one of the questions i get asked the most is "which colour should i go for" — but honestly, before you even get to shade, there's a bigger question. HOW do you want to wear it? because the style you choose changes everything, from how much bleach you need to how often you'll be touching it up.
i've worn pretty much every version of this over 25 years, so here's the honest rundown.
full head colour
this is exactly what it sounds like — the whole head, one shade (or a smooth blend), top to bottom. it's the classic, and there's a reason it's the classic.
good for: committing properly, going bold without overthinking the "placement" of it all, and getting maximum colour payoff for minimum faff.
the catch: it's the most maintenance-heavy option. roots grow out and show fast, especially with brights against darker natural hair, and if you've bleached first, you're looking after a full head of compromised hair, not just a section.
honest take: this is the one to go for if you want people to see the colour and nothing else. no half-measures, no "wait is that on purpose."
block colour
block colour is sectioning your hair into distinct chunks and giving each one its own solid shade — think a block of pink, a block of teal, maybe a block left natural. clean lines, no blending.
good for: people who want something graphic and a bit architectural. it photographs incredibly well because the colours read as deliberate, structured shapes rather than a blend.
the catch: precision matters here. wonky sectioning is way more obvious with block colour than with a full head or a blend, because there's nothing to hide behind. you need patience with your clips and your parting.
honest take: this is where a lot of people discover they enjoy the technical, methodical side of dyeing hair. it rewards taking your time.
split dye (half and half)
split dye is dividing your hair straight down the middle — one colour on the left, a completely different one on the right. it's dramatic, it's a statement, and it's honestly one of my favourite styles to do because the contrast does all the work for you.
good for: maximum drama with surprisingly manageable upkeep, since each half only needs attention to its own colour. it also works brilliantly if you want to test two shades without fully committing to either.
the catch: the parting has to be genuinely straight and central, or the whole effect falls apart. this is a "measure twice, dye once" situation — a wonky centre parting is very noticeable with split dye.
honest take: this one gets the most "wait, how did you DO that" comments out of everything on this list. worth it.
money piece / face-framing colour
smaller and less committal — just a section or two around the face gets the bright treatment while the rest stays natural.
good for: dipping a toe in before a bigger commitment, or for anyone who needs to keep things fairly workplace-appropriate but still wants a hit of colour.
honest take: don't underestimate this one. A well-placed face-framing streak can have more impact than an entire head of colour, purely because it sits right where people's eyes naturally go.
underneath / peekaboo colour
colour applied underneath the top layer of hair, hidden until you tie it up, flip it, or move a certain way.
good for: anyone who wants a genuine surprise element, or who needs the colour to be "hideable" for work or family occasions.
honest take: this is the sneaky one. i've had this style for interviews before — professional from the front, absolute chaos underneath. no regrets.
there's no wrong answer here, and you don't have to pick just one style forever. i've cycled through most of these depending on my mood, my hair's condition at the time, and honestly how much patience i had that weekend. start with what excites you, be realistic about the maintenance you're up for, and remember — it's semi-permanent. if you hate it, it grows out or washes out. that's kind of the beauty of the whole thing.