How to Get Rose Gold Hair: The Do’s, the Don’ts, and the Inspo

Rose gold hair was huge in 2017—and it’s still going strong. If you’ve always wished for the pretty-pink hue, then we’ll tell you exactly how to get rose gold hair. Even better? We’ll also tell you how to keep it looking vibrant.

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The particular shade has been pervading everyone’s Instagram feed alongside #rosegoldhair—with It-girls, bloggers, and even some of my more adventurous acquaintances going from blonde or brunette to rose gold.

Right now I’m a light brunette—virgin hair that hasn’t been dyed in more than 10 years—and Bumble and Bumble colorist Amelia Trammell warned me that if I were take the plunge, it could mean saying goodbye to my natural color for a (very) long time, explaining that if blondes want to try out rose gold, it’s no big deal—it’s just a tonal change. It’s a little more tricky for dark hair, however, because you’re going from brown to blonde—a heavy lift.

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Still, if you’re feeling brave, head into a salon where a colorist will first bleach your hair with foils or painting to lift it to “at least golden or lighter”—the lighter the hair, the more vibrant the tone will feel. “The whole process will take around two or three hours, depending on how much hair there is and what the existing color is,” explains Trammell. Once you’re sufficiently blonde, Trammell says she adds a tinted gloss to deposit the rose gold shade. 

Afterwards, you’ll be in for some work to maintain the color, and it’s a good idea to avoid washing your hair for two or three days. Then, use a color-safe shampoo and cold water, which “keeps the cuticle from opening and all the color rinsing out.” From that point, Trammell recommends washing your hair as infrequently as possible to lengthen the life of the rose gold shade. “Incorporating a dry shampoo like Prêt-à-Powder is always good to prolong the style and keep from shampooing so frequently,” she suggests.

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If you’re tempted to try get the color in the confines of your bathroom, please don’t—no matter how many YouTube tutorials you watch. “I’d strongly recommend not doing this at home,” Trammell warns. “You’ll most likely end up with orange, spotty hair, and I’ll be the one fixing it!”

Feeling inspired? Click through the slideshow to see how real women are doing rose gold hair on Instagram.

A version of this article was originally published in April 2016.