“Cotton Candy Hair” Is The New Color Trend Millennials Are Getting – Can You Pull It Off?

Avery Hunt
Avery Hunt Hair Colorist
Photos

#1: Purple Roots with Pink and Blue Highlights

Candy cotton hair is currently a popular choice. If you want a low-maintenance hair color, I recommend choosing one solid color for the roots. Then, add highlights in a second or third tone. This method allows you to refresh only the solid root color, reducing the need to constantly maintain the highlights.

#2: Turquoise Blue and Powder Pink

Enhance the candy cotton effect by blending a few pastel colors. This adds interest to the hair and creates a fun look. Maintained colors appear the best. Talk to your colorist about at-home maintenance.

Cotton Candy Pink Pastel Waves for Longer Hair
Instagram @simsensitive

#3: Candy Pink Pastel Waves

You can achieve a more muted look with candy cotton hair by opting for one overall pastel color. Request a product that gives a translucent, illuminated feel. Light, pearly, and glossy colors work well on lighter hair, so you might need to lighten your hair first. I always recommend using a hydrating mask and getting regular trims if you plan to bleach your hair.

#4: Layers of Light Blue and Purple Tones

Ribbons of blue and purple hues layered on top of each other can create a harmonious look. The key is to keep the shade depth consistent. Pair pastels with pastels to avoid clashing and achieve a more coherent trend. When working with endless pastel colors, you may need a lightener if your natural color is very light. To keep your hair in good condition, trim the ends regularly.

#5: Light Blonde with Hints of Pink and Green

This hair color is light blonde with hints of pink and green. If you’re looking for a subtle yet spunky color, try this light blonde base with hints of light pink, yellow, blue, and green. Imagine this color like a faint rainbow on your wall, created by the light from a hanging crystal. The hair color captures the essence of a light rainbow.

Two-Way Cotton Candy Ombre for Long Tresses
Instagram @hair.by.silverrr

#6: Two-Way Cotton Candy Ombre

This is a two-way cotton candy ombré style. The color block style is creatively transformed into a beautiful reverse ombré on each side. The hues used are pink, peach, teal, and blue. The stylist colors the entire hair to achieve a light blonde background. Then, the stylist blends the colors together to make the split dye seamless.

Cotton Candy-Hued Rainbow for Medium Hair
Instagram @hairstatement

#7: Candy-Hued Rainbow Hair

Hair color, in creative hues like candy-colored rainbows, is improving daily. If your stylist specializes in vivid colors, try something new and fun. Using shades of cotton candy and ice blonde, create stripes that swirl to resemble candy ribbons. This is for the outgoing, creative woman who carries her hair with a fun and light spirit.

Vivid Cotton Candy Purple Highlights on Short Pink Hair
Instagram @hairbygalyne

#8: Vivid Purple Highlights on Pink Hair

Vivid purple can be used to highlight pink hair. If you lift your hair to the apt pre-vivid tone, you can use various tones, ranging from translucent to bright, vivid ones. Lightening darker hair bases for this effect typically requires multiple salon visits, especially for hair level 6 and above. Experiment with various purples and pinks to create a seamlessly blended palette of tones complimenting each other.

#9: Platinum with Subtle Candy Hues

Amplify your platinum hair with various muted hues, including orange, blue, pink, yellow, and purple. This color is super illuminating and adds a romantic vibe to your hair. Consider pairing it with Hollywood waves. Professional women, too, can embrace bold colors.

Dimensional Cotton Candy Pink Hair
Instagram @analoghair

#10: Dimensional Cotton Candy Pink Hair

Here is a dimensional cotton candy pink hairstyle. Try to blend two pink hues in equal parts. Start on one side with a pastelized pink. Then, proceed to neon cotton candy and finally into a fushia pink. Then, on the other side, start with neon cotton candy. Transition into fushia, and end with light pink. This color scheme is fun, creative, and very popular. This color looks good on golden neutral skin undertones.

Mid-Length Cotton Candy Blue Hair with Dark Pink Roots
Instagram @annelovescolor

#11: Candy Blue with Dark Pink Roots

Consider a candy blue color with dark pink roots. Next time you want a new look for your blonde hair, try a galaxy-inspired color. Start with a complete blonde look, and then apply dark pink at the roots. Merging into super light purples, teals, and blues helps create this galaxy masterpiece. You can vary the colors’ placement based on your hairstyle and face shape. Use this as inspiration to unleash your inner galaxy queen.

Cool Icy Blue Cotton Candy Color on Medium-Length Hair
Instagram @hairbysarahmurphy

#12: Cool Icy Blue Hair Color

You can create the icy blue color described with a full head of pale blonde. The look includes a lavender blue hue with brighter blue notes at the hair roots. Creative play with blue mixtures can accentuate the overall look. Remember that pre-toning your blonde hair with violet is a critical step for knocking out any yellow and applying the blue vivids comfortably. Without this step, you may have a green cast in the hair. It’s important to remember that yellow and blue produce a green hue, while purple cancels out yellow. Remember to budget for this extra color step, as it positions the violet pre-tone as necessary for the look.

#13: Muted Cotton Candy Color

For those who favor purple, blue, and gentle pink hues, this shade is perfect. The cotton candy tone, enhanced to be extra pastel, gives an interesting reflection. Highlights of platinum blonde add a touch of silver flair. Consider adding a hint of purple at the roots for more depth and longer-lasting color.

#14: Bright Pastel Blue and Purple Hair

You can create a fun, unique color by seeking inspiration from anything that appeals to you. With a combination of cool blue, purple, and light fuchsia, you can achieve a similar look. You will need to touch up this specific color blend every 6-8 weeks, giving you a chance to adjust or change your color ideas. Use the sugar plum fairy as the inspiration for these colors.

#15: Light Pink to Purple Ombre

Not sure about the color you want for your hair? Try an ombré. In this style, we apply one color from the roots to the mid-lengths. Then, we blend it smoothly into another tone. I strongly suggest regular visits to the salon. A good shampoo and conditioner can help your hair stay moisturized. These products can also make the hair color last longer.

Light Purple-Blue Wavy Medium Cotton Candy Hair
Instagram @arielstylist

#16: Light Purple-Blue Wavy Hair

If you seek a unique color, consider our pretty purple-blue. This hue offers a cotton candy shade. We place delicate, fine ribbons for a seamless feel. Don’t forget a moisturizing mask to feed your hair.

Melted Purple Cotton Candy Shade for Longer Hair
Instagram @kayla.blkhrt

#17: Melted Purple Candy Shade

Melted styles enable hues to mix well. They can form special shades, like dark to light or one shade to another. These methods match sweet hues, which offer hair varied depths. They are more appealing than a plain single shade.

#18: Candy Purple with Teal Highlights

Candy colors are popular in hair styling. Why not choose one as your main hair color? For added depth, include points of different colors. Make sure you ask for a seamless color placement to achieve a blended and harmonious look. The beautiful spectrum of colors is most pronounced when your hair is styled in waves.

#19: Silver Hair with Pastel Highlights

You can make your silver hair stunning and fun by adding ribbons of contrasting pastel highlights. This style looks amazing on wavy hair.

Cotton Candy Magenta Roots and Sky Blue Underlights for Short Bob
Instagram @brittany.behindthechair

#20: Magenta Roots and Sky Blue Underlights

A two-tone dye is a stylish option for an on-trend look. If you want a softer approach, go for colors that blend well. Pinks and blues are excellent examples as they stand out sufficiently.

#21: Beach Waves with Blue-Purple Candy Hues

Candy hues are a popular color trend. With seamless application, one shade can gracefully flow into the next. Wearing these hues in beach waves lets all the delicate ribbons of color be seen. If you’re styling with drying products like sea salt and hairspray, I’d recommend using a high-quality hair mask to keep your hair hydrated.

Long Blonde Mermaid Hair with Cotton Candy Pastel Accents
Instagram @shell.vega

#22: Blonde Mermaid Hair with Pastel Accents

Mermaid hair is trendy this season. If you want it long and flowing, you can always add extensions. For color ideas, consider pastel ribbons. They have soft, muted colors that look amazing. I’d recommend putting the color under the top sections to avoid regrowth.

Cotton Candy Pastel Pink, Purple and Blue for Short Hair
Instagram @lalalindzie

#23: Pastel Pink, Purple and Blue

For a more feminine look on the vivid trend, opt for pastel hues used in bold ways these colors blend well together. I recommend routine hair care to ensure the color stays uniform.

Iridescent Cotton Candy Color for Long Locks
Instagram @kayla.blkhrt

#24: Iridescent Cotton Candy Hair

Iridescent cotton candy hair is unique because it begins with a light base color. Different shades blend into this base, creating a lighter look. For your appointment, I suggest bringing along inspirational photos. Be sure to describe your desired style with words like iridescent, pearl, and light.

Multi-Colored Cotton Candy Hair with Dark Roots for Medium Hair
Instagram @vividlyliv

#25: Multi-Colored Candy Hair with Dark Roots

If you are brave and bold, try roots in cool dark shades along with panels in cotton candy multi-tones. Remember to use a color-safe shampoo. It helps lock the tone in your hair. A wavy style gives these tones a seamless mermaid vibe.

Color your world with cotton candy hair colors! It’s a fun way to show off your style. Zia Byrd, an expert in vivid hair colors, shares her top tips. She knows all about making these colors work for everyone. Let’s get into her advice to make your hair pop!

Meet The Expert

Zia Byrd
Zia Byrd
Zia is a hairstylist with over 5 years of experience.
You can find her at Haus of Color in Eugene, OR

Matching Hair Color to Your Skin

First, know your skin’s undertone. This helps pick the best hair color for you. Zia says, “Pink undertones are warm, olive can be cool or neutral.” Not sure? Ask for help at Ulta or Sephora. Even your hairstylist can guide you.

To find what works for you, think about your foundation shade. “If warm foundation looks orange, you’re likely cool or neutral,” Zia notes. She adds, “I loved my neon orange hair, even with my olive skin!”

For trying out colors, Zia suggests using a filter on TikTok. It shows colors that suit you. Also, look up people with your undertone online. This can give you great ideas.

Keeping Your Color Bright

Vivid colors need care to stay bright. Zia’s top tip? Use the right products. “Choose sulfate-free and paraben-free,” she recommends. Her go-to is Extend by Alkali Beauty for shampoo and conditioner.

Cold water helps keep your color from fading. A water filter for your shower can also help. Zia washes her hair once a week and uses dry shampoo in between.

To freshen up your color at home, try a “color bomb”. Mix your color with conditioner or a mask. “You can ask your stylist to make one,” Zia suggests. Also, stay out of the sun and use heat protectant on your hair.

Talking with Your Stylist

Before you dye your hair, have a chat with your stylist. Tell them your hair history and what colors you’ve used. Zia says, “Hair grows about 1/2” a month. So, for 6 inches of hair, we need to know the last 12 months of color.”

Your lifestyle matters too. Tell your stylist how often you wash your hair and about your water at home. They’ll help you choose the best color and care routine for you.

It’s also okay to talk about your budget. “We understand,” Zia assures. She’ll help you plan services that fit your wallet.