Why recession-proof hair is the budget-friendly trend you’ll love
Purse strings may be tightening but your mane need not suffer. The recession-proof hair trend won’t break the bank but will leave you looking the bomb.
Celebrities and everyday folk are embracing recession-proof hair.
Yes, it’s a thing and once you’re on board, you might want to embrace it forever.
Recession-proof hair means low-maintenance hair colour.
The trend got its name because it requires less upkeep and cost than conventional colouring services.
Newcastle hairstylist Maddison Dew says the pandemic and lockdowns gave a lot of clients the chance to grow out their natural colour.
“This has resulted in them realising they like their hair’s natural depth, which means they can stretch the time between appointments,” Maddison says.
- Mane menu: 17 foods that will give you better hair
How to extend your hair colours between salon visits
Hailey Bieber, Jennifer Lopez, Margot Robbie and Rosie Huntington-Whitely are just some of the big-name bottle blondes forgoing lighter bleached hair for darker, more natural shades that require less upkeep.
“Some of my blonde clients have been able to extend their colour services to eight to 12 weeks simply by tweaking their colour formula and highlighting techniques so there’s softer regrowth without a harsh regrowth line,” Maddison says.
The Gold Coast’s Rinsd Hair salon owner Liana Vicario is having a similar experience with blonde clients requesting to go darker.
“There’s been an increase in low-maintenance, lived-in colour among our salon’s clients,” Liana says.
“Blondes still want the boldness of a bright face, but gone are the days of wanting to come in to get their roots done every four to six weeks.
“They want more longevity and to embrace more of their natural depth.”
View this post on Instagram
The rise of “brondes”
In addition to darker blonde hues becoming the norm, “bronde” shades that skirt between blonde and brunette are becoming increasingly popular.
“We have a lot of clients currently taking the transition from lived-in blonde to a soft-dimensional bronde created with lowlights and global glossing (all-over hair gloss), which is absolutely stunning,” Liana says.
“In addition to visually looking really nice, this technique creates a lot of shine and fades out beautifully.”
- Dual colour: Is Gemini hair the bold trend you need to try?
The return of ombre hair
Another low-maintenance hair colour technique that’s seen a recent revival is ombre hair.
Drawing inspiration from the dip-dye technique popularised in the 2010s, the trend typically incorporates freehand balayage highlights and focuses on lightening the mid-lengths and ends to contrast against a darker natural root.
Much like other low-maintenance hair shades, celebrities are fully on board with the trend.
Lizzo, Sarah Jessica Parker, Ciara and Cardi B are adoptees of the trend.
View this post on Instagram
How to embrace a low-maintenance look
It’s a good idea to have a fair idea upfront of the look you are going for.
“Always come in prepared with inspiration photos for your stylist,” Liana says. “Explain that you are wanting to work with your natural base and avoid any permanent tint for the root stretch, as a permanent tint can lift the natural base and cause warm banding, which will result in a regrowth within two to three weeks.
“Always use a semi-permanent for lowlights and the root stretch.”
She adds extending time between appointments to allow your natural colour to come through is one of the easiest ways to adjust to a recession-proof hair shade.
Face-framing highlights are another option to try.
Maddison says this involves specifically placing highlights to frame and brighten the face.
“I always lean towards a bright face frame, allowing a pop of colour to be on the hairline that gives the look of blonde, in conjunction with a root tap on the part line to soften the regrowth,” Maddison says.
“For darker-haired clients, face framing is still an option but I tend to have all the foils fine and teased off the root to avoid any regrowth.”
View this post on Instagram
- ’90s revival: Get on board with these old-school hair trends
Written by Charlotte Brundrett.
