Hair trends come and go, and in 2020 things seem to get bolder and brighter over the months. Example: the new pop color root trend that seems to be taking center stage, thanks in large part to the beloved American singer Billie Eilish. Here’s everything you need to know about the new wild hair trend, including how to get pop-colored root hair at the salon.
Pop roots of color have undoubtedly gained popularity thanks to people like Eilish, whose fluorescent green streaks are hard to miss. But the look you should try in real life? Marley Xavier, master colorist at Josh Wood, seems to think so. “This is an exciting and dynamic way to place color for high impact (and visibility) without committing to coloring the root of your hair to the end,” he explains. “I love the fact that it has a modern grungy feel, you can make it look like that and it’s perfect for spring / summer.”
If you’re in the mood for that look, I’m going to be honest: it’s not one that you can easily create at home. “This look requires skill and experience with attention to detail, usually involving bleach and the use of vibrant colors,” says Xavier. As with many color trends, it’s best to do this in a salon and shell out the expense to make sure everything is done by the book. The trend of the pop-colored root in particular could end in disaster if it were attempted at home, due to its specific location and the use of very vibrant shades.
In addition to having made the look in salons like Josh Wood, which specialize in color, some other places offer specific services to make locks worthy of Billie. These include John Frieda, whose maven color Nicola Clarke has just presented his own “root pop” service in the living room.
The service aims to celebrate the roots rather than fear them, which those with colored hair have become so used to doing.
“The striking splashes of color are a trend that can only grow,” says Clarke. “With my color team, we were the pioneers of the pop root which offers a color that makes the roots special rather than trying to hide them. On naturally darker hair, stronger colors such as orange are beautiful and purple is really striking on blonde hair and any intermediate color can work. “
It’s a fairly simple process to get that salon look. The color team first identifies the color that best suits your complexion and natural hair color, as well as your lifestyle. They then whiten the root and add the chosen color to this area, leaving the mids and ends alone.
And if you’re worried about any damage it could do to your hair, Maxine Cooke, creative and responsible stylist at Nicola Clarke at John Frieda Salons, explains that “there are the usual risks associated with bleach, but as long as you have the service professionally and take care of your hair with … it should be fine! “
While you may want to opt for a super striking color like the orange in neon green, you can also do it with a pastel shade, like pink, lavender or blue.
“It can be as strong or as subtle as you want, although the stronger is the better in my opinion! It looks really good on straight hair but just as cool on curly hair,” says Cooke.
