Rainbow hair is as rebellious as it is feel-good (plus Lizzo and Katy Perry are doing it)
Variety is the spice of life. We change our outfits and our makeup regularly to reflect how we're feeling each day. So... why not do the same for our hair? The trend for multiple tones and tints has well and truly taken off with lockdown (and TikTok) seeing a spike in people embracing DIY dyes, or booking themselves straight in got a shade refresh as soon as their hairdressers reopened. But it doesn't need to mean sticking to brunette or blonde.
āAfter being held inside for so long and desperate to experience all life has to offer, we've seen a massive surge in edgy strong dramatic changes and hair colour is following suit. Bright, bold and summer pastels,ā says SALON64 stylistDylan McConnachie.
While bright, crazy colours have always been seen as a little risky, less of us seem to care these days. Take it from the celebs ā in the past few months, Dua Lipa's dyed her hair pretty much every shade going, Hilary Duff went neon teal, Pixie Geldofchannelled a watermelon, dying her front parting green and the back bright pink, Katy Perry showcased fluro orange hair and Lizzo switched to a casual emerald green, NBD.
And, kaleidoscopic hair has been runway-approved, too, after Christian Siriano sent his models down the runway with sleek My Little Pony hair.
Really, why not? Taste the rainbow hair is as fun and feel-good as it is rebellious and bold. Even if you don't fancy a long-term commitment, gentle wash-in-wash-out hair colours have come on heaps, which means you can dip your toe into a whole spectrum of shades and rinse them away days (or even hours) later without damaging your hair. Still don't fancy a dye-job? Why not experiment with colourful wigs like Kylie Jenner and Cardi B to find your ideal shade before taking the plunge.
From soft ice cream shades like Nicole Richie's pastel purple, to opal tones like Bella Hadid, or bright and vivid hues, like Alicia Keys' hot pink and orange combo, here's all the inspiration you need to play around with your colour palette.
Want to go bolder? Check out our gallery of pink hairstyles, rose gold hairstyles and our guide on how to get grey hair.
@katyperry / InstagramKaty Perry shared a pic of her fizzy orange hair this week, and it's not for the shy and retiring.
@lizzobeeating / InstagramWhy stick to every shade of brown when you could be green! Lizzo is rocking it like the queen she is.
@rubyrose / Instagram
@dualipa / InstagramDua Lipa has just switched her hair hue from pink to vibrant orange, a colour she's dubbing 'orangina quarantina. Catchy.
@dualipa / InstagramDua Lipa looks pretty in pink with her new candy floss hair. Tempted to emulate her? Read our guide.
@georgiamayjagger / InstagramGeorgia May Jagger split her hair into two shades of blue using temporary colour from Bleach London.
@lottiemossxo / InstagramLottie Moss ditched her bright blonde for neon pink.
@pixiegeldof / InstagramPixie Geldof channelled a watermelon, dying her front parting green and the back bright pink.
@hilaryduff / InstagramHilary Duff just made toasted sky a major isolation hair colour trend; all you need is a box dye and voila!
@lizzo / InstagramLizzo's ombre magenta is show-stopping.
@ladygaga / InstagramLady Gaga's switched her signature blonde hair for a sherbet pink.
Getty ImagesMaisie Williams light pink hair is a pretty take on colourful hair.
@iamcardib / InstagramCardi B channeled unicorn hair with this fabulous half-up half-down multicoloured creation.
Kylie Jenner has the rare ability to look totally sensational no matter her hair colour (case in point, her recent fuscia pink look).
Rocking a subtle hint of pink elevates Hailey Baldwin's look from elegant to edgy.
Irene Kim is a constant source of beauty inspo and this pinky purple shade is giving us serious summer hair goals.
@hannahstocking / InstagramCan't decide which colour to choose? Take cue from Hannah Stocking, who shared this multi-coloured mashup with her 12 million followers on day 1 of Coachella.
@gigihadid / InstagramWe all screamed with excitement when Gigi Hadid rocked a vibrant ponytail full of bold colour for a shoot. Please bring it back, Gigi!
Instagram/ aliciakeysAlicia Keys knows how to wow, and would you just look at this colour combo?! Divine.
Instagram/ aliciakeysAlicia's colourful braids are a blend of orange, pink, and yellow hues. To share the new ādo, she captioned a photo of herself looking over a balcony ā#views #nyc.ā
Instagram/ emrataEmily Ratajkowski looked incredible when she rocked a millennial pink wig on Instagram. But, let's be honest, she always looks incredible.
InstagramGigi Hadid has also rocked this sunset orange hue and we love it. The supermodel's experimental hairdo is of course a wig, but y'know what, she looks smokin' hot.
RubyRose/InstagramWe know Ruby Rose loves to experiment with her hair, but even for her this new pink dye is bold! Naturally though, she pulls it off with ease!
Bella Hadid/InstagramWe are totally obsessed with Bella Hadid's gorgeous pink ombre hair. Is there anything she can't pull off?
Rex FeaturesZayn's mane is always a hot topic of conversation but we're kinda loving this muted pink quiff.
Getty ImagesIggy Azalea looked seriously cool with her new pastel pink locks at the 2016 Couture shows in Paris. She clashed her hair with some bright yellow shades, and it totally works.
Rex FeaturesNo stranger to bright pastel hair, Rita Ora showed off her colourful rainbow locks in this pretty high updo.
Getty ImagesLily Allen's blue hue was a serious statement. Not easy to pull off, she does it well - right?
Rex FeaturesBritney showcased her rainbow locks at the Teen Choice Awards 2015, opting for a multiple coloured dip-dye. We like it.
Georgia May Jagger/InstagramWhy have one colour when you can have five? Get 'em all like Georgia May Jagger. Nice, bright and cheery, hey!
PA PhotosWant to make an impression on a red carpet full of other stars? Opt for a bright-pink ombre and then make sure your lipstick matches. Well done, Iggy Azalea.
RexBlue hair, don't care! Hilary Duff shocked everyone when she unveiled BLUE hair on Instagram. The American starlet switched from blonde to blue, which is perfect for spring, if you ask us.
PA PhotosDuring the promotional trail of her book, Not That Kind of Girl, Lena Dunham obviously felt like a minty new look!
"Newly minted for the Canadian leg of the tour," Dunham captioned an Instagram pic. Lena tagged in Tanner Bassett from Rheanne White Salon, thanking him for her new locks.
PA PhotosIt's impossible for Gwen Stefani not to totally make a look her own, and she did just that when stepping out in LA with this parrot-inspired rainbow 'do.
Rex FeaturesThe chicest way to trial rainbow locks? With a candy-pink super-sharp bob a la Rita Ora. Rita, we salute you and your ever changing tresses.
PA PhotosShe's the ultimate Californian beach babe, but clearly Kate Hudson was in the mood for a hair switch up. The actress sported a subtle pink and pastel rinse, which worked as the perfect tonic to her high shimmer dress.
Rex FeaturesFollow GIRLS star Jrmima Kirke's lead and instead of honey highlights through the lengths, opt for gorgeous pastel colours instead.
GettyDemi Lovato loves a bit of a dip-dye. This chalky purple shade really suits her, no?
Nicole Richie/InstagramIt's not the first time Nicole Richie has had a dramatic colour transformation but we're OBSESSED with her new, FULL-ON purple hair colour.
IndigitalIf there's one person who knows how to rock rainbow hair, it's Chloe Norgaard but out of all the colours of the rainbow, pink is her favourite. During the Rodarte show she worked the 'princess hair' theme perfectly.
Alexa Chung/TwitterIf ever you needed convincing to give hair chalks a go; this ought to do it. Alexa Chung's braided rainbow-hued 'do is all kinds of pretty.
PacificCoastNews.comNot one to try things by halves, Demi Lovato has chosen the brightest blue hue available for this statement style.
PA PhotosAzealia Banks is mermaid-tastic at Paris Fashion Week with super-long sea-green curls. Approach this look with caution: not many people can pull off green hair, but Azealia is one of the lucky few!
Getty ImagesJust a hint of pink is how Chanel Iman rocks the rainbow hair trend.
Rex FeaturesWhy not experiment with a lovely lilac hair hue this season, like colour chameleon Kelly Osbourne. Go on!
PA PhotosThe gorgeous Chloe Moretz experimented with the look, adding hot pink streaks to her golden-blonde locks.
PA PhotosWe adore Katy Perry's fashion-forward attitude to her hair, and this super-long rainbow ponytail is one of our favourite looks to date.
Rex FeaturesFearne Cotton got involved with the trend just before her 30th birthday with this faded pink colour.
PA PhotosQueen of experimental style Lady Gaga can always be relied upon to trial a new style. With a wig in every colour (who knows what her real hair looks like), we actually love this mint green hue on Lady G.
Rex FeaturesGrunge goddess Pixie Geldof gets involved with a nonchalant hint of green at the front of her messy locks.
PAHair chameleon Rihanna has tried most hair colours, but this popping red is our favourite. Bold, bright and unbelievably beautiful.
