Hair colors that will flatter you!
Not only are they beautiful but these winter-fresh hues provide a host of age-defying benefits. Find the one that fits you best
Gorgeous in ginger brown
How it flatters: The kaleidoscope of brown, orange and gold tones in the auburn hue creates natural-looking highlights that add instant shine to locks, says colorist Gregory Patterson, who’s worked with Julianne Moore and Meryl Streep. Plus, the bronzy color warms up any skin tone for a lit-from-within glow. Get the color: Look for a light brown shade that has descriptors on the box, such as golden, bronze, caramel and copper, to ensure the color is warm-toned. Then follow the box instructions. Prolong the color: To prevent the lustrous dye from looking dull or drab, use a clear gloss (like L’Oréal Paris Le Color Gloss One Step In-Shower Toning Gloss in Clear, CVS.com) twice a month. It coats strands with shine-inducing molecules that sharpen pigments so the multi-tonal color retains its shine and dimension.
Radiant in red wine
How it flatters: The rich red undertones in a deep crimson shade add depth to finer locks and bring out a youthful rosy flush in skin. Get the color: Apply an auburn dye to the roots only (newer hair takes longer to grab darker color) and let sit 15 minutes. Then work the rest of the color down to the ends, brush through with a wide-tooth comb to evenly distribute and let process for 10 minutes; rinse. Prolong the color: Red dye is known to fade fast, so Patterson suggests using a tinted cleansing conditioner (like Color Lux Color Cleansing Conditioner in Copper, SallyBeauty.com) twice a week. “This formula gently cleanses and moisturizes while also depositing red pigments onto locks.”
Striking in salt & pepper
How it flatters: Sporting an intentional mix of silver and dark brown strands helps keep gray roots from looking undone as they grow in, while also putting an edgy, youthful spin on the once-matronly look.
Get the color: Grab a dye that is close to your natural non-gray color, then use a clean toothbrush to apply the color onto small 1" sections of hair near the crown (as if you were weaving in highlights). Adding the darker color back into the crown area (where emerging grays tend to be concentrated) helps unify the two colors and camouflage the line of demarcation.
Prolong the color: Since gray hair lacks pigment, it easily absorbs impurities from shower water, causing the light strands to look dirty. Patterson’s advice? Add a vitamin C filter (like Voesh Shower & Empower Vitamin C Shower Filter, Voesh.com) to your showerhead. The vitamin removes discoloring compounds that settle into hair so grays (and the rest of hair) remain beautiful and bright.
Pretty in buttery blond
How it flatters: Light, face-framing blond streaks that pop against the rest of hair create a “halo” of brightness that bounces light onto the complexion, visually blurring agers like fine lines and dark spots, says Patterson. Get the color: Paint the bleach from a hair-painting kit (like Clairol Nice’n Easy Balayage for Blondes, Ulta.com) onto two 2" sections of hair on each side of the face from roots to ends.
Prolong the color: Over time, highlights can take on a brassy (yellow or orange) tinge, but it’s easy to fix using color theory. “Since purple lies opposite yellow on the color wheel, it cancels out yellow in hair,” says Patterson. “And the same goes for blue and orange—blue will neutralize unwanted orange tones.” If your hair brass is more orange, mix one drop of a blue semi-permanent dye with a palmful of shampoo. Apply to damp hair; rinse after 5 minutes. If hair is more yellow, try purple (find both colors in Shrine Drop It Hair Dye Drops, SallyBeauty.com).