Hair Color Trends Inspired By 2018 Oscar Nominees

Award shows have quickly become much more than publicized entertainment and career recognition for ritzy biz professionals. From the Golden Globes to the Oscars, these shows are now leveraged as major platforms for some of the most influential people to reach and inspire an expansive audience, whether that’s through a thoughtful, impassioned speech, a pin donned on an outfit, or the color choice of a dress or suit.

More and more of these individuals, specifically women, continue to make history and inspire those of us watching at home to be the best versions of ourselves. Their style and fashion choices aren’t frivolous; every look represents something about who they are or what they believe, and watching these powerful women walk down the red carpet reminds me to reflect on something as seemingly simple as what I wear and what that really means. While we may not be able to get our hands on their makeup, hair, and style crews, we can remember that how we choose to look is one of many ways to be our truest selves.

The Colors

For some reason, being yourself can feel like taking a big risk, and over the last few years, changing your hair color has become a sure-shot way to make a bold statement about who you are. It’s now about as popular as swapping out your lipstick; it’s a big enough change to feel risky and exciting, but easy enough to revert back to your roots.

To find some fabulous hair inspiration, I could think of no one better than the following women who have been nominated for an Oscar for their incredible work this year.

Quick Tip: Again, you don’t need to see an expensive hair colorist to get their looks, either. Coined by Allure as the “fairy godmother of hair color,” eSalon is one company who also believes that the right shade can make you feel “totally you,” and their line of custom hair color has won the Allure Best of Beauty Award four years in a row. Armed with the following muses and a customized kit, you can ‘do you’ from the comfort of your own home.

Mary J. Blige — Golden Blonde

Nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her incredible work in “Mudbound” (whose cinematographer Rachel Morrison made history with her own nom), Mary J. Blige has hairstylist Kim Kimble to thank for her million-hit-wonder hairstyles. Blige is most famous for rocking this playful shade of beige that seems to magically oscillate between hot and cold.

Meryl Streep — Graceful Gray

It’s a mystery how she does it, but every year Meryl seems to become even more legendary. Nominated for Best Actress for her role in “The Post,” Meryl has been gracefully embracing some silver tones peeking through her blonde tresses. More and more women are reminding us that age isn’t just wise, it’s beautiful, and they’ve ignited an exciting trend of young women adventurously coloring their hair gray and other icy cool shades.

Saoirse Ronan — Patchy Pink

Ronan’s role as Lady Bird was a performance that not only got her a nomination for Best Actress, but her character reignited fond (and heartbreaking) memories of teen angst for women around the country. Lady Bird’s pink-almost-orange-dipped hair is nothing short of iconic, and also showcases the modern woman’s desire to find and be herself.