From Dua Lipa’s spun-sugar pink to Miley Cyrus’s mullet/pixie hybrid to Emily Ratajkowski’s peroxide lengths, hair has offered a means of personal evolution in an era where much of daily life seems paused. And though these switch-ups each have their own distinct character, there is one common thread: grow-out-friendly roots. The latest in this lineup of mane makeovers comes courtesy of Kim Kardashian West, who went red this week with the help of hairstylist Chris Appleton.
“I love that it wasn’t an expected choice, everyone sees her experimenting with blonde or platinum but the red was a fresh and surprising change,” says Appleton, who lightened Kardashian-West’s onyx lengths before saturating strands with a rich red. To ensure the hue played well with KKW’s skin, Appleton purposefully left an inch of natural color at the root, adding to the maintenance-minded moments of 2020. For those looking to infuse their summer look with a wash of red, Appleton recommends avoiding sulfates and too-high heat, conditioning generously, and reaching for a glaze or gloss for shine. But the main takeaway? No matter the shade, guarantee an extra ounce of longevity by leaving some natural root behind.