This Tropical-inspired Hair Colour Will Give You a Major Island Vibe

Already over our cold Canadian winter wonderland? We are, too! And with spring seemingly nowhere in sight, it’s easy to spiral into a seasonal slump.

In a perfect world, we would all be able to drop everything on a whim and fly off to a private island for bottomless daiquiris and long walks on the beach. But, let’s face it: Not all of us have the time or cash flow to make that happen. Luckily, though, the latest hair colour trend taking social media by storm is here to beat the winter blues and teleport you (or at least your head) to a faraway tropical island.

Tropical Punch is what we’re calling it. And whether you prefer a bright teal or a vivid fuchsia, the lush colour will make it look like you just cracked open the secret door to a beachside bungalow in Bora Bora where you drink frozen piña coladas for breakfast and have an endless supply of fresh fruit at your disposal. You’ll instantly feel like you’re on island time.

The trend is a riff on all the tropical-inspired ensembles seen on the spring 2019 runways. From New York to Paris, designers infused their collections with a wide-ranging sense of wanderlust, so it’s not surprising that we’d want to give it a whirl on our tresses, too. And while it's not the same as a month-long sabbatical in Belize or Bondi, it does make running out of PTO days a little less painful.

So if the sea, sun and salt are all but a distant memory, and all you can muster is a staycation in your head, simply follow these easy steps below. We promise you’ll be feeling fresh, sunshiny vibes in no time—whatever the five-day forecast says.

STEP ONE:

Before dyeing, you’ll need to start with pale blond or pre-lightened hair to achieve true tone colour. If you have naturally darker hair, L’Oréal Paris Féria Absolute Platinum will strip the colour without excessive damage and help you attain the right base.

Note that even when you’ve attained the right base, this colour isn’t one-size-fits-all. The shade and process will look different depending on your hair colour and hair type.

Once you’re ready to colour, mix up L’Oréal Paris Féria Metropical

in a small bowl. You may also want to line your face and neck with a petroleum jelly or L’Oréal Paris Extraordinary Penetrating Oil to keep your skin from staining.

STEP TWO:

Using a brush, apply the colour mix starting at the roots until they’re fully saturated. Then, using a “crosshatch” technique, work the colour into the rest of your hair until it’s completely coated.

Following the instructions on the pack, let the colour sit for 25 to 35 minutes. Make sure you don’t leave it on longer than recommended.

STEP THREE:

When the development time is up, rinse and apply a nourishing conditioner. Blow-dry and style as usual.

One other thing to be aware of is that this look does require more upkeep. All-over tropical colour means you’ll need to have your roots touched up every four to six weeks, and it’s prone to fading faster than most. Our tips? Wash your hair in lukewarm—not hot—water, and always use shampoo and conditioner and styling products made especially for colour-treated hair, such as the sulphate- and paraben-free L’Oréal Paris EverPure range .

Sure, the upkeep can be a lot. But the payoff? So worth it.

And even if Old Man Winter continues to drag on (and on and on…), it’s reassuring to know that that feel-good tropical vibe is just a hair colour away.