Is Your Hair Color Making You Look Older? (Do You Care?)

Key Points:

- What hair color makes you look younger? Warm, multi-tonal shades like honey blonde, caramel brown, or copper red adds softness and brightness. 

- Does dark or black hair make you look older? Flat, solid dark shades can look harsh, but adding highlights or dimension keeps them youthful. 

- Best hair colors to look younger: Choose warm tones with depth and shine rather than very light or overly cool colors. 

- Healthy, hydrated hair is just as important as the right shade for a youthful look.

From moisturizers, eye creams, and serums designed to target just about every skin issue out there...to microneedling, laser treatments, and even drinking collagen—though it goes without saying that everyone’s routines and budgets are different, many of us spend a fair amount of time and money trying to turn back the clock on our skin. So...might your hairstyle and finding a hair color to look younger be able to help with any of the heavy lifting? Turns out, most colorists and stylists think your hair really does influence whether you look older or younger. In fact, choosing the best hair color to look younger can sometimes make more difference than your skincare routine.

7 Hair Tips To Help You Look Younger

We celebrate beauty at every age, and there is no right or wrong approach to personal care. But for anyone who’s curious about how your cut and color might be secretly making you look older—or could sneakily be helping you look younger!—read on for 7 tips and tricks that might just take years off your hair.

1. Does Dark Hair Make You Look Older? Add Contrast!

If you’re trying to look younger, a monotone shade is a big no-no. Hair color that lacks dimension is automatically aging on virtually everyone—and, depending on your haircut, could even give you the dreaded helmet head. Opt for a shade that’s multi-tonal, which will give your color depth and make your hair look healthier and more natural.

2. What Color Hair Makes You Look Younger? Brighten up!

Ten out of ten colorists agree, shades that are warm-toned read more youthful than cool-toned hair colors. What hair color makes you look younger? Think spicy copper reds, rich caramel brunettes, and soft honey blondes will warm up your complexion, soften fine lines, and give your skin a youthful glow (hold the retinol). Shop red hair color shades.

3. Haircuts That Complement Hair Color to Look Younger

Don’t assume a shorter haircut is more “age-appropriate”—a b.s. term if we’ve ever heard one—or that you shouldn’t wear long hair past a certain age.Many stylists think longer layers can actually be far more flattering than a chop that is too short, straight-across, or severe. Real talk, though, your most flattering haircut is your favorite haircut—whether that’s super short, shoulder-length, or long enough to sit on. You do you.

4. Healthy Hair = Younger Look

This one’s unanimous. The condition of your hair can be far more aging than any color or style. If your hair is too dry, your color looks overly processed, or your split ends are in dire need of a trim, please show your strands some TLC, ASAP.

5. Think Outside the Balayage To Make Yourself Look Younger

Listen, we love highlights too, but they aren’t going to help you with gray coverage. If you’ve been relying on your highlights to cover any newly-emerging grays, you’re only going to make your strands more dry and damaged(see: #4). Here’s what colorists recommend instead—a single shade of permanent hair color for gray coverage on your roots, followed by subtle highlights on your mid-lengths and ends to add depth and dimension. Try one of our Light Works® Balayage Highlighting Kit for sun-kissed, face-framing highlights.

6. Does Blonde Hair Age You? Consider Going Darker

If your hair is too light—think platinum blonde—it can look white or silver at first glance. That's why many colorists say the best hair color to look younger is often going one or two shades darker, adding warmth to avoid a washed-out effect. When in doubt, go a shade or two darker to avoid looking washed out.

7. Bust Brass for a More Youthful Color

Overly orange or reddish undertones in your hair color can be aging and may make your color look damaged. Use a hair gloss like cool Espresso to neutralize brassy tones and improve condition at the same time. Win-win.

 

Hair Color to Look Younger - Key Lessons

So, does black hair make you look older? It can, if it's flat and one-dimensional. But with the right cut, shine, and subtle highlights, even black can be a hair color that makes you look younger.

At the end of the day, the best hair color to look younger is one that adds warmth, depth, and brightness - whether it's caramel, honey blonde, or soft copper. Combined with healthy, hydrated hair, your color can take years off your appearance.

Do you think the right hair color or cut can help you look younger? Or could you not care less? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.

Read also: The Definitive Guide to Coloring Gray Hair