6 Hair Colors That Sound Crazy But Look Amazing

Here’s how to ease out of your hair-color comfort zone.

By Liz Ritter, Executive Editor · Sep 21, 2016

If you haven’t noticed, 2016 is turning out to be the year of really bold hair color. Shades of blues, violets, rose golds, and plays on gray are making styles stand out—and not in an “is-it-already-Halloween?” kind of way. Kate Reid, KEVIN.MURPHY COLOR.ME education director and stylist, shares what she predicts will be the must-have hair color trends this season, and exactly what you need to know to pull them off.

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Pastels

“Blond and baby blues are the fasting-growing pastel shades at the moment,” Reid says, and adds that these shades can be worn at any age, but might look best if you keep skin tone in mind. “Cool skin works great with pastel blues and soft pinks while warmer skin tones should steer toward rose golds and apricots.”

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Blues and Violets

The “denim hair” trend is still picking up steam, but Reid says this is one color category that best suits cool to neutral skin tones. “These shades bring out too much red in warm skin tones so best to stay clear.”

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Under Lights

This term refers to highlights that come from underneath that are more than three depths lighter than your natural color. “Under lights can work with any age and be worn with warm or cool skin tones, as this trend is all about technique rather than tone,” Reid says.

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Balayage

Balayage may not be new, but it’s one trend that’s not going away. “Think more where the new growth is lightened and then toned back deeper through the root area for beautiful, flowing shades. This look is so feminine and suitable for any age.”

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Rouge Red

Reds come in so many shades, but this particular one is the hottest, in Reid’s opinion. “Rouge red suits neutral or slightly warmer skin tones with brighter shades. With cool skin tones, keeping a muted edge to your red will keep this trend suitable.”

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Steel Tones

While Reid says she’s “baby blue all the way!” she does think there’s one tone family that’s about to make a major breakthrough and it’s particularly well-suited for the winter months ahead: “Cool, steel tones are a shade to be on the lookout for.”

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