While shades of brown and blonde will always hold a special place in our hearts, we’re all about getting creative with our hair color. The holographic beauty trend has been around for years from strobing highlighters, iridescent nail designs, and multi-dimensional eyeshadow. While holographic hair color was once reserved for Halloween and festival season, these days, we’re fully embracing the iridescent, multi-dimensional hues any time of year.
Whether you want to opt for a temporary hair color or commit to a full-on fantasy shade, keep scrolling for 16 of our favorite ways to try holographic hair color in 2020.
What is holographic hair color?
Think of your go-to translucent highlighter. As the glow on your cheekbone catches the light, it gives off a multi-colored, reflective appearance. Hair colorists have mimicked the holographic makeup trend to create holographic hair color, a blend of multi-dimensional, high-shine pastel shades that change colors as your strands move in the light.
How is holographic hair color done?
If you think holographic hair color sounds too magical to be real, think again! A colorist who specializes in vibrant hair colors can help you live out your fantasy. Your colorist will begin by bleaching your hair to lift your current hue and create a blank slate before crafting your chosen holographic look. It’s important to note: Bleach will always cause some damage, but your colorist can work with you to improve the look and feel of your strands before you leave the salon.
How To Care For Holographic Hair Color
In a dream world, holographic hair colors would stay vibrant forever. If you’re thinking of trying holographic hair, however, it’s time to get real about your maintenance routine. As fantasy shades tend to lose their luster quickly, you should expect to head to the salon for touch-ups every four to six weeks. Between appointments, your at-home hair care routine can help keep your color vibrant and shiny.
Begin with a shampoo and conditioner formulated for high-maintenance hair colors like Matrix Total Results Keep Me Vivid Shampoo and Conditioner. This system gently cleanses and conditions to maintain the vibrancy of fast-fading hair colors. If your hue needs extra fade prevention, use a color-sealing spray like Matrix Total Results Keep Me Vivid Color Lamination Vibrancy Spray to prolong color and enhance shine.
After a bleach session or two, your strands might look and feel drier and more damaged than usual. That’s why we recommend adding a weekly hair mask like Biolage Colorlast Deep Treatment Multi-Use Hair Mask to your routine. This formula maintains and restores color-treated hair for shiny, vibrant results while damaged, tangled ends.
Feeling inspired to try holographic hair color for yourself? Keep scrolling for 16 of our favorite holographic looks.
The Best Holographic Hair Colors To Try Now
Photo Credit: @sophiaknoppehair.
Unicorn
Ready to embrace your inner child? Try unicorn hair color, a blend of holographic shades that appear almost as magical as the fantasy creature it’s named after.
Photo Credit: @dancsicsaihair.
Opal Blonde
Looking to take your blonde up a notch? When this holographic platinum hue hits the light, you’ll see shifts of pearl-like shine that are sure to catch everyone’s attention.
Good hair day by @steph.p.hair.
Sunset
Neon hair is having a serious moment right now, and holographic sunset hair is the perfect way to get a little taste of both trends. Just like a golden hour sunset, all eyes will be on you and your new hue.
Good hair day by @ashlaboo.
Blue
This variation of holographic hair starts with a blue base color that gives your entire mane an aquatic, beachy vibe. If you’re looking for the perfect summer hair color change, this one’s for you!
Good hair day by @krazy4hair.
Highlights
If you’re not entirely sold on a full head of holographic hair, highlights are never a bad idea! Holographic highlights add shine and dimension to any neutral base color (without the heavy maintenance routine)!
Good hair day by @beyondthemane_.
Mother Of Pearl
If you want to add a bit more color into your holographic blonde hue, meet mother of pearl. This iridescent platinum hue with notes of pastel blue, pink, and lavender perfectly complements pale skin tones.
Good hair day by @designsofcomposure.
Periwinkle
When it comes to holographic shades that are universally flattering, periwinkle is at the top of the list. If you’re looking for a holographic shade to pair perfectly with dark skin tones, ask your colorist for this blue-violet hue.
Good hair day by @locksbylauryn.
Mermaid
Mermaid-inspired manes are already gorgeous but if you’re looking for something a bit more flashy, ask your colorist for mermaid hair with a holographic finish. Paired with super long hair, this stunning blend of shimmering colors is awe-inspiring.
Good hair day by @kristidaybeauty.
Holographic Ends
If you’re searching for an on-trend way to edge into holographic hair, start with dip dyed ends. Instead of going full-on fantasy hair, your colorist will only apply your holographic hue to the ends of your strands.
Good hair day by @kseniakisavna.
Prismatic
We love coloring our strands every shade on the spectrum, so we’re always playing with new ways to try rainbow hair. Ask your colorist for a prismatic look if you want to get creative with your placement.
Good hair day by @oxana.shpak.
Holographic Bob
Hot take: You don’t need waist-length strands to slay the holographic hair look. In fact, we think a multi-dimensional hue paired with a chin-length bob makes just as much of an impact.
Good hair day by @courtgannhair.
Balayage
We get it: The high-maintenance life isn’t for everyone. While you’ll still need to touch up your holographic hue every few weeks to keep it vibrant and shiny, opting for a balayage can eliminate the need for constant root touch-ups.
Good hair day by @giannadoll13.
Oil Slick
Brunettes, 2020 is your year—and you don’t have to sacrifice all of your brown locks to bring your dream holographic hue to life;case in point: oil slick hair. This inky, iridescent blend of blue, green, and purple throughout a dark base color is the easiest, most stunning way for brunettes to try holographic hair.
Good hair day by @nellieduclos.
Blue And Green
Obsessed with cool-toned hair color? This holographic blend of blue and green shades is flattering for every skin tone.
Good hair day by @honeyhousehair.
Vibrant Roots
We’re embracing dark roots like never before, but what about colorful roots? Pairing vibrant roots with holographic pastel shades from the mid-lengths to ends is one of the most unexpected and edgy ways to try the trend in 2020.
Good hair day by @valeriealexis_creations.
Braided
Once your colorist perfects your holographic shade, it’s time to find the best hairstyle to show it off. Whether you’re heading to a weekend out with friends or to a festival, double dutch braids are the perfect way to enhance your dimensional color.
Interested in trying a holographic hair color? Use our salon locator to book an appointment with a stylist near you.