How To Wear the “Olsen Dip” Hair Trend Like It’s 2005 Again
Undone Texture, Rooty Blonde—Olsen Twins Hair Is Back
The Olsen twins defined 2000s boho—messy waves, rooty blondes and that lived-in cool that didn’t try too hard. Now their signature look, dubbed the Olsen Dip, is back. With clients asking for low-maintenance texture and color that grows out easy, recession hair is trending—and the twins did it first.
Here’s how to make it work behind the chair, from color to cut to that perfectly undone finish.
But first, let’s take a look back the hair that started it all:
What Is the Olsen Dip?
Think of the Olsen Dip as a softer, more undone take on ombré—grown-out roots, mid-blonde lengths and bright ends. It’s contrast without commitment. It’s soft, lived-in and perfectly aligned with the rise of recession hair.
To recreate that effortless blonde-on-brunette blend, try these:
- Soft Blended Blonde on Level 4 Base using Wella Professionals Blondor Lightener & Redken Shades EQ
- Dimensional, Lived-In Blonde Balayage by Moroccanoil® Global Ambassador and hair educator Jessica Scott Santo (@jessicascotthair)
- Troye Sivan’s Warm Lived-In Blonde using Schwarzkopf Professional® IGORA Vibrance -1 Series in the shade Ash
Need more inspo? Here’s a visual roundup of Olsen Dip color ideas in action:
Why Clients Are Asking for Recession Hair
Recession hair isn’t just a TikTok term—it reflects a shift in beauty behavior. Clients are pushing appointments further apart, embracing their natural base, and wanting color that holds up even when life gets busy.
The Olsen Dip checks all the boxes: forgiving regrowth, low-maintenance upkeep and a look that only gets better with time.
Here’s a few formulas for clients looking to add brightness without high lift or frequent toning:
- All-over “Sun-kissed” Beige Blonde using Moroccanoil® Color Calypso Demi-Permanent “Natural” range by blonding expert Suzi Angelina (@hair.by.suzi).
- Golden Teddy Graham Blonde by OLAPLEX Ambassador Bianca Hillier (@biancacolour)
- Muted Honey Blonde by Lexi McClure (@hairbylexidawn) with Goldwell Silklift High-Performance Lightener & Shades EQ
How to Style Olsen-Inspired Boho Hair
The styling needs to feel as effortless as the color to make this look work. Start with soft layers to build movement, then focus on texture—think loose, air-dried bends or waves created with minimal heat. The goal? Volume that looks like it just happened.
Redken Artist Justin Toves-Vincilione (@ahappyjustin) calls it “Mary-Kate and Ashley curls”—a slept-in texture with just enough polish to get away with it. “It’s a term I coined for lack of a better word and an overuse of the term ‘lived-in,’” he says.
Celebs are already leaning into it—like Chappell Roan’s textured waves to Elle King’s tousled blonde.
Need a visual? These takes show the look in action:
Want more ways to bring the boho blueprint to life? These cuts and styles are made for it:
- 6 Tips For Dry Cutting & Styling Lived-In Layers from Matt Swinney (@matt.swinney) using ARC™ Scissors Paragon II
- Clients Love These Lived-In Waves from Celebrity Stylist Glen “Coco” Oropeza (@glencocoforhair)
- “Bridgerton” Star Simone Ashley’s Voluminous Waves by Celeb Stylist Peter Lux (@peterluxhair) using amika
- Get the Look: Lorde’s Romantic Natural Texture from Celeb Stylist Cameron Rains (@cameron.rains) using Marix
- Margaret Qualley’s Tousled High Pony by Celebrity Stylist Mara Roszak (@mararoszak)
