Alt Hair: 10 Ways To Crush The Alternative Look.

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Love trying new looks? So do we! If you’re looking for a change, alt hair is definitely the way to go.

It’s edgy, unique, and perfect for making a statement. Here are 10 ways to crush the alternative look.

With so many options out there, it can be tough to know where to start. But don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. This guide will show you everything you need to know about finding the alternative style that’s right for you.

So you can start experimenting today and find the most on fleek look for you!

10 Hot, On-trend Alternative Hairstyles 

Time for some inspiration! Here are some of the hottest alt hairstyles and hair colors that are on-trend right now.

#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 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 patterns or pretty jewels, 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 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 for ideas and inspiration.

alt hair collection pinterest board
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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.

This article was written by:

  • Nicola Freeman, Creative Director & Content Lead
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    Creative Director & Content Lead

    With over two decades of passionate hair dyeing experience, I've experimented with nearly every shade imaginable. My journey began long before blogging; as an award-winning copywriter in London and New York, I shaped narratives for iconic brands. However, when friends sought advice during lockdown for at-home hair dyeing, I realized my true calling. Beyond being your hair color expert, I'm a mom of two girls, wife to artist Tony, and an avid soccer player!