Trends

Get the Look: Lived-In Hair Color

By SALONORY

portrait smiling woman long hair

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Recently, the landscape of hair color has undergone a captivating evolution with the rise of the lived-in hair color trend. This look has gained immense popularity for its distinctive ability to provide a natural-looking hair color that effortlessly aligns with individual lifestyles and requires less frequent touch-ups with professional hair color. In this comprehensive post, we’ll explore the trend, shedding light on what makes it so appealing and setting the stage for an in-depth journey into achieving the coveted “lived-in” look. 

Understanding Lived-In Hair Color

Forget the days of harsh, one-dimensional hair color. The lived-in hair trend is all about embracing a natural, sun-kissed look that grows out gracefully. Created by celebrity hairstylist Johnny Ramirez, this technique prioritizes seamless blending and subtle dimension, creating the illusion of effortlessly chic hair using professional hair lightener and professional hair color.

Lived-in hair color isn’t a specific shade or style but a coloring technique mimicking how hair naturally lightens in the sun. Think beachy waves with sun-kissed highlights or a brunette mane with caramel and honey balayage. The key is avoiding harsh lines to create a soft, graduated effect that seamlessly blends with your natural base color.

The lived-in trend appeals to a desire for low-maintenance, natural beauty. Unlike traditional highlights that require frequent touch-ups, lived-in color grows out beautifully, making it ideal for busy lifestyles. It’s also incredibly versatile, flattering a wide range of skin tones and hair textures.

While often associated with blondes and brunettes, stylists and colorists can adapt the lived-in approach to any hair color. Redheads can embrace fiery balayage or copper streaks, while subtle mahogany or chocolate highlights enhance black hair.

Choosing the Right Shades

portrait curly hairstyle

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Choosing the right shades for lived-in hair color is crucial for achieving a natural, flattering look for your client. Here are a few things to consider:

  • Skin tone: Warmer skin tones can rock honey blonde, caramel and auburn highlights, while cooler skin tones look great with ash blonde, platinum and icy hues. Brunettes with warm skin tones can try golden caramel or honey lowlights, while those with cool skin tones can opt for chocolate or espresso shades.
  • Hair color: Brunettes can go lighter with honey, caramel or blonde highlights, while blondes can add dimension with lowlights in shades of honey, gold or even ash. Redheads can experiment with copper, auburn or strawberry blonde highlights.
  • Desired effect: If your client wants a subtle sun-kissed look, opt for highlights that are only a few shades lighter than their base. For a more dramatic flair, go for bolder contrasts.
  • Personal preference: Ultimately, the best shades are those your client loves and feels confident in. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for them.

Maintaining Lived-In Hair Color

Helping your clients extend the life of their lived-in hair is about empowering them to embrace low-maintenance luxury. Start by recommending sulfate-free shampoos and color-safe conditioners to preserve vibrancy and fight frizz. Deep conditioning weekly replenishes moisture, which is especially crucial for highlighted strands. Encourage air-drying whenever possible, and remind them to reach for a heat protectant to prevent damage when heat styling.

Sun exposure can be color’s enemy, so advise clients to wear hats or use UV protectant sprays in sunny weather. Most importantly, remind clients that a few inches of root growth are part of the lived-in charm. They can enjoy weeks of effortless beauty with minimal touch-ups by embracing this natural transition. With the right advice and products, you’ll empower your clients to maintain their sun-kissed strands and keep coming back for more of that lived-in magic.

The Confidence Boost of Lived-In Hair

By guiding clients towards the lived-in hair philosophy, you empower them to confidently embrace their natural beauty. You show them true beauty lies not in rigid perfection but in the captivating dance of light and shadow on their unique strands. 

Champion this movement, and watch your clients strut out of the salon with renewed self-love and confidence. Remember — their lived-in hair isn’t just a trend. It’s a celebration of their authentic selves and a testament to the magic of embracing their natural beauty.

rear view long curly hair

@naomis_hair_salon via Instagram powered by Squarelovin

Embracing the Allure of Lived-In Locks

As you witness your clients emerge from your chair with their newly lived-in strands, remember: You haven’t just given them a hair color — you’ve gifted them a confidence boost disguised as sun-kissed highlights and seamless dimension. They leave ready to conquer the world with a nonchalant “I woke up like this” air, knowing their hair reflects their authentic beauty.

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