We’ve been living in a Barbie world since the first movie trailer dropped at the end of last year. Now, with its premiere month finally here, Barbiecore beauty trends are exploding thanks to all the hype. Make-up has gone pink, hairstyles have a touch of Malibu beachiness and blonde is reigning supreme.

If you need evidence of Barbie’s influence on our hair, online searches for ‘blonde hair dye' surged by 157 per cent worldwide just hours after the full-length trailer dropped, and the demand for sunkissed shades in salons is on the rise too. We’re not just talking about that typical bright Barbie colour, either. Caramel, melted pecan and strawberry tones, to name just a few saucy-sounding shades, are having their moment in the spotlight. So step out of your box and have a scan of these blonde trends that promise to suit all skin tones…

Ask the expert

How do I know what tone to ask for? “Go by your skin tone,” explains Emma Vickery, colourist at Percy & Reed salon. “If you suit silver jewellery then you’re likely cool toned, and if you look great in gold, you’re probably warm toned.

What if I don’t want too much upkeep? “You need to pick a shade that allows you to keep some of your existing colour. It’s also about working with the tone of your natural hair – if it’s warm, go with that golden theme instead of fighting against it,” she says.

Why the complicated colour names? “Terms like ‘caramel’ or ‘butterscotch’ sound less scary to a client than ‘warm’ or ‘gold’,” she adds. “People shy away from certain words, especially when they’re used to a spectrum of platinum or ashy blondes.”

Oat milk blonde

Celebrity inspiration: Margot Robbie

Barbie blonde takes a modern twist in the movie, with Margot forgoing a peroxide shade in favour of something a little more flattering on her peachy skin tone. If you’ve always been a light blonde but struggle to keep an ashy tone at home, an oat milk blonde could be for you, too.“This colour is exactly how it sounds – milky,” explains Emma. “It has a beige tinge combined with cool highlights to make sure the overall tone of the hair doesn’t look too warm. It’s the soft new version of the super ashy blonde we all loved five years ago.”

Melted pecan blonde

Celebrity inspiration: Rita Ora

If you’re a brunette looking to transition to a brighter shade for summer, this colour allows you to keep some of your base shade. "This trend has evolved from the 'bronde' look where the blonde is kept or added through the ends of the hair and around the face,” says Georgina Hamilton-Hopkins, colour director at Hadley Yates salon. “Since this blonde has an ashy, mahogany tinge, it’s a great choice for those who want a warm shade that won’t pull through brassy.”

Strawberry blonde

Celebrity inspiration: Nicole Kidman

Last summer’s hottest shade was bold copper, and now that warm, reddish tinge is taking a more subtle form for this season. “It’s more of an all-over peachy tone we’re seeing – a faded copper,” explains Emma. “You need quite a light base shade for the tone to show on your hair, and you’ll need touch-ups every 6-8 weeks to maintain an all-over ‘strawberry’ tinge, but it’s very flattering on warm skin tones – and perfect if you’re letting your existing copper or red colour fade into something more subtle.”

Caramel blonde

Celebrity inspiration: Beyoncé

A caramel is as rich and delicious in tone as it sounds, and it’s another low-maintenance option for those with existing brunette or darker bases."Long gone are the days when clients want bleach-blonde hair,” says Georgina.

“They now want to add more tones, so caramel blonde is great for people who have had highlights upon highlights. It's a great way for people to soften their blonde without going dark, or to brighten their dark hair without compromising condition. Caramel blonde also has a nod to gold and ginger tones, but without it being too orange.”

Mayo blonde

Celebrity inspiration: Kim Kardashian

Those with naturally light bases who tend to use violet formulas to get an icy tone may want to consider going with a mayo. “As it sounds, it’s an almost white shade but with a subtle golden tinge. To achieve this we use a different toner than we would when we’re creating a platinum: half warm and half cool so the colour feels more balanced. You can still make it feel clean and bright, but without the harsh iciness,” Emma says.

Source: Read Full Article