The “Competing Tones” Hair-Color Trend For Summer Is Like Highlights, but With a Twist

Gone are the days of your hair-color choices being limited by the shades of box dye you can pick up at the drugstore. Now, with hair salons open again and a little help from your colorist on speed dial, the sky is the limit when it comes to your future hairstyles. You can go red, like Beth Harmon from The Queen's Gambit, play around with face-framing money pieces, or, if you want to put a twist on your traditional highlights, go for the "competing tones" hair-color trend.

"This is a fun way to try something new in a subtle way," said Guy Tang, celebrity colorist and founder of #mydentity. "Pick any two opposite color tones at the same level, then blend [them] into each other from root to ends." This unique method of highlighting is almost like ombré, but instead of going from dark to light with your hair color, it melts the two contrasting tones together.

According to Tang, the trend works best on those with neutral-skin undertones who can pull off both cool- and warm-tone hair colors. It doesn't matter if you try out the look with a bold, colorful blend of hues or stick to your typical blond, brunette, and black — it's impossible for this trend not to look cool.

See for yourself, and keep scrolling for more "competing tones" hair-color inspiration.