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Pop Culture

Prism Hair: TikTok’s colorful, viral hair trend, explained

Bring a little rainbow and illusion everywhere you go.

Photo of Angela Andaloro

Angela Andaloro

woman in hairdresser's chair (l) woman with hair dye (c) finished prism hair (r)

We’re seeing an explosion of beautiful, colorful hair all over social media. If you’ve ever dreamed of rocking a bold hairstyle, look no further than prism hair. The trendy hair-dyeing technique has people embracing dynamic color combinations. There are so many ways to create stunning “prism” illusions as the hair moves naturally.

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Viral hairstyles do come and go, but prism hair and all its varieties might be a new and fun way to express ourselves for years to come. It’s a fun way for people of all ages to show their bright, sunny personalities on the outside.

What Is Prism Hair?

Prism hair takes every opportunity to rock a beautiful, bold hairstyle. The trend involves bringing together tons of vibrant colors—sometimes called vanity colors—to create a prism effect as they blend together.

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@laurennikohl 👀🌈🤩 @guytang Watch the transformation vid: @laurennikohl #hairgoals #rainbowhair #unicornhair #holographichair #rainbowprism #psychedelichair #guytang #holographicrainbow #amazinghair #hairart #hairmodel #hairappreciation ♬ Throwing roses – Rickie

The boldest customers will go for a full head of the optical illusion-inspired look, but there are other ways to embrace the trend as well. Some get the effect on the lowest pieces of their hair, hidden beneath the rest of the length. A few have opted for the effect just through their bangs. It’s been seen in several variations on people with different hair lengths.

@theresavandamstylist Another day another prism💕 #hair #foryoupage #hairstylist #hairsalon #haircolor #hairtok #rainbow ♬ original sound – Theresa Van Dam

While many believe the look — also called holographic hair or hologram hair — can only happen if you’re comfortable with bright colors, there are also subtle ways to embrace the trend. Darker colors are preferred by some, while others go for light colors instead of bright ones. Some people include the whole rainbow in their scheme, while others focus on a smaller number of colors to bring the illusion to life

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While anyone can choose to try the trendy hairstyle, there’s a lot to keep in mind. With bright colors comes a lot of touching up color and maintenance care, which may deter some. It requires some thought, but it’s worth the work for a sweet look.

Prism Hair Origin

Examples of prism hair across social media date back to the mid-2010s. Initially, the trend enjoyed a lot of popularity across Tumblr and Pinterest. Those platforms showed some beautiful instances of the trend, but it wasn’t quite as common as it appears to have gotten in the last two years.

While it might not be a new technique, its recent popularity is all thanks to TikTok. Creators from DIY hair fairies to top salon dye specialists are showing their takes on the trend.

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Prism Hair Examples

Looking for some prism inspiration? Peep these incredible transformations below:

@briaunas_hair_repair Get me outta TT jail 😩😩😩 #DoritosTriangleTryout #vividhair #vegashair #vegasstylist #hairtok #fyp #prism #rainbow #rainbowhair #prismhair ♬ Too Long Angry Gym Teacher Tom Filline – The Angry Gym Teacher
@hollyborealis Raindance 🌈 #prismhair #vividhair #galaxyhair #hairtrend #hairtrend2022 #hairstylist #floridastylist #besthair #vividspecialist #vividcolorist #manifesting #fypシ゚viral #1111 ♬ World on Fire (feat. Slightly Stoopid) – Stick Figure & Slightly Stoopid
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@byzumbo Rainbow prism hair!! Thank you @Hayley Elise for always letting me have fun 😘 I’m always keen to do more creative hair! #prismhair #rainbowhair #holographichair #vividhair #adelaidehairdresser #keunecolor #evostaino ♬ Walking in the Air – Muspace Lofi
@thehairfairyy_ Prismatic 🖤🌈✨ Custom colored by yours truly 💖 #satxhairstylist #prismhair #rainbowhair #extensions #haircolor #vividhaircolor #sanantoniohairstylist #dangerjonescreative #k18 @K18 Hair @DangerJonesCreative ♬ Otaku Hot Girl – Megan Thee Stallion
@nellsboba big reveal :) using @lunartideshair to create this pastel rainbow look #fyp #prismhair #pastel #hair ♬ original sound – edits
@briaunas_hair_repair The @Lisa Frank hair of my dreams #rainbow #edc #rainbowhair #prism #edcvegas #vividhair #hairtok #fyp #vegas #pulpriothair ♬ original sound – Briaunas hair repair
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@jeyre.vividhair Hidden Prism! Happy St. Pattys. Class at ABS Chicago next month! #prism #prismhair #rainbowhair #haircolorist #colorfulhair #brighthaircolor #peekaboohair #haircolortechniques #lifeofahairstylist #hairtok #behindthechair #hairdye #brighthaircolor #hairhowto ♬ RAVE – Dxrk ダーク
@taylarjanelle Rainbow prism 🌈🌚🪐⚡️✨ #fyp #rainbowhair #hairstylist #undertonesalon #undertonesalonaugusta #augustaga #brunette #prism #hairtok #pulpriothair @pulpriot ♬ Little Dark Age – MGMT
@evelinaforsell This hair deserves another post 🤌🏻 #holohair #holographichair #prismhair #rainbowhair #hairdyetransformation ♬ You Wish – Flyana Boss
@briaunas_hair_repair My fav 🥰 #prism #holographic #holographichair #hair #hairtok #rainbow #rainbowhair #k18results #vegas #stylist #vegasstylist #fyp #vividhair ♬ hold on were going home – adrianaaaa
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