15 Rainbow Hair Trends That Dominated Salons in 2015

This technique is a riff on the now-classic ombré hair highlighting technique. Instead of your natural color gradually lightening towards the tips, however, your strands shift to a rainbow hue. This look is excellent for bold hair beginners: they can start with subtle shades and work their way up to vibrant tints.

If you're a brunette and don't want to subject your strands to the harsh bleaching process (but still want to get in on rainbow fun!), you should try the oil slick trend. Deep tones of green and purple dye are layered on top of dark hair to create an almost iridescent effect, like that of a puddle of oil in a parking lot. Bonus: the rich shades last longer than pastels.

Look closely — at quick glance, this image may just appear to be of a blond bob. But further examination reveals tones of pink, blue, peach, and yellow. This mesmerizing style is courtesy of the opal hair color technique, which layers a variety of iridescent pastel dyes on a pearl-white mane. When done correctly, every move will reflect a different color — just like when you look at the gemstone.

Just like the arts and crafts method, a sand art dye job is created by layering multiple colors. When at the salon, the colorist will paint the dye horizontally across your mane instead of vertically, so every strand will be several different shades. The result is truly kaleidoscopic.

While none of these coloring techniques are for a meek individual, you have to be especially bold to rock split-dyed strands. After parting your mane down the center, each side is tinted a different shade. Heads are bound to turn your way when you step out with this hair.

The method for achieving a tie-dyed mane is very similar to the throwback technique used on fabrics. Hair is sectioned off and secured with pieces of cloth several times down the length of the strands, then various colors are painted on. When the cloth is removed, the original hair color is revealed to create this funky patterned look.

By gradating shades of gray and black with the rainbow hue of your choice, you'll achieve the smokestack look. While it looks especially stunning with these purple tones, we imagine shades of sapphire, forest green, and maroon could be gorgeous alternatives.

If you want space hair, ask your colorist to create swirling patterns on your strands in nebula-inspired shades.

Almost like colorblocking for your head, this technique is just a more vibrant take on your average root touch-up. Instead of correcting highlights or hiding grays, you add vibrant dye in three-inch-wide strips coming out of your part.

Add a bit of spice to your strands with delicious gingerbread-y hues. To get this look, ask your colorist for warm, coppery undertones.

Like the oil slick trend, this color technique is an easy way for brunettes to get in on rainbow hair without submitting their strands to bleach. Ask your stylist to add cool cherry color to the ends of your mane. The gradual fade effect has the added benefit of being low maintenance.

This technique is similar to sand art hair but uses dreamier pastel shades to make hair look like the inside of a French pastry shop.

Rich tones of purple, pink, orange, and yellow are layered in a gradient effect to create this gorgeous, sunset-inspired look.

Very similar to galaxy hair, this out-of-this-world style incorporates the blues, greens, and purples of the Northern Lights into strands via a stunning gradient effect.

Though these vibrant strands were originally created for a Star Wars-inspired hair competition, we can see clubgoers embracing this mesmerizing trend.