The 2010 hair color trend swept through popular culture like wildfire. It was a full-blown hair phenomenon where individuals proudly showcased unique styles, such as hot pink, mint green, or vibrant blonde, that matched their personalities.
Some of these looks eventually faded like any other trends. However, others have been reimagined with contemporary twists. One question remains: Is the bold hairstyle truly returning, or are we just experiencing a wave of nostalgia?
How the Colored Hair Trend Exploded
There isn’t one single reason why vibrant hair became so popular back in the 2010s. One of the significant roles of its popularity could be influenced by the growing visual artistry of influencers online, specifically on platforms like Tumblr.
One of the subcommunities that gained a unique Tumblr aesthetic is “pastel goth”. It’s a fashion aesthetic blending dark Gothic elements with soft colors and Japanese influences like Gurokawa, another aesthetic that translates to “creepy cute”. Photos of girls having bright colored hair wearing gothic outfits made the rounds online.
The critical leap to the widespread phenomenon of unique hair color was undeniably powered by celebrity influence, specifically when Kylie Jenner debuted her teal dip-dyed hair in 2014.
Pop stars were also seen rocking very vibrant hair colors. Lady Gaga became synonymous with her yellow, Katy Perry with blue, and Nikki Minaj with pink. The trend was – and is- staple in K-Pop with even male Idols having iconic colored hair moments, such as G-Dragon and Sehun of EXO.
Vibrantly dyed hair can also be seen on the runway this era. Models like Chloe Nørgaard and Charlotte Free became poster children of the 2010 colored hair craze making its way into fashion.
As the decade came to a close, Tumblr aesthetic became less popular and the vibrant hair color trend began to fade. Fashion cycles naturally shifted back towards more clean and natural styles.
The high maintenance required was also a major factor in this shift. Many people discovered the harsh reality of frequent bleaching, which often led to significant hair damage.
Modern hair color trends are shaped more by core principles prioritizing the health and shine of the hair, and adapting looks for practical, lower-maintenance lifestyles. Subtlety, dimension, and seamless blending are highly valued, even within bolder looks.
Hair Colors Then and Now
Then: If you colored your hair in the 2010s, you’re probably either of two camps: you might have had pastel hair like pink, lilac, and mint green, or you had a saturated jewel tone like purple, blue, or emerald.
Now: Color hair trends are more about natural-looking styles. Shades of red are some of the boldest colors you can see, either a deep cherry red or a light coppery ginger.
Then: If you were not willing to go deep into a bold hair color, many people dip-dyed their hair, where it transitions from their natural hair color to a vibrant dye.
Now: Ombré has taken a lighter look, with some calling it “sombré” or soft ombré, using shades of brown and auburn.
Then: The most daring rocked multiple bold colors in one hairstyle.
Now: Natural tones are all the rage, where going blonde from brunette is considered a drastic change. The milk tea hair color trend that became popular was kind of a grey area in terms of color hair trends, where it was a standout color change but still feeling subtle.
The renaissance of Y2K aesthetics also made highlights come back in style for a while.
There are a lot of conversations about aesthetics from the 2010s coming back so soon. Honestly, looking back at the hair color craze from the era does elicit a sense of colorful nostalgia. But it might take a bit more time before we collectively have a desire to sacrifice our scalps to dye our hair in all colors of the crayon box.
Last Updated: August 28, 2025
