If you’re in the market to make some fun changes to your hair color, the latest trend that you need to keep on your radar is colorblocking. The look is exactly as it sounds: it features blocks of colored highlights in your hair that contrast with your base color. A distant cousin of “money pieces”, the ’90s-esque face-framing highlights that recently had a big comeback, this trend gives the hair color a dramatic twist.
Instead of featuring a contrasting shade that simply frames your face, you place the block of color anywhere you see fit, and it can be any one of your choosing – the brighter the shade, the better. “The colorblock trend is a great way to be adventurous without fully committing to a new shade,” hairstylist and Blushington artistic director Monae Everett tells PS. “It’s a great example of a little color creating a major impact.”
This trend tends to be particularly popular in the spring and summer months and there’s a reason for that. “It’s all about the wow factor,” Everett says. “Highlights and ombré don’t pack the same punch. Colorblocking is a great way to try a fantasy color like pink or platinum.” While it’s typically done with bright, bold hues, you can also keep the look subtle by opting for colors that aren’t as daring (but still contrast with your base). “The secret to this look is choosing a color at least three shades lighter than your base color and dedicating a small section of the hair to your new shade,” Everett says.
Even better? “You can place the block whereever you’d like – it can be on one side of the head crossing over your part, or it can be on the top of the head, or even at the nape of the neck,” she says.
Whether you’re feeling a bit more bold or want something more subdued, you can’t go wrong with giving the colorblocking hair trend a try. Be sure to keep it in your back pocket for any timely makeovers that you may have on the horizon.
– Additional reporting by Ariel Baker
Renee Rodriguez is a staff writer and social producer for PS. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for PS’s TikTok and Instagram accounts.
Ariel Baker is the associate editor for PS Beauty. Her areas of expertise include celebrity news, beauty trends, and product reviews. She has additional bylines with Essence and Forbes Vetted.
