Hair Colors of 2017: Trends, Shades, and Lasting Influence

What Defined Hair Colors in 2017

Hair colors of 2017 were defined by a shift toward lived-in, natural-looking color with refined highlights and soft transitions. Alongside bold runway experiments, mainstream choices favored cooler tones, low-maintenance contrast, and seamless blends. This year bridged the vivid styles of the mid‑2010s and the more muted, healthy hair movements that followed. Understanding these trends helps explain lasting preferences for dimension, texture, and personalized contrast in modern color routines.

Key Shade Families of 2017

The most prominent shade families in 2017 balanced ash, neutral, and warm tones. While fashion shows and editorial spreads pushed extremes, salon work emphasized wearable variations. Three families dominated discussions and product launches, each serving different skin tones and hair histories.

Cool Ash Blondes and Platinum Notes

Cool ash shades—ranging from beige‑blonde to deep platinum—remained influential in 2017, especially with the help of gloss and toner to manage brassiness. These hues appealed to clients seeking a modern, high‑contrast look without leaning overly warm. Maintenance through purple and blue toners was a common conversation in-salon.

Soft Balayage and Sombre

Balayage and sombre (subtle balayage) continued their rise in 2017. The focus was on soft, feathered lines rather than stark streaks, with face‑framing pieces lighter than the mid‑lengths and ends. This approach created depth while minimizing regrowth visibility, supporting a low‑maintenance aesthetic that carried into later years.

Rich Browns and Warm Reds

Warmer tones persisted for clients with golden or olive undertones. Rich chocolate browns with subtle caramel highlights and coppery reds remained popular for their versatility and flattering contrast. These colors were frequently chosen for their ability to blend gray hair and add movement without extreme contrast.

Notable Techniques and Application Methods

Techniques in 2017 emphasized seamless transitions and natural dimensionality. Scribble, painterly, and hand‑painted methods influenced how color was deposited for softer edges. Foils were still used, but freehand and balayage techniques gained ground, allowing for more artistic, less uniform results.

Comparative Snapshot of 2017 Hair Color Techniques

Product and Routine Expectations in 2017

Salon formulations in 2017 leaned toward healthier bonds and pigment‑locking systems. Glosses, glazes, and demi‑permanent toners were used to refresh tone and increase shine between services. At home, sulfate‑free shampoos and UV‑protective conditioners became standard recommendations for prolonging vibrancy, especially for cooler shades prone to brassiness.

• Glosses and semi‑permanent toners for tone correction and shine
• Bond‑building treatments pre‑ and post‑color service
• Heat‑protectant and UV‑protective hair care for dyed hair

Influence on Later Trends

Hair colors of 2017 established a template for the decade that followed. The preference for blended, low‑contrast balayage and the normalization of toner management can be traced to techniques popularized in this period. The move toward cooler palettes also set expectations for future “icy” shades, while warmer clients carried forward the demand for brown‑based reds and caramel tones. These choices demonstrated that trend and wearability could coexist, a principle that continues to guide color planning today.

Evergreen Takeaways

Hair colors 2017 remain relevant because they balanced fashion with practicality. For current planning, consider how these shades translate into sustainable routines, healthy hair practices, and personalized contrast. Use past techniques as a baseline when evaluating new products, and align your choice with maintenance capacity and natural undertone. This approach ensures continuity and satisfaction beyond seasonal shifts.

Summary Table: Defining Elements of Hair Colors 2017