At some point, we’ve all thought about getting ombre hair. Undeniably one of the hottest hair trends of the last few years, ombre is still evolving — from sombre to balayage, dip-dyed to colormelt, the good hair day potential with ombre styles is practically endless. There are as many looks out there as there are colors in the rainbow, but we’ve scoured Instagram, Pinterest and beauty blogs, hand-picking our favorite ombre hair color ideas that will surely be all the inspiration you need to take the plunge.
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There’s something for everyone, whether you’re a natural girl dying to have a sun-kissed fade out from brunette to blonde, a wild child dreaming about a DayGlo pink gradation and every shade in between. For those of you who are already rocking the ombre, we’ve also rounded up some amazing styles (think romantic braids, effortless updos and two-toned locs), which work to show off your ombre hair no matter your length or texture — you’ll want to take notes. So, get your hairstylist’s number on standby and click through to see 48 ombre hair color ideas we’re obsessed with.
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Ombre Hair Ideas We’re Obsessed with
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Black to Silver Gray
Granny hair gets gorgeous with this black-to-silver gray ombre, which certainly lends mystique. The colorist behind this look warns that "the up keep is real! But sometimes it's worth it!"
Image: @che.r.mariano
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Auburn Ends
Light up brown hair with a fade to warm auburn. We love how this ombre look is softened with face-framing highlights, which not only make the color transition smoother, but really bring out this girl's pretty freckles.
Image: @cupofherbaltea
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Blonde to Pastel Pink
This girly colormelt takes a cue from January Jones, Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting, Madonna and the many other stars on Team Pink. The look seamlessly fades from a warm-toned blonde to icy platinum to pastel pink.
Image: Pinterest via Grace Penhale
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Pinned Back Short Ombre Waves
Here's a couldn't-be-easier ombre look that short-haired chicks can pull off: Starting with tousled waves, lift and pin a section at the crown, then gently twist and secure each wave of the top layer of hair, leaving a few face-framing strands loose (check out One Little Momma's video for deets on how to get the look). The multilayered style emphasizes the different hair tones.
Image: Pinterest via One Little Momma
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Intricate Updo
Straight out of a fairy tale, this ethereal updo perfectly showcases ombre hair with the way it weaves strands into a perfectly disheveled low chignon. This is a wedding or prom hairstyle to dream about.
Image: Pinterest via Hair and Make-up by Steph
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Fishtail Pony
How cool is the way this fishtail pony transitions from brown down to blonde? Rather than the loose, sideswept fishtail braid we're used to seeing, this braided ponytail is sleek and sporty.
Image: Pinterest via champagne showers
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Baby Blue and Blonde
Gigi Hadid added some flair to her rooty blond ombre recently with baby blue tips. As the model proved, the on-trend pastel palette looks especially striking with a dark lip.
Image: Don Arnold/WireImage
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Beachy Rooty Blonde
Going for a beachy look? Ask your stylist to give you sun-kissed blonde with charcoal roots for a sombre style with a worry-free grow-out.
Image: @jeanpierresosa
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Twisted Updo
We like everything about this feisty style. Steel Feather Lace Elephant editor pRoy says she twist-set her dip-dyed hair, pulled the twists apart, then pinned the style in place on top of her head. "Hair is soft and defined which really makes the color POP!"
Image: @askproy
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Hint of Fuchsia
Brunettes, show your adventurous side with a hint of fuchsia at the ends. This expertly blended long bob is a fun way to play with color for those who don't want to go full mermaid.
Image: @prettylittleombre
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Indigo to Seafoam
This insanely beautiful indigo-to-seafoam colormelt is not for the shy because you'll surely have people oohing and ahhing on the street. This one works best on girls with super long locks for the full My Little Pony effect.
Image: @chtrnsm
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Caramel Bob
We're dying to get this smooth, blown-out bob. The delicious caramel ombre doesn't look overdone because her brunette roots match her eyebrows perfectly.
Image: @salonchristol
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Wild Waves
Halle Berry did real world ombre at the ESPY Awards. Her wild and wavy style fades subtly from roots to tips, but the highlights in her bangs help soften the ombre by blending the whole look together.
Image: FayesVision/WENN.com
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Sunset Streaks
It's so pretty the way that a fiery magenta ombre catches the light in black hair. If you're naturally dark, but have always wanted to be a redhead, this smoldering look is for you.
Image: @thehearsalon
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Tie-Dye-Inspired Knots
Hippie chicks will love this tie-dye-inspired 'do. Silver strands are dip-dyed in lilac, then knotted artfully at the back to show off the ombre.
Image: @hairbymisskellyo
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Watermelon Splash
Rita Ora's been doing the platinum blond thing for a while now, so we were stoked to see her hair streaked with watermelon pink at the Teen Choice Awards. The ombre starts at eyebrow level and fades back toward blonde at the tips for an interesting spin on the trend.
Image: Brian To/WENN.com
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Two-Toned Top Knot
The messy top knot may be nothing special on its own, but with a high contrast ombre, this updo looks impressive. The bicolored bun almost has the effect of a hair accessory.
Image: Pinterest via Madame de Rosa
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Ombre Locs
Ladies with locs can rock ombre hair, too. This fabulous style looks just as good when the dreads are worn down or wound around into an eye-catching updo.
Image: @ladyloc_
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Charcoal Silver Orchid
How's this for a sleek hair makeover? A straight shoulder-length bob is given a tricolored ombre treatment in charcoal, silver and orchid.
Image: @thejennshin
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Fluorescent Green
Call this look "business in the front, party in the back." This long-haired beauty's fluorescent lime green ombre doesn't start until below her shoulders, so the look is definitely edgy, but not aggressively so.
Image: @bescene
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Short Mussed Curls
This short and curly 'do is so funky. Dark roots stand out on the sides where the hair is snipped close, while mussed cool girl curls on top show off the blond ombre highlights.
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Ombre Layers
Katy Perry has done some daring colors in her day, but lately her black look has been feeling a little heavy. She lightened it up for summer with pretty ombre layers in warm copper.
Image: Lester Cohen/WireImage
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Pink Fancy Faux-Hawk
This faux-hawk updo would make an elegant impression at any formal event. Of course the style would be just as impactful in any other shade of ombre, but the Barbie-pink fade is especially lovely.
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Peachy
Fading from fuchsia at the crown to a saturated peach, this sleek style has all the colors of a desert sunrise. Plus, you know you want to match your eyeshadow to your hair.
Image: @heggyhair via @sibri_makeup
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Steel to Teal
A swept-back braid shows off this violet-to-teal ombre, giving the model a woodland fairy vibe. The steely undertones lend this 'do an on-trend metallic sheen.
Image: @susan.aw
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Balayage Chop
We often see ombre on girls with long, beachy waves, but this style proves that the look is just as eye-catching in an angular chop. This sleek bob was given an expert balayage treatment, fading from chestnut to platinum in the most natural way possible.
Image: @maidenstkilda
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Spring-Loaded Purple
Behind The Chair calls this ombre look "spring loaded purple" and we agree that the curly and colorful style has a lot of punch. Black hair gets a jolt with lavender tips — and matching lips don't hurt.
Image: @behindthechair_com via @riinabiinawiina
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Blue Pixie
Think only long-haired girls can rock ombre? Think again. This funky pixie starts with indigo at the back, which gradually lightens toward the front with powder blue bangs.
Image: @katiezimbalisalon
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High Half-Back
Khloé Kardashian's coiffure showed off the star's ombre locks with a high half-up hairstyle. The sporty style looks awesome with her bright blond hair and contrasting roots.
Image: @jenatkinhair
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Sky Blue Colormelt
Evoke sunny skies with this platinum and blue ombre 'do. For girls whose white-blond dye job is starting to grow out, consider covering your roots with a dreamy sky blue.
Image: @merrgg
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Punky Bangs
This charcoal bob with bangs is so cool it hurts. Dark roots and fringe fade to a cool slate for a look that goes well with a concert tee.
Image: @chrisweberhair
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Playful Purple
Taraji P. Henson wrote, "#playingWithColor" when she posted this pic of a rebellious black-purple-silver ombre makeover. She didn't keep the colorful style for long, but we kinda wish she would have.
Image: @tarajiphenson
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Rooty Blond French Braid
Emphasize dark roots with a French braid at the crown. The eye-catching style sets off the blonde for an almost zebra effect.
Image: @jbraidsandbows
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Brushed-Out Bob
Rose Byrne does ombre, too. At the Tony Awards, her brushed-out balayage finger waves were kept smooth for a look that's a modern take on glamorous Hollywood hair.
Image: Rob Rich/WENN.com
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Twisted Low Pony
This twisted low pony couldn't be more graceful and the ombre heightens the effect. Tease big barrel waves at the roots, divide hair in half and twist each half away from the face, securing them together at the nape of the neck.
Image: Pinterest via Styled by Kasey
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Taste the Rainbow
Britney Spears tasted the rainbow at the Teen Choice Awards with her blond, green and violet colormelt. When you're rocking three or more colors, do like Brit and keep the shades pastel to stay out of tacky territory.
Image: Brian To/WENN.com
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Low Knotted Pony
This undone update on a low pony is so cool and simple — and really enhances the variations in color with ombre hair. Make a ponytail at the nape of the neck, then twirl it in a knot and secure with bobby pins. (Learn more about how to DIY this look at Love Shop Share.)
Image: Pinterest via Love Shop Share
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Wavy Bob
Channel a little bit of Beyoncé and a little bit of Roaring 20s glamour with this wavy bob. Bronde ombre makes this retro 'do even more of a standout style.
Image: @front_paije_xso
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Rose Gold
Rose gold is one of the most sought-after hair colors of 2015 and ombre makes the metallic tint even more on-trend. The way her feathery highlights blend from the black roots is so striking.
Image: @foreverflawlyss
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Braided Top Knot
How to make a top knot look even more polished? Update every girl's go-to hairstyle with a braid — the two-toned effect of the ombre adds punch.
Image: Pinterest via Bárbara Kamilo
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Messy Low Bun
A messy bun at the back of the head looks so much more chic with an ombre twist. This is one style that any girl with ombre hair can whip together.
Image: Pinterest via We Heart Hair
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Half-Up Twisted Halo
This girl's ombre curls are gorgeous enough, but when twisted into a half-up halo style, the copper ends give the effect of a crown. Cosmopolitan advises on how to get this romantic look, which is perfect for date hair.
Image: Pinterest via Cosmopolitan
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Knot Braid
Straight-haired girls can try a similar look with teeny braids knotted together for an ombre bohemian style that's festival-ready. Head over to A Beautiful Mess for deets on how to create this style.
Image: Pinterest via A Beautiful Mess
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Cyan Highlights
Kylie Jenner has experimented with a range of hair colors, but we still think this two-toned ombre lob was one of the coolest looks she's rocked. Raven-haired beauties can lighten their look with playful cyan highlights à la the famous little sister.
Image: Judy Eddy/WENN.com
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Braided Pigtails
A pair of ombre braids will make you feel like a 90s club girl. Who says pink pigtails can't be a little bit tough?
Image: @marycake
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Dirty Blonde to Mint
This minty play on the gray trend has all the mermaid feels. Dirty ash-blonde blends to a washed-out jade — and we love that the ombre starts higher near the face to bring out the color even more.
Image: @kristin_ess
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Violet-Rooted Blonde
Most ombre looks stick with natural shades at the roots and leave the candy colors for dip-dyed ends. We're obsessed with the way this style mixes it up, though, painting the roots of this white blonde with a vibrant violet.
Image: @pravana
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Sunny Pink
Instagram It girl Irene Kim updates the pink hair trend with splashes of sunny yellow. Take a cue from the model and contain your third hue to the layer underneath for a peekaboo effect.
Image: @ireneisgood
