements. We love the way this one even added different shades of each for more dimension.
Bright Red Hair
One of the top vivid hair colors for 2022 is bright red hair, as in fire engine, tomato, and spicy chili peppers. It’s definitely a bold hair choice, but if you’re feeling brave we say go for it. One thing to note about red hair is that it’s known to fade quickly, so do what you can to extend the vibrancy. We recommend using a high-quality, color-protecting hair care system, such as Redken Color Extend Magnetics Sulfate-Free Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair and Color Extend Magnetics Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair.
Hot Pink
If you adore pastel pink but have bright hues on the brain, you can’t go wrong with hot pink. It’s vibrant, adventurous, and looks stunning across all complexions, including people who have tan or dark skin tones.
Bright Green
Talk about a fresh hair color! Bright green is a color-drenched hue that gives us major summer vibes. To keep your green as brilliant as possible, reach for
New to bright hair? Since vibrant hues are prone to fading, you’ll want to make a few changes to your hair care routine. Try the Matrix Total Results Keep Me Vivid Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Conditioner system, which is an excellent choice for high-maintenance hues like green.
Neon Peach
Juicy peaches are a must come summer, so why not let the fuzzy fruit inspire your own hair? Ask your colorist to go just a bright brighter versus pastel for a more neon effect. You could try an all-over hue, skunk stripes, or an edged look like the one pictured here.
Electric Blue
Blue is one of our favorite bright hair colors for 2022. It offers so much depth and dimension and is bound to earn you positive attention wherever you wander. To create a glossy sheen and fight dullness, try Kérastase Soin Acide Chroma Gloss. It'll help you preserve that "just wanted out of the salon" look while also strengthening and sealing your hair for vibrant color long after your appointment.
Bright Copper
If you’re already sporting neutral copper locks, amp things up with a brighter variation of the orangey-red hue. From vibrant strawberry to deep ginger, the possibilities for copper hair creations are endless!
Mint and Red
Here’s a cool clash of bright hair colors that’ll make a major impact. How you approach this look is up to you. You could try just a hint of red at the front edges, opt for a half and half look, or take a highlight or balayage approach.
Marigold
This yellow-orange hue is as close to hair that shines as brightly as the bun. Unlike the low-maintenance flower it’s named after, marigold hair color requires a lot of TLC to keep its vibrancy in full bloom. Always use a hair care routine with a shampoo and conditioner system for color-treated hair. We also recommend using a deep conditioner to nourish your strands, such as Biolage Color Last Deep Treatment Pack Multi Use Hair Mask.
Sunset
Sunset hair color has been around for a minute, and it’s not going anywhere soon. We mean, who could grow tired of a color trend that makes your strands resemble a gorgeous sunset? We’ll take this stunning blend of vivid pink, orange, yellow, and purple tones year after year.
Vibrant Coral
Vibrant color is giving us serious under the sea vibes, which makes it ideal for summer days spent dipping your toes in the warm beach sand. To really lean into the beachy vibes, try Kérastase Soleil Beach Bi-Phase Oil Mist. Infused with babassu oil, this texturizing spray-meets-hair oil creates touchably soft beach waves.
Electric Orange Hair
Take the vibrancy up a few more notches with electric orange hair. This vivid hair color is certainly not for the faint of heart, but it’s one of our favorites for 2022 for that exact reason. This year is all about going bigger, brighter, and bolder and orange hair does all the above.
Lavender
If the weather is warming up but you’re looking to keep your strands cool, we suggest trying lavender hair color. This gorgeous purple hue packs a seriously bright punch and is universally flattering, as well. Plus it’s inspired by one of the prettiest summer herbs out there!
Rich Purple
If you’re craving a bright hair color that’s a bit more saturated, rich purple is the way to go. Like lavender, it flatters all complexions. Help keep your color vibrant and shiny with a strengthening treatment, such as Matrix Total Results Miracle Creator Nourishing Strengthening Mask. In just 60 seconds, it intensely nourishes and strengthens your mane.
Purple & Blue
Itching for a little something extra with your purple strands? Try a swirling duet of purple and blue! We love the way these two colors perfectly complement each other.
Rainbow
Rainbow hair is easily one of our favorite tried and true bright hair color ideas! You can go so many different directions with this one, too. For example, you could try a true ROYGBIV spectrum, or you can opt for pale pastel shades. You could even just combine a few different bright hair colors.
Rainbow Highlights
Those not quite ready to jump on the rainbow bandwagon should consider rainbow highlights instead. You still get that bright mix of colors, but it’s a bit more subtle. As an alternative, try a peekaboo rainbow look where the colors sit underneath the top layer of your hair.
How Can I Get Vibrant Color Without Bleach?
We know, going for a bright hair color isn’t exactly easy. It often requires a round or two of bleaching, which can damage your strands. Bright hair colors also require at-home upkeep, including hair care systems that protect vibrancy and conditioning treatments that strengthen and nourish.
If you’d rather skip the bleach but aren’t quite ready to let go of vibrant hair colors just yet, consider a semi-permanent color-depositing conditioner. These products are formulated with pigments that brighten, tone, and enhance your existing color—no bleach required. Plus, they offer additional benefits like hydration and softening.
For example, Biolage Red Poppy Color Depositing Conditioner offers a bright red hair look and Biolage Lavender Color Depositing Conditioner creates a bright purple hue.
How Long Do Bright Colors Last in Hair?
As gorgeous as bright hair colors are, they’re notorious for fading quickly. For that reason, at-home maintenance and routine salon appointments are a must if you want to maintain that fresh vibrancy. Aim for touch-ups about once every three to six weeks, and always use use a shampoo and conditioner that protects your color, such as Redken Color Extend Magnetics Sulfate-Free Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair and Color Extend Magnetics Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair.
Also note that many bright colors require a bleach session (or several) before you achieve your desired hue. Since bleach can take a toll on the look and feel of your strands, incorporate a weekly hair treatment into your routine. Matrix Total Results Miracle Creator Nourishing Strengthening Mask intensely nourishes and strengthens your mane in a minute flat.
Now that you have a range of bright hair color ideas for inspiration, make sure you’re protecting your strands between coloring appointments. Shop the best salon-quality products at Hair.com.