Pantone may have dubbed “greenery” the official color of 2017, but if you ask any hair colorist they’d probably argue platinum blonde was the actual color of the year. From ghosted hair to marshmallow strands, talented artists created countless platinum looks we just couldn’t get enough of. As much as we love the iconic color, we think platinum blonde is due for a major upgrade. What could possibly top it? We’ve found just the thing: opal hair color.
Opal hair color takes everything you love about platinum blonde hair and elevates it with subtle colors. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about the hair color that is perfect for music festival season.
What is opal hair?
Opal hair combines two of 2017’s biggest hair trends—platinum blonde and unicorn hair—to create a faint peachy hue with a wash of lavender, blue, and silver. To achieve this look, your colorist will begin by bleaching your hair to remove any trace of color. It’s important to note that bleach will always damage your strands, but a professional can help you leave with hair that looks and feels beautiful.
Don’t be alarmed if you leave the salon after your first appointment without the opal locks you’ve been lusting over. If you are not a natural blonde, it will likely take more than one session to safely lighten your locks. You and your stylist will determine the perfect timeline to safely color your hair.
Once your hair is platinum, your colorist will expertly paint soft peach, lavender, and blue hues onto your strands. The resulting color resembles the iridescent gemstone that’s the shade’s namesake.
What kind of maintenance does opal hair require?
It may take a few days to a achieve the perfect opal hue, but the work doesn’t end there. If you want your opal hair to look flawless for the foreseeable future, stock your bathroom with color-protecting products and get comfortable at your salon because you’ll be back often.
Because opal hair is probably nowhere near your natural hair color, you’ll notice how quickly your roots begin to look overgrown. Head back to the salon for touch-ups every four to six weeks to minimize the look of dark roots.
While you’ll most likely become a regular at your hair salon, your at home hair care routine will be much simpler. First, swap out your regular shampoo and conditioner for a formula that helps protect your color and nourish your strands. We suggest giving Matrix Biolage R.A.W. Color Care Shampoo and Conditioner a try.
While there is no way to avoid the damaging effects of bleach, you can minimize the look and feel of them. We recommend incorporating a weekly strengthening deep conditioning mask like Pureology’s Strength Cure Superfood Treatment into your routine.
What’s the best way to wear opal hair?
The iridescent quality of opal hair means it’s flattering on just about all skin tones and will look gorgeous however you choose to style it. However, if you’re looking for suggestion, we’d suggest trying a blunt, chin length bob. The striking cut will frame your face, allowing the gemstone-inspired color to highlight your whole face. Feel free to leave your makeup at home!
Whatever you decide, we want to see your iridescent color. Use the hashtag #hairdotcom to tag us in your posts.
R.A.W. Color Care Vegan Shampoo
A shampoo for colored hair made with naturally derived ingredients.
Strength Cure Superfood Treatment Mask
A rinse-out, strengthening hair mask for damaged, color-treated hair.
