35 Short Hair Color Ideas That Will Transform Shorter Strands

While long locks are certainly gorgeous, sometimes you just have to get a cut. And with haircuts like lobs and pixies trending, who wouldn’t want to give short hair a go? Cutting your hair short can totally transform your beauty look, especially when paired with the right hair color for short hair. That’s right, there are certain hair colors that look extra amazing on shorter strands! Need some color inspo? Below, we’re sharing 35 short hair color ideas to transform chopped locks.

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #1: CREAM BLONDE

They say blondes have more fun, so why not find out for yourself by trying a new blonde hair color? Cream blonde hair combines warm and cool blonde hues for a dimensional color that flatters every skin tone and undertone.

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #2: PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY

Stray outside of the box with a color that resembles one of your favorite packed lunches. Peanut butter and jelly hair features a mix of golden highlights on a grape or raspberry jelly-inspired base. Yum!

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #3: MUSHROOM BLONDE

Keep things ashy with a mushroom blonde hair color, which happens to be one of the biggest hair color trends at the moment. It involves a mix of blonde and brown ashy hues for a color that resembles the fungi it’s named after.

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #4: ROSE BROWN

Want to add warmth to your brunette mane? Rose brown hair is just what you’re likely picturing—a brown base highlighted with soft, rose gold touches throughout. The look is totally subtle and low-maintenance, and you can even get the look at home. Here’s How to Get a Rose Brown Hair Color.

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #5: PURPLE BALAYAGE

To switch up your mane without changing your hair color completely, consider trying a trend that involves the balayage highlighting technique, like purple balayage hair. This look features hand-painted, purple highlights that are expertly placed throughout your mane for a seamless, dimensional look. You can customize the look with your favorite purple hues, whatever they may be!

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #6: SILVER

One of the hottest hair colors of 2019, silver hair just had to be on our list of the best hair color ideas for short hair. This chic color is totally fashion-forward and anyone can pull it off. See for yourself by using the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Silver, L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying + Shine Permanent Hair Color in Soft Silver Blonde, or L’Oréal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup 1-Day Color in Silver Blue to get silver strands.

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #7: FIRE-ENGINE RED

For a mane that demands to be seen, coat your short hair in a fire-engine red hue. This bold hair color is perfect for those who want to be the center of attention. Just wait until you hear all the compliments the L’Oréal Paris Féria in Power Reds - Medium Auburn/Cherry Crush garners.

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #8: PASTEL BLUE

Baby blue hues? We love them! Give your short hair a makeover with a pastel blue hair color, like the L’Oréal Paris Féria in Smokey Blue.

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #9: HOLOGRAPHIC HAIR

If you’re all about the trends, you’re in for a treat. Holographic hair is a hair color trend that will instantly add life to your short strands. The color involves a variety of pastel shades that are carefully placed—typically on a platinum blonde base—to create a 3D effect.

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #10: VANILLA LILAC

Another purple hair color worth trying, vanilla lilac is a subtle pastel hair color. The color features a blonde base with a lived-in root that gradually fades into a soft lilac color. Want to learn more? Head over to our article, Embrace the Purple Hair Color Trend with Vanilla Lilac Hair.

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #11: TURQUOISE

Want a hair color that’s as fun and carefree as you are (or want to be)? Give turquoise hair a try. This blue-green color certainly isn’t low-maintenance, but it’ll definitely liven up your beauty look. Use the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Turquoise to color your mane.

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #12: DUSTY ROSE

For a soft and sweet hair color, give dusty rose a try. This muted mauve hair color will let you embrace your feminine side while also being totally on-trend. To get the look, use the L’Oréal Paris Féria in Dusty Mauve.  

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #13: BLACKBERRY HAIR

Can’t get enough of balayage hair color ideas? Neither can we! The balayage hair color technique has been taking the beauty world by storm, and blackberry hair is just another branch of this trend. Featuring a mix of blue and pink-toned purple highlights throughout a black mane, it’s a totally fierce take on balayage hair.

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #14: LAVENDER

Another pastel hair color we love for short hair? Lavender! This soft purple shade is runway ready and you can even get the look at home with the help of the L’Oréal Paris Féria in Smokey Lavender.

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #15: CHILI CHOCOLATE

Who says brown hair has to be boring? If you want to add some dimension to your brunette mane, consider giving chili chocolate hair a go. This hair color for short hair involves adding natural-looking red highlights to a deep brown base.

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #16: PASTEL PINK

Think of pastel pink as a brighter version of a dusty mauve hue. You can color your entire mane or opt for a pastel pink balayage ‘do—it’s up to you. Learn more about the hue in our article, Pretty in Pink: Learn How to Pull Off Pastel Pink Hair.

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #17: MUSHROOM BROWN

The Internet can’t get enough of mushroom brown hair, and neither can we! Similar to mushroom blonde hair, mushroom brown involves a mix of ashy blonde and brown tones for a dimensional color that resembles, well, a mushroom. The difference between mushroom blonde and mushroom brown hair is that mushroom blonde is a brighter, slightly lighter version of the latter.

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #18: PURPLE

We’re not exactly impartial when it comes to pairing short hair with a bright, bold hair color. They’re so fitting—and what better way to transform your short strands than with a vibrant purple hair color? For some color inspo, here’s How to Get a Bold Purple Hair Color.

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #19: DENIM

Think about your favorite jean jacket and you can probably picture what denim hair looks like. This trendy hue is totally customizable—are you a fan of indigo, stone washed, or acid wash? Get the full scoop in our article, What's the Deal with Denim Hair? Here’s How to Get the Look.

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #20: NEON PEACH

Neon is so in—and not just for festival season. For hair that pops, color your locks a neon peach color.

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #21: BRONDE

Torn between blonde and brunette? We feel you. With the help of a bronde hair color, you don’t have to choose! Equal parts blonde and brunette, this hair color combines the best of both worlds for a dimensional hair color that won’t make you pick sides.

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #22: VIOLET BLACK

Black hair can add some serious edge to a short haircut. For a twist on a traditional black mane, give violet black hair a try. Use the L’Oréal Paris Féria in Violet Soft Black for your mane makeover.

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #23: JET BLACK

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with sticking to the classics. Jet black hair is undeniably eye-catching, though some may consider it simple. This bold hue pairs beautifully with both pale and deep skin tones.

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #24: AUBURN

Ever wonder what it’d be like to be a redhead? Now’s your chance! Auburn hair looks particularly stunning on short hair. Whether you opt for a light or dark version of the color is up to you.

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #25: METALLIC MAUVE

Metallics have been creating quite the buzz in the beauty world, and metallic mauve hair is no exception. Give your short mane a sparkling twist by trying a metallic mauve hair color. Here’s How to Get Metallic Mauve Hair.

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #26: PLATINUM

There’s just something about short, platinum hair—and platinum pixies, in particular—that demands to be seen. This look is fit for the runway, and understandably so. Just remember that platinum blonde hair requires the use of bleach, which can be damaging to your strands with excessive use.

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #27: FUCHSIA

Love the idea of a pink mane but want something that pops more than a pastel pink? Give fuchsia hair a go! This short hair color idea features a beautiful blend of bright pink and purple for one undeniably gorgeous hue. Use the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Fuchsia to get the look.

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #28: PEACH

We think this short hair color idea is just peachy! You may have heard that peach hues are trendy in the beauty scene, with peach eye makeup and lip colors being a major hit, but it doesn’t stop there. Peach hair is equally as on-trend!

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #29: BLUE BLACK

Another variation of a black mane, consider trying a black hair color with blue undertones. This color is best suited for those who have warm undertones that will balance out the hue. To get the look, use the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference in Black Sapphire.  

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #30: CARAMEL BROWN

Transforming your short strands doesn’t have to mean trying the latest hair color trend or opting for a popping hue. Sometimes keeping it simple is all you need. When it comes to brunette hair colors, we’ll always be a fan of caramel brown.

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #31: COPPER

Remember when we mentioned auburn? Well, copper hair is similar to that—but so much brighter! Just think of a new, shiny copper penny. Want to give it a try? Use the L’Oréal Paris Féria in Power Copper.

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #32: PASTEL GREEN

We know what you’re thinking—green hair? Believe it or not, green hair can actually be super chic—especially pastel green hair. Consider trying this short hair color idea in combination with the balayage highlighting technique. To create a contrast, pastel green works great with a brunette base. For something subtler, it also pairs beautifully with blonde hair. 

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #33: NEON

We mentioned earlier that neon hair is totally in, and we weren’t kidding! Aside from neon peach, you can give your short hair an upgrade with a neon pink or neon yellow hue—the options are far from limited. 

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #34: BURGUNDY

Love the idea of a red mane but not sure if you can commit to bright red hair? No problem! A burgundy hue will give you the red you crave without steering too far outside of your comfort zone. Use the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference in Deep Burgundy to give it a shot. 

SHORT HAIR COLOR IDEA #35: ROSE GOLD

Last but not least, we had to give a shout out to rose gold hair. While it may not be the newest trend, rose gold hair is still all over our social media feeds. Whether you have fair, medium, or deep skin, we think this trendy hue is universally flattering. 

Next: The Best Highlights and Lowlights for 2019