Longreads are the result of the hard work of multiple authors, several editors, a hair expert, a graphic designer, and other pros. Reflecting this teamwork, they are published under "The Editors" . Together we create the best lists of ideas on current haircuts and hairstyles, modern coloring techniques, useful hairstyling hacks and great hair products. So no matter what your hair type is, our editorial team will help you to find the right hairstyle for every occasion! Read more about us here.
Read full bio Editorial guidelines
Vanessa Koeb is a freelance color & cut expert and educator who has been in the hair industry for over 17 years. Originally from Italy, Vanessa moved to London, UK, 9 years ago to specialize in hair transformations, becoming very passionate about creating unique haircuts and color formulations that represent people’s individuality. She currently works as a freelancer at The Hair Salon in Hove UK (@thehairsalon) where she also hosts her coloring and cutting courses.
Read full bio Editorial guidelines
The rainbow hair trend isn’t going anywhere. It’s constantly changing and adapting – mainly because it’s endlessly adaptable. No matter what the length, color, or texture of your hair is, there’s a way for you to rock different hair colors in one look. It doesn’t even matter which hues you like more, there are styles and palettes that will complement your eye color, your skin tone, your wardrobe – you name it!
So what will it be? Will you DIY some mermaid hair or head to the salon for an old-school ROY G BIV fun hairstyle? Here, there are 20 fun ideas to fuel your imagination!
Rainbow hair became a popular trend in the early to mid-2010s, propelled by social media influencers, celebrities, and a growing acceptance of diverse identities. It symbolized self-expression, empowerment, and celebration of individuality, particularly within LGBTQ+ communities. The trend gained momentum through creative hair dyeing techniques showcased on platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, inspiring people to experiment by coloring their hair with dyes of the colors of the rainbow.
It’s fascinating to see how the concept of rainbow hair has evolved beyond the traditional rainbow colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet). Today, it includes a wide range of shades, embracing the full spectrum of color. To qualify as ‘rainbow hair,’ it typically incorporates at least four different shades, whether they’re pastel or bright, as long as they fall within the colorful spectrum. This shift highlights the versatility and creativity of modern hair coloring techniques, as demonstrated below.
Rainbow hair color doesn’t have to be eye-popping and super bright at all! If you’re a fairy princess, you might want to opt for these charming pastels including the three major rainbow shades. Pastel rainbow is definitely a trend to stay!
@bangmyhair
We love how this lady wears her vibrant rainbow hair color: her rainbow shades are hidden under her natural dark hair color, but it takes seconds to turn her look into something out of this world. An excellent idea for women who want to combine their natural color with a rainbow.
@thelab.oratory
Let’s challenge the outdated ‘office-approved’ aesthetics and celebrate individuality in professional settings. If you are in, you can steal this amazing idea for your next trip to your hairstylist. Keep your natural color up top, so you can easily twist the base rainbow strands into a bun for an office style.
@rebeccataylorhair
We adore this unbelievable pastel purple with rainbow highlights. Smooth color transition and texture do a perfect job in creating this cool look, making this short colored hair an ultimate attention-grabber.
@theodoraraptis
What can be more daring than an ultra-short crop? A small neon rainbow on it! Bright colors are what you need if you want to elevate your short crop. This tiny rainbow mohawk hits different, without any doubt.
@rubydevine
This girl has chosen orange, yellow and pastel brown for her rainbow hair look. If you love this tropical bird color scheme, make this rainbow hair color idea yours and bring it to your next salon visit.
@razorchicofatlantasalon
If Alice had a hairstylist in Wonderland, she would definitely go for this look. The choice of rainbow hair shades is very creative: strawberry red, magenta and dusty blue combined together create a breathtaking combination.
@hairbyashleyfillip
Here’s another idea of a hidden rainbow hair color. However, this time it combines just two shades. Vibrant red and yellow hit the spot if you’re looking for something to turn heads.
@georgeeblancoo
This lady decided to go bright and chose eye-popping neon shades for her rainbow style. Yellow, green, orange, and pink – these juicy bright colors are fun and eye-catching. A perfect choice for a shoulder-length inverted bob, indeed.
@hair_by_love
This fairy prefers to wear all the colors of the rainbow in one go, and they’re absolutely right. We love how multicolored streaks complement the purple base. And yes, take note that loose messy waves are a great way to make this rainbow hair color even more spectacular.
@kayla_boyer
There’s no rule stating that your rainbow hairstyle has to be blindingly bright. You can keep it subtle without holding back on the color. Keep your base dark or chestnut brown like in this picture and fill in your rainbow with the pastel colors you like.
@guy_tang
This is the rainbow hair daydream of every Lisa Frank-lover, Caboodles-carrier, Manic Panic-obsessed ’90s girl on the planet. Those colors are electrifying, and they’re pretty on-trend, especially that to-die-for turquoise.
@hairgod_zito
There are several ways to get rainbow hair in pastel hues. Here it looks like this lovely girl has created a soft green and purple base. The other pastels – yellow, pink and blue – simultaneously pop and blend in without looking washed out.
@bottleblonde76
Sticking to one color of the spectrum might seem boring, but it is clearly not. The colors of this person’s hair are versatile, and the combination creates a really gorgeous effect. All those shades of green are creatively blended and show just how well a bold neon rainbow hair color can work.
@rainbowrage
Mermaid hair can use any hue, as long as it’s somehow reminiscent of the sea. That usually means blues or greens, as you see here. The soft fade from white blonde to turquoise and cobalt beautifully pops against that pale hair. Pro tip: you can easily mimic this with hair chalk.
@rainbowrage
You will need many different shades of colors for this rainbow look. Every strand has a different color while the blending is unbelievably on-point. Devote a huge block of time and some serious patience to this task, whether you do it yourself or let someone else have the honors. With the right skills, you’ll end up with some stunning tie-dye locks.
@rainbowrage
If you love pink and purple, give your colorful hair a rock star edge. Notice vivid purple is, even sharp, but pink is as delicate as a ballet slipper. This is the hair you want if dichotomy is your bag.
@taytailx
This is an altogether different take on rainbow-colored hair. The rainbow itself takes a backseat. Those gorgeous purple, hot pink, and electric blue locks draw all the attention while beautifully transitioning down towards lighter colors. The way they peek through is head turning!
@rainbowrage
This matte magenta is really giving us Rocky Horror Picture Show vibes. The rainbow tips looking like a surprising explosion of colorful confetti. Pro tip: If you don’t want to go through the intricacies of achieving rainbow tips, add extensions to your arsenal of hair accessories.
@lilmissvizz
These streaks are exceptionally stunning. The style looks simple, but taking a second glance at this hair color you can notice the way the rainbow itself seems to fall vertically. The streaked colors are all interwoven, making the visual effect ridiculously impressive and extraordinarily pretty.
@rainbowrage
This is the hottest rainbow ombre hair ever – literally and unequivocally. This hair is a work of art. The colors blend seamlessly, the bleeding is perfectly purposefuland these shades look breathtaking together. Copying this hair will make you ‘burn’ so brightly – everyone will be ‘afraid to touch you’.
@colordollzbytoni
Undercuts are captivating no matter what is your sectioning and the colorful touch on this one is particularly head turning. If you already have pale highlights or streaks in your hair, none of this is very difficult to achieve. Although you’ll need every color of the rainbow, you won’t need much dye.
@tesartistry
While the gorgeous mix of blue, green, and turquoise with purple underneath is reminiscent of peacock feathers, there’s also a really catchy Joker vibe happening here. Should you choose to steal the style as well as the colors, it’s going to be a stand-out choice.
@brandifuckineh
This girl is truly a unicorn in this pastel rainbow ombre, that is visually breathtaking. Her hair literally looks good enough to be eaten almost. Starting with a platinum base is essential for pastel shades like this. It looks like the baby blue fades into soft yellow here, but you could also stick with having blonde ends.
@colordollzbytoni
If you want to take the tie-dye look to the next level, mimic this psychedelic Rainbow Brite. There are some really dynamic textures here – from curls to dreadlocks, from primary colors to vivid neons. Love it!
@thatjoeybaby
If you want to get really serious about mixing rainbow hair and luscious ‘locks, this is the goal. Each braid is a masterpiece of color, technique, and design. The eye is constantly drawn to a new hue or twist.
@magavilhas
Any My Little Pony would die to have a mane like this. This is ‘out-there’ hair with a more sophisticated edge, which keeps it safely away from ‘too-cute’ territory. The way the colors blend is simply everything – the highlighted, streaky look is the candy-colored icing on the cake.
@rainbowrage
Tie-dye hair is different from the standard rainbow style because there’s generally a focus on different colors – like the aqua and magenta here. That’s also why it’s one of the most popular hair color ideas since it lets you personalize your rainbow ‘do.
@modernsalon
Break out the rainbow hair dye for this look, not to mention some sharp skills with the scissors. This hairstyle is somehow evocative of the ‘80s, perhaps because of the edgy, angled cut created with an artistic asymmetry. If Joan Jett ever decided to take a walk on the rainbow side, it would’ve likely looked like this.
@spectrumskulls
From root to tip, this ‘do is mesmerizing. It is very evocative of a kaleidoscope. The bright, throbbing colors stand out beautifully on the close-cropped part of the hair, and do you see the diamond shape, hidden under that longer shock of colorful locks? That’s talent skills!
@beserk
Whether you do it with chalk, a wig or and actual dye, rainbow hair is vibrant, vivid and statement-making. This isn’t the hair to wear if you’re any kind of shrinking violet. If, on the other hand, you’re looking to make a change, embracing your ‘just-as-sparkling’ personality, then why not to try a rainbow colour style some glistening mermaid hair, or a pretty unicorn ‘do?
Featured Image via Instagram
Enter your email to get this picture to your inbox, and get other ideas you might like 💌
A beautifully written article which I found not only very inspiring, but also very helpful in finding many new color and haircut ideas for my clients and even my own hair!
Remember that it is very important to have a conversation with the stylist about fading factors and color maintenance, especially when there is an intricate color placement. Other than that, rainbow hair is certainly the hair color that brings joy to the soul! ”