Alysa Liu’s Halo Hair: Get the 2026 Olympic Look in Amsterdam
At first glance, figure skater Alysa Liu’s hair looks like a pure Y2K throwback. The chunky, horizontal blonde stripes immediately give off an early 2000s, effortlessly cool aesthetic. But there’s actually a deeply personal story behind her 2026 Winter Olympics look. ❄️
In a sport known for highly traditional, polished updos, Liu takes a completely different approach. She uses her hair as a living timeline. Every December since 2023, she’s added a new blonde ring to her dark brunette base, just like the rings of a tree trunk. Each stripe documents a specific year of her life, transforming a retro trend into a powerful, authentic statement.
Breaking the Rules with High-Contrast Color
This specific design relies on visual exaggeration. Everything about this look opposes the classic, invisible color work we usually expect on the ice.
The stark, milky blonde bands sit bluntly against a naturally dark base. There is no seamless blending here. Instead, the sharp contrast signals absolute individuality. When Liu skates, the stripes stack and shift in her bun, offering a playful, rebellious visual experience.
Stylist Secret: The Technical Execution
While Liu famously bleached her first stripes at home, preparing this look for the global stage took professional magic. Creating this high-contrast look requires serious technical skill and a lot of patience.
Here is how a pro does it: First, we carefully isolate the horizontal sections. Next, we apply lightener slowly to protect the hair’s structural integrity (this is where treatments like Olaplex save the day!). Because dark hair naturally pulls warm when lifted, we finish the process with a cool-toned gloss. This ensures the blonde rings look crisp, milky, and completely intentional. 🤍
Take One: The “Hidden Halo”
You don’t have to go full Olympian to rock this vibe! If stark, chunky contrast feels a little too bold for your everyday life, our Assort team knows exactly how to soften it up.
We love taking the essence of Liu’s look, the horizontal color placement, and turning it into a beautifully diffused “Soft-Focus” halo. Instead of sharp, unblended stripes, we use gentler tones (think soft honey, warm caramel, or mushroom blonde) and melt the transition lines. The halo is still fully visible around your hair, but it blends smoothly into your natural base. It’s the perfect balance of trendy and refined, giving you that eye-catching “cool girl” glow without the extreme shock of color.
Take Two: Subtle Peekaboo Contrast
Looking for something a bit more mysterious? The “Peekaboo Reveal” is another amazing way to customize the halo trend. Instead of placing the color right on top, we tuck the vibrant rings underneath your natural, darker canopy.
And the best part? It absolutely does not have to be blonde! If you want a truly unique statement, we can swap the classic milky blonde for a bold fashion color, like the stunning electric blue you see here. This creates hidden flashes of vivid color that only show up when you run your hands through your hair, throw it up into a claw clip, or step into the breeze. It gives you all the fun of an edgy, high-contrast look.
Take Three: The Face-Framing “Front Halo”
Want maximum impact with a little less commitment? Let us introduce you to the face-framing halo. Instead of taking the color all the way around your head, we concentrate that bold, bright contrast exactly where everyone sees it: right at the front.
Often called a “money piece,” this technique gives you that signature, chunky highlight look where it matters most. It beautifully illuminates your features and adds an instant pop of cool-girl edge. Plus, it is incredibly easy to maintain compared to a full halo. If you love the idea of high-contrast hair but want to keep the rest of your natural base completely untouched, this is your perfect match
Ready for Your Own Alysa Liu Moment?
Nostalgic, bold, and totally free. If you are currently obsessing over this striped look, we need to get you in the chair.
Ready to switch up your hair? Book your Creative Color session with us right here:
https://www.fresha.com/nl/a/assort-amsterdam-amsterdam-kerkstraat-99a-x80vvs6q
Assort Amsterdam
📍 Kerkstraat 99A, 1017 GD Amsterdam
✉️ info.assortams@assort-hair.com
📞 +31 6 15416994