Hair Colours: All About Ombre

Since we’re already talking about highlights, it’s probably best to talk about one of the most popular highlight looks we’ve ever seen: ombre.

Ombre was all the rage a couple of summers ago, until it kind of died down a little bit as new hair colors and hair trends took over.

This year though, ombre is making a wicked comeback just in time for summer, and we’re all for it. But if you’re wondering, “what does ombre mean,” here’s everything you need to know about the trend!

What does 'ombre' mean?

So, what does ombre hair mean? Well, the word ‘ombre’ comes from the French word ombrer, which is a verb that means ‘to shade’.

If we’re talking about the arts though, ombré is a color scheme which moves gradually from light to dark. It was originally used as a technique to dye fabric in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Similarly, ombré as a hair color as well as a hair technique has something to do with dying hair with a color that goes from light to dark, from the tips up to the roots. If you look at it in reverse, it’s hair that is gradually lightened as you go down the strands.

How did the ombre hair trend start?

There are many stories as to how this hair trend started, but one of the most common stories has something to do with the princess of pop herself, Britney Spears.

According to the stories, in 2000, Britney, for a time, started wearing her hair like how we see the regular ombre hair today – dark at the roots before lightening at the tips. Then, in the years after that, more and more artists started showing up with ombre hair.

Britney Spears with 'ombre' hair circa 2000

Is ombre safe for my hair?

Ombre is safe to do on all types of hair, but you do have to be careful if you’ve had multiple treatments in the past, as ombre requires some bleaching to achieve the look you want.

As you know, bleaching is one of the hardest and harshest treatments that you can ever put your hair through. For some, bleaching can even kill their hair. This is especially true if their hair is already dry and unhealthy, to begin with.

Can you DIY ombre?

Ombre hair is typically done in salons by experienced colorists, as the process can be quite difficult for beginners to do.

Not to mention, given the harsh chemicals involved in bleaching, you can accidentally ‘kill’ your own hair if it’s your first time and you still don’t know what you’re doing.

To avoid any unnecessary hair mishaps, it’s best to leave everything up to a trusted professional colorist.

Can I have ombre straight hair?

(c) Tamara Bellis, Unsplash

Ombre hair is most commonly seen on long, wavy locks. You know, the kind that looks perfect for the beach or for pageants. But don’t fret – you can also don this gorgeous coloring style even if you have straight hair.

In fact, if you have straight hair, you can actually use ombre to give it a longer, sleeker look. After all, the gradual lightening from the hair roots to the tips gives a lengthening effect to your hair. If that’s the look you’re going for, then ombre is definitely perfect for you!

Interested in more hair styling techniques? Check out our ZALA blog now!