Spring is a time we dust off our floral dresses, give our houses a deep clean [1], and for a lot of us, think about switching up our hair colour. Traditionally, when people think about spring and summer hair colours, they often envision going lighter, beachier, sun-kissed, perhaps. And while we do love a light (or heavy) dusting of highlights on the approach to warmer weather, there are also plenty of other new and unexpected hues to try for the season.
While no hair colour is ever really "in" or "out" anymore (you should wear your hair however you want it, whenever you want it), we wanted to help anybody out who's looking for some ideas and inspiration.
To get the inside scoop the hottest hair colour trends for spring and summer 2020, we reached out to top London colourists (and two from across the pond) to find out the shades and looks they're feeling right now. They've also shared all the details on how to pull off these trends, including what you should ask your colourist for and examples that you can bookmark and bring with you to your salon appointment (when that time finally comes!).
Many of these shades colourists chose feel quintessentially springtime — wheat blonde, teddy-bear brown, and golden blonde hues with pearlescent glazing. But others couldn't be further from these soft, pretty shades (looking at you, dark, purposefully grown-out roots). There also an option if you just want to keep it simple and add a bit of vibrance back into your hair. But among all of the seven colourists we spoke to, one thing was for sure: chunky '90s highlights are back in a huge way for 2020. Love them or hate them — we've not seen the last of them yet.
Spring 2020 Hair Colour Trend: Chunky '90s Highlights
Nearly every colourist we spoke to mentioned '90s chunky highlights as one of the year's biggest hair colour trends. Thought chunky highlights would never see the light of day again? To be honest, same, but thanks to celebrities like Jennifer Lopez [3] and Kim Kardashian [4], the look has made a huge comeback. And turns out, there's a way to make this trend feel modern but also perfect for springtime.
Think big, piecey ribbons of colour," says New York-based colourist Rachel Bodt [5], who's 2020 version of the look is a "nod to the '90s, but with more of a sexy, lived-in feel." The key to achieving this look is block colouring — your colourist will most likely apply heavy highlights using foils to your hair, focusing on the front section and money pieces [6] of the hair. To keep it feeling ultramodern, "create a deeper root area, spacing out the highlights to create the sharp contrast," says LA-based colourist George Papanikolas [7].
But let's face it, not all of us want to be that daring. Jack Howard [8], colourist and balayage expert at Paul Edmonds Salon in London, has found the perfect way to create a look that's the perfect balance between natural and '90s. He's been using the balayage technique — as opposed to traditional foils — to create stronger, face-framing highlights that are heavier than typical balayage but give a softer and more modern version of the '90s trend.
Spring 2020 Hair Colour Trend: Vivid Balayage
Want bright, daring colours in your hair without the commitment? Sounds too good to be true, but luckily for us all, it's been made a reality. "People are asking for Crazy Color Hair Dye [9] more than ever at Not Another Salon, but there's been an increase in people asking for these colours to be used over the top of balayage. The requests are out of control," says Sophie Hilton, owner of Not Another Salon in London [10].
"We've come a long way from the DIY [11] bedroom dip-dyes of our teen years, and clients now understand that these shades can look luxurious and expensive if they're done in the right way. When paired with a classic technique like balayage, not only is the finished effect really beautiful and blended, but the grow-out and maintenance process is also so much easier", Hilton explains. Ask your colourist to combine the balayage technique with a colourful shade of your choice; they will be able to help you decide which vivid hue to go with based on your natural hair colour and hair type.
Spring 2020 Hair Colour Trend: Shiny and Slightly Toned
Want to give your hair a zhuzh without a huge change? We got you. "For something a little less punchy, opt for low-fi colour but high-fi condition," says Josh Wood [12], salon owner and global colour ambassador for Redken. Think of it like spring cleaning for your hair colour.
If you're noncommittal and want something supereasy and conditioning for the hair, try something like Redken's Toning Tweakment. It's an in-salon treatment that uses a demi-permanent colour with conditioning properties, giving your hair a boost of shine and vibrancy. Ask your colourist if you can get a gloss, glaze, or demi-permanent colour next time you're in the salon. And in the meantime, try out an at-home gloss. Josh Wood Gloss Shot [13] (£15), Rita Hazan New York True Colour Ultimate Shine Gloss [14] (£21), and Living Proof Whipped Glaze [15] (£25).
Spring 2020 Hair Colour Trend: Wheat Blonde
Possibly the most classic spring shades is wheat blonde. Howard describes the shade as a "warm, buttery hue with ribbons of gold painted throughout". It's the perfect transition shade as it's not too cool and not too warm, and here's the best news yet: it's a very low-maintenance blonde hue. It can be tailored to include as little or as much blonde as you want; your colourist will help you decide both the intensity of the shade and the placement of the highlighted sections.
This isn't just for blondes either. Howard loves to adapt wheat blonde for brunettes by adding just a "hint" of warmth throughout the hair.
Spring 2020 Hair Colour Trend: Rich Brown
London-based salon owner [16] Charlotte Mensah [17] is loving a rich brown hue for spring, especially for those with curly and afro hair textures. Describing the shade as "just a tad darker than black," it's great for spirals because not only does it add allover colour to the hair, it also creates "shimmering ringlets that are brimming with texture, definition, and body." And because it's allover colour, it makes it an easy option to try and replicate at home in-between salon appointments.
Spring 2020 Hair Colour Trend: Neon Roots
Billie Eilish [18]'s neon green roots have certainly caught on. When it comes to 2020 hair colour, "people are being more and more experimental," says Wood. "Neon roots in particular challenge the eye and really stand out," adds Howard.
The trend focuses on a neon shade at the roots, which is feathered down about three inches toward the midpoint of the hair, gradually decreasing the saturation of the colour. The ends are left a more natural, often darker colour to make sure the contract really stands out. This is definitely a trend to try in the salon, though. "Colours we create today are never just one straightforward technique — it's much more about creating a bespoke look, always personalising every colour," says Wood.
Spring 2020 Hair Colour Trend: Golden Sunlight
A hair colour named golden sunlight is enough to make us book a slot in the salon right away. Not only does the hue sound beautiful, but it's a smart one, too. If you aren't keen on changing your entire hair colour for a new season, consider tweaking your existing winter shade in favour of something lighter. Golden sunlight — based on the Pantone spring/summer 2020 shade of "sunlight" — is a "richer, warmer shade of gold," explains Sam Burnett [19], owner and creative director at Hare and Bone salon in London [20].
But what makes this hue so special? It's all about the shadow and contouring technique, which not only creates this beautiful hair colour, but it also gives the illusion of fuller-looking hair. Discuss with your stylist about creating shadows using deeper areas of rich cinnamon colour and highlighting with paler golden shades that enhance the natural texture of the hair. Taking skin tone into consideration is "at the core" of every consultation at Hare and Bone, Burnett says. More so with a hair colours like golden sunlight, as it requires "multi-tonal" shades throughout to ensure it suits each and every individual.
Spring 2020 Hair Colour Trend: Teddy-Bear Brown
If you're looking to go darker or spruce up your natural brunette hue for spring or summer, consider Teddy Bear Brown. (I mean, have you heard a more delightful shade name?) Bodt explains this hue as a combination of a rich, warm brunette base with lots of soft golden highlights woven throughout, which are chosen especially to complement the client's skin tone. "It looks ultrarich, glossy, and expensive," Bodt adds.
Spring 2020 Hair Colour Trend: Grown-Out Roots
There's never been a more perfect time for imperfect roots than right now — and there are plenty of celebrities we can thank for reviving the grown-out look. Dua Lipa, for example, is certainly making us a case for embracing the whole not-being-able-to-go-the-salon thing with her purposefully much darker roots.
Mensah is loving the "natural roots peeking through" look for spring. She says the trend works on all hair types, and "you have total control over how soft or dark you want the final result to be". Ideal.
Spring 2020 Hair Colour Trend: Pearlescent Golden Glazing
Paul Edmonds [21], owner of eponymous London-based salon, is currently loving golden blonde tones with a pearlescent glaze. Ideal for medium-blonde shades, "it gives a bright blonde finish without being brassy", making it a great option for someone who wants an ultra natural-looking result.
The key to this look is topping off the blonde shade with a glaze that will boost shine and brighten the hair pigments. The pearlescent feel of this trend comes from the hair being so healthy and shiny that it almost glistens in the sun. Total springtime perfection.
