Starburst hair looks like someone turned a handful of fruity candy into a hair color. The look blends bright pink, orange, and yellow into a juicy, multicolored finish. If you like a sweet hair color idea with absolutely no interest in being subtle, this one delivers.
The candy-inspired style made headlines in 2017. Allure credited hairstylist Kayla Boyer with the look. Her version starts with vivid pink near the roots, then melts into orange and yellow through the lengths. You can see related examples under the #starbursthair hashtag.
The colors might remind you of phoenix hair or sunset hair, but the candy-colored pink base and bright yellow ends give Starburst hair its own personality.
To recreate Boyer’s original version, ask a colorist about a pink-to-orange-to-yellow color melt. She lightened the client’s hair with Pravana Pure Light Power Lightener, then used Pravana Vivids Neon Pink and Locked-In Pink at the base, blending Neon Orange, Orange, Yellow, and Neon Yellow through the hair. That’s a description of the original salon formula, not a one-size-fits-all recipe. How much lightening your hair needs depends on your starting color and condition.
Bright shades can fade, so ask your colorist about upkeep before committing. And yes, you can absolutely bring a pack of Starburst to your appointment as a color reference. Just try not to eat your inspiration before you’ve picked the shades.
