Top 10 Hair Color Trends of 2019

Top 10 Hair Color Trends of 2019 You Need to Try Now

2019 was a year of bold experimentation and fresh takes on classic hair colors. Whether you’re a natural brunette, a blonde bombshell, or someone who loves to push the envelope with vivid hues, this year offered something for everyone. From Pantone’s Color of the Year to futuristic rainbow blends, let’s dive into the ten hair color trends that dominated salons and social media feeds throughout 2019.

Living Coral Hair

Pantone named “Living Coral” the Color of the Year for 2019, and its influence extended far beyond fashion runways—right onto our heads. This shade is a muted, warm coral with subtle golden undertones, making it more wearable than classic neon coral. It’s a vibrant, life-affirming color that softens all skin tones and enhances eye colors—perfect for anyone looking to make a bold yet flattering statement. Achieving this look usually requires bleaching, especially for those with darker hair, so be sure to invest in a good leave-in conditioner to keep your locks healthy and vibrant.

Glitch Hair

If you’re feeling futuristic, Glitch Hair is the trend for you. Inspired by digital distortion and video game aesthetics, this look features sections of rainbow colors scattered throughout the hair, creating the illusion of a “glitch” in your strands. For a more subtle take, try Glitch Hair as peekaboo highlights or underneath layers for a surprise pop of color when your hair is up.

Lilac Hair

Lilac hair continued its rise in popularity throughout 2019, with searches for this dreamy shade skyrocketing. Celebs like Cardi B and Lady Gaga helped propel lilac into the mainstream. This soft, pastel purple is versatile for both short and long hair and pairs beautifully with cool skin tones. Maintaining lilac hair requires sulfate-free shampoo to preserve the color’s vibrancy.

Chestnut Brown and Gold Hair

Brunettes looking for a subtle refresh found their match in chestnut brown accented with golden highlights. This dimensional look, seen on Miranda Kerr, adds warmth and movement to natural brown hair while remaining easy to maintain. The key is to keep the highlights within a few shades of your base color for a seamless, natural effect.

Inky Black Hair

The inky black trend of 2019 isn’t your average dark shade—it’s ultra-glossy, intense, and saturated. This look is all about achieving maximum shine and depth, making it perfect for those with naturally dark hair or those ready to commit to frequent salon visits for upkeep. Protect your color with hydrating, sulfate-free shampoos to keep that jet-black shine.

Ash Gray Hair

For those flirting with the idea of going darker but not ready for full-on black, ash gray is the perfect middle ground. This cool-toned shade features darker roots that blend into lighter, moody gray ends—ideal for easy grow-out and low-maintenance styling.

Pastel Pink Hair

Pastel pink emerged as a standout trend in 2019, thanks in part to its appearance on the Marc Jacobs Spring 2019 runway. This cotton-candy shade is playful, flirty, and surprisingly wearable—a modern update to the rose gold trend of previous years.

Baby Blonde

Baby blonde is the go-to for anyone seeking a fresh, youthful look. This ultra-light, almost white-blonde shade offers a neutral, powdery finish that’s less ashy than traditional platinum. Achieving this color often involves balayage or foil techniques for a seamless blend, and it’s especially striking when paired with darker roots for contrast.

Chocolatey Rich Brunettes

Rich, chocolatey brunettes were everywhere in 2019, with mocha highlights woven through glossy, dimensional brown bases. The trick is to keep highlights within a few shades of the base color for a natural, sun-kissed effect. This trend is perfect for those who want low-maintenance color with maximum impact.

Copper and Auburn Tones

Copper and auburn shades also had a major moment in 2019. These warm, fiery hues suit a variety of skin tones and can be adapted from subtle highlights to full-head transformations. Copper tones are especially flattering for those with fair or olive skin, adding warmth and vibrancy to any look.

Comparison Table: Top 2019 Hair Color Trends

How to Choose the Right Trend for You

• Consider your natural hair color and how much maintenance you’re willing to do.
• Think about your skin tone—cool tones suit ash gray and lilac, while warm tones shine with coral and copper.
• If you’re hesitant, try a temporary color or semi-permanent dye to test the trend.
• Consult with a professional colorist to discuss your goals and hair health.

Hair Color Maintenance Tips

• Use sulfate-free shampoos to extend the life of your color.
• Deep condition regularly to combat dryness, especially after bleaching.
• Consider color-depositing conditioners for pastels and vivid shades.
• Touch up roots as needed, or embrace the grow-out for low-maintenance styles like ash gray.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How do I keep my Living Coral hair from fading?

A: Use color-safe, sulfate-free shampoos, avoid hot water, and apply a leave-in conditioner regularly to keep your Living Coral hair vibrant and healthy.

Q: Can I try Glitch Hair without bleaching?

A: Glitch Hair requires lightened hair for the colors to show up brightly. If you have dark hair, you’ll need to bleach the sections you want to color. For a subtle look, try it on the underside of your hair.

Q: Is lilac hair high-maintenance?

A: Lilac hair requires regular toning and the use of sulfate-free shampoo to maintain its pastel hue. Expect to touch up your color every few weeks for best results.

Q: What’s the easiest trend to maintain?

A: Chestnut brown and gold highlights are among the easiest to maintain, especially if you start with a brown base. The grow-out is natural and seamless.

Q: How damaging is baby blonde hair?

A: Achieving baby blonde usually involves heavy bleaching, which can be damaging. Deep conditioning treatments and minimizing heat styling can help keep hair healthy.

Final Thoughts

2019 brought a diverse array of hair color trends, from Pantone’s Living Coral to the futuristic Glitch Hair. Whether you’re after a subtle refresh or a bold transformation, there’s a trend to suit every personality and lifestyle. Remember, the best hair color is one that makes you feel confident and beautiful—so don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with your look!