Shadow roots are the best thing that has happened to colored hair girls like myself. In a few moments, you’ll discover precisely why.
Shadow roots are when the color of the roots contrast with the color of the body of the hair, creating a shadow effect from top to bottom. You can do this to create dimension and the illusion of volume, or opt for shadow roots so you don’t have to worry about your roots growing out over time.
I love to keep the natural color of my hair at the roots, then go for balayage hair towards the bottom growing from dark to light. If you’re feeling experimental this summer, check out these awesome shadow root balayage ideas below.
RELATED: How To Dye Roots Darker Than The Rest Of Your Hair At Home
Shadow Roots That Will Transition Seamlessly From Summer to Fall
1. Root Melt Blonde
A lovely shadow at the top, transitioning to a platinum blonde. When her hair grows out, the balayage effect will stay. This gives another definition to timeless hair.
2. Brunette To Blonde
No such thing as touching up roots with balayage and shadow roots.
If you’re a brunette wanting to experiment with blonde hair, shadow roots are perfect for you. The shadow transition will also limit the amount of bleaching you’ll have to do, also perfect for first time bleachers.
3. Minimal Shadow Roots
Keep your roots minimal if you love a bold color, and leave only an inch of your hair natural and transition immediately to the next lighter shade. Explore with different shades of rose gold to give your locks more dimension, in effect you’ll find your locks will carry more volume.
4. Rose Gold Shadow Roots
Check out this number with rose gold and purple shadow roots. Rose gold tones are evenly distributed to the body of the hair, making this spectacular rose gold tone look so natural!
5. Fiery Red
@samanthapagnusat##hair ##hairinspo ##NotSoOrdinary ##bestthings ##foryou ##hairstyles ##redhair ##chicago ##kueneamerica ##colormelt ##shadowroot ##balayage ##haircut ##haircolor♬ Hair – Little Mix
This red head is a challenge even for hair color veterans, so read up on our article about how to care for freshly colored hair. To keep this color this vibrant, wash your hair twice a week at most. When you do wash your hair, use shampoo and a hair mask made specifically for colored and treated hair.
6. Cool Blonde
We’re all about aging gracefully here at MakeupTutorials, so I recommend this shadow root idea to beauties with white or graying hair. When you wash your hair, reach for purple toning shampoo instead of shampoo for colored hair. Shampoo made for blonde and white hair will keep your locks from turning brassy or yellow.
RELATED: 19 Easy Pinterest Hairstyles For Summer
7. Very Berry Pink
This is the only way I’ll rock pink hair, with minimal natural shadow roots with a slight transition from brown to pink. Once my roots grow out, I’ll still end up with a beautiful balayage hair.
8. Purple Shadow Roots
If you’re just looking to explore with different hair ideas, check out this purple shadow root number! It may need some touch ups after three weeks, but this such an adorable take on shadow roots.
9. Rose Roots
Earlier we talked about how shadow roots are also applying a color to the roots that contrasts the color of the body. Try coloring your roots a bold yet delicate color, while keeping the body natural. Don’t forget to apply your favorite hair masks and serums to keep your hair texture soft and bouncy!
10. Cool Color
Yes, the shadow root for short hair is possible. We can see three different colors dominating the locks, but all colors melt together despite the shorter canvas. The trick is to distribute all three colors evenly, overlapping each other so that they melt together without harsh lines
11. Lemon Lime With Black Shadow Roots
This is a shadow root masterpiece, combining black and vibrant green hair so that they look like the same tone. If at the start of the year you resolved to be more adventurous, this is the ticket honey.
12. Lovely Lavender
@rubydawndevine##inverted ##highlights ##lavenderhair ##youreinvited ##tailgateszn ##fyp ##livefromthelab ##purplehair ##purplehaze ##spookyseason ##spookychallenge ##pastelhair♬ Summer Days – Martin Garrix / Macklemore / Patrick Stump
If you want a bold color but dread the roots growing out, then this is the proof in the pudding that shadow roots are the way to go! Dark tones of purple mix in with the black and to create this dimensional hairdo. Wear your hair with loose waves to show off all those tones.
13. Silver And Green Color Melt
Don’t get stuck with quarantine hair, and avoid the awkward root growth with a shadow root and balayage combo. This hair color is also perfect for beauties with graying hair, no touch ups needed!
Check out Gal Biller’s DIY tutorial to achieve shadow roots at home:
Shadow roots are perfect for avoiding that awkward stage when your roots grow out, or when you want to give your hair much needed body and volume. It’s the trendiest hairstyle this summer that literally gives your hair room to grow!
Put down that box dye and discuss with your stylist what you can do with shadow roots!
Were you convinced to try out shadow root balayage for your summer do? Share your thoughts with us, we’d love to hear from you, let us know in the comments section below.
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- Freshly Applied Colored Hair Care Tips
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