Embrace Your Roots! Here's How to Get a Lived-In Hair Color

Obsessed with all the latest hair trends but tired of having to make frequent visits to the salon for touchups? Girl, we feel you! But what if we told you that one of 2017’s hottest hair color trends won’t require you making trips to the salon every few weeks? Yes, we’re serious! We’re talking about lived-in hair. Basically, it’s our favorite trend since ombré thanks to how low maintenance it is. Want to learn how to get the look and take care of it? We’ve got you covered!

Lived-In Hair Color 101

The season’s newest must-have trend is all about creating a look that lasts. Designed through a subtle dyeing technique that is something of a mash-up between balayage and ombré, lived-in hair color typically falls somewhere on the spectrum between blonde and brunette—a bronde, if you will. To bring the look to life, a series of ashy blonde and brunette highlights are added to the ends of the hair overtop a solid light brown color with a solid faux root at the top. Together these colorful strands create a head full of dimension and movement. Luckily for you, the creation of the faux roots is what will enable you to skip frequent salon sessions. That’s because when your natural hair starts to grow in, it will perfectly blend with the faux root, eliminating any chance of major demarcation.

How to Achieve the Lived-In Look

So how does one make this hair color part of their everyday ensemble, you might ask? Since it will require a series of bleaching or lifting, highlights and lowlights, a fake root, and gloss, you should visit a professional colorist. When you show up, make sure to bring a picture of exactly what you do want and exactly what you don’t so that they know what to aim for and what to steer clear of in order to make you happy.

How to Care for Your Lived-In Look

The beauty of this hair color trend is that it’s designed to last for months on end—but you should still consider making a few changes to your hair care routine.

1. Use a system of color-safe shampoo and conditioner. Regardless of what dye job you get, it’s important to use products formulated for color-treated hair to help keep your mane looking and feeling its best. Try the L’Oréal Paris Hair Expert Color Vibrancy Intensive Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris Hair Expert Color Vibrancy Intensive Conditioner. Gently massage the shampoo into wet hair, then rinse and follow up with the conditioner. Leave the conditioner on for 1-2 minutes, then rinse.

2. Add in a mask once or twice a week. When you color your hair, it may need a little extra love, So, once or twice a week, swap out the L’Oréal Paris Hair Expert Color Vibrancy Color Intensive Conditioner for the L’Oréal Paris Hair Expert Color Vibrancy Intensive Ultra Recovery Mask. Apply the mask after shampooing with the L’Oréal Paris Hair Expert Color Vibrancy Intensive Shampoo, leave it on for 3-5 minutes, then rinse out.

3. Shower in lukewarm temps. Super-hot water might feel great in the moment, but it can actually strip your hair of essential moisture. So, the next time you bathe, turn the dial down and rinse off in lukewarm temps instead. Trust us, your hair will thank you!

4. Skip the heat tools. The lived in hair color looks so pretty when paired with natural texture—so consider this your excuse to put down the blow-dryer, flat iron, and curling iron. Want beachy waves? Spritz on the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle AIR DRY IT Wave Swept Spray to towel-dried hair, braid your hair, then undo the braid once your hair has dried. Want to add volume? Apply an egg-sized amount of the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle AIR DRY IT Ruffled Body Mousse to wet hair, then let it air dry.