Have you heard of the shattered root trend? If you're a blonde who's looking to try something a lot more low-maintenance than the 6-8 weekly root touch-ups, you might want to read on.
Having been a bleach blonde for over five years, the decision to veer from my platinum paradise was a big one. But with the imminent arrival of my wedding this year, I decided something a little more timeless - a little less likely to make me wince in 50 years looking back at the photos - might be a good idea.
I booked an appointment at my go-to salon, Larry King in South Kensington, and plucked up the courage to - for the first time in five years - turn down a root bleach.
You know, just in case Jessica Chastain's Met Gala transformation has tempted you…
Asking the team if there was any way I could keep my hair feeling fresh and bright, without being quite so bright felt like a long shot. I didn't want to dye it darker, but I also definitely didn't want to have a heavy band of re-growth at the top of my head.
Instead, what the team came up with was an almost upside-down balayage, and I've not had even the slightest urge to return to a root bleach since.
“Root shattering is the perfect alternative for winter as it’s usually time everyone wants to go darker with their colour”, explains Larry King colourist Aniah Warner.
Instagram content
“The technique is basically dragging your regrowth line down with a more gradient affect, it’s practically balayage in reverse.”
“This softens any harsh lines from previous colour and gives a more rooted look making the overall colour of your hair feel darker without having to commit to going dark all over.”
Essentially, therefore, rather than sweeping highlights through the hair this technique sweeps darker tones that are closer to your natural shade through your root line to soften and disguise the regrowth.
Not only does this provide a more natural, softer look, but it also allows longer between salon appointments as those dreaded ‘roots’ become so much less obvious. So it's a win win, no?
But you don't need to just take my word for it, with Sydney Sweeney - the woman behind many of the year's biggest blonde hair goals - having recently opted for a similarly shattered root look.
Sofia Richie, another undeniable blonde icon, also opted for a muted hair colour this year as she prepared for her own nuptials.
Softening her blonde with a shattered root, Sofia's subtler look is perfect for her recently-adopted quiet luxury, ‘old money' aesthetic that's seen her style go viral countless times this year on TikTok.
Instagram content
Whether you're getting married and looking for something timeless or are just ready to soften your colour now that hair trends are having something of a break from platinum, you won't regret requesting a little ‘shattered blonde’ action from your colourist this winter (and beyond!).
For more from Glamour UK's Fashion Editor Charlie Teather, follow her on Instagram @charlieteather
