Clearly, a clip-in hair extension requires the least amount of commitment -- it comes out just as easily as it goes in. There are so many bright colors on the market now -- one look at the "fantasy color chart" from She by So.Cap hair Extensions, (price varies depending on salon), should give you an idea. To make the look sophisticated, try matching the color to your favorite neon top. The neon is there, but your natural hair color balances it out -- so it's a more sophisticated take for a 30-something.
I have a friend with neon hair. She's 34 years old -- not 24, not 14 -- and it looks amazing. Now, I'll add that she lives in New York City, where pretty much anything goes. She also has a funky designer wardrobe and spends a lot of time in art galleries -- so the neon hair works with her personality and lifestyle. It's chic, sophisticated, and surprisingly subtle. And while I'm not suggesting every woman can pull it off, it's a lot easier than you might think.
You're probably wondering how I could possibly call neon hair subtle. When most of us think bright hair, Katy Perry's blue or Nicki Minaj's pink probably come to mind -- not exactly discrete, right? Well, the secret to my friend's color is that it isn't a big, cascading mane of purple hair -- instead, the bright shade is layered underneath her natural dark brown color. The violet section is only noticeable in the sun or when she puts her hair up into a bun or ponytail, and the overall effect is really pretty.
Subtle-but-bright hair like my friend's is becoming more popular. Hair colorists have come up with creative ways to apply these neon highlights, and companies are offering temporary products that range from extensions to chalk -- great for people who are interested in the trend but not ready to fully commit. So, whether you want hot pink hair for a year or an hour, you can get it.
"I've done fun colors on many clients over the age of 30," says Amy Huson, a colorist at the Marie Robinson Salon in New York City. "It's not about your age -- it's about having your own style and playing around with it." Huson admits that it's a youthful look -- but who doesn't want to look more youthful after 30? Maybe neon hair is just what you need.