Color Theorist
Lockdown got you down? Starting to feel stir-crazy?
(Yeah, me too) Time to spice things up.
Before you shave off your eyebrows and redecorate your home à la The Wall, check out the latest hair color trends scammed from local stylist and balayage master Emily Stoltz’s Instagram. When we finally emerge from our quarantine cocoons, I want to see you out there with some damn good hair. We all deserve that. Super-special surprise at the end!
MONEY PIECE
A big, beautiful balayage highlight that frames your pretty, little face. For a twist, try it with a bold color.
CHUNKS
I am admittedly of an age where reviving early ‘00s trends horrifies me. Frosted lip gloss, low-rise, lace-up jeans, and a Von Dutch hat? N’thanks. But like it or not, chunky highlights are back. I think I found a nice example. Thank you, Emily!
PASTEL BALAYAGE
Who doesn’t want cotton-candy unicorn hair? All boys forever especially should do this. Not suitable for those who are cheap or fear bleach.
ALPINE ICE
I wish you could hear me because I pronounce this “alpine icccccccce.”
MUSHROOM BLONDE
Who doesn’t like mushrooms? This is, like, a cool, flat, musty blonde. I dig it.
SAND TROPEZ
Are they pulling our legs with these names? Okay, “Mixing highlights and mid-lights creates this multi-dimensional shade of warm sandy and cool beige tones that are perfect for someone who wants to keep a beach vibe year-round.” That sounds nice.
BRONDE
Okay, enough. I believe in my day, we called this “dirty blonde.” Get over yourselves.
PURE GOLD?
I don’t know if this is a color trend, but it should be because I love it.
TORTOISESHELL / ECAILLE
Colors ranging from honey to chocolate are blended through the hair to create a measured shift from dark to light. Super soft, subtle, and can be done in a way to keep it low-maintenance. And, hey, you know this person. It’s Carmen!
COPPER
Isla Fisher, Natasha Lyonne… the best heads are redheads. This version has lots of sparkly highlights.
ROUGE
A true red. A Queen’s Gambit red.
GOLDEN BLACK
Almost-black with gold undertones and subtle dimension.
OMBRÉ
Surprisingly low maintenance, this style usually starts dark or natural at the roots and lightens or transitions to bold colors at the tips. Bonus points for jewel tones.
GREY
Lucky me. Mine is natural.
RAINBOW
Remember, in video games, when you get to the end of the level? This is the final boss of hair.
Do it. Do it.
New Year’s Resolution: Be a Better Client
I always freeze when a stylist asks me what I want. “Make it look better” doesn’t really cut it as a response (pun so intended). Hair has its own language and while a great stylist like Emily can help talk you through what you want, how about we learn a little lingo before we go in?
Babylights
A sun-kissed, baby-at-the-beach look. Cute.
Lowlights
Opposite of highlights, duh.
Balayage
Balayage is a technique that uses vertical, painterly strokes. Full disclosure: I have typed this seventy times and I still have no idea how to say it.
Foilayage
A marriage of the painterly technique of balayage with the vibrant color payoff of foil highlights.
Flamboyage
Ombre with extra transitional tones; softer.
Sombré
Soft ombré. Even softer than Flamboyage, I guess.
Em Stoltz
Stylist Little Koyote Salon in Meiners Oaks, California.
We made it! Here’s a kitten!
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