Literally translated, this French-termed hair trend means “shadow” and features a darker hair colour at the roots with gradually lightened hair towards the tips.
From the fashion world with dual fabric colour (no, I don’t mean those two-tone shirts!) to the design world with ombre wedding cakes, this graduating light-to-dark trend doesn’t seem to be fading anytime soon.
When the celeb world went ombre a few years ago, many thought this would be a flash fad, but after all this time, the look is still one of the most popular colouring requests at salons around the world. Celebrities including Sarah Jessica Parker, Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, and Ciara are all avid fans of this hair trend. And if you think this is just for the ladies, think again. 30 Seconds To Mars singer Jared Leto has embraced what’s been dubbed the “hombre” look, with more and more men following suit.
Pictures: iStockphoto.
It’s low maintenance
What’s so great about this hair colouring technique is how long it lasts. Forget costly highlights and time-consuming salon trips: the ombre colouring is ideal for those looking for a low-maintenance style. The strength of the ombre look is that it looks better over time as your hair starts to grow out.
It can work with all hair colours
Another advantage of the ombre is that it works with all hair colours. For dark hair: offset your natural dark hues with deep reds, coppers, and cool ash. For brunettes: use rich browns, coppers, and for the daring, even violet shades. For blondes: opt for ash tones, soft blonde shades, and golden caramel tones.
You can get creative
Ombre gives you the freedom to play around with different shades to see what suits you and your personality. Singer Katy Perry is a fan of the dramatic purple ombre and style icon Lauren Conrad often experiments with pastel shades. There are many different versions of this style, and right now it’s all about the sun-kissed balayage which is a more natural look.
You can start slow
You can choose one to three colours to shade for your ombre with softer shades being better suited for a subtle effect. And as the seasons change, so too should your hair hue. In the warmer months, embrace lighter, more vibrant shades and in the winter months, choose cooler, more ash tones.
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