Nicole Richie's New Icy Blue Hair: Thoughts?

Move aside gentle lavender locks, as the new rainbow shade in tinsel town is bold in blue according to Nicole Richie

It seems like everybody in Hollywood is opting for rainbow hair hues this season, and Nicole Richie is no exception.

After debuting her icy 'do on Good Morning America yesterday, the reality TV star posted a picture of her new style to Instagram, captioning it 'TRUE BLUE', and racking up over 45k likes in a matter of hours.

No stranger to bright shades, she first experimented with the trend in March. Posting a photoshopped picture to test the pastel-haired waters, Nicole was encouraged into making the change permanent when hollywood bestie - and fellow purple-hair experimentalist - Kelly Osbourne dared her to go ahead with it. But now it seems she has outdone pal Kelly with this bright, icy blue shade.

Will Nicole stick out the ocean-inspired true blue shade longer than her lavender locks? Only time will tell. But one thing we do know is that the rainbow hues are here to stay. Suzanne Scott, our Beauty Editor, predicts that this look is not going anywhere, already a huge catwalk trend as well as a red carpet favourite. "The rainbow hair trend began with model Chloe Norgaard at the AW14 Rodarte show who, in typical Rodarte theatricality, sported a bespoke blend of pastels through her hair. As well as Nicole Richie recently opting for a bold value shade, Katy Perry, Rita Ora and Lily Allen have all followed suit.

But one thing is for certain: the permanent upkeep of such a vibrant shade is hella-hard. But Suzanne advises that you don't need to go permanent to experiment with vibrant hair just yet, as non-permanent products are on the rise, and are credited for helping the trend take off. 'Pastels and bold brights are fast becoming a non-committal favourite, purely because nowadays they're so easy to craft and easily wash out- with the development of chalks and crayons you don't need peroxide for your hair to take these colours any more.'

So by all means, try before you dye. But if you want to pull off the look long term, here's our best tips for keeping your locks fresh and up to date.

1. If you want your hair to be a bright, fluorescent shade as oppose to subtle tones, starting with a lighter base - like bleached blonde - is the most effective. As the lighter hair strand is striped of pigment, the bright colour can grip onto it better for a brighter, longer lasting finish.

2. The first thing you should buy after you make the change is colour protect shampoo and conditioner, as they specifically help lock in colour for as long as possible. Look for ones with UV protection too, as sun rays can fade the hair quicker. Don't forget to rinse your hair with cold water quickly to seal the cuticle and help lock in shine and colour, too.

3. You know what's great about rainbow hair? Greasy roots are much more easily disguised, you're full-on colour being the main distraction. Maintain your shade longer by reducing your weekly washes, to avoid over-drying the hair. Once a week indulge in a rich restoring mask treatment to ensure your hair is the best condition possible.

4. Don't resort to the salon everytime your shade begins to fade. Keep your look vibrant by using semi permanent colour conditions, (like La Riche Directions, who have an amazing range of colours) that can be applied at home. Use directly on the hair after shampooing once every two weeks, or mixed a little into your conditioner bottle to subtly enhance your colour everytime you wash your hair.

Are you a fan of rainbow hair shades? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.