I can say with full confidence that my favorite client interaction was when an attorney who has a full Prada closet sat in my chair and said “I want something alt.” She did not want to look like she “just got back from a music festival,” and wanted her hair to feel “belong to her” and not to the “safe middle ground” she had been living in for a decade. Most people think alternative hairstyles are about wearing shock value, and that is why they tend to underestimate the point and get it wrong. The best alternative hairstyles are about genuine self-expression.
I’ve watched this category of hairstyle grow from only looks that you would see in subcultures to an incredible mix both editorial sophistication and authentic self-expression. Each of the styles that I will describe to you ranges from quiet rebellion to full on bold statement. What I appreciate about all of these is that they aim to not simply be weird. Some styles may come across more demanding than they actually are, and rest assured I will be honest about the degree of commitment that is required to achieve any of these styles. Let’s go for it!
#1: Dramatic Contrast Pixie with Vivid Purple Highlights
There are so many elements at play with this look but the **cut** and **color** are both on another level! This is a great example of a creative cut that isn’t just about the color, and is more about the shape and the color just balances out the canvas. While bright, fun colors are often a one-way ticket to a Halloween vibe, the purple is nicely anchored by the dark roots. That also helps in keeping the style from looking too costume-like, which is always the goal. The photos really do show the texture from the top being uneven but what matters most is the look in real life. If you are after a pixie cut but want it to feel a bit less clean cut, this is a great option! Just a heads up that you will need to use some color depositing shampoo in between sessions to keep the purple fresh, because it will fade to that gross faded purple color really quickly.
#2: Vibrant Fire-Toned Balayage on Textured Bob
Your hair has a wavy pattern, which makes the orange and pink colors look like a well-organized color placement. If your hair were straight, that color placement in the colors would look bad, so your texture is very important to this look. If you usually straighten your hair instead of letting it wave, this is the perfect kind of look to embrace that and not fight the waves. The length of your bob is perfect because you can tie it up if you want, and the balayage will grow out nicely without any roots showing. With coloring like this, it’s a good thing that it’s low maintenance!
#3: Bold Copper Bangs with Midnight Black Layers
I enjoy seeing how different colors are utilized in different buildings, like here, where they have concentrated the copper just on the bangs and everything else is that really deep, almost black color. It creates a very good focal point just right at the face without having to commit your whole head. The medium length and that dense layering should be enough to behave and have enough movement to keep it interesting. The copper will oxidize and change, so plan to refresh those bangs every four to five weeks if you would like to keep it looking that intentional. The rest of the color is really maintenance-free, so all considered, the overall equation is quite reasonable.
#4 Cherry-Red Highlights on Cascading Chestnut Waves
I love how this red has neither gone natural nor neon, and instead sits in that deliberately bold, chic and approachable space. The chestnut base gives this red something to land on, and the wave pattern reflects the red streaks, creating an almost three dimensional, woven rather than painted on illusion. If you have fine to medium hair and your waves have felt a bit flat, this type of colour placement can give the appearance of added density. You will have to keep in mind that red is notoriously the fastest fashion shade to fade, so this means sulfate-free shampoo is a must.
#5: Brunette-to-Blonde Ombre with Soft Bangs
I would recommend this look to people who are wanting to do something new but maybe get a little anxious when it’s time to take that step. The ombre is gorgeous! A rich brunette seamlessly blends into a soft warm blonde that doesn’t look like a harsh bleach job. The soft bangs help it keep it from looking too polished or too serious. This is an extremely versatile look, and although it could go wrong easily, this is a really nice take on it. Your everyday styling is very low, your hair just needs to be clean and left alone. The color, however, will need a professionals touch every few months to keep the color how you want it and looking intentional.
#6: Deep-Purple Bob with Soft Bangs
Most people don’t reach the full potential in this shade of purple because they become too bright too quickly. There are multiple shades and colors in this purple that vary depending on light and visual density of the hair. If you have thinner hair, a shade like this would appear quite transparent and a lot less saturated. Bangs and bobs that hit right above the shoulders are a combination I find universally flattering, and I don’t say that very often. I’m not going to pretend it’s an easy look to upkeep though. A color like this requires a lot of commitment, meaning you’ll need a color depositing conditioner. Then, if you want it to look like this after three to four weeks, plan on frequent salon appointments.
#7: Whimsical Rainbow Streaks on Long Curls
They clearly know how to color hair! If you’re going for rainbow hair, this is how you do it. We love the color on top of dark base because it really helps the colors look soft instead of clashing, and it makes the whole look more cohesive. The colors are spaced out really nicely so they can pop, and the wavy ends help the colors to flow instead of competing. Overall this look is super fun. Yes, the base color is dark, but as your roots grow out, they’ll blend right in. The colors do take a lot of maintenance though, so think of this as a lifestyle change. Make sure that you’ll be able to maintain the color before doing the hair.
#8: Deep Burgundy Waves with Choppy Bangs
Choppy bangs are also included in the hairstyle. It can be a long burgundy wavy hair situation, but with bangs it adds a lot. The bangs are long enough to make a statement, but short enough to not be too serious. The loose waves with bangs create a softness and edginess and the contrast is amazing. So if your hair is fine, the waves and especially the layers will give the illusion of more volume that your hair might not naturally have. Of the fashion colors, burgundy is the easiest to maintain compared to purple and bright red, but don’t be surprised when it fades.
#9: Striking Red and Black Layered Waves
This hair color combination is eye-catching and unique in it’s bright red and black mixture. The bold red coupled with dark black roots creates an awesome color contrast and works best on medium to long layered cuts, not blunt, so the layers show the most color contrast. For this style, thick, wavy hair is best because the two colors contrast beautifully and the waves help add a lot more depth. I do think this hair style is high maintenance because the root color and red tones will need to be touched up frequently to keep the look fresh. If that sounds like a lot of work to you, you’re probably correct, and that is okay!
#10: Electric Yellow and Purple Textured Undercut
This cut may or may not speak to you, and both answers are acceptable. It could be thought of as a structured design, with the undercut giving it structure and making the density easier to manage, while the yellow and purple highlights on top are almost painting. It comes across as deliberate art, because that is exactly what it is. If you have fine hair, the texture in the painted shades will not be left behind. Yellow shifts quickly, so frequent touch ups are needed, but if you are inclined to this style, you are the kind of person who probably doesn’t mind spending a lot of time in the salon chair.
#11: Soft Copper Shag with Side-Swept Bangs
I suppose this is a decent entry-level alternative hairstyle, which I mean as a compliment. The warm copper shade is flattering to many skin tones, while shag layers create volume so you can speed up your morning routine, and side-swept bangs give you enough styling versatility to play around instead of being locked into one look. This hairstyle is great if you want to have a bit of an attitude about it without overpowering the room, which is why I like it so much. Just as a heads up, you need to be prepared for the layers being trimmed a lot. This color is also pretty low maintenance compared to the others on this list.
#12: Textured Two-Tone Chop with Peek-a-Boo Bangs
You can style this haircut super easily. It can be styled with texturizing paste (or you can just use your natural hairstyle as it will work). The uneven fringe and choppy layers are very forgiving as they grow out. Nothing starts looking bad during the shearing week three syndrome that some other hairstyles suffer from. The dark roots and light ends look intentional with a lot of contrast, but beyond that, this edgy cut is as carefree and low maintenance as it gets.
#13: Burgundy Layers with Blunt Micro Bangs
I have personally never played with the idea of getting micro bangs because of the irreversible nature of the decision to get them. Growing them out is a process that can take years and I don’t think a lot of people understand that. However, if micro bangs are the style of your dreams, then I couldn’t think of a better execution. The burgundy and cherry red paint job makes the style look really rich and multidimensional, which I always love instead of a single color choice. The hair is definitely not long enough to require a full production every morning, and I am happy to see that the medium layers provide just enough volume. With the blunt ends and layered bangs, there is a solid contrast that is super intentional and thoughtful, and not just a mindless cut. Because it’s such a big change, I think it’s important to keep up with regular trim to maintain the length, because even a single centimeter of growth can totally change the vibe of the whole cut.
#14: Soft Blonde Waves with Curtain Bangs
When people share a photo of this hairstyle, I usually hear, “I want this but I don’t want to put in the work.” Luckily, that is pretty much what it is. The face-framing curtain bangs require minimal styling in the morning and are nice because they just fall into place. The waves are soft and look like they would if you air-dried your hair after scrunching wave spray into it. The blonde is soft and sun-kissed and not harsh and highlighted. This is the easiest style on the list but it is one of the most flexible looks which is exactly why it is ideal for here.
#15: Bright Red-to-Purple Gradient with Soft Fringe
It’s amazing how the gradient goes seamlessly from red to purple. If this is the type of coloration you want, be ready to pay for your colorist’s top skills. The soft fringe draws attention to the eyes and shifts focus away from the color. It lets the cut have a unique identity instead of just being super bright and colorful. This style works best with medium to thick hair because the gradient needs enough density to stand out. In fine hair, the tones tend to blend together and lose distinction. Color maintenance really is a commitment, and you will need to book touch-up appointments every four weeks, but this look is super beautiful and definitely one of a kind. It is all worth it.
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