7 Best Hair Colors for Women Over 50, According to a Celebrity Stylist

It’s no secret that as we age, our hair undergoes a series of unique changes. From graying strands to changes in texture, the constant transformation can leave us reaching for our stylist more than ever before. And it may leave us wondering about the best hair color for women over 50.

But here's the thing: hair color isn’t just about hiding the gray—in fact, you don’t even need to if you love the look of silver—but rather, it’s a tool to lift your complexion and give you a fabulous glow. As we get older, hair naturally loses some of its vibrant luster, and sometimes the wrong color can leave us looking washed out. But the right hue can not only revitalize our hair but also rejuvenate our skin and bring a fresh, youthful complexion.

Hair color is as much about enhancing the texture and tone of our skin as it is about personal style. “It's best to choose hair colors that complement the natural changes in their skin tone,” says celebrity stylist and co-founder of IGK Hair Care, Chase Kusero. “Warmer tones, like rich caramel, honey blonde and soft golden brown tend to add warmth to skin, while subtle highlights or balayage can also be flattering, adding movement and texture while blending in with the natural hair color.”

Whether you're looking to embrace your natural grays with a chic silver or add a punch of red to spice things up, the right color for thick or thin hair can make all the difference. Ready to embrace a fresh, new look? Keep reading for the top 7 hair color ideas that will have you feeling and looking fabulous at any age!

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7 Best Hair Colors for Women Over 50, According to a Celebrity Stylist

Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Jason Merritt/Getty Images

1. Soft Blonde Highlights

Meryl Streep can do no wrong, especially when it comes to beauty. Her soft blonde highlights add dimension and brightness, creating a youthful glow. The hidden bonus of a blonde highlight is how manageable it is—blending seamlessly with grays, it makes regrowth far less noticeable.

If you’re looking for a youthful, luminous effect, Vice President Color Development & R+COLOR Collective Member, Richy Kandasamy, notes that these soft hues “work best for warm and neutral skin tones with medium to light eyes.”

Related: 6 Best Youthful Hairstyles Over 50, According to Celebrity Stylists

Presley Ann/Getty Images for LACMA
Presley Ann/Getty Images for LACMA

2. Warm Caramel Tones

Warm tones such as caramel or chestnut add warmth and a natural glow to the face, preventing you from looking too washed-out. Ideal for olive or neutral skin tones, like the queen of flowing manes, Jennifer Lopez, these tones create a soft, radiant look thanks to the added richness and depth it provides, says Kandasamy.

Not to mention, as skin loses some of its natural vibrancy over time, caramel hues help bring back that youthful radiance by counteracting sallowness and brightening the complexion. The golden warmth in these shades flatters a mature skin tone, creating a soft, face-framing effect that makes the face look fresher and more luminous.

Related: The 6 Best Hairstyles for Women Over 50 With Glasses, According to a Celebrity Hairstylist

Leon Bennett/Getty Images
Leon Bennett/Getty Images

3. Rich Chocolate Brown

Rich chocolate brown is a timeless, sophisticated shade that adds instant depth and shine to mature hair. Its deep, warm tones create a beautiful contrast against the skin, enhancing natural warmth and giving the face a more lifted, vibrant appearance.

Unlike overly dark, flat browns that can look harsh, chocolate brown has a richness that adds dimension and softness, making hair appear fuller and more youthful. This versatile hue works beautifully on a variety of skin tones and is perfect for those who want a classic yet modern look that never goes out of style.

Related: 7 Best Short Haircuts for Women Over 60, According to a Celebrity Stylist

Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Images
Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Images

4. Rich-Girl Blonde

Rich-girl blonde, which is the latest in a long list of TikTok trends we’re dying to try, is the ultimate luxe shade that brings a youthful, sun-kissed glow to mature hair. This multidimensional blonde – think creamy beige, honey and buttery tones – adds warmth and brightness without looking too harsh or brassy. The key to this shade’s magic is its soft, blended highlights that mimic the natural lightening of hair, creating a fresh, expensive-looking finish, says Kusero.

Related: 7 Best Low-Maintenance Haircuts for Women Over 50, According to Celebrity Stylists

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

5. Deep Auburn

Timeless and unique, soft coppers and auburn hues bring a vibrancy to the face that is truly next-level, especially for fair or neutral complexions with cool undertones, says Kandasamy.

A stunning choice for mature women looking to add a little spice to their look, this shade strikes the perfect balance between red and brown, offering a bold yet sophisticated color that brightens the face without overwhelming it. If you’re on the fence because of this daring hue, don’t be—deep auburn enhances the natural undertones of the skin, adding warmth and a radiant glow while subtly masking any signs of aging. Plus, the depth of this color gives hair a luxurious, multi-dimensional effect, creating a fuller, thicker appearance. What more could you need?

Related: 7 Best Long Hairstyles for Women Over 50, According to Celebrity Stylists

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

6. Chestnut Money Pieces

Chestnut money pieces are the perfect way to add a bold, modern twist to your hair while keeping it chic and flattering. The rich chestnut hue around the face—often brighter or more intense than the rest of the hair—creates a stunning contrast that instantly draws attention to your features, enhancing the eyes and brightening the complexion. This pop of warmth adds dimension and movement to the hair, while the deep chestnut base offers a sophisticated and grounded foundation. The result? A fresh, youthful look that feels luxurious without being overly dramatic, giving you that just-got-a-fabulous-new-haircut look every day.

Related: The #1 Hair Product Every Woman Over 60 Needs, According to Celebrity Stylists

Marc Piasecki/WireImage
Marc Piasecki/WireImage

7. Ashy Blonde

Ashy blonde is the cool, understated blonde that’s perfect for mature women who want a more refined, natural look—or even for those who want to slowly transition to embracing their natural silver. With its platinum undertones, it offers a sophisticated, modern edge while complementing cool or neutral skin tones beautifully. Plus, it can help minimize redness in the complexion and give the face a soft, fresh glow.

But be careful to always remember that your hair color is just as good as the care you give it at-home. Using maintenance products like IGK’s Color Depositing Masks or color-protecting shampoo and conditioner is the best for keeping the color bright and the strands shiny until your next salon visit, especially with blonde hues.

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