Turn to the "Scandi Hairline" to Brighten Your Look
Summer may fade, but sun-touched beauty details endure. From latte makeup to faux freckles to tomato girl blush, recreating the sun’s effects sans actual sun is an easy way to warm up a look, regardless of the season. The Scandi hairline is one such trick, the hair-color technique growing in popularity for its ability to soften and brighten, creating the illusion that you spend your days lounging in a sun-drenched world.
Related: 35 Chunky Blonde Highlights Looks We're Obsessing Over
As its name implies, the Scandi hairline mimics the oft-natural hairline found in Scandinavia, where soft blonde reigns supreme. “The Scandi hairline is a face-framing color technique where you freehand lighten/bleach the baby hairs of the hairline—it’s kind of like a halo around your face,” explains Scandinavian hairstylist Amalia Berglung, the mastermind behind Matilda Djerf’s viral mane. “This creates that oh-so-sought sun-bleached feeling that naturally blonde people get when in the sun.”
Meet Our Expert
Amalia Berglung is the Scandinavian hairstylist behind Matilda Djerf's signature look.
Phoebe Nathan is a hairstylist who spilts her time between New York City and London.
Features of the Scandi Hairline
The Scandi hairline is a quick route to brightness for both your face and hair. “I love this look because it's so useful and versatile,” says Berglund. “It could add attitude or cuteness to many hair colors while giving that lived-in feeling and softness around the face.” The hack offers the luminous benefits of traditional highlights without the necessity of all-over color, taking the concept of the “money piece” to a granular, well-blended, and extremely subtle space.
The baby blonde boosts complexions, too. “Being a Scandinavian girl myself, I know the feeling after vacation when your hairline is kissed by the sun,” says Berglund. “It truly gives you a fresh glow!”
How to Get the Look
Considering the Scandi hairline? Start by doing your research. “Find pictures with colors similar to yours and show them your hairdresser for inspo,” advises Berglund. “Not every colorist is updated with the latest names of the trends, so a visual can help them to understand your vision and also give you the best-suited result to go with your hair.”
Hairstylist Phoebe Nathan notes that language matters, too. “Those interested in a Scandi hairline should ask for their baby hairs and hairline to be bleached after their highlights are rinsed at the bowl,” she says. “Every colorist may have different language or terms they use for this, but that would be the most technical request!”
Related: 30 Blonde Celebrities to Put on Your Hair Color Mood Board
The Scandi hairline can work for everyone, but for a truly organic look, hair should already be on the lighter side. “This specific technique is best suited for naturally medium-to-light blondes with pre-existing highlights,” says Berglund. “That way, the bright hairline will blend well with the blonde that’s already there, and the grow-out may be a little softer.” Nathan agrees. “For dark blondes and brunettes, a Scandi hairline may create an unintentionally severe contrast and runs the risk of being too warm or coppery. That said, tawny browns ribboned by blonde balayage or highlights would provide an effective canvas.
How to Maintain a Scandi Hairline
Your Scandi hairline is a bleached highlight like any other. This means that the detailing calls for a bit of extra care to keep your newly lightened strands healthy and vibrant.
To begin, minimize the use of hot styling tools if possible, opting for damage-free techniques like heatless rollers and the like and prioritizing heat protectants should you need the aid of high-temp tools. Next, work deep conditioners and treatments into your routine for maximized hydration, the better to avoid brittle or broken strands around the face. Finally, a brassy frame is bound to ruin the illusion of an endless summer—investing in a purple shampoo like John Frieda Violet Crush ($9) will keep your color cool, bright, and seasonally inspired.
Related: The 13 Best Heat Protectants, Tested & Reviewed
For more InStyle news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on InStyle.
