The wild colour in Thailand. Those beachy, sun-kissed ends in Brazil [1]. Oh, and who could forget that cool new negative space technique [2] sweeping the UK?
Look hard enough, and you can find hair colour inspiration [3] everywhere. Now, you could book a flight to an exotic location to see the the country's most popular hues [4] with your own eyes (on second thought, why don't you just go ahead and do that). If you can't, though, we've got the next best thing: a full trend forecast from the top colourists [5] who live there.
Check out the raddest looks [6] popping up in all your favourite destinations [7] in 2019, plus tips on how to get each one, ahead — and save yourself the jet lag.
Thailand: Ash Grey
"The reason why ash tones remain top choices for Asian girls is because they brighten their complexions without making their skin tones look too warm."
"Ash shades — think ash grey with subtle, dusty highlights or ash brown with pastel tips — will come with more variations this year," said colourist at the Bangkok-based salon Beauty Library [8], Toyah. "The reason why ash tones remain top choices for Asian girls is because they brighten their complexions without making their skin tones look too warm. Out of all the ash tones, brown and grey have long been the most popular because they work in all occasions and settings. They also require fewer bleach sessions to get the desired results from a dark brown/black base. Having a bit of variation added in will allow them to express a bit more of their personality — projecting a fun, lively look."
She adds that, while these ashy colours work best for fair, cool skin tones, "a good colourist can always help find the right shade of ash for you. There are three shades of undertones for ash brown: purple, green, and blue, for instance, so there's bound to be something for everyone."
Thailand: Ash Grey
France: Copper and Gold
Not only has it seen a 30 percent increase in pins on Pinterest, but copper hair [9] is also making an appearance everywhere in France. "Right now in the salon, we are really seeing clients wanting rich, warmer, and deeper colours," said Sonia Akkari, colourist at the Paris-based David Mallett salon [10]. "After a little bit of a difficult December in Paris, with the sky being grey and the weather colder, I think they want to have a little bit of sunshine in their lives and their hair colour, so we are introducing warm copper tones for brunettes and golden tones for blondes. We are really moving away from cooler ashy colours this winter."
France: Copper and Gold
France: Copper and Gold
South Africa: A Wash of Pastel
"We have one of the biggest varieties of hair texture in South Africa — many different cultures and hair types."
"South Africans love flexibility, like the low-maintenance and cool tones of a mushroom blond or dirty brunette but also love a bit of rebel colour pops without committing to permanent," said Kim Hickman [11], master colourist at the Carlton Hair salon in Cape Town. "Once the mushroom blond or dirty brunette base is achieved, a pastel colour wash, like dusty pink (for blondes) or coral (for brunettes) is applied. This gives them the flexibility and temporary colour change but washes out back to the cool blond or brown."
Hickman says, so long as you keep the contrast of cool and warm tones, these colours can be done via various colour techniques, like balayage, foilayage, babylights, highlights, or on a fully bleached, creamy blond base. Not to mention on straight to wavy textures: "We have one of the biggest varieties of hair texture in South Africa — many different cultures and hair types," she said. "It's important to understand that we have a lot of underlying warm tones on all levels; therefore, it is essential to prelighten the hair before adding your cool tones and make sure the correct tone is used, whether blue, green, or violet."
South Africa: A Wash of Pastel
South Africa: A Wash of Pastel
United Arab Emirates: Chestnut Balayage
"This Winter, I have already seen an influx of my clients in the UAE wanting an ultrarich chestnut balayage or ombré," said Shannon Lewis, colourist at Jo Hansford Salon [12]. "Using these warm autumnal tones is a great way to illuminate the curves of the hair, while still looking somewhat natural in the Winter when it tends to get darker. This then transitions well into the warm months later in the year and will add to an overall multitonal look. This is something that can work for anyone of any base, any hair length, and any texture, but particularly for clients with dark, rich hair."
United Arab Emirates: Chestnut Balayage
United Arab Emirates: Chestnut Balayage
USA: White Blonde
"I'm superexcited about the Winter white hair trend," said Nikki Lee, colourist and cofounder of LA's Nine Zero One salon. "There's nothing better than a platinum blonde in Winter to me. Almost everyone lightens up for Summer, but to do it in Winter is such a bold statement."
When you head to the salon, Lee suggests you ask your colourist for an all-over blonde based on your skin's undertones. "[It] can be creamy, ashy, or neutral depending on what your skin tone requires. This colour isn't for everyone unfortunately, and if your hair is damaged, I would steer clear."
USA: White Blonde
USA: White Blonde
Australia: Mushroom Brown
Where ashy tones in hair colour are out in some parts of the world, it's just what people are ordering in Australia. "Because of our natural surroundings, the earthy, dual tones of mushroom brown work well with the current trends," said Jacky Chan [13], master stylist at Oscar Oscar Salon in Chadstone. "Despite it being 'brown,' it's also part of the blond family, making it extremely versatile. It's easy to apply over existing balayage to create a whole new look."
Better still, it also looks great on just about everyone: "This colour trend has the flexibility to suit all skin tones and hair colours because it's created using a combination of cool and warm colours," he said. "It can also be adjusted by your colourist to suit the depth of your hair."
Australia: Mushroom Brown
Australia: Mushroom Brown
Brazil: Gisele Bronde
"In Brazil, for example, It girls love to show their beauty with beachy hair and cuts at or above the shoulder."
"2019 is a year where we will see light highlights as a major trend, accompanied by more deconstructed hairstyles and looks full of personality," said João Bosco [14], a Rio-based celebrity hairstylist and Pantene [15] brand ambassador. "In Brazil, for example, It girls love to show their beauty with beachy hair and cuts at or above the shoulder. It's also very flattering, and the placement of the colour can complement your skin tone or shape of the face. For example, if the hairstylist concentrates strands on the underside of the hair, you may be able to smooth the rounded shape of the face. If the shape of the face is more square, diffuse strands on the face by using the colour to contour and balance the strokes to disguise the jaw."
His biggest inspirations: Scarlett Rose Leithold, Jennifer Aniston, and, of course, Gisele Bündchen.
Brazil: Gisele Bronde
Brazil: Gisele Bronde
UK: Negative Space Colour
"Negative space is either your natural hair colour against prelightened pieces, or we create that negative space with hair colour," said Jack Howard [16], colourist at UK's Paul Edmonds Salon and Schwarzkopf global Blondme ambassador. "This is the look on all the hottest models and influencers filling your Instagram feed. It's lighter around the face and has a balance that's pleasing to the eye. You need that contrast to stop the colour from looking solid, which can look like an ombré or a single process."
Plus, it doesn't matter your base colour — the negative space technique works on all tones. "It suits anyone who wants something modern and fresh and works on hair that's bob-length and longer," he said.
UK: Negative Space Colour
UK: Negative Space Colour
