The second I saw the punky pink and neon green streaks in my social feeds, I knew it – alt hair is back and bigger than ever!
As a former mall rat who rocked a wicked dye job or two in the heyday of Roxette (who remembers them?), this revival just unlocked so many memories.
I can vividly remember the thrill of that first bleach-and-toner session, watching my mousy brown give way to a platinum canvas for Doc Martens-approved shades of royal purple and firetruck red. My parents? Not exactly stoked!
But that was part of the defiant allure – a subtle middle finger to the mainstream as I embraced a harder, edgier aesthetic.
Cue me stalking the Manic Panic aisle of the independent beauty supply, eager to hop on whichever daring new hue was having a moment. From smokey gunmetal grays to luscious hunters green, I fearlessly experimented and discovered so much about self-expression through those mood-reflecting strands.
While the pastel pinks and ombre rainbows of today put a softer, more tastefully blended spin on the trend, that same rebellious spirit shines through. After over a decade of ombré and balayage’s dominance, Gen Z is finally disrupting ole’ Cali beachy waves with these daring, dazzlingly high-contrast colors.
And you know what? I’m absolutely living for this alt revival’s resurrection of my youth!
Time for some inspiration! Here are some of the hottest alt hairstyles and hair colors that are on-trend right now.
Table of Contents
- #1 Bright Money Pieces
- #2 Emo Alternative Haircuts with Bangs
- #3 Punk Goth Hairstyle
- #4 Shaved Head with Cool Designs
- #5 Half and half hair
- #6 Peekaboo hair
- #7 Retro Platinum Mullet
- #8 Mohawk/Fauxhawk
- #9 Spiky pink pixie
- #10 Mermaid Space buns
- What is alt hair?
- Why go alt?
- How to get alt hair?
- Best hair colors for goth, grunge, and alt hair.
- Best hair colors for alt hair?
- Watch and learn: Alternative hair colors and styles inspiration.
- What is fluffy alt hair?
- How to get fluffy alt hair?
- Watch and Learn: How to get fluffy alt hair step-by-step.
- Is alternative hair high maintenance?
- How do I care for my alternative hair?
- Parting words.
- Our Research & Review Process
- Authors
#1 Bright Money Pieces
If you’re looking for a subtle way to add some color to your hair, try adding some bright money pieces. This is a great way to experiment with color with strands or streaks around your face without going too crazy.
Hair Clips or synthetic extensions are are easy to use and they’re the perfect way to add a pop of color to your hairstyle without commitment. Whether you choose funky colors or natural hues, you can have fun and experiment to find a look that works for you.
#2 Emo Alternative Haircuts with Bangs
Emo hairstyle with bangs are a popular choice for alternative styles. Bangs can be styled in a variety of ways, so it’s easy to find a style that fits your personality.
You can go for straight across bangs, side swept bangs, or even angled bangs with short haircuts.
Whatever style you choose, make sure that the bangs are long enough to cover your forehead. This will help to create the emo look that you’re after.
And don’t forget about the color! Bangs are the perfect place to experiment with bright and bold colors. So go ahead and add some pink, blue, or rainbow color to really make a statement.
#3 Punk Goth Hairstyle
Punk hairstyles usually characterized by short, choppy layers and a whole lot of attitude!
This look is all the rage and all about the right cut. So you’ll want to make sure that your stylist understands exactly what you’re looking for.
Once you have the perfect haircut, you can add some color to really make it your own. Black is always the go-to choice for punk goth styles, but you can also experiment with vibrant colors like pillarbox red, pastel blue or fuschia pink.
#4 Shaved Head with Cool Designs
If you’re feeling really brave, why not try shaving your locks right off? Pretty alternative huh! This is a great way to show off your personality and flair and make a statement.
There are lots of different ways that you can style a shaved head. You can go for a completely bald look, or you can shave or dye patterns or designs into your hair. If you’re not ready to go completely bald, you could also try shaving just one side of your head.
This is a pretty drastic hairstyle, so it’s important to make sure that you really love it before you commit. (And you’ll need a nice shaped head to pull it off!) But if you’re confident and you’re looking for something truly unique, you can’t get more daring than this.
#5 Half and half hair
This is a really fun and unique way to style your hair. It’s also a great way to experiment with color without going too crazy.
With half and half hair colors, you can choose two colors that complement each other and then split your hair down the middle. It’s also an easy look to get at home of you’re ok with dyeing your own hair.
If you want to add even more excitment, you can try using two different shades of the same color. For example, you could use lilac and dark pink, or baby blue and blue-black. Or you could go for a more subtle look by choosing two similar shades, like pearl blonde and gold.
#6 Peekaboo hair
Surprise! Peekaboo hair is all about adding pops of color to the underlayer of your hair at the nape of your neck. We love this look because it’s unexpected, playful and fun and looks show stopping with short hair, long hair or our fave – an undercut.
You can keep your base hair color natural or dye it a new color. The trick is to go for a contrasting shock of shades for the peekaboo effect. Try a pastel blue with platinum blonde hair, or a candy pink with jet black hair.
If you want to add even more personality to your hairstyle, you can try using multiple colors or even highlights in your peekaboo hair. We love the rainbow effect! Just make sure that you use colors that compliment each other well.
#7 Retro Platinum Mullet
The mullet is making a comeback! This retro hairstyle was popular in the 80s and now it’s back with a vengeance.
Mullets are all about having fun with your hair, so don’t be afraid to experiment. You can go for a traditional mullet with long hair at the back and shorter hair at the front. Or you could try a reverse mullet with short hair at the back and longer hair at the front. We also love the variation of curly hair mullet with shaved sides and a mop on top.
The talents of your stylist is what makes or breaks the look, so be ready with pictures of what you’re hoping for!
If you really want to stand out from the crowd, you could even try dying your mullet two different colors. Just make sure that you choose shades that go well together like black, white and silver, or red and purple.
#8 Mohawk/Fauxhawk
This is a pretty bold hairstyle, but it’s definitely one of the most popular punk goth styles around.
Mohawks can be styled in lots of different ways. You can go for a traditional mohawk with shaved sides and a strip of hair down the middle. Or you could try a more creative look by shaving patterns into your hair or adding color.
If you don’t want to shave all your hair off, you could also try a fauxhawk. This is where you style your hair into a Mohawk shape without actually shaving any of it off. It’s an easy way to get the look without being too drastic.
#9 Spiky pink pixie
This is a super cute and girly hairstyle that’s perfect for goth girls with short hair.
To get the look, you’ll need to style your hair into spikes. You can use gel or mousse to help hold the shape. Then, use your fingers or a fine-toothed comb to style your hair into place.
If you want to add even more attitude to your look, you could try dying your hair a bright color or adding highlights or even a subtle color melt. We love soft pink and pastel purple shades for this look!
#10 Mermaid Space buns
This is a really fun and quirky grunge hairstyle that’s perfect for goth girls with long hair.
To get the look, you’ll need to divide your hair into two sections and then tie each section into a messy bun. You can make your buns as big or as small as you like.
You can even style them using hair extensions in fun and flirty colors. This is an awesome idea if you have fine hair that won’t make chunky buns.
Simply wrap the hair piece around your bun and secure in place with bobby pins.
What is alt hair?
If you’re not familiar with the term, alt hair or alternative hair refers to any non-traditional hair style or color.
You’ll hear most stylists call them ‘fashion colors’.
This can include everything from crazy bright colors and wild cuts to shaved heads and dreadlocks. Basically, if it’s outside the mainstream, it counts as alt hair.
The term “alt” is short for alternative, and it originally came from the music scene. In the early days of punk rock, musicians often had brightly colored hair or Mohawks as a way of expressing their individuality and rejecting traditional standards of beauty.
Today, the term has been adopted by people of all ages and lifestyles who want to express their own fabulous uniqueness.
Whether you’re rocking a purple mohawk or green and blue mullet, this edgy vibe is all about celebrating your own individual style.
Check out the latest looks over on our alt hair Pinterest board for ideas and inspiration.
Why go alt?
There are lots of reasons to try out one of these edgy, awesome styles.
Maybe you’re looking for a way to express your personality or stand out from the crowd. Or maybe you’re just tired of your current look and ready for something new. Whatever your reasons, going alt is a great way to shake things up and have some fun with your hair.
How to get alt hair?
If you’re considering an alt hair style, the first step is to find some inspiration.
What kind of look you’re going for? Are you into lavender highlights or electric blue streaks? Maybe you want to go all out with a punk rock-inspired mohawk. Check out alternative fashion magazines or look online on places like Insta or TikTok for pictures of people with similar styles to spark your own ideas.
Once you’ve found some looks you like, it’s time to start thinking about how you can achieve them.
If you’re not ready for a big change, start small by trying a new color or hairstyle. For example, if you usually wear your hair straight, try adding some cute curls or waves. Or add some highlights or lowlights to give your hair more dimension.
If you’re feeling really adventurous, go for a bold new cut or color. You can try braiding your hair into cornrows or dreadlocks. And if you’re really feeling daring, you can always shave your head completely bald!
Just remember that this is a movement that’s all about expressing your own individuality, so don’t be afraid to experiment until you find a look that you love.
Best hair colors for goth, grunge, and alt hair.
Electric blue, fire engine red, cotton candy pink – when it comes to alt hair color, there are no rules.
If you’re not sure what color to go for, take your cues from your favorite goth or grunge bands. Think deep, dark hues like burgundy, black, or purple.
You can also try out lighter colors like platinum blond or pastel lavender. Or if you really want to make a statement, go for a bright and bold color like neon green or blue.
Just remember, anything goes!
Best hair colors for alt hair?
Deep Black
Plum Burgundy
Electric Blue
Neon Green
Platinum blonde
Pastel lavender
Pale pink
Baby blue
Sunflower yellow
Lilac
Teal
Watch and learn: Alternative hair colors and styles inspiration.
Of course, alt hair influencers are all over TikTok with their weird, wacky and wonderful creations. Here’s a great video compilation of some of the best styles we’ve seen. Which one will suit you?
What is fluffy alt hair?
Fluffy alt hair is a type of alternative hair style that is characterized by its big, voluminous, and often colorful appearance.
This style is often seen in people with curly or wavy hair, as the extra body can help to create the illusion of even more volume and natural texture.
It’s easy to recreate at home. You can style your hair into big, bouncy curls or waves, and it looks fierce with or without bangs.
If you want to add even more volume, you can try backcombing your hair or using a volumizing spray.
How to get fluffy alt hair?
You’ll need to use a whole lotta styling products! Such as mousse, gel, or hairspray.
The key is to start with damp, freshly washed hair and then work the product through from roots to ends.
Next, you’ll need to blast your hair with a hairdryer on a high heat setting, using your fingers or a brush to create mad messy volume as you go.
Once you’ve achieved the desired level of volume and curl definition, finish off with a blast of hairspray to help keep everything in place.
If you’re going for a really big and bold look, you can also try backcombing your hair to create even more volume. Just be careful not to overdo it, as this can cause breakage and damage to your hair.
Watch and Learn: How to get fluffy alt hair step-by-step.
Here’s an awesome quick and easy tutorial that shows you how to get fluffy alt hair step-by-step.
Is alternative hair high maintenance?
This really depends on the style you choose. Some styles, like peekaboo hair, are actually quite low maintenance.
Others, like the mullet, require a bit more time and effort to style. And then there are styles like the mohawk which need to be shave regularly to maintain the look.
So, it really varies depending on the style you choose. But generally speaking, alt hair styles tend to be more high maintenance than traditional styles.
How do I care for my alternative hair?
Again, this will depend on the style you choose. But there are some general tips that you can follow to help keep your hair healthy and looking its best.
– Use a good quality shampoo and conditioner.
– Invest in some good quality hair products, like a Leave-in conditioner, serum or oil.
– Get regular trims to keep your hair looking healthy and avoid split ends.
– Be gentle with your hair when styling it. Avoid using too much heat or pulling it too tight.
– If you’re dying your hair, use a good quality dye and follow the instructions carefully.
Parting words.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide to alt hair!
Remember, there are no rules when it comes to alternative hair. So, have fun and experiment with different styles until you find one that suits you.
Found your perfect alt hairstyle? We’d love to see it! Tag us on Instagram @coloredhaircare or Facebook and share your hair dye success stories. Looking for more hair care tips? Check out How to Look After Colored Hair: 11 Expert Secrets For Long-Lasting Color.
Our Research & Review Process
To ensure our recommendations are as comprehensive and reliable as possible, we’ve undertaken an extensive research effort.
We cite scientific evidence and journals, collect real user reviews and gather impartial perspectives from hair stylists, users, and experts in the field.
Additionally, we conduct hands-on testing by using products and applying hair dyes not only on our own locks but also on real human hair extensions and hair pieces of different hair type, textures and lengths.
This rigorous approach allows us to provide you with insights into which products genuinely live up to their promises.
As always – please consult with a professional hair colorist or stylist for advice on how to color your own hair at home. It’s different for everyone!
