Boyfriend Jolie and I were watching Extra this weekend (okay, I was watching and he was working) when suddenly he looks up from his computer and says, “Is that a trend?” He was referring to the woman on screen with two-toned hair, the third such two-tone haired woman to appear in as many minutes.
“Yes,” I explained. “It’s called Ombre.”
He wrinkled his nose and reburied his face in the computer.
Ombre hair has been around forever…except it used to be called “having roots.” (Paging Amanda Woodward!) The difference is now that, rather than embracing roots because of laziness or poverty, people are heading to the salon and requesting the look. Paying for it! Paying to look like you have roots! Wonders never cease. Maybe people will start paying to look like they have gray hair soon. (Oh, wait, Kelly Osbourne is already doing it.)
Truth be told, I think ombre hair can look pretty fantastic…but because of the artfully placed highlights, it paradoxically requires upkeep. I like it on Drew Barrymore, Jessica Biel, et al., but this look isn’t one I’d rock in real life. What do you think?
I really want to get balayage. But I have to wait for my roots to grow out more. Totally opposite of getting foils! :)
Hi Nadine! Just wanted to let you know I love your blog, and I’ve just subscribed to your channel on youtube.
I don’t currently process my hair at all, but this is a look I have been curious to experiment with.. I think it’s a great look on Drew Barrymore.
I think hair doesn’t look healthy when it is ombre. I like glossy looking hair that’s all one color with maybe subtle highlights.
Ew they look like human German Shepherds
I tried ombre last summer and HATED it. You are right … it is one of those looks that celebs can make look good, but in regular, everyday real life, it is not so great. I tried to stick with the ombre look, but after two weeks, I went back to my stylist and had a bunch of lowlights put in, as well as a few highlights near the top of my head/front of my face. The end result was very pretty, but my ends are fried from all of the processing. Lesson learned!
I am quite fond of this hairstyle. It’s definitely not for everyone but for someone who has those naturally “beachy” waves it’s perfect for me. I love how it looks sunkissed and honestly my natural hair used to be very similar to that when it would get highlighted from the sun. It’s very low-maintenance really.. all you would need is a glossing every few weeks and to get your roots touched up every couple of months.. I find going dark is actually more upkeep.
Rachel Bilson rocks it and I can’t wait to get it done next month! Half way there.. (if you do it in steps it doesn’t fry your hair)