20 Fun Hair Color Ideas To Shake Up Your Look

Dyeing your hair is among the easiest ways to change up your go-to look. While blonde, black, and brown are all pretty colors to dye hair, there are plenty of unexpected hair color ideas you can try if you’re up for a drastic change. Breaking away from classic colors opens the door to endless possibilities—and allows you to showcase your individuality in a fun and creative way. 

Whether you’re considering going pastel or feel like experimenting with vibrant neon brights, there’s a way to make unconventional hair colors work for you. Ahead, we’re sharing 20 of our favorite unique hair colors to try this year, plus tips on keeping your new hue vibrant, bright, and full of life. 

20 Cool Hair Color Ideas for Every Mood

From all-over color to peekaboo highlights, there are countless ways to experiment with fantasy color. Keep scrolling for some of our favorite fun hair color ideas to consider for your next mane makeover.

1. Sunflower ombré

If you want to keep things relatively natural but still flirt with unexpected color, try a tonal sunflower ombré. This versatile look features light brown roots that gradually lighten—and brighten—to vivid, golden-yellow ends, mimicking the shades you’d see in a summer sunflower. 

2. Deep purple

Many unique hair dye ideas require bleaching your hair, which isn’t always ideal for those with brown or black strands. If you’d rather skip the bleach, try experimenting with a moody dark purple hue. Thanks to its deep, rich tone, this color shows up well on natural brunettes, even if your starting shade is on the darker side. Just be sure to select a dye designed for dark hair, like the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Orchid Glow.

3. Vibrant copper

Copper hair is a fun hair color idea because it’s so customizable—there are countless ways to wear it. But for a bold look, nothing beats a vibrant metallic copper hue. Even better? You can DIY this statement-making look at home with the right hair dye. We recommend the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Crème Universal Nudes Ammonia-Free Permanent Hair Color in Natural Copper.

4. Moody magenta

If you’re on the hunt for cool hair color ideas that flatter deeper skin tones, consider magenta. This vibrant hue blends deep pink and cool purple tones to create a vivid shade that pops against deeper complexions. Get the look—sans the salon visit—with an at-home hair dye like the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Fuschia-cha. 

5. Teal

For a fun departure from your signature shade, take a rich teal hair color out for a spin. This fantasy hue combines rich green and bright blue tones for a multi-dimensional shade that catches the light beautifully. If you have dark hair and aren’t willing to commit to monthly root touch-ups, ask your colorist for a root smudge. The technique involves blending your natural root color with your dyed strands for a seamless blend and painless grow-out.

6. Rose gold

Add a pinkish overtone to your light blonde strands for a playful twist on your natural hue. This unique hair color idea is great for blondes who want to experiment with color without going too dark or bright. To get the look, all you need is the right at-home hair dye—we love the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Strawberry Blonde for its metallic-like finish.

7. Smoky silver 

Spotting your first grays doesn’t have to mean committing to cover-ups. To seamlessly transition to gray hair, consider coloring your strands a smoky silver hue. The cool-toned shade will blend beautifully with your incoming grays, allowing you to ease yourself into gray hair in a stylish (and decidedly on-trend) way.

8. Black and (almost) white 

For a high-contrast, high-impact look, try a color-blocked style. To nail this trend, you’ll need two hair dyes: a high-lift bleach, such as the L’Oréal Paris Féria Hyper Platinum Advanced Lightening System Bleach, and a black hair dye, such as the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Ultimate Black. Create a middle part down the length of your head to split your strands into two equal sections, then bleach one half and dye the other black. Keep in mind that because this is such a high-contrast look, it’s also high-maintenance—you’ll need to touch up your roots regularly to keep your color looking fresh. 

8. Chocolate cherry

With an irresistible blend of deep violet and cool brown tones, this dessert-inspired hair color is perfect for those seeking a subtler take on fantasy hair color. The dark hue reads nearly black in low lighting, but displays its vibrant purplish undertones in the sun. To get the look, pick up a box of the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Chocolate Cherry and get to work.

9. Soft lavender

If dark colors aren’t your thing, lean into pastels with a pale lavender hair color. Attaining this ultra-light shade will likely require lightening your hair, so if you’re not comfortable with bleach, we suggest leaving this look in the hands of a professional colorist. 

10. Emerald

Dark green may not seem like the most wearable shade, but it’s surprisingly versatile, working beautifully on both fair and deeper complexions. The gemstone-inspired hue is at once rich and vivid and makes for a seriously stylish statement. If you’re still not sure whether green hair is right for you, consider test-driving the look with a temporary hair dye.

11. Vivid crimson

Nothing says “look at me” like bright red, which is why it’s among our favorite hair dye ideas for those looking to go bold. To get this punky look at home, reach for the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Ruby Rush. Just keep in mind that red shades tend to fade faster than some other colors, so to preserve your hue, you’ll want to be extra diligent with your haircare routine (more on that later).

12. Merlot

If bright red feels a little bit too daring for you, dip your toes in with a rich merlot hair color. This dimensional shade is unique because it’s vibrant but not over-the-top bright, and it can easily be made warmer or cooler to flatter a range of complexions. For a classic dark red shade that suits nearly every skin tone, we love the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Crème Universal Nudes Ammonia-Free Permanent Hair Color in Natural Dark Red.

13. Calico hair

Calico hair is a major trend right now, and it’s not difficult to see why. With its high-contrast blend of blonde, copper, auburn, and black highlights, the unique hair color proves that sometimes, more is more. Because this look requires blending several different highlight colors, we recommend scheduling an appointment with a seasoned colorist to nail the expressive look.

14. Blue-black

Trendy and edgy, this deep, inky hue combines navy blue and black to create the ultimate level of dimension throughout your mane. If you’re up for DIY-ing the look, pick up the L’Oréal Paris Colorsonic Hair Color Device and the L’Oréal Paris Colorsonic Permanent Hair Color Cartridge in Soft Black Blue Black (no need to pre-lighten your mane).

15. Neon pink

If you’re looking to embrace your punky side, try a vibrant, neon-adjacent pink hue. Purplish-pinks, like fuchsia, pair beautifully with cooler skin tones, while those with warmer skin typically fare best with bright salmons, corals, and magentas. If you’re unsure which variation of the vivid hue is right for you, ask your colorist—they’ll be able to create a custom color that meshes well with your complexion. 

16. Rainbow hair 

No one said you have to decide on just one shade. If you’re feeling really adventurous, hit the salon and ask for rainbow highlights. Though the look will take a while to execute, the payoff—a vivid, multicolored mane—is well worth the effort. 

17. Platinum money pieces

If you want to change up your hair color but aren’t ready to commit to a full head of dye, consider opting for platinum money pieces. This hair color idea is great because it works with virtually every hair color and skin tone, and doesn’t require much time (or effort) to execute. Simply create a center part, portion out two one-inch sections on either side of your part, and lighten them to a bright, white-blonde with the L’Oréal Paris Colorista At-Home Hair Bleach & Lightener kit. 

18. Denim blue

Take inspiration from your daily ‘fit with this dark denim blue hair color. The blue overtone adds vibrancy and interest, while the ashy brown undertone keeps the color surprisingly wearable, even if you’re new to fantasy hues. To get the look sans bleach, pick up a box of the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Cosmic Azure. Keep in mind that the lighter your starting hue, the more vibrant the color will appear.

19. Pumpkin spice

Add some autumnal dimension to your natural brunette base by weaving warm copper, acorn, chestnut, and gold highlights throughout your mane. Done properly, you’ll end up with a vibrant, multi-colored look that feels like fall, but remains wearable (and flattering) year-round.

20. Turquoise balayage

Balayage is a technique that involves hand-painting individual streaks of hair to create a lived-in effect. Typically, it’s done with natural tones, such as blonde or brown, but for a fun twist, ask your stylist for a turquoise balayage. They’ll start by hand-painting light blonde highlights throughout your hair, then overlay the lightened pieces with a vivid turquoise dye for a bright pop of color that doesn’t require too much maintenance. 

How To Care for Colorful Hair

Caring for brightly-colored hair requires special attention to maintain vibrancy and minimize damage. Here are some essential tips to keep your hue looking fresh.

1. Use a haircare system for color-treated hair

Coloring your hair can be damaging, especially if achieving your desired hue requires breaking out the bleach. To keep your strands in tip-top shape, swap out your existing shampoo and conditioner for the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Repair Shampoo and the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Repair Conditioner. The sulfate-free duo is designed specifically for color-treated hair and gently cleanses, nourishes, and strengthens the strands. For extra TLC, pre-treat your mane with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Strengthening Pre-Shampoo Treatment, which is designed to help strengthen weak, damaged hair from the inside out. 

2. Lather up less frequently 

Even if you’re using color-safe products, shampooing your hair frequently can cause your unique hair color to fade (this goes double if you’re bathing in hot water). To help preserve your hue, consider shampooing less often. In between wash days, you can use a dry shampoo to keep greasy roots at bay, or try a strategic hairstyle that uses your scalp’s natural oils to your advantage. 

3. Try an at-home glossing treatment

Over time, your hair color may begin to lose its luster, which can make your vibrant hue look flat and dull. To restore shine, consider reaching for an at-home glossing treatment. We love the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free 5-Min Lamination Hair Mask, which helps seal the hair cuticle to lock in up to five days of glass-like shine. For the best results, we recommend pairing it with the coordinating shampoo and conditioner. 

4. Limit heat styling

Using hot tools on your color-treated mane can contribute to dryness and accelerate color fading. To help keep your bright new shade intact, it’s a good idea to skip heat styling when you can. If you must use heat to style your hair, be sure to protect your strands with a quality heat protectant first. We love the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Moisture 21-in-1 Leave-In Conditioner, which detangles, smooths, and softens. If your hair is damaged, the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Repair Hair Oil-in-Serum is an excellent pick—it boosts shine and protects against temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

Next Up: Color-Depositing Conditioner: What It Is and How To Use It

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris