In 2026, the hair trend that is making waves in the world of fashion is ghost roots. This trend is all about embracing natural grays and experimenting with unconventional hair colors beyond the traditional blonde, brunette, ebony, and auburn shades. Ghost roots involve incorporating bold and vibrant colors at the roots of your hair, creating a striking and eye-catching look.
Instead of viewing roots as something that needs to be covered up or corrected, ghost roots celebrate them as a form of fun self-expression. Celebrities like Billie Eilish and Rosalia have been at the forefront of this trend, sporting intense red, neon green, acid pink, pastel blue, and peroxide blonde roots. These bold colors create a contrast with their natural hair color, adding a playful and edgy element to their overall look.
The ghost roots trend is not entirely new, as it draws inspiration from the angel ring hairstyle popular in Japan and the emo kids of the early 2000s. Hairstylist Sam McKnight also played a significant role in popularizing this trend when he introduced colorful roots on the runways for Dries Van Noten in 2020. McKnight bleached the roots in the center of the head and around the hairline to create a stark contrast that frames the face and adds a pop of color.
Instead of dyeing the models’ hair, McKnight used neon-colored synthetic feathers applied with gel and brushed in with a comb to achieve the colorful roots effect. This innovative approach to hair styling paved the way for the ghost roots trend to take off in the fashion world. Billie Eilish’s iconic green ghost roots further solidified this trend as a must-try for those looking to make a bold statement with their hair.
Whether you’re looking to embrace your natural grays or experiment with vibrant hair colors, ghost roots offer a unique and creative way to express yourself through your hair. So, say goodbye to traditional root touch-ups and hello to the ghost roots trend that is set to dominate the hair scene in 2026.
