49 All-Time Favorite Long Hair Color Ideas
Scroll on below for a comprehensive list of our favorite long hair color inspirations—from the classic to the trendy to the far-out and viral—that always manage to turn our heads and make us screenshot with wild abandon:
BLONDES
The shade of beach bunnies, bombshells and iconic Hollywood sex symbols since the dawn of time, there’s nothing more we can say about blonde hair that hasn’t been overstated in pop culture. Striking, effervescent and undeniably sexy, hair colors for long hair that belong in the blonde family always manage to hit the right notes—from a certain perkiness they afford your countenance, to a tried-and-tested level of fun and presence it brings to a room (not to mention your state of mind).
1. Ash Blonde
Cool and classy, it’s not hard to see why this popular shade is flattering on a lot of skin tones.
2. Baby Blonde
A pure bright blonde always looks crisp and expensive on long locks.
3. Beach Blonde
This somewhat rooty version of ash is the go-to hair color for long hair that’s not big on rigid upkeeps.
4. Blonde Ombré
We love the clean smudging in this dark-to-light ash blonde.
5. Bronde
This midpoint between blonde and brown is chic and versatile.
6. Champagne Hair Color
The beigey-rose shade has seen a spike in popularity in recent years.
7. Flaxen
A buttery neutral, this blonde neutralizes pink undertones.
8. Golden Blonde
A rich, warm-toned blonde is never not in demand.
9. Honey
A more amber take on golden blonde, honey is also a great choice for neutral undertones.
10. Platinum
High-maintenance, but most definitely high-impact.
11. Sandy
This laid-back wheat blonde is another top choice for those who want to chill on touch-ups.
12. White Blonde
About a notch lower than platinum is white blonde, a shade that may feature subtle lowlights.
REDS
If you’re more of a traffic-stopping firecracker (and aren’t afraid of meticulous maintenance), then fiery, robust hair colors for long hair, such as those in the red family, are totally up your alley. These shades, just like those in the ash/green-gray family, wash out very quickly; a detailed, careful regimen with color-safe products is a must. They also bring out a glow in fairer complexions, so no shy violets allowed—you’re definitely going to turn some necks with this unusual hue.
13. Copper
The color of pennies and Irishwomen everywhere, and also a delicately beautiful hue when worn as a single-process.
14. Bright Copper
Amp it up a smidge with a bit more orange, and it gains an edgier, more rambunctious feel.
15. Red
This true superhero red has confidence and a whole depth of color.
16. Burgundy
A nuanced dark violet-red shade is somewhat evocative of biker/rock-chic.
17. Caramel Orange
Sunnier than regular caramel, this shade has a slightly more golden tint.
18. Cherry
Sweet and tart at the same time is the best way we can describe this brick/vamp blend. Refresh your hair and keep your color safe with Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Color Care Dry Shampoo.
19. Coppery Caramel
This one-tone caramel’s bronze undertones make it a flattering choice for olive complexions.
20. Ginger
A reddish-beige hair color pops against peaches-and-cream complexions.
21. Light Auburn
Not as aggressive as a full-on red, think of this cinnamon shade as brown with some spice.
22. Orange Red
Like that summer-appropriate lipstick that just brightens up your face each time.
23. Strawberry Blonde
A deep strawberry blonde is similar to ginger, but with a hint of rose gold undertones.
BROWNS
Sleek, sultry and almost mysterious, brown hair color is a stately classic and an elegant, no-nonsense pick of women who know the power of less is more. These quieter shades, though understated, are extremely seductive yet low-maintenance, making them one of the most requested long hair colors in the spectrum. Browsing through swatches may also seem like a trip to that charming patisserie—and the rush one gets from the coffees, toffees and chocolates in the family being undeniable—and highly addictive—indeed.
24. Ash Brown
There’s something inherently pure and chic about an oaky brown that kind of gives us hair envy each time.
25. Chocolate
There’s nothing artificial about this intensely addictive and flattering shade of true medium brown.
26. Chestnut
Like chocolate’s warmer cousin, this hue is particularly fetching on yellow and olive undertones.
27. Walnut
While walnut has a cooler note that enlivens cool complexions with a pink/peach undertone.
28. Mocha
Want a crowd-pleaser? Look no further than the sweet ‘n sexy appeal of a coffee brown.
29. Café Au Lait
You can also add some cream to that base, resulting in a light beige-brown hue.
30. Espresso
Purists appreciate a straight-up black-brown though, and we respect the intensity that goes into this look.
31. Dark Auburn
A deeper reddish brown takes any frivolities from red and gives it a moodier quality.
32. Brown Ombré
A highly popular look, brown ombré entails a subtle gradiation of lengths and ends into a bleached blonde.
33. Coffee Highlights
Ask your stylish for highlights and lowlights in a similar warm brown family for this effect.
34. Dark Cherry
Look closely, and you’ll see the violet tinge in this auburn hue.
35. Khaki
Unlike the basic uniform it’s named after, the ashy base in this brown makes it a standout foil for pink undertones.
36. Caramel
Got a craving for sweet, sultry notes? This multi-faceted warm caramel hue satisfies all of those and more.
ALTERNATIVES
Ink black hair is hard to come by, which is why spotting it on the streets is akin to finding a unicorn in the forest—precious and pure and worth every single stare. Which is not to say unicorn hair color takes a backburner at all: Recent seasons have seen a fever pitch of every possible iteration of the rainbow, urging it way past the punk subculture and nestling it happily into millennial/viral territory. Young, unique and kind of badass, call these the ROYGBIV that keeps on giving.
37. Pastels
Baby blues and pinks aren’t as frail as their names suggest; shades like these are as confident as they are dainty. Keep this style smooth and healthy with TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shine Serum.
38. Jet Black
They say there’s no life beyond a blue-black hair color, and they would be (mostly) right. It’s harder to lighten hair than it is to darken hair, so a jet black hue is perhaps the biggest test of color commitment there is. We say wear it with full purpose.
39. Natural Black
Arguably the most common hair color in the world, there’s no disputing the minimalist charm of this chic shade.
40. Ultra Violet
We can’t get enough of this ultra violet hue.
41. Violets and Greens
You can’t be a mermaid from the bottom up, so settle for the top half instead with playful fairy hues such as purples, violets and teals.
42. Pink
We think every girl should try pink hair at some point in her life—it’s just that much fun.
43. Black Ombré
Test your limits with a dark-to-amber ombré.
44. Black Violet
These subtle long hair color combos are classy with a bit of attitude.
45. Silver
#GrannyHair never looked this sexy! (Also a great choice for neutralizing redness.)
46. Rainbow
This cheerful, nostalgic dye job can easily be hidden if the situation requires.
47. Streaky
You can thank the 2012 runways for the hair color trend that started it all.
48. Purple Ends
A pop of purple worn on festival waves is pretty popular when it comes to hair color styles for long hair.
49. Neons
No inhibitions allowed when sporting this free-for-all of fun, lively shades. Keep you color vibrant by using The Good Stuff Color Protect Milk on your strands. Are you thinking about trying out one of these vibrant hair colors? Be sure to grab a picture of the results and tag us over @AllThingsHairUS!
