Say you’re traversing a vast desert. If you look in the distance, you see hazy, shimmery sand in all directions. That’s this color — a glittering, shining mirage of heat and sand. “These shades of blonde have subtle, dimensional reflection,” says colorist Richy Kandasamy, who recommends asking for lived-in highlights mixed with different shades of brown. Bonus: It’s also quite a bit easier to maintain than the buttery Hollywood blondes of last season; dark roots just add to its dimension.
Microlights
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If highlights are the head cheerleader in high school, then microlights are the charming French exchange student. The effect is subtle and quiet, but totally captivating. “It’s just a few soft amber flecks,” says Diana Mildice, who thinks these look especially beautiful on wavy or curly hair types, so they can dance around the texture a bit and give the impression of a glowing, golden aura.
Soft black
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There’s Wednesday Addams black (no disrespect) and then there’s soft black: A touchable, velvety hue that juuust misses the darkest black on the spectrum. Yes, we know true black isn’t on the color spectrum, or actually a color at all, but you know what we mean. It’s sexy, but not too harsh. Mysterious, but not unapproachable. Dark, but not without charm. “If you want it to stay deep, request a single process,” says colorist Mariah Joseph. “If you want less commitment, request a gloss, since that naturally softens with each shampoo for a much softer grow out.”
Color blocking
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