How much prep do you need to achieve stunning hair for Pride?
More towns than ever are planning to host Pride events in 2021. Although the pandemic has created numerous complexities and led to the cancellation of some of the larger events (our thoughts are with you, Brighton and Hove!), there are still plenty of local events planned for the summer months. And even if you’re not able to attend an event in person, what better excuse to have some fun and ensure you look fabulous on social media?
That’s right, it’s time to start thinking about your Pride hair.
Your time to shine
According to All Things Hair, 75.9% of us choose hair accessories to express our identity. And what better time or place is there for a true expression of identity than Pride? But great hair is a great responsibility, so be sure to put in the time you need to look your best on the big day.
The internet is, of course, the place to start. Settle down for some serious scrolling through Pinterest and Instagram if you’re looking for Pride hair inspiration. There are some stunning styles on show, for all manner of hair lengths and types. As such, you should find plenty of looks to inspire your own colourful creation for Pride 2021.
Rainbows rule
On the subject of colour, let’s talk rainbows. Rainbows, clearly, have a long-standing association with Pride and with the LGBTQ+ community. And when it comes to hair, they create plenty of scope for creativity.
Rainbow colours on ultra-short hair can look absolutely stunning. If you’re not up for all-over rainbow stripes, why not opt for a rainbow-striped heart on one side? Simple and sweet, you can achieve it using natural, eco-friendly hair dyes, or even with hair chalks, for a super-easy option.
For medium to long hair, before you reach for the colour, it’s important to think about how you’re going to style your hair for Pride this year. Knowing that will necessarily influence how you choose to colour the hair, as you will need to think through how best your style can show your colours off.
And don’t forget to take your outfit into account too. Brightly coloured hair can look superb but it can also clash with brightly coloured clothes. Plan out what you’re going to wear, as well as how you’re going to do your hair, well in advance to ensure that everything coordinates beautifully on the day.
Personal or professional?
You’ll also need to think about who is going to do the colouring. Are you planning to spend hours in the bathroom, sorting your hair into different sections and painstakingly applying different colours? Or would you prefer to put yourself in the hands of a professional?
If you’re going to apply rainbow colours yourself, it’s time to practice. Grab everything you need beforehand, from your dyes to clips to separate the sections and make sure you have plenty of time so that you don’t have to rush. You’ll need gloves to prevent your hands from staining, towels that have seen better days and at least two mirrors. Remember to grab a brush for each colour too, so that you don’t have to keep stopping and washing your brush mid-application.
There are plenty of tutorials online to help you, so if you’ve not applied multiple colours to your hair before, watch one first. Taking 10 minutes to learn from others’ experience can save you a whole heap of time when it comes to colouring your own hair.
If you have the inclination (and the budget) to have your hair coloured professionally, then be sure to explain to your hairdresser in detail what you want to achieve when booking your appointment. Producing rainbow hair takes longer than applying a single colour, so you’ll need to make sure your stylist allows sufficient time to deliver the look you want.
Of course, if you’re going for a new style, as well as a new colour, be sure to allow time for that as well!
The finishing touches
If you’re planning ahead for a stunning Pride hairdo, you’ll need to think about accessories as well. As we mentioned above, accessories are a great way to express your identity, just as your hair colour is. They can also be really fun, so allow some time for scrolling through Pinterest and Insta again to find inspiration.
And while you’re in the mood for shopping, why not pick up some colour-safe shampoo and conditioner to keep your tresses looking vibrant for longer? It’s worth treating yourself to a hair mask or a deep conditioning treatment too, to give your hair a spot of TLC after all that intensive colouring and styling. Not that you should ever need an excuse to indulge in a bit of haircare-related me time!
Back to reality
The final thing to factor into your Pride hair plans is how long you want your look to last. Are you after a full head of rainbow hair that will last for weeks or do you need to revert to a more conservative style before you’re back at your desk on Monday morning? All Things Hair reports that 46.9% of us change our hair to avoid being judged in everyday life.
If this is something you want or need to do, factor it in when choosing your dyes. You’ll need to decide whether to go down the wash in/wash out route or opt for a longer-lasting colour experience.
Or why not go for a halfway measure and opt for a style such as hidden rainbow hair? The idea of this is that you add rainbow colours to a layer of the hair that is then covered up by the rest of your hair. When you want to show off your rainbow, you tie the hair above it up. When you want to hide it, you wear your hair down. It only really works with thicker hair, but it can be a great way to achieve the best of both worlds when it comes to your Pride do.
