Chunky highlights and ombre gradually fading from dark to light hair has had its moment. Now, as per experts like Becky B, there’s a new technique on the scene generating buzz among style trailblazers – hair color blocking. This graphic approach applies blocks of contrasting vivid shades for a high-impact look that pops. But why is hair colour blocking suddenly gaining traction? Let’s break down the unique benefits fueling this exciting hair trend.
Defining Color Blocked Hair
To understand this phenomenon, first let’s outline what exactly hair color blocking involves. The signature look paints contrasting blocks of pigment directly onto the hair, usually in geometric or asymmetrical shapes. For example, hair may feature a big triangle chunk of hot pink in the front layered over a base of platinum blonde. Or, a model could rock a color blocked coif with jagged stripes of seafoam green, violet and jet black. The palette options are limitless.
This technique differs from traditional highlights or ombres which gently blend and fade colors. Color blocking produces clearly defined, stark divisions between vivid hues that stand out boldly.
A Playful Update on the Classic Punk Aesthetic
Part of what makes hair color blocking enticing is that it represents an evolution of punk hair coloring while feeling fresh. The punk movement first popularized using unnatural neon shades as a form of edgy self-expression. However, the overall execution was often rough and deliberately messy. Color blocking offers the same spirit of eye-catching rebellion through wildly vivid locks. But the neatly painted color shapes exude polish and artistry versus punk grunge. The impact remains delightfully subversive yet with elevated execution.
A Canvas for Creativity and Self-Expression
Another draw is how color blocking allows endless creativity. Hair becomes a vibrant blank canvas for imagining and expressing a fantasy hair vision. Beyond just choosing colors, you select fun shapes to paint onto strands. You control the precise placement and size of color blocks. This provides total creative freedom. The result is a one-of-a-kind hair design that shows off your unique personality. From mermaid-teal octopus tentacles, to geometric rainbow shards, anything goes. It also involves less drastic commitment than fully bleached or dyed hair since the natural base remains intact underneath. This makes color blocks easy to tweak or remove.
A Bold Virtual Style Statement
In a time of Zoom calls and social media presence, color blocked hair also provides an eye-grabbing digital fashion statement. Whether on video conferences, Instagram posts or TikTok streams, those vivid hair blocks are guaranteed to grab attention and enliven online looks.
In an era where we so often interact through screens, this is a compelling perk that makes committing to a bold dye job enticing. The end result photographs beautifully too for vivid hair selfies.
A Growing Sense of Experimentation Post-Pandemic
Hair color trends follow cultural moods. After endless muted months in lockdown, people crave self-expression. Hence a growing desire to experiment with identity and aesthetics through fresh mediums like hair. Color blocking arrived at the perfect junction of society reopening with spirits yearning for creativity and human connection. The tide is shifting away from subtle hair for those craving a bold reboot. And with WFH flexible grooming policies, more felt empowered to test creative waters. Color blocking provides that perfect dose of post-pandemic catharsis.
Accessibility of Vibrant Fashion Colors
Advances in vivid semi-permanent dye options have also fueled color blocking experimentation. Fantasy colors like mermaid blues or neon pinks once seemed reserved for cosplayers or drag performers. But thanks to brands like Manic Panic, Arctic Fox and Overtone, the average person can now easily access these fashion shades for short-term styling. It opened up color blocking to the masses.
A Trend That Fosters Artistic Expression
In summation, hair color blocking resonates by offering a fresh spin on punk irreverence with added polish. The precision shapes provide creative license while allowing custom self-expression.
Conclusion
Photographing beautifully, this trend provides a bold virtual styling update. And improved dye access coupled with a cultural readiness for experimentation makes now the perfect moment for color blocked locks to shine. Looking ahead, expect to see increasing daring color shapes giving way to true artistry as this technique evolves. From geometric to abstract to freehand painted, vibrant hair offers a wonderful way to inject art and whimsy into daily life.
