Pretty in pink and other pastels
Move over ombre tresses, fun hues like baby pink and lavender are here to stay
Think pastel hair colour is just for bohemian beauties and unicorns? Think again.
“I’ve seen a massive demand for pastel hair,” Kara Gilbertson, coowner of the Vancouver-based salon The Attic Hair Studio, says. “The trend for ombre and balayage (a highlighting technique where highlights and lowlights are painted in freehand for a more natural effect), has been huge for a while now and clients are feeling more adventurous with their hair.”
The soft rainbow of shades is even beginning to eclipse more traditional colours, according to the hair pro.
“Instead of brunette to blond, I’m getting requests for brunette to baby pink,” Gilbertson says.
So who do we have to thank (or is it blame?) for the sugar-spun style? Celebrities and street-style stars, to be sure, but there is also an online influencer who has been rocking pastel — and almost every other colour — locks, much closer to home.
Alanna Durkovich of the Canadian fashion blog Xander Vintage is a true hair chameleon.
From soft pink to ocean blue, the sartorial celebrity changes her hair almost as often as she does her outfits.
“About two years ago, I bleached my entire head on a whim. I’ve always been a bit impulsive and drawn to colour, so dying my hair just felt inevitable,” she says. “I started with lavender tips, and slowly added more colour as the months went by.”
Durkovich continued to add colour — until her hair looked like a veritable crayon box.
“I view hair as an accessory, and like one does with purses or shoes, I do with hair colour,” she says. “That means changing it up every month or two.”
While Durkovich has transitioned to more jewel tones lately, she sees herself returning to the softer side soon.
“I absolutely love the femininity of pastel hues,” she explains. “I’ll most likely go back to pastel eventually.”
And the shift in the colour spectrum toward softer shades hasn’t gone unnoticed by big-name salon brands, either.
Both Goldwell, for which Gilbertson is a colour educator, and Schwarzkopf Professional have released products — some even debuting full lines of colour options in the case of the new Schwarzkopf Igora Royal Pearlescence line — which cater to the cotton candyinspired shades.
“New Schwarzkopf Igora Royal Pearlescence is the first trend-driven colour, permanent colour line,” Rossa Durenas, North American Color Director for Schwarzkopf Professional says of the release. “This spring, hair colours like lavender, candy and mint are extremely popular with consumers and celebrities. Pearlescence colours are in high demand for clients on all ends of the colour spectrum — whether they are wanting a pearl-like effect or a bolder multi-dimensional ombre look.”
And according to Durenas, these lighter shades will still be in high demand come fall.
“Mixing rich slate tones or petrol-like browns with pearl colours will carry this trend through the fall season,” she explains.
But before you dismiss this sugary trend for being not age appropriate or too far outside your comfort zone, consider this: The pretty pastel colour movement can actually work for everyone. Yes, even you.
“I believe anyone can rock any colour if it’s executed in the right way,” Gilbertson says to skeptics.
But before you opt for one solid block of powdery blue, there is one key consideration to keep in mind to ensure you don’t have a total hair fail. And it starts at the skin.
“It’s super important to have the right shade around the face,” Gilbertson says.
Skin tone is perhaps the single biggest consideration when choosing the tone of a successful candy-colour coif.
Much like you would when considering a new foundation, one’s base colour has to be factored in before the colouring process begins.
“We can customize any shade to suit the client’s skin colouring,” Gilbertson says.
“We can even show the client what the shade will look like before it goes on the hair.”
Still stuck on the fence between traditional tresses and pastel dreams? There is a safe colour option that just might help you decide.
“Lavender is a shade that can flatter anyone,” Gilbertson says. “So whether you have warm or cool colouring to your hair, lavender can be tweaked to create the perfect shade for anyone.”
‘I view hair as an accessory. That means changing it up ...
ALANNA DURKOVICH