Recently, a 32-year-old client sat in my chair and said, “I just want to feel like myself again but like, the upgraded version.” Honestly, I feel that’s what we think of when we think of color after a certain age. What no one tells you is that hair does certain things in your 30s that if you play them right actually work to your advantage. Your hair texture changes, your skin tone changes, and colors that washed you out back at 25 LOOK AMAZING ON YOU. I can say this time and time again and I’ve seen it happen time and time again.
My favorite part about our hair color trends is that there are no rules. I thrive with transformations when women come in thinking that they have to “cover” something, and then they leave with the whole idea of “covering things” being replaced with the realization that they have enhanced what was there before. I have 25 colors and cuts that I’m currently obsessed with, and I’m giving you all the deets right before you sit in my chair.
#1: Breezy Blonde Graduated Bob with the Perfect Amount of Texture
Whenever I cut a bob, I love seeing my clients reactions when I spin the chair, and I like to think that that’s the best part of the job. This shape creates the most volume in the back, and the best part is that you don’t even have to style it in the morning. It’s so great to see my clients happy because this blonde looks amazing. It brightens your skin tone without your colorist having to do touch ups every 4 weeks, and is even better with piece-y ends. If you have fine hair, those ends will really showcase your thickness. This bob will be great with ashy blonde, but just a heads up that you will need to use purple shampoo because this blonde will get brassy for sure between appointments.
#2 Sunkissed Chestnut Waves That Look Like You Just Got Back from Somewhere Beautiful
I suggest this color to about 50% of my clients who say “I want something different but I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard.” This warm chestnut base with sun-kissed highlights feels like summer (and that’s the goal!). The waves aren’t just waves… they’re that braiding-your-hair-damp-before-bed-and-then-just-leave-it kind of waves or the sea salt spray and don’t-touch-it kind of waves. Just being honest, those light ends will need to be refreshed every 10-12 weeks because as the warmth fades, the dimension will start to flatten and you won’t have as much contrast. However, this look styles itself, so that’s why I keep coming back to this look!
#3 Seamless Bronde Balayage on Long Cascading Curls
This bronde is stunning the combination of dark roots and golden highlights looks so good I cannot believe it is real!! Last month I did an amazing bronde on my client who had not done anything to her hair in about five years and of course when she finally saw the change she cried and I cried too. If you have thinner hair then long loose curls like these are going to be your best friend, it’s a lot easier to create volume when the hair is longer and looser. It is true that this color takes some work but the good news is once you get through the maintenance it is good enough to wear to brunch, a wedding or anything else really to me that is enough reason to book your next appointment!
#4 Burnished Copper Curls with Highlights That Actually Glow
I think this version is best if you’re even a little bit interested in a copper color. The burnished base is a rich enough tone to feel orange, and I get that could be a concern, but in person it has a gorgeous lit from within effect due to the luminous highlights. Personally, I love a copper tone on curly hair because I think it’s amazing how all the individual curls reflect light, and it means your hair never looks flat and one-dimensional. However, because the molecules in this color are larger, they do escape the hair shaft faster, so a color-depositing conditioner will be your best friend. The soft layering through the mid-lengths aids the bounce in all the right spots, and offsets the fullness and keeps it from being too much, which is just what you want when you have this much curl to work with.
#5 Brunette-to-Blonde Wavy Lob That Basically Takes Care of Itself
When people say, “I want something cute but I literally have fifteen minutes to get ready in the morning” I always tell them about this style. First off, deep brunette roots look really good and actually save you from that panic when your grow out starts showing because the grow out IS the look. Middle of the road blonde makes your hair look soft and bright without having to go full blonde, which is a huge commitment. The waves give off that effortless look. Now here’s the kicker: good toner every few months because the blonde WILL go yellow on you especially if you take hot showers. The good news is that it is low excitement and compared to most blonde, this is as low effort as it gets and it still looks great.
#6 Golden Ombre Tousled Bob
Definitely feeling the “woke up like this,” vibe. The golden Ombre will suit people with medium or olive skin tones as it warms up the complexion and isn’t too overpowering. The tousled texture means less work when it comes to styling is required. Just scrunch and go! The layers really help with movement so this will still look great if you have fine hair. The color will need maintenance every 8-10 weeks because the ombre does fade and the different colors can look a little muddy after a while. The cut will be low maintenance for the time in between appointments.
#7 Soft Brunette Waves with That “Did She Do Something Different?” Dimension
This is the color I do for the women who walk in and say, “I don’t want anything too crazy” and end up loving it. The darker base with a melt to lighter ends is subtle, but does provide a more drastic effect. It adds depth to the hair while making it look thicker and healthier. Let’s really be honest, after thirty, the goal is to make your hair look healthy. I really enjoy doing this for clients who are starting to thin out at the crown because the dimensional color gives the appearance of more volume, and our secret stays safe. The layers are meant to be cut to give movement so that it doesn’t ever feel heavy or look out of date. Because the brown is the base of the color, the grow-out is practically undetectable so you’ll be able to extend your appointments!
#8 Ash Blonde Lob with the Prettiest Natural Highlights
Not many people think they can pull off ash blonde hair, however, that is mostly untrue. This lob is modern and truly expensive looking because of the even color distribution. The texture on this one is my favorite. It seems to thin the hair out visually, along with the lob being an excellent choice to tame thickness on thick hair. You can be realistic with yourself about the maintenance of the color because ashy tones do get warm as they fade. This means your “cool sophisticated blonde” could end up looking a little brassy. A good toning shampoo is great for maintaining the color between appointments.
#9 Lustrous Chestnut Layers with That Perfect Effortless Fringe
Let me say that a fringe on the right person is one of the most non-committal changes you can do as it won’t impact your color. But here you are getting both the fringe and this beautiful chestnut color which is so rich and warm it almost looks like it’s glowing from within! The layers give it that bouncy editorial look which will make so many of your Instagram and Facebook photos pop (I know how much that matters and we all deserve good hair selfies). What I love about this one is the subtle lighter pieces at the ends; they aren’t technically “highlights” just a bit sun bleached which adds that casual touch to stop it from looking super overdone. If you dry and go, this fringe may test your patience a bit as it will require some round brushing, but the rest of the haircut is super easy to maintain.
#10 Chestnut-to-Blonde Cascade with the Dreamiest Melt
The color melt looks amazing! The way the deep chestnut root color melts so effortlessly into the blonde tips is stunning! I always recommend this style to clients wanting to ease into blonde hair without going full blonde. The natural deep chestnut color means the roots won’t grow out as fast. The long face framing layers are really beautiful. They soften the look, especially if you have a defined jaw or angular features. This framing is really flattering as well. I will say the blonde ends need hair love. A bond repair treatment will help them from getting dry and straw-like. Nothing ruins beautiful hair color like damaged ends.
#11 Dark Chocolate Layers with a Jet Fringe That Means Business
I don’t know what it is, but I have a fascination with this style. I suppose some may see dark chocolate as a safe option, but this look does not feel basic at all. The dark color is incredibly rich and catches the light in a way that no other shade can. I also love how rich, sumptuous and decadent it is. Everything is laid out so finely at the ends which looks fabulous with the rest of the style. I absolutely love the jet black bangs! Most people just leave their bangs at the base color, but I think the soft dark contrast is an eye drawing little detail that does a lot. It will also take some effort since the fringe will require some trimming every three to four weeks. If you’re not a fan of regular haircuts, this is probably not the look for you. Just so you know, a deep conditioning treatment will be necessary to maintain the dark color. Rich chocolate is just as muddy brown as the dirt.
#12 Deep Auburn Waves with a Glossy Finish That Won’t Quit
It’s kind of like when someone walks by and the sun catches their hair. You just have to look. This color perfectly fits that description. I think deep auburn is a color that is criminally underrated. It gives you so much versatility and especially looks great on women in their 30s. It does special things for your complexion. Without changing anything in your skincare routine, it can make your skin look warmer and more even. The waves are the right amount of messy. She put effort into it to make it look braid, but then got tired of it and just let it all shake out. With thicker hair, looseness is super nice because it makes all the hair look more light and airy. One thing I tell every client with auburn is expect a lot of fading and it’s just how it goes with science. If you want to keep the color, washing with cool water and using a sulfate free shampoo is mandatory. Nothing is as good as the color when it’s fresh.
#13 Radiant Copper Shag with Curtain Bangs I’m Obsessed With
I couldn’t wait any longer to share my opinion on this! I love the copper shag with curtain bangs. The shag cut is great because if your hair is fine or thin, it adds a good amount of texture. A good shag cut will create the illusion of more hair, which a brownish copper color will deepen. It also helps the eye focus on the hair instead of the scalp. Curtain bangs are a good way to frame and split the face, and do wonders for everyone (which is difficult to do). However, I do think that with shag layers, there is a larger margin for error. The cut has to be on point, or it could be a disaster. This is a big commitment, and with copper colors fading super fast, expect to stay on top of your upkeep!
#14 Rich Auburn Waves with Soft Bangs That Frame Everything Perfectly
I am so here for this. Major “main character in a Nancy Meyers movie” energy. The shade of auburn is rich but slightly softer than the aggressive reds. It’s the type of red that would make even those who say they “could never do red” reconsider. The soft sweeping bangs really make this whole look come together. They provide a touch of playfulness to the overall frame of the look without being too juvenile. If you have a heart or oval face, the bangs will accentuate your bone structure in the most flattering way. The medium length is just what you need to keep the waves looking full and bouncy. With auburn, you want as many surfaces as possible reflecting and showing off the light. The waves will need a large barrel curling iron to encourage them unless your hair is naturally wavy, but trust me, it’s a quick process once you figure it out.
#15 Flowing Caramel Highlights with Long Layers That Actually Move
Caramel highlights can either look stunning or horrible, and the difference is placement. These highlights have great placement with most of the focus on the face framing and mid-lengths where the most light will hit those areas. Additionally, they blended a lot into the base, which gives the appearance of hair that just looks good. The long layers also assist a lot as they take away bulk from thicker hair without sacrificing a lot of length, which is the goal, right? You want to maintain length without it just sitting there like a curtain and doing nothing. If you have warm skin tone, the highlights will look like you are glowing and I’ve seen it happen and it’s one of my favorite things. One suggestion I have is to be consistent with trims because long highlighted hair looks horrible without maintenance at the ends and that’s not a look.
#16 Soft Balayage Layers with Sunlit Ends That Grow Out Like a Dream
This is a perfect example of why I recommend balayage for clients who dislike sitting in a salon chair every few weeks. From this picture, you can see how the top layer of hair contrasts with the balayage, which looks intentional as the hair grows out. Unlike traditional highlights where clients have to come in every 6 weeks, with balayage, clients only need to come in 2-3 times yearly. For women in their 30s with packed schedules, this is fantastic. The gentle layered mid-length cut will look fantastic, and it will also be easier for you, whether you prefer it to be air-dried or have a blowout smooth. It also has lower maintenance so if you don’t want that effort, this style is perfect for you.
#17 Mahogany Tousle with Waves That Look Expensive
Mahogany is an amazing color, yet many people don’t seem to appreciate it. Once people see it in person they seem to instantly adore it. Compared to auburn, mahogany is a warmer and richer hue. It’s more than a plain dark brown shade; mahogany enhances a warmer skin tone to give off an inner glow. While this may sound like an exaggeration, I promise you I have seen it in my chair. This long layered haircut really shows its beauty because there is just enough length and movement for the light to capture all the unique tones in the color. The soft tousles also help this look so it doesn’t seem like a very polished or too put together style. This is great because the goal is for it to really feel like YOUR hair and not a wig. If you’re going from a lighter base to a mahogany color, it will take several appointments to reach this look. Do keep in mind though, this is a healthy way to transition so be patient!
#18 Subtle Brunette Textured Lob That Does the Work for You
When I hear people say “I want to look put together, even when I’m not trying,” this is the cut I think about. This lob exemplifies that. The soft brown shade is playful without being distracting, while the waves are just the right amount of textured to keep this look from being boring. For women in their 30s, I especially love this because it’s styled enough to pull back, but also short enough that she won’t be spending years getting it ready, which honestly achieving that balance is harder than most would think. If you’re starting to deal with some thinning hair, the texture in this cut will be your best friend, as it creates movement and disguises sparse spots. I’m not saying you’ll need to do a whole production every 2-3 days, but it really shouldn’t take more than a couple of minutes to do a few waves with a flat iron.
#19 Effortless Tousled Layers with a Natural Balayage You’ll Actually Love Growing Out
I want to pull you in and say, “THIS ONE, do this one!” because everything is perfect and looks to easy! The balayage makes you think if it really is “colored hair.” It looks like so much gorgeous dimension your hair just decided to have. The layered, tousled look is great because it creates an “on purpose,” look and works WITH your hair instead of against it. When you have medium density hair like this the volume is just *chef’s kiss*. I love using a texturizing spray when I want more defined waves. It can help a lot if you want extra drama, but if you don’t do anything you’ll look so good and of course you probably won’t even notice. The grow-out with this coloring technique is super soft, so if you forget to get your hair done that’s probably the best thing ever!
#20 Dimensional Brunette Waves for When You Want More Without Doing More
It’s great how the hairstyle incorporates depth and dimension while keeping an overall lightweight appearance. The subtle lighter pieces in her hair and darker shade of brown make her hair look thicker, and I definitely appreciate that. It definitely requires more skill than using hair extensions or a lot of hair products. The waves are as natural as possible, and I also agree with the length. It is just enough to keep everything fresh without being trendy in a way that could make it look dated in a month. I especially love that it is a great base because it is so versatile to allow going bolder later if that is desired.
#21 Brunette Waves with Sun-Kissed Highlights That Look Like Vacation Hair
Ever seen someone who has clearly come back from a vacation at the beach? They have that effortless hair glow that looks as if it were just done, and that is the sort of look that we’ve captured from this color, and trust us, we’ve hit the bullseye. With this color, the brunette base stays rich and grounded, whilst the sun-kissed highlights are placed just right, as if the sun naturally lightened your hair around the frame your face and right through the mid-lengths. If you have thicker hair, the waves provide the best look as you need enough thickness for the highlights to really pop. The medium length and highlights will really pop whilst keeping it all manageable. You should also expect good movement from the layered color, This color won’t be very high maintenance, although it will require a gloss every few months to keep the highlights from going dull.
#22 Sleek Silver Bob with an Undercut for the Woman Who Does Not Play It Safe
Thank you for your trust. It takes courage to make this type of decision, and that is what makes me appreciate this even more. Are you ready to unlock your full potential? The color silver has the ability to do either, and the choice is yours. The simple bob is both clean and purposeful. This is the type of style that screams confidence and knowing. The subtle undercut adds an unexpected edge that you can show off or hide depending on your mood. When this cut is on straight, medium density hair, it will style itself, so all it takes is to pass the flat iron, grab a smoothing serum and you are done! The fact that silver requires constant maintenance for toning to stay cool and bright instead of turning yellow or muddy is a fair trade for this color as there is nothing like it when the light hits it.
#23 Soft Chestnut Waves with Caramel Highlights
You can’t go wrong with a chestnut and caramel highlight combination. The chestnut base compliments every skin tone and the caramel highlights add dimension without looking too over the top. I also really love this option particularly because the color has a great grow out. The transition from the base color to hair being colored is so gradual and natural you will forget your hair needs a touch up. The waves in the photo are from wrapping random pieces around the wand, and that’s the little detail that makes it flawless. If you have medium to thick hair this will definitely be one of those looks where you are getting compliments and you can say “I did nothing to it today”.
#24 Mocha Balayage Layers for Thick Hair
Are you a thick-haired person who’s worried that dying your hair may be boring for you? Or perhaps you’re thinking it’s too much effort? These concerns are solved with a mocha base and caramel balayage combo! The mocha base is deep enough to avoid messing with red tones and the placement of balayage highlights is meant to add movement to the layers of your hair. So instead of looking heavy, your hair will look thick and luxurious. Long layers are necessary to achieve this look. Otherwise thick hair will remain ‘blocked off’ at whatever length you take it too because there’s no styling involved. This will give you the beautiful swing and bounce that looks like you’re just having a professional blowout when you really didn’t. To maintain this look, adequate conditioning will be essential, preferably a deep conditioning mask once a week. Thick hair with balayage can leave ends looking dry and dull, which will take away from the beautiful dimension you spent so much money for.
#25 Copper Curls with Face-Framing Highlights That Are Pure Joy
I’m saving this one for last on purpose because I love it so much, and I think you will too. The copper tones in these curls are so ALIVE! Each individual curl reflects a different color, and it creates a stunning warm halo effect that I can’t stop looking at! The highlights framing your face are the showstoppers because they really pop your features without having to do highlights all over your head. Less time in the chair = less potential damage, and I will always support getting less effort for more impact! The medium length layered cut allows the curls to do their thing without being weighed down. If your curls lose their definition by the second day, all you need to do is a curl refresher spray and they’ll be good as new! You already know, copper maintenance is no joke, but for this result? It is worth every bit!
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