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Light blue hair reigned supreme in the 2010s, and now it’s having a major moment again. In the past few years, we’ve seen a diverse group of celebrities (from Megan Fox to Cardi B) embracing the pastel hue, proving that it is possible to experiment with light blue hair in a way that feels elevated and fashion-forward. “I think everybody can rock light blue hair,” international educator at Balmain Hair Ann Leivsgard says. “It all comes down to which style and look you are going for.”
To help you navigate your light blue hair journey, we tapped two expert colorists to share their tips. Ahead, find their tips and 17 examples of light blue hairstyles.
What To Know Before Trying Light Blue Hair
“The first thing to decide is whether you would like to see light blue as an all-over color or want to incorporate it into your natural hair color, which will be a softer look,” Aveda’s global artistic director for hair color Ian Michael Black says.
Highlights are an easy way to dabble with the color if you’re not sure you want to commit yet fully. “If you still want to keep most of your natural hair color and just play around with light blue pieces, I think it will give it the most edge if you have very dark or very blonde hair,” Leivsgard says.
But remember that if your hair is naturally dark, you must use bleach before the color dye is applied to achieve a light blue shade. That said, those with brown or black hair shouldn’t shy away from the style. “The color works very well for those with naturally dark hair, and it’s a great alternative to warmer, lighter shades that can give the hair too much warmth and make it look yellow or orange,” Black says.
Because the color requires a double process, you should prioritize conditioning and caring before and after heading to the salon. “When you are going for a light blue hair color, your hair needs to be lifted—or bleached to the maximum—before you can tone it light blue, which means you’ll need to build your hair up again to get the quality back,” Leivsgard says. “We need to focus on the quality and condition of the hair before we go for light blue.”
Light Blue Hair
CHOOSING A SHADE: “A great way of seeing what shades look best is to simply tuck back your hair and hold up colors that you like against your face,” Black says. “Play around with a few different shades, from delicate to the most saturated, to see what suits you best.”
MAINTENANCE LEVEL: “If you want to maintain that perfect light blue hair color, you must tone your hair every three to four weeks,” Leivsgard says. “When going for a pastel color like light blue, you need to take care of it [properly], or your hair will break.
GOES GREAT WITH: Light blue hair looks great on anyone, but certain people may appreciate the color more. “If you are going for a full light blue hair color, it will suit you the best if you have a cooler undertone,” Levisgard says.
SIMILAR SHADES: Winter Blue, Teal, Dark Blue, and Blue Ombré
PRICE: “The cost to get light blue hair all depends on how long your hair is, how thick it is, if you want a full head of color, or if you want a few highlights,” Levisgard explains.
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