Hairstylist Tells Us The Hair Colors That Are Making You Look Older

It's no secret that hair color can impact how attractive someone is perceived to be. While a successful love life might come down to a little more than the shade of your locks, hair color can significantly affect a person's overall looks, and consequently, how confident they feel. Touched-up roots can be the difference between feeling put together and like a mess, and getting a fresh color after going brassy can revitalize your self-esteem. In some cases, your hair color can also make you look younger or older than your years. 

There are several factors that contribute to how well a hair color complements you, from your skin tone and undertone to the color of your eyes and go-to fashion choices. The exact perfect shade varies from person to person, but there are certainly some hues that will almost always make a person look older. To find out which hair colors to avoid for this reason, we had an exclusive conversation with Jennifer Korab, creator and founder of Renaissance Salon & Spa, and owner of Revival Barber Shop. Korab revealed that certain shades of blond will age you more than others, while it's also a good idea to stay away from some tones of gray. 

Those with blond hair may have more fun, but they don't always look as young as they could. According to Jennifer Korab, a cool-toned ashy blond tends to do no favors for those who don't want to look older than they are. "Ashy blond shades, particularly those that are extremely light, can drain the color from your complexion, leaving the skin looking dull and lifeless," she tells Glam exclusively, adding that ashy blond also highlights features of the face that you might want to play down as you age, such as fine lines and wrinkles.

If your heart is set on ashy blond, you could incorporate this cool tone through highlights, or a balayage effect. The main thing to remember is to keep that color from sitting around your face where it can draw attention to the signs of aging. 

Along with ashy blond, you might want to also reconsider going for a platinum-blond color. "Similar to ashy blond, platinum blond can be overly light and also harsh for many skin tones, leading to a washed-out effect," Jennifer Korab tells Glam exclusively. "This color can also cause the skin to appear more yellowish or gray, accentuating any signs of aging." Instead of opting for platinum, consider exploring tones in the realm of honey blond, a warmer Champagne blond, or even a strawberry blond. 

If it's any consolation, maintaining platinum-blond hair is usually super expensive anyway! Dirty blond is a lower-cost alternative, but you could also consider an ombré style that gets lighter towards the ends. That way, you'll have less upkeep at the salon, and the platinum blond also won't be sitting around your face and washing you out. 

‌Soft black hair can actually make you look younger, but Jennifer Korab advises against going a true jet black. "Jet black hair can create a stark contrast with the skin, especially if the skin is fair and light toned," she says in our exclusive conversation. "This contrast may highlight imperfections that we try to hide, like dark under-eye circles, and can make the complexion appear paler and more sallow, which often correlates with an aged look." Unless your hair is naturally this dark, it's best to stick to a lighter, less harsh hue that will mellow out your overall look.

Most shades of brown won't age you, so you could also consider leaning towards one of these lighter shades for a similar look with less of a contrast. The exact best shade of brown varies between people, but warmer shades will generally complement those with warmer undertones, while cooler shades are ideal for those with cooler undertones. 

If your hair has started graying, it's more than fine to let it go naturally. Just be aware that cool gray tones in particular can lead to the skin looking "dull and lacking in warmth," as Jennifer Korab explains exclusively to Glam. "This can make the face look more drawn or tired." Rather than sticking with a cool gray, you could try opting for herringbone gray highlights, gray balayage, or a warmer shade of all-over color. 

There are plenty of celebrities out there who proudly show off their gray hair, so you could also take inspiration from somebody like Sarah Jessica Parker or Andie MacDowell. Your hair will naturally become cooler as it transitions from gray to white, but asking your hairstylist to color it with a slightly warmer tone might make all the difference. Of course, you could also leave it just as it is and embrace the natural change.