How to master the Scandinavian hairline

The Scandinavian hairline trend has gone viral online – and with good reason. Colourist Danilo Giangreco shares how to master the face-framing placement and capitalise on the colour technique

“Scandinavian blondes are proving to be a huge hit among our clients. Known for its minimalist and effortless aesthetic, it’s the ultimate cool girl blonde, creating soft and natural-looking hairlines. The Scandinavian hairline trend is a popular and contemporary style that has gained a lot of attention recently. The key characteristic of the Scandinavian hairline is the subtle, almost invisible transition from the forehead to the hair. It aims to achieve a soft and seamless blending effect, giving the illusion of naturally growing and framing the face.

This trend has gained popularity due to its versatility and low-maintenance nature, making it a go-to choice for those seeking a modern and chic hair colour. Although this technique has been gaining momentum lately on socials, it is one that I’ve been using for ages. Instead of applying the bleach directly with a tint brush, I apply it onto a fine-toothed comb first, before applying it on the hairline for a soft, super natural finish.

To create the look, lighten up the baby hairs and hairline to be a bit brighter than the rest of the hair for a soft, sun-kissed appearance. By going slightly lighter than the rest of the hair, it is the perfect, subtle hair lightening hack to brighten up the roots for summer.

In terms of technique, section off a small part of the hair right at the hairline. Instead of using foils, carefully apply the pre-lightener directly onto the strands. This painting technique lets colourists get closer to the hairline to create a bright effect. For a softer effect you can use a comb to apply less pre-lightener and achieve a more seamless result.

Toning is a crucial part. Remember to use a different toner than from the rest of the hair. The choice of warm, cool or sandy tones is based on clients suitability and preferences, so if you’re toning with a level eight or nine, then you’ll need to use a level 10 to stay brighter.

Since it’s right on the hairline, it’s best to advise clients to be super gentle with heat styling at home, as baby hair might be more fragile. When it does grow, the line might be more drastic than they are used to, since it’s bolder. That means there will be more upkeep involved for the client, or you can offer to do more colour blending as the highlights grow out.”