By Gretta Monahan
At first it was just the edgier celebs who were going for it: Kelly Osbourne, Kylie Jenner, Hilary Duff and Nicole Richie started showing up with hair in pastel hues. Light pinks, lavenders and lilacs, seafoam greens and soft blues, the palette of their locks kept changing.
But then style icons who are considered more conservative started taking the trend mainstream, ladies such as Kate Bosworth and Sienna Miller, January Jones and Kelly Ripa, who just went blue for summer.
So before you start shrinking at the idea of looking like an Easter egg, let me assure you, these looks can be surprisingly pretty. Which may be enough to give us all pause. Could this trend have legs for the rest of us? Can you (and should you) pull off pastel hair?
That depends, says Jason Backe, CEO and master colorist for Ted Gibson Salon in New York City. “I think the bold color trend we are seeing can be worn by any and everyone,” he said. “The key is to find the shade that matches your skin tone and doesn’t veer too far away from your natural color.”
For example? “Blondes look great with light pinks and purples,” he said. “Brunettes look amazing with blue tones, etc.”
As for whether its shock value will continue, Backe doubts it will continue to be considered so out of the norm, given how fast it’s catching on. “Celebrities and now people in the mainstream have been bolder than they have in a long time with their hair color and fashion.” When I asked him why he thought this was the case, he chalked it up to a nationwide sentiment — a self-expression of change on a landscape that’s both political and personal.
“In our world today there are some monumental things happening politically and culturally — from electing our first black president, legalizing gay marriage and racism issues like the Confederate flag to legalization of marijuana in some states. When emotions are high on a cultural scale, people feel more likely to step out and make a statement themselves.”
How those statements will be reacted to in the work environment remains to be seen. But one thing’s for certain: The setting no longer has to be a circus tent or punk rock stage for pastel hair to be given a solid chance.
Of course, everyone’s style (and coloring!) is unique. We’ve got a slew of super-talented hair experts at Grettacole Salon ready to make sure you’re flattered by whatever hue you’re taking your locks to. Give one of them a ring for some sage advice and magic hair tricks.
