Eco Blonde Is The Latest Boho-Approved Hair Trend
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4 days ago
This salon favourite is bringing roots back in a big way
While undoubtedly stunning, blonde hair is a notoriously tricky shade to maintain if it’s not your natural colour. But what if we told you there was a way to keep it looking luxe – but lived-in – for longer? Enter eco blonde, the colouring technique taking the runway (and salons) by storm.
What Is Eco Blonde?
Building on summer’s boho revival, ‘eco blonde’ is all about creating a natural-looking shade with subtle, earthy tones and (perhaps most importantly) visible roots. But why the ‘eco’ label? Coined by Scandinavian colourist and STIL Salon founder, Christel Barron-Hough, the term picks up on the aesthetics associated with the boho movement.
‘The new root trend has put a luxury spin on carefree summer hair for winter, with a naturally beautiful, grown-out feel reminiscent of late 70s and early 80s hair trends,’ explains Christel. ‘While it nods to a continuation of the boho chic aesthetic, it’s evolving into a more sophisticated, eco-lux look.
‘Roots were a big talking point at the SS25 shows,’ she continues. ‘With runway models from Chloe, MiuMiu, Valentino, Balenciaga and Stine Goya all embracing the trend.’
It also refers to a shade of blonde that is much more low-maintenance – and, therefore, more easy to sustain over long periods of time. At the heart of the trend, the emphasis is on creating a more grounded, lived-in feel. Think grown-out colour but with a luxe, seamless finish that feels both refined and effortless.
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How Does It Differ From Other Shades Of Blonde?
Unlike your icy winter tones of buttery summer hues, eco blonde focuses on a soft, tonal palette of earthy neutrals. Think shades of whey, coco, creamy beige and pale sorbet. It almost takes on a ‘going back to basics’ approach, while highlighting the roots through strategic placements.
‘This colour is all about either embracing your natural roots or creating a hue that is eco-natural to your own original hair colour,’ Christel adds.
What’s All The Fuss About Roots?
Working natural roots into hair trends is becoming an increasingly popular manoeuvre in the salon. Acting as a reminder that your hair colour doesn’t have to be high maintenance, eco blonde is a solution that offers fuss-free flexibility, minimal up-keep and low commitment.
‘This season, it’s not about perfect highlights or time-intensive colour; it’s about celebrating what’s natural, grounding, and beautifully grown-in,’ notes Christel. ‘Expect to see eco blonde everywhere as we take inspiration from the catwalks, and collectively reimagine our roots.’
Who Suits This Shade?
‘Eco blonde works well on both warm and cool complexions,’ highlights Christel. ‘The key is to either add warmth or subdue the roots and have a lighter tone through the ends.
‘This colour trend also works beautifully on any hair length, from short to long, and is ideal for a confident woman that wants that endless summer feeling all year round. It’s perfect for someone who isn’t afraid to let their roots take centre stage.’
How To Ask For Eco Blonde Hair In The Salon
As Christel mentioned, the key to recreating the look in the salon is to ask for one of two techniques. The first, which offers a bolder contrast, pairs deep roots with lighter ends. ‘One option is to create a root with a shading technique, whereby you apply a dark root colour and create a brighter effect on the length and ends,’ she says. ‘This look has more of an edgier 90s boho look, as it’s all about contrast.’
The second, meanwhile, emphasises a softer, 70s-inspired look, with just a whisper of colour variation as roots softly fade into lighter shades. The colourist explains this is best achieved with mini-lights. ‘Another method is to work with the client’s natural root colour, adding hand-painted “mini-lights” to blend the root seamlessly with the length, so it looks really natural,’ Christel explains. ‘Mini-lights are a new highlighting technique that uses super-fine, hand-painted strands to achieve a soft, natural aesthetic. This effect is nearly invisible yet adds just enough light to make the colour feel sun-kissed and cohesive.’
Hair Inspiration
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