If you’re ready to move on to bigger, better things in the year, a change in hair color is one fun way to express the new you. We asked some of our favorite colorists what colors they’re most excited for in 2017 and this is what they had to say.
1. Multi-Dimensional Colors
Colorist: Brandy Sims & Stephanie Lipsey, Master Colorists at Replenish Salon in Atlanta, Georgia
Brandy & Stephanie: We think multi-dimensional vibrant tones will be really popular this year. “Multi-dimensional” means that 3-5 tones are strategically placed to create bold focal points in the hair. They make an eye-catching statement, as these color services allow the client’s hair to be a canvas where the colorist places contrasting tones in a free-handed way. It allows each client to have a unique look that is sure to get compliments. We call this our “stiletto” technique! This color looks best on hair that is at least 4-5 inches long with volume or layers, so you can truly see the dimensions of color.
Color tips: This look is best achieved when the colorist allows their mind to be free of “traditional foil placements.” It is more effective when the colorist keeps in mind where the client would like to see color, where it will fall, and the shape of the head, but allows their creativity to shine through. With vibrant tones, it’s always important to use a color line and treatment that provides a balance of moisture and strength to lock in the color and maintain the integrity of the client’s hair.
2. Hazelnut
Colorist: James Corbett, Clairol Color Director, Owner and Team Member of James Corbett Studio in NYC
James: A hot hair color of 2017 is also a Pantone color for the spring — hazelnut. My fellow studio colorist Tina Mulrayn and I just colored some extensions for Alicia Keys in this color, so keep an eye out for it! It is a medium light neutral brown that has a natural earthiness about it with an inherent warmth. This is the next evolution of the nude trend we started to see last year.
Color tips: Hazelnut looks great on most skin tones from darker to lighter complexions. However, I am personally not a fan of the monochromatic, which is when the skin tone and hair color are too close in hue. My big tip is remember that as you lighten your hair color, you will expose warm tones. Choose a light ash blonde shade (ash kills brass!”>. If you want to DIY, 10/87 from Clairol Nice ‘N Easy is a great shade, but remember to do pieces.. not the whole head! If you need to adjust the tone after you have lifted the color, a great at home toner is Clairol Natural Instincts, which will deposit color and condition with aloe and vitamin E as you color.
3. Bronde
Colorist: Gabrielle Henderson, Colorist, Editorial Stylist, and Owner of HUESbyGabrielle in Houston, Texas
Gabrielle: 2017 will be the year of the bronde trend – not blonde, not brunette, but a gorgeous middle. Bronde is flattering on just about anyone. It’s all about finding the right tone that suits the client’s complexion: combining the natural hair color with sunkissed highlights, framing the hairline and the ends.
Color tips: The key to achieving this color is to have a lot of your natural hair color showing through, with lighter ribbons flowing throughout. If your hair is black, I recommend a consultation with a colorist to talk about taking you 2 shades lighter so the natural color is more fluid with added highlights. I highly recommend using DevaCurl Low Poo Shampoo and Conditioner for Color Treated Hair when coloring. If you are looking a little brassy, use Joico Color Endure Violet Shampoo to cancel that out.
4. Buttery Blonde
Colorist: Christo, Global Artistic Director of Christo Fifth Avenue and Curlisto Systems in NYC
Christo: It is very hard to pick one color because there is a variety of colors that are on demand as the seasons change. However, if I had to choose just one, the most popular and most daring color pick for curls during 2017 has to be Buttery Blonde. It is not the simplest color to have but when the stylist gets it right, you will look like a curl goddess! Buttery Blonde is the perfect look to flaunt all year with its warm shades and splashes of honey yellow highlights.
Color tips: DO NOT try this at home! In fact, this is a color that must be consulted with your colorist first to make sure your hair can handle the process. Depending on the level of your natural hair color, it can take a minimum of 3 hours and even up to 6 hours! The hair must be pre-conditioned with a masque to avoid any damage. When the hair is dry, we use the bayalage method to paint thinner and thicker pieces in order to create a dimensional effect. After the bayalage process, proceed with a color accent, which will take away left over darker strands and browns and give you a beautiful, natural blonde base.
5. Natural
Colorist: Danielle Skrocki, Curl Specialist and Owner of Stylist317 in Indianapolis, Indiana
Danielle: A rich, earthy, natural and wearable color is what I’m seeing for 2017. Following in the vein of Pantone’s 2017 Color of the Year being focused around “taking a deep breath” and “coming from nature,” I foresee color moving away from fashion shades and into more natural tones, with softer highs and lows. The great thing about these softer and more natural tones is that they look great on everyone! It’s best to consult with your colorist whether your skin tone would be better suited for a warm or cool color.
Color tips: When consulting with your colorist, mention words like “natural,” “soft,” “seamless” and “organic.” These shades can be achieved without the use of harsh lighteners/color, which is so important if you’re looking to keep the integrity of your curls as you’re coloring. I like to use Aloxxi color because it is cruelty free and has a permanent line that contains less ammonia than other permanent lines out there.
6. High Contrast Balayage
Colorist: Stephanie Lawrence, Owner and Master Stylist of Black Canvas Salon in Londonderry, New Hampshire
Stephanie: I think we are going to see a huge spike in high contrast balayage and vivids making their way into the hair in more subtle ways. For the high contrast balayages, having a darker base with sections of honey, platinum and everything in between will be very popular. As for the vivids, more and more people are expressing themselves with vivids or pastels but since our work environments haven’t caught up with the times, they are doing it more subtly… whether it’s at the root and melted into a blonde, or doing a balayage and then having an overlay of a dusty rose or lilac or pop of hidden color.
Color tips: Do your research on stylists first. Cheaper isn’t always better and the most expensive isn’t necessarily either. Check out their social media. See what they are currently doing and if their style matches your goal. Also be patient. Most stylists would love nothing more than to get you to your goal in one session but sometimes it’s just not possible.
7. Cool Red
Stylists: Robin Sjoblom, Curl Specialist and Owner, and Beth Johnson, Colorist and Curl Specialist at Southern Curl, Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia
Robin & Beth: Our clientele is approximately 75% 3C-4C, so they tend to have a darker base color to begin with. Therefore, we are forecasting various shades of red that will compliment their skin tones and natural color. They can stay within 3-4 levels of their darker natural shade and have their own vibrancy without going “blonde/bronde” and frying their hair with bleach! For that reason, cool reds are our favorite here at Southern Curl. They reflect light and have a beautiful shine and intensity when painted curl by curl. Reds work well because the hair doesn’t have to be lifted as light to achieve the desired results, which keeps curls healthier and happier.
Color tips: Olaplex protects the integrity of the hair by protecting the bonds during the color process. Cool reds or violet reds are ideal for clients with naturally dark hair. Copper and cinnamon tones work well for natural brunettes. Strawberry and rose gold tones work well for natural blondes and fair skin.
8. Golden Blonde Balayage
Colorist: Kelly Anker, Curl Advocate and Owner of Kelly Elaine Inc. in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Kelly: A natural looking Golden Blonde Balayage will be a popular hair color in 2017. This color will make your curls look like they have been kissed by the Caribbean sun. Free-hand balayaging allows for a subtle grow-out by providing a dark root with a bold, bright mid-length and ends. The colorist takes into consideration the curly hair cut, client’s skin tone, natural hair and eye colors to formulate the right color that will give the desired sun kissed glow. This color can vary from pale blonde tips for lighter haired clients to a nice, warm caramel for darker haired clients.
Color tips: For kissed-by-the-sun color, it is important to start with healthy hair. I recommend getting regular trims every 10-12 weeks and using professional curly hair care products such as Innersense Organics Beauty. This will ensure your hair is healthy and in the right shape to achieve those sun-kissed, hand-painted Balayage highlights. You should insist that your stylist use Olaplex for any highlighting or coloring service to protect your curls, as well as using high quality hair colors such as Goldwell, Framesi or Joico.
9. Rich & Warm
Colorist: Glenn Charles, Colorist and Curly Stylist at Michael Flores Salon in Dallas, Texas
Glenn: My curly clients will be asking for lighter shades this year — rich, warm tones like honey and caramel. These tones blend nicely with light brown to dark brown hair. Yadi (pictured above”> has naturally dark brown hair. I wanted to brighten her overall appearance and show off her natural texture. When considering color placement, I’m inspired by children’s end-of-summer hair colors. Each one is individual, and precisely imperfect — like naturally curly hair.
Color tips: Whether painting freehand or weaving out selective strands and placing in foil, highlights offer the greatest freedom to customize hair color. The contrast created by strategically lightened curls gives the illusion of movement and lightness. As a final step of the color process, a demi-permanent liquid color adds richness and luster to the hair (think of this step as the staining for your wood floors”>. To mimic nature, I create depth at the root by using one shade darker or allowing the glaze to process for slightly more time at the root area before pulling through the remaining lengths. For Yadi, I used a creme lightener by Joico mixed with a low volume developer and processed it at room temperature. Weekly moisture treatments are the most important follow-up to any color service. My favorite product is DevaCurl’s Heaven In Hair Intense Moisture Treatment.
Want more?
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Uh-oh moment with your color? Here’s what you need to know about hair color correction.
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