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With so many people stuck inside, it’s not a surprise that folks are changing up their hair color at the same rate as their manicures.
As there are only so many ways you can take natural hair colors, more adventurous individuals are beginning to experiment with new shades and techniques. Among these, pastel hair colors are popping up all over Instagram, including a popular new favorite – lavender.
Lavender hair works as an offshoot of the silver-grey trend, adding bit of warmth back into the coolness of steel tones. It is a great alternative if you want to move in that direction but aren’t quite ready to commit to going full grey.
Lavender also works nicely with most skin tones, something that blue, green, or even pink hair can’t necessarily do effectively. Additionally, this particular shade of purple works nicely with ombré and highlight looks, especially if you want a delicate touch rather than a more aggressive shade.
If you’ve tried other hair styles and want to try something new, lavender may be just what you’re looking for!
Best Lavender Hair Ideas & Inspiration
Blushing Lavender
Mixing two trends, the beautiful pink is just the right shade to go with this lavender style. A neutral blondish tone in between the two colors helps to ease the transition and adds a touch of brightness in the style. In this design, the fishtail braid adds texture and weaves the colors together to add a visual contrast.
Sweet and Simple
If you’re going for an interesting hair color, often it is a good idea to stick with a simpler hair style. Cute bangs and a basic straight style work nicely with the model’s face shape, while the lavender takes thing to a new level. While the color overall is one dimension, a few silver highlights here and there soften the look.
Cool Curls
As lavender fits more on the blue side of the purple spectrum, the color can sometimes flirt with the blue hair trend. This shade of lavender is right on the edge of blue, bright and beautiful within the cascading curls. While someone with long hair could get away with working more colors into such a style, going with one striking tone makes quite the impact.
Lilac Beauty
On the other side of the color palette, lavender gives away to the pinkish hues of lilac. If you have a rosy complexion, this shade might be more suited to you. Complemented by the blush on the cheeks and the mauve lipstick, the lavender-lilac hair works perfectly. Finishing the style with deep purple eyeshadow adds drama that works with such a striking look.
Striking Side Cut
Two trends in one, the lavender side cut seen here is somehow both soft and edgy in a fabulous mashup. The light nature of the lavender hair on top is a great contrast to the darker shade lined the texture along the shaved sections. A shaggy cut on the topside gives depth and volume to the overall style. Additionally, this shade of purple is a perfect way to bring out the freckles on the model’s face.
Lavender Pixie
Purple is fantastic option for a short look, as it isn’t quite as overwhelming (if that is your concern). As seen here, the shape and texture of the hair is just the right accent for the lavender, letting the color speak for itself. Texture also lets the light play within the style, giving depth and dimension.
Purple Magic
Long and luscious, the beauty of this deep violet is a contrast to the typical lavender look. However, with the paler complexion of the model, a darker hair color works nicely. A deep purple base is ideal for lavender highlights, along with the pop of the bright green streak. Finishing with the ombré eyebrows makes just the right statement.
As Natural as can Be
While lavender couldn’t be mistaken as a natural color, if you want your hair to take on a natural appearance it is best to work in complementing highlights and lowlights. Brighter purple colors give depth within the look, and above all make the color seem less abrupt. Especially if you have naturally straight hair, you want a color contrast to give the visual complexity that comes with curls.
Dusty Lavender
A unique take on the style, the main body of the hair is just colored with a hint of lavender. The darker purple and pink accents bring out the best in the look, working like natural highlights in a traditional look. Braiding the hair into a crown supports the pretty tiara (literally), while the curls in the front add length to the overall style.
Lilac Ombré
For those with lighter blonde hair, lavender or lilac are both great options for an ombré style. The delicate aspects of the shade naturally complement fairer hair. Without even realizing it, blonde turns to purple in such a subtle shift you’ll be having people wondering if it isn’t your natural hair color!
Sugar Plum
When making a big change, like trying out lavender hair, it is often best to stick with a haircut that isn’t too out of the ordinary. For example, this style helps to frame the face of the model nicely with gorgeous layers and spunky bangs. With such a cut that suits her well, the emphasis of the style can be on the luscious plum color, which looks perfect against her skin.
Silver Dusted
Using layers doesn’t just have to be confined to the cut, it can also apply to the color. As you can see here, the lavender tones serve as the base for a pretty silver on the top. The curls help give depth and texture to the style in addition to the color difference. While this is a longer style, the same two-toned effect would also work with shorter hair.
Lavender and Lilac
Mixing purple tones within the same design helps to keep your hair from appearing too monotone or flat. In this case, lilac adds light pink tones to the overall style, working like highlights within the lavender look. With such long hair, the curls cascade in waves, showing off every aspect of the different purple hues.
Stormy Seas
Lavender is a stunning contrast to the darker color at the crown, creating a beautiful and mysterious style. A delicate transition between the two colors makes for a lovely ombré effect, growing brighter towards the ends of the hair. If you wanted to try this with a shorter style, a chunkier curl or a streaky approach to the ombré would help the effect.
Purple Blush
Rather than go for silver tones, this look takes on white highlights to support the lovely lilac hues. In such a straight style, such highlights are important to bright light and dimension to the look. With the blush tones, if you are a fan of pink hair, this is a fun change!
Lavender Tips
Lavender is just the right shade to go with white blonde, as is evident here! Putting the color on the ends in this style accents the curls, while the layers add to the volume of the overall look. You can either choose to create this design deliberately, or start with an all-purple look and let it grow out into this fabulous ombré.
Shades of Purple
Another take on an ombré style, the deep colors of the lower layers are just the right complement to the lavender. Putting the lighter color at the top of the look is atypical for ombré hair; however, it is a great way to get the color next to your face. As the colors transition, a few streaks act like highlights in the lower section of the hair.
Pink and Purple Streaks
If you have straight hair, going for a streaked look can be extremely effective. Here, gorgeous splashes of pink and purple look stunning in angled style. Keeping the streaks thinner helps to prevent a striped effect, in addition to bringing depth to the overall design.
Marvelous Mauve
Mauve is an excellent pairing to a natural hair color, as seen here. It is a more subtle tone, working nicely with the model’s coloring. Gorgeous lipstick and halo eyeshadow are just the right touches to complete the style.
Electric Vibes
Such a bright color is a great way to make an impact or shake things up. While it’s a bit off the lavender shade, sometimes if you want to go for a color you might as well go all the way! Keeping the tones darker at the crown breaks up the look.
Aqua Highlights
Since lavender is on the bluer side of purple, it makes sense to bring in a brighter blue shade to complement the color. Aqua is a great choice, as it livens up the effect and provides depth. Darker touches at the crown of the head balance the style.
Lavender Mist
A gorgeous lavender shade that lands on the silver end of the spectrum, this single-tone style is breathtaking. The cool nature of the color works nicely against the warmth of the model’s skin and complements the makeup choices. Finishing with just the right touches of highlight and winged eyeliner make the whole effect.
Merfolk Look
Green and purple are the order of the day in this ode-to-mermaids style. Playing on the colors of the t-shirt, deeper purples and a lovely sea foam green work nicely with the lavender. Likewise, the fun tones of the makeup help to complete the style.
Purple Gradation
Lavender plays its part alongside plum, lilac, and mauve. A smooth shift between the shades causes a beautifully seamless effect, more so even than an ombré style. The curls help to bring body and movement to the overall design, adding to the effect of the change of the purple tones.
Fuchsia Ombré
Beginning at the crown, the deep magenta tones work into a cool plum. Long streaks act like highlights while creating the transition between the shades. This coloring works perfectly no matter what style you rock, so this is a great way to try out a lavender look.
Ending in Lavender
With such a bright blue as the focal point, lavender is a great way to balance the look and bring a delicate touch. The color shift is a subtle one, but it works alongside the change into a more defined curl. Additionally, the lavender catches the light in a different way than the blue, which gives another layer of visual interest.
Sharp Shift
While some want to create a softer, subtle look, others want to go for the impact instead. Here, the change in color is more defined, the lavender coming right from the dark grey. Not as harsh as a striped style, but certainly more dramatic than an ombré. However, this sort of style works nicely with such straight hair, as curls would break up the color line and ruin the definition.
Dip Dye
Similar to the previous look, this style plays on a stark contrast between the two colors rather than a smooth blend. While the tones here go together, there is a clear line dividing the two shades. With a sense of body and movement in the look, it is important to have a distinction if that is the look you want to achieve.
Nothing but Lavender
The color is pure lavender for this pretty permed look. If you want to try the color out for a short period of time or you want to rock a temporary dye, going for the pure color without any highlights would be the way to go. Additionally, simple lavender works with a shorter hairstyle, making maximum impact.
Wait, it’s Purple?
Particularly if you need a more subtle look, going with such a deep purple shade tricks the eye into thinking it is a natural color. Complementing the purple hair with lavender highlights or even black lowlights enhances the effect. This style of dye would work with any cut or length, so no matter your look feel free to try it out!
Silver and Lavender
A natural and trendy way to lighten a lavender look is through silver highlights. Just as brighter blonde tones can lift a typical look, silver is an ideal complement to anything in the purple and blue family. Additionally, the use of the silver helps to catch the light in the curls to emphasis the effect.
Lavender Grey
A deeper tone, this dark purple layered with charcoal hues creates a stunning style. Ideal for someone looking for a muted lavender look, the darker color makes an impact while still working in settings that are more serious. The light plays off the curls in this look, adding depth and dimension. However, this color also works in a straighter style, especially at this length.
Lavender Rose
Just as blue brings out the best in lavender, so too can pinkish tones. Here, lavender is beautiful alongside delicate pink tones to create a light and whimsical look. Going for a straight style lets all the highlights shine through, the spunky bangs give it just the right touch.
Eye of the Storm
A combination of blue, lavender, and silver form an incredible color combination that speaks of stormy days and high seas. The silver hues catch the light, while the blue cools the lavender. Additionally, the choice to put layers into the cut provides texture that also enhances the tones.
Almost Grey
If you’re going grey, you might as well lean into it! A lavender style is an excellent choice if you want to jazz up your grey hair without hiding it. Here, the lavender is the accent to the grey, providing a hint of color without covering. The touches of purple eyeshadow really make the whole look sing.
Purple Punch
As purple lives within the same color spectrum of magenta, lavender is ideal when looking for a highlight or accent color within your magenta look. In this example, lavender works as a color pop, particularly at the ends of the hair. Coppery accents give a nice contrast to the lavender while giving cohesion to the overall style.
Chunky Curls
Lavender hair looks amazing in these chunky curls, playing in a fun way against the face of the model. The shape and volume make the color stand out, while complementing the makeup choices. If you don’t necessarily want to use purple makeup, blush tones are the perfect option!
Under the Sea
Mermaid hair is one of the most popular multi-colored trends, and lavender is a great choice within the overall look! For instance, you can use lavender as the base color in your mermaid look, adding in the other colors as highlights. Purple and aquamarine are the perfect mermaid tones, bringing in the colors of a Caribbean sea and the coral reef.
Violet Storm
Lavender can be a great way to bring lightness and fun to your overall look. On the other hand, if you want to go dark, this is an excellent shade to try! You can choose to work lavender in as highlights, or leave as pictured. The shade also serves to set off the gorgeous rose tattoo on the model’s shoulder.
A Touch of Red
In this look, the lavender serves as the base while punches of a deep red accent the look. By putting the color in the bangs, the red comes front and center for maximum impact. Going for a red lip helps to tie the style together.
Angled Cut
Gorgeous lavender blush hair looks amazing in this angled look. Angles, layers, and curls, all add texture to naturally create differences in color. A fun short look, this is perfect for summer!
Lavender Top
Layering lavender on top of a deep rose creates a beautiful and daring style. These colors weave together, complementing one another in a stunning effect. This coloring is ideal for a longer style, giving a chance for the colors to work together without being too set apart.
Pale and Perfect
Almost white, the subtle hint of lavender in this look helps to provide just that touch of color. When the light hits the hair in just the right way, the lavender tones sing. If you have thinner hair, this is a good way to go, making the light work for you!
If you’re ready for a change, lavender hair is a great option. A beautiful, light tone that works with almost any complexion, lavender lends itself to any cut or style.
For those not quite ready to make the full commitment, use one of the highlight or tipped styles to give the color a trial run. Put the lavender right up against your face to test it with your skin tone, or try it on the tips to get a feel for it. Lavender easily works into any look, however you want to go about it!
So what are you waiting for? Go try your lavender look, and let us know how it turns out!