HJ ADVERTORIAL

THE FUTURE of Vivids

From true coppers to dreamy pastels, Crazy Color’s latest launch is designed to make vivid colour more accessible without compromising on creativity

Seven years after its last shade launch, Crazy Color has expanded its portfolio with five new additions, developed in response to growing demand from salon professionals. Designed to bridge the gap between natural tones and bold vivids, the new collection offers what the brand describes as “more accessible shades”, for clients who want to experiment with colour without committing to brighter, more daring looks.

The new additions include True Copper, Spicy Copper, Dusky Pink, Baby Blue and Pretty Peach – each selected to fill a gap in the existing range. Although the palette has evolved, the formulation remains unchanged; the new shades use the same trusted Crazy Color formula, delivering the same nourishing ingredients and oils as the rest of the range.

The launch also coincides with an exciting milestone for the brand, with 2027 marking Crazy Color’s 50th anniversary. That heritage inspired the creative direction of the campaign shoot, blending subtle 70s influences with a modern aesthetic. By combining the new shades with existing favourites, the imagery celebrates both Crazy Color’s legacy and its continued evolution, while staying true to the individuality and inclusivity that have always been central to the brand.

At the photoshoot for new shade launches, HJ caught up with Sophia Hilton, Crazy Color’s Global Ambassador, where she explained how hairdressers can use the new collection to inspire clients and drive retail sales.

Crazy Color has launched five new shades – the first new colours to be introduced in seven years. What was your reaction when you first saw them?

Sophia: I’ve been asking for them! I think what Crazy Color needed was what vivid artists might call more natural tones – they’re absolutely not natural, but they’re much more entry-level. A lot of the existing Crazy Color shades are bright and vibrant, so we’d dilute them, soften them and create our own mixes. Now people can buy these shades straight off the shelf and achieve more wearable colours.

Can you tell us about the inspiration for today’s shoot?

Sophia: The brief from Crazy Color was to take inspiration from the 70s while keeping everything feeling modern. They also wanted the looks to be accessible and wearable.

One thing I really love about Crazy Color is that we never treat the models as blank canvases. We work with their natural style and personality. The stylists speak to the models beforehand to find out what they’re like and even what clothes they’ll be wearing. That’s what makes Crazy Color so important to me – it’s about celebrating individuality.

The brand is also incredibly inclusive. It’s not about one type of model; there’s real diversity, and the final looks are always inspired by the person sitting in front of us.

How do you think stylists can introduce clients to shades like these?

Sophia: Dusky Pink is a really easy introduction because it’s a cool pink rather than a bright Barbie pink. It’s much more muted. I once heard Zoe Irwin say that pink is the new neutral, and I completely agree. It’s such an accessible colour, and I think it’s the shade clients would feel safest trying if it was their first time going for something non-natural.

The other great thing is that it fades to a cool, silvery tone, so there’s no brassiness left afterwards, which is something clients really care about.

Yo mentioned you’ve been asking for shades like these for a while. Why was copper on your list?

Sophia: I’ve been asking for a copper for five or six years because every salon does copper, even if they don’t specialise in vivid colour. This is a shade for every salon. If you’ve coloured a client with your usual copper range, I’d glaze this over the top for extra shine because everyone knows Crazy Color leaves the hair looking incredibly glossy.

More importantly, I’d send the client home with it. For the last 10 years I’ve been asking why salons aren’t retailing colour to clients. There’s no oxidant involved, so if I have a copper client, they’ll always leave with some to maintain their colour at home.

What techniques have you used with the colours during today’s shoot?

Sophia: We’ve mainly used really simple techniques because I’m always thinking about what hairdressers can recreate quickly and commercially in the salon. It’s not about showing off the most creative work possible; it’s about inspiring looks that fit within real salon timings. Everything we’ve created today could easily be replicated behind the chair.

What makes these shades different from what’s already on the market?

Sophia: One of the biggest differences is how beautifully they fade. After testing them over several washes, we’ve seen that the fade is really clean, and that’s not something every brand achieves.

They’re also affordable, and that’s incredibly important. When you’re working with vivid colour, you use a lot of product, so it has to be commercially viable. I’ve visited salons where they’re barely making minimum wage once you look at how much product they’ve used. Some aren’t making a profit at all and tell me they do it because it’s fun. My response is always that it needs to be both fun and profitable.

Crazy Color gives stylists the opportunity to be creative while still making money, which feels especially important in the current economic climate.