Yes, overly ashy or cool-toned hair colors can make you look older by dulling the complexion, washing out features, and highlighting lines, as they absorb light rather than reflecting it like warmer tones. However, the right ash shade (like cool silver/gray) embraced as a deliberate style, or a balanced ash with warmth, can be modern; the key is matching undertones, avoiding flat/dull results, and adding dimension for a more vibrant, youthful appearance.
❌ Dark brown or ashy gray can create harsh contrasts and accentuate fine lines. ❌ Platinum blonde or very light ash can wash out your complexion. ❌ Solid, monotone colors create a flat, one-dimensional look. ❌ Warm, brassy colors can clash with your skin tone and make you look dated.
“Super dark shades may draw attention to regrowth. A soft medium brown, warm blonde, or even golden caramel tone often blends grays more seamlessly and ages more gracefully.”
There's no single "ugliest" hair color, as beauty is subjective, but natural red hair is often cited as least popular in attractiveness studies due to rarity and stereotypes, while some find unnaturally dyed colors (like harsh yellow blonde from bleaching, flat coal black, or certain aggressive fashion shades) less appealing, or simply, a color that clashes with a person's skin tone.
To look younger, choose warm, dimensional colors like caramel, honey blonde, or soft auburn to brighten your complexion, and add balayage or subtle highlights for a sun-kissed, fuller look, avoiding harsh, overly dark, or flat colors that can wash you out or create shadows. The goal is softness, dimension, and warmth that complements your skin tone, rather than creating stark contrast.
For a youthful look at 60, opt for warm, soft, blended colors like honey blonde, caramel, warm auburn, or chocolate brown with caramel highlights, which add brightness and soften features, avoiding harsh, solid dark colors or platinum blonde. Adding subtle highlights or lowlights creates dimension, and embracing natural gray with a silver or platinum shade can also be very modern and flattering, especially with a soft, layered cut.
Dark, warm chocolate with a hint of natural red is highly recommended for round faces. Its deep color and texture create sharper facial contours, giving an elegant and not too contrasting look while imparting a slender impression to the cheeks.
Key Takeaways
He advised that it is best to avoid hair colour products with more than 2% PPD. studies show that some parabens specifically mimic the activity of the hormone estrogen and therefore can interfere with estrogen production. may be linked to breast cancer and reproductive issues.
What are the least popular colors amongst young people? Among those aged 1-24, brown was the least popular color overall. For those ages 35-50, orange was the least popular color. Older people 70+ also disliked orange, purple, and blue.
Bold Platinum:
If you're daring enough, this striking colour will make you glow and vigorously reflect light over your face, masking fine lines for a younger look.
Cool ash-blond color
Here's the catch: Thanks to its cool tone, ash-blond color does not warm up the skin, so it's harder to wear at 50-plus unless you have a vibrant complexion or no problem wearing blush to compensate. You'll also need to stock up on purple shampoo to keep out brassy tones.
12 Ways to Get Younger Looking Hair
The wrong ones, like ash, can instantly age you. “Warm tones reflect light, while ash tones absorb light. Go with warm tones, so your hair won't be dull and will instead shine, bounce, and look youthful,” says Mary Brambila of Brambila Salon.
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.
There's no single "ugliest" hair color, as beauty is subjective, but natural red hair is often cited as least popular in attractiveness studies due to rarity and stereotypes, while some find unnaturally dyed colors (like harsh yellow blonde from bleaching, flat coal black, or certain aggressive fashion shades) less appealing, or simply, a color that clashes with a person's skin tone.
The healthiest hair color is often your natural shade or choosing dyes with fewer harsh chemicals, like ammonia-free, PPD-free, or plant-based options (henna, chamomile, coffee) for subtle tints, as permanent dyes cause more damage; going lighter than your natural color or getting highlights can also minimize stress on your hair.
The Colors to Avoid with Gray Hair
Here are a few to steer clear of: Muddy Neutrals: Beige, taupe, and other muted tones can make your skin look washed out and ashy. Earthy Yellows and Oranges: These warm tones clash with the coolness of gray hair and can make your complexion look sallow.
While beauty is subjective, surveys often show brunette and blonde hair as the most popular choices, with brunettes sometimes preferred for long-term partners (linked to intelligence) and blondes often approached more in nightclubs (linked to approachability). Red hair and black hair also have significant appeal, but often rank lower in general surveys, though specific studies and individual preferences vary widely, with some research showing dark hair contrasting with bright eyes as highly attractive.
12 of the Hottest Summer Hair Color Trends 2025
Rich Auburn
“It's a blend of copper, red, and brown. It looks expensive because the tone is so rich, bold, and sophisticated," says Lauren Paglionico, master colorist and founder of Lrn Beauty.
The hair colors that look best with warm undertones will also have warm tones — think strawberry blonde, honey blonde, mahogany, or chestnut. These colors will accentuate the golden yellow hues in the skin, making warm tones look even more radiant and bright.
Instead of a blunt cut, make sure your long hair creates a subtle framing of the face. It creates a focal point into the center of your face which is slimming. It also gives you a more oval shaped face which makes the sides and cheeks appear thinner.