Spring is quickly approaching and if you’ve already begun upgrading your wardrobe with floral dresses and sandals, revamping your spring hair color might also be on your seasonal to-do list. While winter is the perfect time to stick to brown hair colors or muted pastels, the carefree vibes of spring tends to leave us feeling more experimental. If you’re feeling bold, we have the perfect trend for you: metallic hair color.
If you’re wondering what metallic hair color is, how to care for it, and the best looks to try, keep scrolling for everything you need to know.
What is a metallic hair color?
Metallic hair color transforms both neutral and vibrant hair colors into reflective, eye-catching hues that remind us of a shiny, freshly-minted coin. To achieve the look, your colorist will need to bleach your mane before applying the metallic hue you desire. It’s important to note that bleach will always cause hair damage, but your colorist can help to restore the look and feel of your strands before you leave the salon.
How do you take care of metallic hair color?
Now that you’re caught up on metallic hair, let’s talk about maintenance. If you want to keep your metallic hue in tip-top shape, you’ll need to see your colorist every four weeks or so for touch-ups. Aside from your touch-up appointments, you’ll also need to step up your at-home hair care routine.
Start with a shampoo and conditioner formulated for high-maintenance hair colors like Matrix Total Results Keep Me Vivid Shampoo and Conditioner. This acidic system gently cleanses and conditions to maintain the vibrancy of fast-fading hair colors.
If you sat through a bleach session or two to achieve your metallic shade, your strands will probably need an extra bit of TLC. We recommend incorporating a weekly hair mask into your hair care routine like the Redken Color Extend Magnetics Mega Mask. The two-in-one hair mask is a treatment and care extender designed specifically for your the color care of your color-treated hair.
How do you get metallic hair dye out of your hair?
As much as we love metallic hair, the not-so-fun part about trying the trend is when the color begins to fade. If you’re trying to remove metallic hair dye from your hair, you should know that metallic formulas can be notoriously difficult to work with. That’s why for all of your color removal needs, we recommend always booking an appointment with your colorist.
Ready to take on a metallic hue but don’t know where to begin? We’ve got you covered! Keep scrolling for 21 of our favorite metallic hair color ideas.
The Best Metallic Hair Color Ideas To Try Now
Violet Rose
Whether you’re trying to go soft and subtle or lean into your adventurous side, there’s a way to make violet rose work for every skin tone. If you’re looking to achieve a metallic violet rose shade, ask your colorist about Redken Shades EQ Violet Rose shades. These hair gloss formulas give your strands a iridescent, violet finish without the commitment of permanent color.
Dark Ash Blonde
Dark ash blonde is one of more muted ways to try metallic hair color, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t equally as stunning as vibrant shades!
Blue Black
If you have black hair, you won’t need to stray too far from your base shade to edge into metallics. Case in point: blue black. Metallic blue black hair can give any muted black base color a touch of vibrancy and shine.
Sterling Silver
Who says sterling silver is only meant to be worn around your finger? Like it’s namesake metal, sterling silver is cool-toned and reflective—which makes it the perfect option for pale skin with cool undertones!
Green
Going green is never a bad idea! Whether you opt for a deep emerald or a pale mint shade, putting a metallic spin on green hair will give your hue instant sophistication.
Dusty Teal
Traditional teal hair is bold and vibrant but if you’re interested in a toned-down variation of the blue-green shade, this dusty teal shade with a metallic finish is perfect for you.
Copper
Like a freshly-minted penny, metallic copper is reflective and bold. If you have fair skin, consider this hue your good luck charm.
Platinum
Icy winter weather might soon be behind us, but platinum blonde is here to stay! If you want to give your hue a boost, opt for a metallic platinum shade that shines like a shimmering snowflake. If you have pale skin, this hair color was made for you!
Pastel Blue
Looking for a metallic hue that’s wearable for every day? Enter pastel blue. This pale shade is just enough to make a statement but isn’t too over the top to wear to work. Plus, the color looks fabulous on every skin tone!
Cobalt Blue
If pastel blue is tame and reserved, cobalt hair color is its bold, statement-making cousin. Ask your colorist for a cobalt blue shade if you’re ready to take on a wild hair color and all of the maintenance that comes with it!
Metallic Lilac Highlights
If you’re tired of brunette and blonde but aren’t totally ready to delve into a full head of metallic hair, why not try lilac hair color with subtle highlights? Whether you opt for full or partial highlights, the end result is sure to be a welcome change from your neutral hair color.
Strawberry Blonde
This blond-copper hybrid is a normally a subtle mix between the two shades. If you’re looking to show off your bold side, ask your colorist for a strawberry blonde hair color with a metallic sheen.
Gunmetal
With so many hair trendsetters embracing shades of gray hair, you’re going to want a hue that helps you stand out from the crowd. That’s why we love this stunning metallic gunmetal shade. Whether you’re going gray naturally or choosing to take on a whole new vibe, this hair color is calling your name!
To maintain your gray hair color, we recommend the Redken Color Extend Graydient Shampoo. The violet shampoo neutralizes unwanted yellow and orange undertones while toning, nourishing, and strengthening gray and silver hair.
Rose Gold
So many hair color trends come and go, but rose gold hair is here to stay! With a metallic touch, the stunning combination of pink, gold, and blonde has taken on a new life in 2020.
Rose Brown
Brunettes, don’t despair: With rose brown hair, you can still achieve a rose-tinted hue for spring without completely abandoning your dark hair.
To get the look, your colorist will begin with a dark brown base. Then, they’ll use bleach to lighten some of the strands of your hair before using a balayage technique to paint on the rosy hue.
Oil Slick
If you’re a brunette looking to achieve metallic rainbow hair with minimal damage, oil slick hair is the way to go. The dimensional color combo glistens like a fresh oil spill.
Cotton Candy
Cotton candy isn’t just for kids at carnivals. The sweet treat has been the inspiration behind the cotton candy hair trend, which blends shades of pastel pink, blue, and purple. The metallic variation of this whimsical color creation is to die for!
Red
Calling all the hair daredevils out there—if you’re not afraid to be bold, opt for a fiery metallic red that packs a serious punch. We particularly love this look painted on using a balayage technique.
Berry
Coloring your hair with fruit juice might be risky, but that doesn’t mean we can’t draw color inspiration from our favorite healthy snack! This metallic berry hue will instantly make you feel sweeter—we promise!
Pastel Pink
If you’re thinking pink for 2020, skip the bubblegum and hot pink hues in favor of a metallic pastel shade. We recommend this one for fair to medium skin tones.Metallic Pastel Blend
Can’t get enough of pastels? With pale shades of silver, pink, blue, and purple all perfectly blended into your mane, you can’t go wrong!
Interested in trying a metallic hair color? Use our salon locator to book an appointment with a stylist near you.
Total Results Keep Me Vivid Sulfate-Free Shampoo
A sulfate free, gentle shampoo that gently cleanses so hair color remains vibrant.
Total Results Keep Me Vivid Nourishing Conditioner
A lightweight, yet hydrating conditioner that leaves colored hair vibrant, smooth and soft.
Color Extend Magnetics Mega Mask for Color-Treated Hair
A mask for vibrant and long-lasting color protection.
