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What Factors Influence the Latest Hair Color Trends?

M.C. Huguelet
M.C. Huguelet

Hair color trends often change from year to year, or even from season to season. In many cases, the latest hair color trends are derived from the catwalk looks seen in designer fashion shows. Celebrities and popular period films and television shows can also inspire new hair color trends. At times, these trends can even be influenced by the social or political mood of a country or an era.

Often, the latest hair color trends are tied to emerging fashions as seen at designer runway shows. Each season, designers debut their newest clothing line by hosting fashion shows. The models featured in these shows are given hairstyles that complement the clothing being displayed. Hair colors used on the runway may echo the tones that dominate the clothing line, or may offset those tones by contrasting them.

Popular actresses or singers often influence trends like bleached blonde hair.
Popular actresses or singers often influence trends like bleached blonde hair.

In many cases, the hair styles and colors seen in these runway shows are avant-garde, making them impractical for everyday wear. Still, these looks often lead to a kind of “trickle-down” effect in which certain elements of the look are picked out and toned down so they can be worn by the general public. For instance, a runway show may feature models with bright orange hair. A hairstylist may then adapt this look by giving a client highlights containing a subtle orange cast. In this way, hair color trends can take inspiration from high fashion looks without reproducing them exactly.

Some people prefer maintaining dark hair in the winter months.
Some people prefer maintaining dark hair in the winter months.

Celebrities can also influence the latest hair color trends. The general public is constantly exposed to photographs and video footage of celebrities walking the red carpet or relaxing on far-flung beaches. Whether due to a subconscious desire to emulate these stars or a simple admiration of their richly colored and meticulously groomed locks, many people refer to these images when changing their hair color.

Videos and photographs of celebrities at major events can have a significant impact on trends.
Videos and photographs of celebrities at major events can have a significant impact on trends.

Occasionally, period films and television series can help shape new hair color trends. A widely-watched television show set in the 1960s may send many women to the salon in search of platinum blonde tresses, for instance. The popularity of a glamorous noir film may lead to a vogue for deeply saturated brunette hues.

From time to time, the latest hair color trends can even be inspired by the political or social mood of a country or an era. For example, the punk movement that emerged in the US and parts of Europe during the 1970s and 1980s was marked by a deliberate rejection of commercial fashion. As such, punks often adopted extreme hair colors instead of following the styles popularized by the fashion industry and the media.

Discussion Comments

bagley79

I have been highlighting my hair for a long time and recently started adding lowlights which I think gives my hair a nicer tone. I have a basic brunette hair color, so I stick with colors that complement that natural color.

I have a couple friends who are brunettes but made a bold color switch to blonde. They didn't do this gradually but just showed up one day with very blonde hair. It took some getting used to, but I think they enjoyed the change.

One of them still has the blonde hair, but the other one went back to a darker color. She thought it would be fun to see if blondes have more fun, but decided it was too much work and expense to keep it that way.

I really don't know if they were influenced by any celebrities to change their color or if they just wanted to try something different. The thing about coloring your hair is that if you don't like it, you can always change it.

sunshined

I have been coloring my hair for so long that I have forgotten what my natural color really looks like. I might go with a particular hair style for a long time, but when I change to the latest hair style, I also like to have a new color to go along with it.

I don't rely so much on what the celebrities are doing as I do what my stylist recommends. I have been going to her for a long time, and she knows what I like and what looks good on me. When I am ready for some kind of color change, we work together to come up with something we both think will look good.

I do find it amazing though how much the "trickle-down" effect reaches the general population. Even if one doesn't pay much attention to the celebrities or catwalk colors, they seem to eventually affect the masses in one way or another.

SarahSon

I get bored with the same hair color all the time and like to have a cut and color that is different. I follow the celebrity hair color trends and will often go with a color that one of my favorite celebrities is wearing.

There are a lot of things I love about hair color, but one thing that I enjoy the most is all the different options you have. Even if you want to stick with a particular shade such as red, you can go with so many different tones, shades and highlights depending on whatever you are in the mood for.

andee

I am not all that creative when it comes to my hair color. I have been coloring my hair for a long time, but do this more to cover up the gray than to follow a certain color trend. If I want to mix it up a little bit I may add some highlights, but that is about as bold as I get. I tend to stay as close to my natural hair color as possible.

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    • Popular actresses or singers often influence trends like bleached blonde hair.
      By: Valua Vitaly
      Popular actresses or singers often influence trends like bleached blonde hair.
    • Some people prefer maintaining dark hair in the winter months.
      By: Valua Vitaly
      Some people prefer maintaining dark hair in the winter months.
    • Videos and photographs of celebrities at major events can have a significant impact on trends.
      By: Konstantin Yuganov
      Videos and photographs of celebrities at major events can have a significant impact on trends.