By now you're probably well aware that 2017's biggest hair-colour trends are as Hygge-inspired as it gets, with buttery blonds, warm browns, and toasty reds prized to replace cooler-toned looks. (Of course, we're not talking about rainbow hues, although those are firming up quite nicely as well.) What you may not yet know is how these trends are translated by top colourists — so we went straight to the source for even more pro guidance.
We checked in with a few of L.A.'s top colourists for a look at the trends in action. Spring may be months away for most of the country, but it's already arrived in L.A. — and our coolest locals are already sporting the shades the country will soon be requesting.
Click ahead for a handful of our favourite spring hair colours — then save this article for your next colour appointment, no matter what the weather may be.
Stylist: Christine Silverman
Salon: Ramirez|Tran
What To Ask For: Balayage highlights and a shaded or smudged root
Silverman calls this look "a rooty, butter-blond balayage" and notes that it's "good for someone that likes to be super bright, but wants low-maintenance upkeep." That's because the deep root allows the colour to grow out easily.
Going this pale can be damaging, especially for those with a darker base or fine or textured hair. "A periodic strengthening treatment such as Brazilian Bond Builder Demi-Permanent Conditioner will rebuild the bonds broken during highlighting and add strength and shine back into the hair," she adds. (This is an in-salon treatment.)
Upkeep: Highlights every three months.
Photo: Courtesy of Christine Silverman.
What To Ask For: Balayage highlights that are concentrated at the ends
Silverman calls this look "a natural balayage highlight with bright ribbon pops" and notes the beauty of the work lies in the fact that it "adds texture to a detailed haircut." It's best for darker hair and anyone who craves brightness and dimension, but fears commitment. Note that concentrating the colour near the tips is key for this look, as it keeps the minimal colouring modern, not stripy.
Those with darker hair have a tendency to get a bit brassy over time, so a client may need to come in periodically for a gloss to refresh the colour, she adds.
Upkeep: " Highlight maintenance is twice yearly, or more, depending on how quickly the hair grows and how often they cut it," Silverman says. Stick to sulphate-free shampoo to keep the colour fresher, longer.
Photo: Courtesy of Christine Silverman.
What To Ask For: Sun-kissed, subtle balayage highlights
This is a "natural, sun-kissed highlight emulating children's hair colour — or a summer spent on the beach," Silverman says. To score the look, without a fountain of youth or a summer share, ask for balayage highlights just a few shades lighter than your natural colour. It's good for anyone who wants to lighten up, but still stay close to their natural shade, she says. Plus, there is next to no upkeep.
"Because they are subtle, there is minimal processing to the hair, and a sulphate-free shampoo, as well as a good conditioner or mask for the ends, will keep the hair looking and feeling shiny and healthy," Silverman says.
Upkeep: This is a very low maintenance look: "Highlights will only need to be done two to three times a year," Silverman says.
Photo: Courtesy of Christine Silverman.
What To Ask For: Subtle caramel highlights concentrated at the ends of hair
"This is a subtle, caramel, sun-kissed highlight that enhances the curls and creates dimension in the hair," Silverman says about this hue. She notes that it's good for anyone with naturally dark hair that wants to switch up their look and enhance their texture at the same time. (Lighter pieces add dimension — just don't go too light, or it won't look natural.)
This look is super low-maintenance (are you starting to pick up on a theme in Silverman's work?) thanks to the soft effect. "The highlights will brighten up on their own over time, too," she says.
Upkeep: "Unless someone decides to go blonder, they will only need highlights two or three times a year, maximum!" Silverman says. "I recommend a curl-enhancing, sulphate-free shampoo to maintain the hair's natural curl and keep it hydrated."
Photo: Courtesy of Christine Silverman.
What To Ask For: Highlights toned to a vibrant auburn color
Have brown hair and looking to grow out your highlights ASAP?
This hue is one of our favourite looks in the lot, created by highlighting dark brown hair, then toning it into a "natural auburn/cinnamon fade."
She notes that it's also good for anyone looking to transition away from previously-done highlights — all you need is a simple toner. The colour fills in the lighter pieces in one fell swoop — and costs far less than most salon services.
Upkeep: Glossed-over highlights are not forever. "Highlighted hair can sometimes have a tendency to fade, so a periodic refresh of the gloss may be required depending on how often they shampoo," Silverman says. Expect a salon visit to brighten up your hair every month or two if you want to maintain it.
Photo: Courtesy of Christine Silverman.
Stylist: Cherin Choi
Salon: Benjamin Arts District
What To Ask For: Bright highlights on just the tips, plus a face frame
Looking for something bright and flattering, but low on commitment? (Aren't we all?) This look adds light to the face, thanks to the "face frame," but only needs to be touched up a few times per year, Choi says.
She describes this look as a "rooty blond with a pop in the front," referring to the brighter pieces around the face. "This works for any colour, brunette or natural blond," Choi says. Tip: Strategic highlighting is key, so make sure your colourist is up to the task.
Upkeep: Colour can be touched up every few months, but doesn't need to be — it will grow out beautifully since it's so subtle.
Photo: Courtesy of Cherin Choi.
Stylist: Tabitha Dueñas
Salon: Nine Zero One
What To Ask For: A single process golden copper base colour with a few strategic highlights, if needed, for dimension
Looking to tap into the 2017's red trend? Consider this your all-access pass: it's warm, vibrant, and perfect for anyone who wants to give the hue a go, no matter your natural hair colour.
Dueñas calls this look a "bright, natural copper" and notes it's particularly flattering for "people with neutral to ruddy skin tones" and freckles — although a variety of complexions will find the shade flattering.
Pro tip: "Don't forget to warm up your brows," she says, referring to an in-salon tint. Although it's certainly not for every person or every look, it's great for those that want an ultra-polished finish.
Upkeep: This colour needs to be retouched every six weeks and requires a few fresh highlights in the ends every time," she says, adding that "a sulphate-free, colour-safe shampoo is a must."
Photo: Courtesy of Tabitha Dueñas.
Stylist: Chris Greene
Salon: Mèche
What To Ask For: Warm highlights that transition from brunette to honey blond with a subtle root shade
"This takes the beachy, sun-kissed look of summer and turns the dial from cool to warm, creating a look that's rich and luxurious — and absolutely perfect for this time of year," Greene told us about this enviable colour. "It's a warm palette of colours with balayage-like highlights."
And you can get it easily. "I always suggest that clients come armed with reference photos, and so saving this image to their phone and bringing it into the salon is their best bet for achieving a similar look," he says.
Upkeep: This colour will grow out well if desired, but plan on touch-ups every two to three months if you want to maintain.
Photo: Courtesy of Chris Greene.
Stylist: Shai Amiel
Salon: Capella Salon
What To Ask For: Soft highlights three to five shades lighter than your hair, concentrated mostly on the ends
Amiel's primary goal when colouring hair is to duplicate a summer spent in the sun. "I live in California and I'm obsessed with colour that looks like it grew out of the head this way," he says. That translates to hand painting strands just where he desires.
This look is good for "anyone that wants a natural-looking colour that will last," he says. "It grows out so well and this effect won't give you roots." He notes it's also a stepping stone for anyone looking to go blond — as gradual steps are far more gentle.
Ask your colourist to go heaviest on your ends, and use high-lift colour instead of bleach, which is less damaging. Again, this is all about strategic hand painting, so be sure you trust the colourist. (Peep their Instagram or portfolio to be sure!)
Upkeep: " The maintenance is almost nothing," Amiel says. For a quick refresh, ask for a gloss every two to four months, he says.
Photo: Courtesy of Shai Amiel.
Stylist: Brenda Kamt
Salon: Ramirez|Tran
What To Ask For: Shades of strawberry, copper, and gold painted over highlights
"I would describe this colour as a natural strawberry copper," Kamt says. "It's great for someone who wants a softer tone of copper or loves being a redhead, but also wants to have that natural, sun-kissed look."
Sorry, but don't think a box will deliver this kind of dimension. "This is no ordinary, one-process redhead," Kamt says. "You want to ask for tones of strawberry, copper, and gold — and the hair should be previously highlighted for dimension and softly fade lighter towards the ends for a more natural look."
Upkeep: A base and a gloss every eight weeks or so, highlights every third visit, Kamt says.
Photo: Courtesy of Brenda Kamt.
Stylist: Anja Burton
Salon: Ramirez|Tran
What To Ask For: Bright highlights around the face and on the tips, with a warm base colour
Looking for solid proof that things are warming up in the L.A. hair market? Enter: this golden blond. "I call this beach babe chic," Burton says. "It's surfer girl hair gone glam."
Burton notes that this look is great for anyone who "wants to warm up their natural hair colour and add bright pops of highlights." To score the look, sans beach, ask for a "base bump" — that is, a warmed-up base by way of a gloss or allover colour — and bright highlights placed around the face.
Upkeep: "This is on the higher-maintenance side because of the base bump," Burton says. "It's perfect for anyone who thinks their natural colour is mousy because the base bump adds beautiful richness." Translation: Expect to be in the salon every eight weeks.
Photo: Courtesy of Anja Burton.
What To Ask For: Subtle highlights on just the ends of hair
Those with dark hair, listen up! Burton describes her work on actress Ashley Madekwe as "sun-kissed brunette gone subtle," and points out that it's a great way to add "slight dimension to monochromatic hair." Ask for "tippies": Lightened ends on natural colour. "It can brighten any skin tone and give a more youthful look," Burton adds.
Upkeep: "This look is perfect for the girl on the go that doesn't have time to sit in a salon all day," Burton says. In fact, you don't really need to touch it up, since it will grow out so naturally. To refresh the colour, plan on visits a few times a year — more if you cut your hair frequently, as the colour is concentrated on the tips.
Photo: Courtesy of Anja Burton.
What To Ask For: Arose-gold gloss over highlights
"This colour is called rose beige," Burton says. "It's the perfect blend of pretty and edgy." It's great for anyone who wants a fun, temporary change, as the hue will fade quickly. Why? It's actually a gloss done over previous highlights, so it will fade out within a few weeks.
Warning: The hue is not one-size-fits-all, so be sure your colourist can land on a flattering shade. "Ask for rose gold or rose beige and make sure your colourist adjusts the formula according to your skin tone," Burton says.
Upkeep: None, as it will fade naturally. To maintain the colour, stop in for a gloss every four weeks.
Photo: Courtesy of Anja Burton.
Stylist: Glen Coco Oropeza
Salon: Spoke & Weal Los Angeles
What To Ask For: An apricot base with lighter ends
"For this specific client, we took her from virgin black hair to what I call a 'toasted apricot melt' with a little 'blorange' on the ends," Oropeza explains. Think of it as a sombré, beachy light brown — done with on-trend shades of auburn. It's striking, yes, but also flattering. "This look works for a lot of skin tones!" he says.
Don't say we didn't warn you, because this look takes work. "If someone wanted this colour change I would encourage them to think about how frequently they want to be in the salon," Oropeza says. "Typically, if you’re changing your colour overall, maintenance will be every four to six weeks, depending on how fast your hair grows. If you are naturally on the warmer side or you just want to do the ends this colour, that’s also possible with closer to 8 weeks for retouching to refresh the tone."
Upkeep: Every four to six weeks, longer if you pick products to extend the vibrancy. Oropeza's pick?"Anytime I do a red or copper colour, I always recommend they take home Aveda’s Color Conserve Daily Colour Protect — it’s a leave-in treatment that you use after shampooing."
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