Sophia Brigstock is a freelance copywriter and blogger from the San Francisco Bay Area. She is passionate about all that encompasses women’s beauty, from hair to fashion to makeup. Her perspective on life is to enjoy life’s minute moments; that everything in life can be overcome with a positive outlook and quiet strength.
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@michelle.eileen.hair
As you find yourself getting older, embracing the changes that come with it, like graying locks, may not be so easy. However, with a modern gray balayage that blends natural grays with a color from the box, you get a current hairstyle you will be proud to rock.
For a fabulous woman in her 50s it can be a good idea to find a look that embraces her youthful spirit. Whether a few gray hairs are sprouting or you’ve gone full silver, you can pick the hue that showcases your individuality and flatters your complexion.
We’ve rounded up 30 charming ideas of hair colors for women over 50 that you can tote with you to your next salon appointment.
@elainedoes_hair
When choosing your next hair color, consider shades that are not only trendy, but also those ones you feel most comfortable with. You may see that you want to return to your original hue, however, for brunettes this can be difficult to maintain. If you’re up for frequent root touch-ups, this bronze shade will warm up your complexion flatteringly.
As you find yourself getting older, embracing the changes that come with it, like graying locks, may not be so easy. However, with a modern gray balayage that blends natural grays with a color from the box, you get a current hairstyle you will be proud to rock.
@michelle.eileen.hair
Blonde is a common choice for aging women to adopt. As gray begins to grow in over time, a low contrast dye job allows you to go longer between the color appointments. Identifying the ideal undertone is key to making this color work for you.
@chekatilda
A balayage isn’t just for the younger crowd, it can be a great solution for women over 50, too. Looking through a ton of inspirational pictures can ensure you are satisfied with your stylist’s job.
@rosemarymonicahair
An inverted cut is a fab style to combine with youthful highlights. Babylights add in subtle dimension and definition without looking overdone. Opt for a shade that accentuates your skin tone.
@tst_with_refined
When choosing the hair color in your 50s, consider your original hair shade and how much white hair you already have. A red hair color works great for natural medium brown hair and green or blue eyes.
@daniellestyleshair
Fair skin, blue eyes and blonde hair combine well. When considering a shade for pale skin, assess your skin’s undertone. This brightened blonde is soft and blends a warmer honey hue at the roots with cool white highlights to flatter a cool-toned skin and give it an anti-aging effect.
@hairdesignsbydanielle
A beautifully blended bronde complements all skin tones. Mixing warm and cool shades in one color, such as caramel and ash blonde, is a popular approach in modern dye jobs.
@thestylists.he.art
Swooping layers and a flawless blowout elevate hairstyles at any age. The caramel blonde and white create a breathtaking combo that oozes warmth and a sun-kissed glow.
@rachelwstylist
Many older women gravitate towards short chops for maintenance reasons. Getting older doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice your length, as long as your tresses are taken care of. Employing a haircare routine that replaces lost lipids and moisture will support the health of your hair.
@motherofcurls
Hair color and styles for women over 50 are diverse and customized to the wearer’s face shape, skin tone, hair type, and life style. Requesting a lob with face framing layers can liven up your hairstyle while giving it a youthful edge.
@salon.fresh
How about a bit of a punk vibe? It results in a current sassy look that characterizes you as an active and fun-loving personality. An uneven tapered pixie cut is a great match for a bold color choice.
@johnlima2
Gray hair can appear washed out and dull. Ensuring your hair color is rich and saturated will keep your look from appearing aged. Once colored, prevent fading by using a sulfate-free hair care system.
@willowsalonmn
A lot of dimension in hair color creates a young and exquisite feel. Opting for a shade similar to your gray can help to cut down on maintenance appointments and costs.
@kristaschlag
Mixing up your color with interesting hues can brighten an otherwise unimaginative color. Choosing coloration that matches your skin’s undertone makes the difference between an out-of-place looking style and the one that flatters and stands out.
@hairbellasalon
If you are a brunette, transitioning to a lighter shade like blonde can be hard on your hair. One way to achieve lightness while preventing damage is opting for a darker base and brighter highlights. The light-colored strands will cause hair to appear blonder without much chemical intervention.
@thehairphix
Being lucky enough to have the rare ginger hair color from nature, you might find yourself disappointed as your new silver hairs begin to grow in. Nevertheless, an option still exists. Choose something bright and bold. A professional stylist will help you find your perfect shade.
@parloursaloninc
Silver hair is a trend not only for more mature ladies, but young women, too. Acquiring this look for brunette hair would require bleaching sessions to strip color first and apply a silver dye next. For those with graying hair, adding dimension with highlights and lowlights is the ideal option.
@esther_hairtamer
You might have found your ideal cut by trial and error, but never underestimate the power of hair color. For over 50s ideas offer today some stunning choices that let you embrace the gray or exchange it for one of many modern metallic blonde shades.
@shaun.hair
Adding a pastel or neon tint to your hairstyle can be the perfect way to project uniqueness. Let it be one chunky piece. It’s a relatively new approach that makes your hairdo current and bold.
@malinbardlund
Adding lowlights to a blonde layered cut can be a game-changer, especially for ladies looking to blend in grays seamlessly. These darker strands woven through the blonde base add depth and fullness to the locks, creating a more natural, youthful appearance.
@fernandorozariovisagista
Don’t want to change your hair drastically? Try highlights! By strategically placing lighter tones throughout the hair, highlights create a sun-kissed effect that adds dimension and texture to waves, making them appear dynamic and more vibrant.
@atelier_vernackt
If you want to liven up straight bronde hair with a sprinkle of youthful glow, ask your stylist for white babylights. These delicate, fine highlights blend seamlessly with your natural hair, gently brightening your mane and camouflaging any sneaky grays that may be trying to make an appearance.
@lizpaintshair
Hazelnut base with caramel tones sounds delish and looks stunning on ladies over 50! These shades complement mature skin tones beautifully, offering a soft, natural-looking blend that enhances facial features and brings out a youthful glow.
@yukistylist
To rock a modern urban vibe, start by asking your stylist for a precision cut, keeping the top layers longer for that chic pixie look. Then, opt for a golden blonde hue to add warmth, while the darker undercut adds depth and contrast, creating a bold and stylish statement.
@thetintedpixie
For natural chocolate brown hair, light brown highlights are key to a stunning transformation. Unlike blonde, which can sometimes look too stark against darker hair, light brown highlights blend flawlessly, adding warmth without overpowering your natural hue.
@ittaribeiro
Dirty blonde with shadow roots is a genius choice for low-maintenance glam. Those darker roots seamlessly blend with the dirty blonde hue, extending the time between touch-ups. Want to stretch salon visits even more? Opt for color-safe shampoo and use a root concealer for extra coverage between appointments.
@emanuelrodhair
Butterscotch blonde will add warmth and radiance to your locks. Its golden hues bring out natural skin tones, lending a youthful glow. Plus, it’s a versatile shade that can be tailored to suit any style or occasion, making it a fabulous choice for timeless beauty!
@emanuelrodhair
Balayage in warm, spicy tones works wonders for brunettes, not just adding depth to your haircut but also cleverly camouflaging early grays. These refreshing tones blend seamlessly with brunette hair, creating a natural look that feels as if the tresses were sun-bleached, giving you a youthful vibe without any fuss!
@vintagerocha
When hair starts thinning with age, adding dimension with color could feel like a life savior. Opt for highlights and lowlights strategically placed to create depth and volume. Brown hues reflect light, making hair appear fuller, while adding richness and texture. Opt for lighter shades near the face to brighten up your appearance.
@midnight_carole
When looking for a hair color that works great for women in their 50s, it may feel like you are limited. However, you shouldn’t be afraid to get out of the box by adding unique colors, fresh highlights, or implementing a balayage. Take time to research and find the perfect inspirational pictures for yourself!
Medium brown shades are considered the most flattering options. While blonde shades can be just as flattering, they carry a risk of giving you a washed out look. At the same time, dimensional colors with white highlights and lowlights offer a double duty of blending the grays and giving you a beautiful hair color. Wearing your natural salt and pepper hair may look just as stunning; if you go this route, remember to use a silver shampoo to keep hair bright and brass-free. A bonus tip: our expert, Rachel Maltais, recommends staying away from reds and coppers when covering gray hair, as they bring ashy grays to the forefront.
It’s definitely up to you, but there are a couple of things to keep in mind. First, your hair color should flatter your complexion, and skin tends to become paler and cooler as we age. This means that you may stay within the palette you are used to but choose the shades that have warner undertones to them.
Secondly, it makes sense to go lighter as light hair blends grays better, thus reducing the frequency of salon visits or the need to touch-up your roots at home. However, it’s best to pair light hair color with lowlights or shadow root to avoid a wash-out appearance.
Finally, hair tends to become thinner with age, so you might want to consider dimensional hair colors and haircuts that make your hair look thicker.
Certain hair colors do have a rejuvenating effect, those with gold and pink undertones in particular. While there is a stereotype that silver and gray hair makes you look older, it may actually brighten up and rejuvenate your appearance. Gray regrowth is one of the biggest factors that age you, though.
It all depends on the effect you want to achieve. If you want to add warmth to your complexion, warm platinum blonde, golden blonde and caramel will work best. If you want to blend gray hair and minimize salon visits, go for ash blonde, dirty blonde, and white highlights instead. Explore this selection of blonde hair colors for older women for ideas and inspiration.
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