The Coolest Pastel Hair Colors to Try Right Now

No matter what else is going on in beauty, it’s a safe bet that pastel hair colors will be having a moment. Something so undeniably cool just never goes out of style. And while women have been dyeing their hair pastel tones since the 1930s (really!), in the past few years shades of pink and blue have become just as popular (and socially acceptable) as blonde and brown. This has especially been the case in the pandemic, with “quarantints” and at-home hair color sales skyrocketing in the past 12 months.

Aside from instantly brightening your mood and being cool as hell, pastel hair colors are so popular since they’re pretty easy to DIY. Because fading and imperfections are part of the appeal, it’s way easier to dye your hair pink at home than it is a natural hair color. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind before reaching for the Manic Panic. 

Stephanie Brown, master colorist at IGK Salon Soho, warns that even if you have darker blonde hair, the color may not turn out as vivid as it looks in the box. Generally, the only way to achieve that shade is by bleaching your hair, which she absolutely does not recommend doing yourself. She finds pinks are easiest to do at home, since they look pretty no matter the tone, and green is the most unpredictable, since it can veer yellow.

When it comes to deciding on a shade, Aura Friedman, master colorist at Sally Hershberger Salon, recommends holding up a shirt or scarf in the colors you’re considering to your face. That way you can see how it brings out your eyes and complexion. But if it’s pink you’re after, both stylists say you’re in luck since the shade suits a range of skin tones. “For blondes who tend to have pink skin, I recommend putting pink in their hair,” says Friedman. “It will actually pull the pink from your face and give the impression of a more even skin tone.” 

Whatever shade you decide, we rounded up the best pastel hair ideas to try right now. Scroll on for all the inspo you could ever need.

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