Are You Down With the New Ombre Hair Trend?

I don't think it's for me, but it really is so 80s-fantastic (think Terri Nunn, lead singer of Berlin) that I can't help but love it. Marie Robinson, celeb colorist at Sally Hershberger Downtown gives us some tips on making the trend work for you.

Who can pull this off?
Teens and young fashionistas are perfect for this! It is also great for anyone in the arts and music industry. (Notice she doesn't say anything about 30-somethings who live in the 'burbs - that totally rules me out!)

Who should avoid this look?
Although the extreme color is beautiful, it is also a little distracting. Anyone that works in a corporate environment should avoid the look. (And they should also avoid green nail polish, which is what I'm getting ready to use right now!)

How do you get this look?
If you want to go for natural tones, then just lighten your mid length and ends at least three shades lighter than your base. Then go back to your last two to three inches and lighten again. If you want to make it a funky color, have your hair professionally bleached and tone with any desired pure pigment shade such as Manic Panic Color. Apply shade at the bottom two to three inches and let it process. Then dilute the remaining color with water and using your fingers work it into the mid-shaft. (Ladies, please, if you want to bleach your hair and use Manic Panic, please find a professional to help you with that. It's not worth it to do it yourself if you want funky color. Please heed my advice on this one.)

Is it hard to maintain?
If you go for natural shades, the color looks better as it grows - so it's very little maintenance! If you use a pure pigment color such as Manic Panic it will need to be refreshed every couple of weeks.