Hair color is one of the most transformative beauty tools we have. The right shade can illuminate your complexion, bring out your eyes, and make your features pop in all the best ways. Whether you’re going for a subtle refresh or a bold change, the right tone can instantly lift your entire look and make your hair appear healthier and shinier. Color has the power to express personality, confidence, and even your mood, which is why it’s such an exciting way to update your style each season.
But just as the right hair color can make you look radiant and modern, the wrong color can unintentionally do the opposite. Outdated hues or tones that clash with your complexion can make your skin look dull, emphasize fine lines, or simply feel out of touch with today’s trends. A few simple tweaks to your hair color can make all the difference. Here are six hair color choices that stylists say can instantly make you look older. If your goal is a fresh look, it might be best to avoid these.
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1. Ash Blonde
While ashy blonde tones can look chic on some, they often drain warmth from the complexion, especially as skin naturally loses color with age. The cool undertones can make your face appear sallow or washed out rather than bright and glowy. A better alternative is to add golden or honey highlights to your blonde shade — the warmth instantly revives your skin tone and gives your hair a softer, more youthful radiance.
2. Overbleached Platinum
Super-light platinum may seem edgy, but it can be tough on both your hair and complexion. Bleaching strips strands of moisture and shine, which can make hair appear brittle and aging rather than luminous. A creamier blonde or buttery beige shade is a gentler, more modern take that still feels bright but complements skin tone beautifully.
3. Chunky Highlights
Bold, high-contrast highlights that were trendy years ago tend to look unnatural today and can actually make hair appear thinner. The stark lines create a striped effect that lacks the softness of more modern coloring techniques. Blended balayage or fine babylights add dimension in a way that looks natural, healthy, and full of movement.
4. Burgundy
A poorly executed burgundy — especially one that’s overly dark or too purple — can cast an unflattering tone against your skin, making it appear dull or uneven. The color also tends to fade quickly, leaving behind brassy or patchy hues. If you love red tones, opt for a warm auburn or coppery brown instead — both shades add depth and bring a gorgeous, healthy glow to the face.
5. Jet-Black Hair
Deep, inky black hair can look striking and dramatic, but it can also create a harsh contrast against mature skin, emphasizing fine lines and uneven texture. This solid, cool tone tends to absorb light rather than reflect it, leaving the overall look flat. Softening the color with chocolate brown or dark espresso highlights keeps the richness while adding dimension and warmth that flatters the skin.