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Last week my Gen Z sister referred to my 2010-era balayage highlights asindie sleazehair.
Getty/Channing Smith
To her the look was a throwback, a relic from the past.
Is my early 20s hair officially…cheugy?
It seems it might be, at least to some.
Chrissy Teigen, balayage pioneer, in 2016.
Intrigued, I set out to investigate.
First I texted my sister and her best friend, beauty writerOona Oglesby, for their thoughts.
Id say ombre is cheugy.
Balayage hasnt reached that point yet,Oglesbysaid in reply.
Next I asked celebrity stylists and colorists if theyve seen any changes in requests.
Rich shades likeexpensive blondeandbrunettehave been spotted on celebs likeJennifer LawrenceandHailey Bieber.
Higher maintenance and high-contrast colors and highlights tend to look cheap and not done well, Kim says.
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In addition, clients are looking for ways to keep their hair healthy and strong.
Everyone wants to be the healthier natural versions of themselves, celebrity hair extentionistPriscilla Vallessays.
Valles has noticed this shift inhair extensioncolor requests as well.
Clients are ordering less icy and ashy platinum and more warm shades, likehoney blonde, she says.
But if fewer beauty buffs are opting for balayage, what are they doing to lighten their hair?
My clients are still getting highlights, but theyre all tone-on-tone, Mena explains.
Its so much healthier for your hair to not bleach it at such a high level.
Color-depositing and color-protecting shampoo and conditioner, which can deepen your natural tones and help prevent color from fading.
If youre a blonde, get apurple shampooto brighten it.
If brunette, get one that deepens your natural shade, Mena suggests.
All of those glazing conditioners and shampoos, likeDP Hue, are fantastic.
However, she notes that lifting at home can be tricky.
Results may be unpredictable and will most likely be warm, she says.
The best way to naturally lighten your hair is toslather on your sunscreenand get outside, she says.
Thelowest-maintenance colorsand styles are the ones that will live the longest as it grows out, Kim says.
They will be less contrasting, and garner you compliments whether its day one or one year later."
Shop everything you gotta elevateand maintainyour best hair no matter what shade you love, below.
