20 OF THE BEST HAIR COLOURS FOR WOMEN OVER 50

Hair Colours for Over 50s: Key Takeaways

• There’s no need to default to grey – you can explore a wide spectrum of flattering, modern hair colours for women over 50.
• Shades that blend with greys (like ash blonde, ash brown, and silver tones) help minimise visible regrowth and reduce maintenance.
• Classic shades like chocolate brown, espresso, and soft black remain timeless and suit most skin tones.
• Red-based hues (auburn, burgundy, mahogany) add vibrancy without requiring extreme colour commitment.
• Choosing a shade close to your natural colour helps reduce upkeep and root contrast.
• Always match your hair colour to your skin undertone (warm, cool, neutral) for the most flattering result.
• Opt for formulas designed for permanent grey coverage to ensure even, long-lasting colour.
• Prioritise hair health by choosing nourishing or ammonia-free dyes, especially as hair becomes drier with age.

Our Top 20 Hair Colours for Women Over 50

Curious what the best hair colours for over 50s are? Whether you’re new to hair colouring or simply want to switch up or experiment with new hair colours, we’ve listed our top 20 favourite shades.

1. Ash Blonde Hair for Over 50s

If you’re on the hunt for a pretty hair colour idea that doesn’t require a ton of maintenance, ash blonde may be a good pick. The light, cool-toned hue blends well with grey, so you won’t have to worry about a harsh line of demarcation as your silvery roots grow in. Colour your strands at home with the  L’Oréal Paris Excellence Ultra Ash Blonde. Don’t forget to snag a purple shampoo, too – you can lather up with it once per week to help fend off unwanted brassy tones.

2. Rose Blonde Hair for Over 50s

For a playful twist on classic blonde, try a rose twist. This trendy colour pairs particularly well with fair, cool-toned complexions. You can get the look at the salon, but if you’re up for DIY-ing it, we recommend using Preference Rose Gold Blonde for a subtle rose shimmer.

3. Golden Brown Hair for Over 50s

If you have yellow or gold undertones, you’ll typically fare best with hair colours for warm skin tones, such as golden brown. This dimensional hue features soft golden, bronze, and honey highlights woven throughout a medium brown base. It’s gorgeous, versatile, and easy to achieve at home with the right hair colouring kit. If you’re sporting grey roots, try the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Créme Permanent in Light Golden Brown, which delivers 100% grey coverage.

4. Chocolate Brown Hair Colour for Older Ladies

Who doesn’t love chocolate, right? This rich, classic medium brown hue looks beautiful on all skin tones. Wear it long or short – no matter the length or hairstyle, this timeless hair colour is a guaranteed winner. Indulge in the decadent hue using the L’Oréal Paris Excellence in Tempting Brunette.

5. Burgundy Hair Colour for Over 50s

If you look at a hair colour chart, you’ll notice that most hair colours fall into one of three categories: blonde, brown, or red. The latter may seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Experiment with plum by opting for a medium-toned burgundy hue that bridges the gap between brown, red and aubergine. We love the Preference Pure Burgundy Cool Violet shade.

6. Smokey Grey Hair Colour for Older Women

Sporting long grey hair over 50 makes a bold statement, and you don’t need to wait for your silver roots to grow out to get the look. Instead, embrace the unconventional (and undeniably cool) trend with a dark silvery grey hair dye, like the L’Oréal Paris Permanent Hair colour in Smokey Grey.

7. Copper Hair Colour for Over 50s

Copper is one of our favourite hair colours for women over 50 who want to go bright without veering into fantasy colour territory. This warm, reddish-brown shade can be worn light (see: copper blonde) or darker, but for a bold look, nothing beats a pure, vibrant copper hue. To get the trendy look for yourself (without the hassle of a salon visit), snag the L’Oréal Paris Preference Vivids in Mango.

8. Bright Platinum blonde hair over 50

If you notice your greys tend to be more white than silver, a platinum blonde hair colour could be the low-maintenance hair hue you’re looking for. While achieving the nearly-white tone can be time-consuming, the pale shade will blend like a dream with your roots, making touch-ups (if they’re needed at all) a breeze. DIY the icy blonde look with the L’Oréal Paris Preference Ultra Platinum, which can lighten your hair up to nine levels.

9. Cream Blonde Hair Colour for Older Women

If platinum blonde isn’t your thing, a warm, creamy blonde hue might be a better fit. This option is ideal for natural blondes who are looking to keep things simple and restore a little vibrancy to their blonde strands. To get the rich look at home, snag the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Light Gold Blonde.

10. Soft Black Hair for Over 50s

Black may not be the first shade that comes to mind when you think of hair colours for women over 50, but this inky shade can be a great option if you have a medium or deep skin tone. To keep it from looking too stark, we suggest opting for a soft black hue rather than a jet black shade. Try it for yourself with the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Natural Darkest Brown.

11. Ashy Bronde Hair Colour for Older Ladies

If you’re not sure whether you want to go for blonde or brunette, know that you don’t have to decide – with bronde, you can get the best of both worlds. If you’re starting to notice greys around your hairline or crown, opt for an ashier take on the versatile trend to help make regrowth less noticeable. We like Preference Cool Ash Blonde.

12. Light Auburn Red Hair for Older Women

If you love the look of copper red hair but aren’t quite ready to commit to the shade, try a light auburn. This warm brunette hue is a bit softer than a pure copper but remains vibrant thanks to the prominent red undertones. Get the look with the Preference Auburn Red Permanent Hair Dye.

13. Bronze Hair Colour for Older Ladies

Give your mane a modern upgrade with a metallic bronze hair colour. The shimmering tones throughout this light brown shade will seamlessly camouflage stray greys between colouring sessions (plus, the dimension will make your hair look super shiny). Grab Excellence Nudes Universal Copper to get the look.

14. Ash Brown Hair for Over 50s

Ash brown is one of our favorite hair colours for women over 50 since the subtle silvery tones blend beautifully with incoming greys. To help mask regrowth further, opt for a lighter ashy brown tone, like mushroom bronde. No need to hit the salon to score this on-trend hair colour—you can DIY it with Excellence Ultra Ash Brown.

15. Champagne Blonde Hair for Over 50s

Inspired by one of our favorite fizzy drinks, champagne blonde hair features cool tones for a refreshing take on blonde hair that flatters just about everyone. If you have a warmer skin tone, think about getting warm highlights added to your champagne blonde hair for a look that flatters your complexion. For cooler skin tones, add in some beige or sand-coloured highlights. Get the look using the Excellence Natural Light Blonde permanent hair colour.

16. Honey Blonde Hair Colour for Women Over 50

As you age, you may notice your skin begins to appear duller than it once did. To help wake up your complexion, try a warm, dimensional hair colour, such as honey blonde. This rich shade exudes elegance and warmth and helps give lackluster skin a natural-looking glow. If you’re up for an at-home hair colour transformation, snag a box of the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Medium Golden Blonde and get to work.

17. Mahogany Brown Hair Colour for Older Women

If you can’t decide between red hair and brown hair, mahogany brown hair might be the perfect fit for you. This brown hue has the right amount of red undertones to satisfy your desires without going full-blown bright red. Create your perfect reddish-brown hair colour using Excellence Mahogany Brown.

18. Bright Auburn Red Hair Colour for Over 50s

Bright auburn isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s a gorgeous hair colour for anyone who wants to embrace something a bit more vibrant than your standard medium brown or dirty blonde. It’s especially flattering for those with fair complexions, but in our experience, nearly anyone can rock the vivid look. See for yourself with the Preference Vivids Cherry Red hair dye.

19. Dirty Blonde Hair for Older Women

Channel summertime with a classic dirty blonde hair colour. This versatile shade features a sandy blonde base punched up with subtle wheat and beige blonde highlights, and it’s perfect for anyone seeking a natural-looking blonde hair colour that doesn’t require tons of tedious upkeep. To get the look, we recommend using the Excellence Natural Dark Blonde hair colour.

20. Espresso Brown Hair for Over 50s

With so many brown hair colour shades available, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out which hue to go for. If you’re in the mood for something, well, moody, espresso brown is a sure hit. The deep, rich tone is neither overly cool nor obviously warm, so it’s a flattering choice for all skin tones. To score the sultry look for yourself, use the Excellence Iced Brown Permanent Hair Dye.

Tips for Choosing the Best Hair Colour for Mature Women

If you’re still on the fence about which hair colour for women over 50 to try, here are a few tips that can help guide your decision.

• Consider your skin tone: Generally speaking, you’ll get the most flattering result if you choose a hair colour that complements your skin’s undertones (warm, neutral, or cool).
• Account for grey hair: If you have grey hair, you’ll want to be sure you select a hair dye designed for grey coverage—otherwise, you risk getting a patchy or uneven result.
• Consider your maintenance requirements: Generally speaking, shades that are dramatically different from your natural root colour will require more maintenance than colours that closely match your natural hue. If you want to keep maintenance to a minimum, opt for a colour within a few shades of your natural hue, and select one with an ashy (rather than warm) undertone if you have greys.
• Focus on hair health: As you age, your hair (and skin) tend to get drier, thanks to a natural decline in sebum production. If your strands feel rough and brittle, avoid over-processing your hair and opt for nourishing formulas when you do colour your strands. Ammonia-free hair dyes, like the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Nudes, can be a great choice for those looking for a gentle yet impactful hair colour transformation.

Discover our range of permanent hair colours for women over 50

Now that you know the best hair colours for women over 50, it’s time to find your unique shade. Still can’t decide? Consult our handy Virtual Hair Try On to test shades before you commit!