The hottest hair color this side of the South Pole. With all the colors and lights of the winter holidays, it’s the most wonderful time of the year for a fun, festive hair color. What better way to show some seasonal spirit than with a candy cane hair color? Inspired by the Christmas treat, this confectionery hue is the perfect two-tone hair color twist for your tresses.
What is candy cane hair color and why it works
This holiday hair color trend weaves vibrant streaks of cherry-red, soft and bright pink, and shades of green together to resemble the striped sugary candy. The colors can be dispersed throughout your hair with your base shade still intact, dyed with an ombré effect or placed in chunky partial highlights to add dimension and depth.
Preparation and considerations before dyeing
Before you can hitch your sleigh to any bold hair color trend like candy cane hair, there are a few important factors to keep in mind. For starters, in order for the colors to show up, you’ll need to bleach your hair first if you’re starting with a dark base. And the darker your starting color, the more work it’ll take to reach your desired result.
If you’re a novice to at-home hair color, head to the salon where a professional colorist will be able to expertly weave the right holiday hues into your hair to make sure you get the tastiest-looking candy cane hair color. If you’ve decided to head to the salon to slay your holiday hair, make sure to take with you some inspo pics - or better yet, actual candy canes - so that your stylist can try to get as close to your desired Christmas color as possible.
At-home vs. salon approach
For those who just want a taste of candy cane highlights, wash out hair color is the perfect pick. The L’Oréal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup Temporary 1-Day Hair Color Spray comes in a variety of shades, including Red, Hot Pink, and Pastel Mint so you can create your own festive mane with just a few sprays.
If you’re set on rocking this sugar-inspired style for a while, you can also DIY the look at home. Keep in mind that you’ll need to bleach your hair first if you don’t already have blonde, bleached, or highlighted hair. Then, grab a candy cane as your guide and apply some chunky highlights using shades like the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Fuschia, Smokey Pink, and Turquoise.
Editor’s Tip: Need some at-home hair color help? Consult with a hair color professional using the L’Oréal Paris Hair Color Concierge.
Color care and maintenance for candy cane hues
- To keep your color looking fresh, reach for color-safe shampoo and conditioner like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Strengthening Color Care Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Strengthening Color Care Conditioner. This duo is safe on color and helps to strengthen the hair by reinforcing weak hair bonds that can occur as a result of bleaching and heat damage.
- Hair that has been bleached can often end up with breakage and dryness. Add frequent heat styling on top of that and your strands are bound to suffer from damage.
- In between washes, refresh your candy cane strands with a few spritzes of the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Air Volume Dry Shampoo, especially if you’ve gone the hair color spray route.
Color placement and style ideas
The candy cane effect can be achieved in several ways: dispersed streaks throughout the hair, an ombré transition from root to tip, or chunky partial highlights for more dimension. The key is balancing the red, pink, and green tones so they read as a cohesive holiday motif rather than a chaotic mix.
Trends and inspiration
As a festive fashion statement, candy cane hair pairs well with winter wardrobes, metallic accessories, and glossy, high-shine finishes. Colorists experiment with the placement of stripes-vertical, diagonal, or concentrated around the crown-to alter perceived texture and volume. The trend also translates well into temporary options for events and photoshoots, from pop-up holiday parties to seasonal editorials.
Quick reference: products mentioned
- L’Oréal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup Temporary 1-Day Hair Color Spray (Red, Hot Pink, Pastel Mint)
- L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color (Fuschia, Smokey Pink, Turquoise)
- L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Strengthening Color Care Shampoo
- L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Strengthening Color Care Conditioner
- L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Air Volume Dry Shampoo
