20 of the Best Hair Color Ideas for Women Over 50

While getting older often means having to deal with unwanted gray hairs, there is one perk that comes with it: an excuse to switch up your hair color. Whether you prefer to stick to the classics or are up for experimenting with a trendier hue, there are countless flattering hair colors for women over 50 worth trying until you’re ready to transition to gray.

Ahead, we’re sharing a look at 20 of our favorite hair color ideas for women 50 and over, from timeless chocolatey browns to bold burgundies and more. We’ll also spill the details on the best L’Oréal Paris hair dyes to snag to DIY your hair transformation—no salon visit needed.

1. Ash Blonde

If you’re on the hunt for a pretty hair color idea that doesn’t require a ton of maintenance, ash blonde may be a good pick. The light, cool-toned hue blends well with gray, so you won’t have to worry about a harsh line of demarcation as your silvery roots grow in. Color your strands at home with the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Créme Permanent Triple Care Hair Color in Medium Ash Blonde. Don’t forget to snag a purple shampoo, too—you can lather up with it once per week to help fend off unwanted brassy tones.

2. Medium Rose Blonde

For a playful twist on your classic blonde, try rose gold. This trendy color sits between blonde and pink and pairs particularly well with fair, cool-toned complexions. You can get the look at the salon, but if you’re up for DIY-ing it, we recommend using the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Strawberry Blonde.

3. Golden Brown

If you have yellow or gold undertones, you’ll typically fare best with hair colors for warm skin tones, such as golden brown. This dimensional hue features soft golden, bronze, and honey highlights woven throughout a medium brown base. It’s gorgeous, versatile, and easy to achieve at home with the right hair coloring kit. If you’re sporting gray roots, try the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Créme Permanent Triple Care Hair Color in Light Golden Brown, which delivers 100% gray coverage.

4. Chocolate Brown

Who doesn’t love chocolate, right? This rich, classic medium brown hue looks beautiful on all skin tones. Wear it long or short—no matter the length or hairstyle, this timeless hair color is a guaranteed winner. Indulge in the decadent hue using the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Universal Nudes in Natural Dark Brown.

5. Burgundy

If you look at a hair color chart, you’ll notice that most hair colors fall into one of three categories: blonde, brown, or red. The latter may seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Experiment with red (without going full-on crimson) by opting for a medium-toned burgundy hue that bridges the gap between brown and red. We love the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Chocolate Cherry.

6. Smokey Silver

Sporting long gray hair over 50 makes a bold statement, and you don’t need to wait for your silver roots to grow out to get the look. Instead, embrace the unconventional (and undeniably cool) trend with a dark silver hair dye, like the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Smokey Silver.

7. Copper

Copper is one of our favorite hair colors for women who want to go bright without veering into fantasy color territory. This warm, reddish-brown shade can be worn light (see: copper blonde) or darker, but for a bold look, nothing beats a pure, vibrant copper hue. To get the trendy look for yourself (without the hassle of a salon visit), snag the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Universal Nudes in Natural Copper.

8. Bright Platinum

If you notice your grays tend to be more white than silver, a platinum blonde hair color could be the low-maintenance hair color you’re looking for. While achieving the nearly-white hue can be time-consuming, the pale shade will blend like a dream with your roots, making touch-ups (if they’re needed at all) a breeze. DIY the icy blonde look with the L’Oréal Paris Féria Hyper Platinum Advanced Lightening System Bleach, which can lighten your hair up to eight levels.

9. Cream Blonde

If platinum blonde isn’t your thing, a warm, creamy blonde hue might be a better fit. This option is ideal for natural blondes who are looking to keep things simple and restore a little vibrancy to their blonde strands. To get the rich look at home, snag the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Natural Blonde.

10. Soft Black

Black may not be the first shade that comes to mind when you think of hair colors for women over 60, but this inky shade can be a great option if you have a medium or deep skin tone. To keep it from looking too stark, we suggest opting for a soft black hue rather than a jet black shade. Try it for yourself with the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Universal Nudes in Soft Black.

11. Ashy bronde

If you’re not sure whether you want to go for blonde or brunette, know that you don’t have to decide—with bronde, you can get the best of both worlds. If you’re starting to notice grays around your hairline or crown, opt for an ashier take on the versatile trend to help make regrowth less noticeable. We like the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Crème Permanent Triple Care Hair Color in Light Ash Brown.

12. Light Auburn

If you love the look of copper hair but aren’t quite ready to commit to the shade, try a light auburn. This warm brunette hue is a bit softer than a pure copper but remains vibrant thanks to the prominent red undertones. Get the look with the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Chic Auburn Brown.

13. Bronze

Give your made a modern upgrade with a metallic bronze hair color. The shimmering tones throughout this light brown shade will seamlessly camouflage stray grays between coloring sessions (plus, the dimension will make your hair look super shiny). Grab the L’Oréal Paris Féria Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Downtown Brown to get the look.

14. Ash Brown

Ash brown is one of our favorite hair colors for women over 50 since the subtle silvery tones blend beautifully with incoming grays. To help mask regrowth further, opt for a lighter ashy brown tone, like mushroom bronde. No need to hit the salon to score this on-trend hair color—you can DIY it with the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Light Ash Brown.

15. Champagne Blonde

Inspired by one of our favorite fizzy drinks, champagne blonde hair features cool tones for a refreshing take on blonde hair that flatters just about everyone. If you have a warmer skin tone, think about getting warm highlights added to your champagne blonde hair for a look that flatters your complexion. For cooler skin tones, add in some beige or sand-colored highlights. Get the look using the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Champagne Blonde.

16. Honey Blonde

As you age, you may notice your skin begins to appear duller than it once did. To help wake up your complexion, try a warm, dimensional hair color, such as honey blonde. This rich shade exudes elegance and warmth and helps give lackluster skin a natural-looking glow. If you’re up for an at-home hair color transformation, snag a box of the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Crème Triple Permanent Care Hair Color in Medium Golden Blonde and get to work.

17. Mahogany Brown

If you can’t decide between red hair and brown hair, mahogany brown hair might be the perfect fit for you. This brown hue has the right amount of red undertones to satisfy your desires without going full-blown bright red. Create your perfect reddish-brown hair color using the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Dark Mahogany Brown.

18. Bright Auburn

Bright auburn isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s a gorgeous hair color for anyone who wants to embrace something a bit more vibrant than your standard medium brown or dirty blonde. It’s especially flattering for those with fair complexions, but in our experience, nearly anyone can rock the vivid look. See for yourself with the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Crème Permanent Triple Care Hair Color in Light Auburn.

19. Dirty Blonde

Channel summertime with a classic dirty blonde hair color. This versatile shade features a sandy blonde base punched up with subtle wheat and beige blonde highlights, and it’s perfect for anyone seeking a natural-looking blonde hair color that doesn’t require tons of tedious upkeep. To get the look, we recommend using the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Universal Nudes in Natural Blonde.

20. Espresso Brown

With so many brown hair color shades available, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out which hue to go for. If you’re in the mood for something, well, moody, espresso brown is a sure hit. The deep, rich tone is neither overly cool nor obviously warm, so it’s a flattering choice for all skin tones. To score the sultry look for yourself, use the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Crème Permanent Triple Care Hair Color in Dark Ash Brown.

Tips for Choosing the Right Hair Color for Mature Women

If you’re still on the fence about which hair color for women over 50 to try, here are a few tips that can help guide your decision.

• Consider your skin tone: Generally speaking, you’ll get the most flattering result if you choose a hair color that complements your skin’s undertones (warm, neutral, or cool). If you need help figuring out your undertones, check out our article How To Identify Your Skin’s Undertones for guidance.
  
• Account for gray hair: If you have gray hair, you’ll want to be sure you select a hair dye designed for gray coverage—otherwise, you risk getting a patchy or uneven result.
• Consider your maintenance requirements: Generally speaking, shades that are dramatically different from your natural root color will require more maintenance than colors that closely match your natural hue. If you want to keep maintenance to a minimum, opt for a color within a few shades of your natural hue, and select one with an ashy (rather than warm) undertone if you have grays.
• Focus on hair health: As you age, your hair (and skin) tend to get drier, thanks to a natural decline in sebum production. If your strands feel rough and brittle, avoid over-processing your hair and opt for nourishing formulas when you do color your strands. Ammonia-free hair dyes, like the L’Oréal Paris Exellence Creme Universal Nudes, can be a great choice for those looking for a gentle yet impactful hair color transformation.

Next Up: How To Seamlessly Blend Grays With Highlights and Lowlights

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris