A dark ombre hair color is a hair coloring technique that gradually transitions the hair from a dark color on top to an even darker color on the bottom. Traditionally, the dark hues start at the roots and transition into light-colored ends. This can be the other way around – the roots lighter and the tips darker – and this is called reverse ombre.
With the balayage hand-painting technique, dark ombres are now more natural-looking than ever! The vast choices of colors to choose from and blend together make this hairstyle suitable for literally everyone to pull off no matter your complexion, natural hair color, and lifestyle. It’s key to communicate your colorist well, so you can let your personality out with the most flattering combination of shades!
Working with your natural shade makes this even easier to maintain, as grow-outs won’t be a problem! Highlights and lowlights can create a seamless transition that transforms the ombre hair into a natural-looking one, and for this, we are forever grateful.
See how Lucy Hale, Taraji Henson, and Selena Gomez are wearing their dark ombres, and for sure you’ll be green with envy. If you’re looking for a hairstyle with superb dimensions, contrast, and edge, this is absolutely the one for you.
Here we’ve rounded up only the most popular dark ombre hair looks for this year! Check ’em out now!
#1: Grey Ombre
Stylist Niko made Instagram-worthy hair goals! A soft fade from dark to light gray gives hair superb color quality.
#2 Reverse Blonde to Dark Ombre
The deeper the color, the better! A silky light-to-dark fade that beautifully showcases the blonde and purple colors nicely.
#3 Rose Gold Ombre on Dark Hair
Balayage hair helps transition color, especially in this dark to light one. Pink hair with ashy tones still stands out while emanating a chilled-out vibe.
#4 Balayage Ombre
Cookies and cream blended in a creamy consistency! Having dark roots and lighter ends tends to be the safest way to explore hair color. Plus, it’s really easy to maintain!
#5 Blue Ombre
This look is stylish and dimensional from the color and layers. One of my favorite things about this look is the dark blue ombre that blends seamlessly with the dark roots. Darker roots allow the regrowth to be less obvious, thus lower maintenance. I recommend this for clients with a strict office dress code, as this subtle dark blue ombre is definitely not flaunting in HR’s eyes.
#6 Dark Brown Ombre
This type of curly ombre makes a bold change from rich chocolate to some caramel twirls. And honestly, we’re living for it.
#7 Purple Ombre
Having violet hair is an easy and creative way of expressing yourself. A tint of gray transition to rich purple and lilac strands scream sass.
#8 Blonde ombre on Dark Hair
This look is an edgy ombre. It pairs deep cool brunette (level 3/4 cool) tones transitioning into cool beige and blonde ends (level 9). We glossed and toned with ash to keep warmth down.
#9 Dark Brown to Red Ombre
I love how we can play off the original root color, as melting a natural color into something bright and different is such a fun thing to do. Aveda texture tonic is great when styling looks like this, and giving it a bit of curl always gives the color a cool dimensional look when different light hits it. This look is great for anyone who loves to show her hair off! Styling the hair with some texture and a bold look gives it an overall look.
#10 Dark Brown to Light Brown Ombre
This look is a splash of creamer in a dark roast. The best thing about this color is how smoothly it blends between such a dark base and lighter ends, and the dimension is my favorite! I would recommend this color to anyone looking for minimal maintenance. It’s perfect for someone who likes to wear their hair in different textured styles like loose curls, waves, and braids, as it shows off the different tones.
#11 Blonde Dark Ombre Hair
This look showcases a perfect golden lived-in blonde. Using the balayage technique, we can create that “beachy” look without having to spend the whole summer in the sun. Styling it with a wand will also enhance the look but adding the element of beachy waves
Since the blonde isn’t all the way to the root, it is perfect for someone who wants lower upkeep but still a total blonde look. If you are looking for some fun in sun this will def be the perfect summer look for you!
#12 Dark Black to Silver Ombre
It’s important to remember getting this blonde is difficult if done too quickly the hair can be compromised. We worked in multiple sessions for at least 6 months to achieve these silvery highlights in contrast to her dark base. My general rule when thinking of flattering tones is that the opposite side of the color wheel from the underlying skin tones when going lighter, but the same color family when going darker works for most people.
#13 Brown Ombre
This type of curly ombre makes a bold change from rich chocolate to some caramel twirls. And honestly, we’re living for it.
#14: Short Dark Ombre Hair Color
Yes you can still do ombre on a pixie cut! And with that color transition, I am definite that it will look one of a kind.
#15: Reverse Light to Dark Ombre
Soft waves starting at the nape can bring a softer transition from light to dark. Here we have a dark caramel to black ombre.
#16: Red Ombre
Sultry and sexy, like burning passion! Be an instant head-turner with silky scarlet ombre.
#17: Dark Brown to Blonde Ombre
Q&A with style creator, Krysta Williss
Stylist / Colorist @ Govero Salons + Spa in Clayton, MO
How would you describe this look?
I created this rooted look with a combination of baby-lights and balayage. Baby-lights are just a hairdresser term for very finely weaved highlights and are supposed to give you a similar look to the sun-kissed highlights you would get as a child. Balayage is a hand-painting technique and when utilized, creates a melted look from dark to light. I used a razor technique for the majority of this cut to give her soft texture and really showcase the color.
My favorite part of the whole project was giving her a lived in color where she still felt lighter and brighter. The beach waves were created with a flatiron and finished off with Oribe Texturizing Spray. If you haven’t tried this product yet, you are seriously missing out. It creates effortless texture and volume in an instant for fine haired girls: this is your new best friend!
Any advice for someone considering it?
This client of mine, shown in the image, had been previously balayaged two times before this final transformation. Her hair was colored dark maroon before going blonde, so we had to trust the process and take it slow to protect her hair’s integrity.
My biggest advice to anyone wanting to go lighter: be 100% honest with your stylist about your color history and take it slow. Trust the process. Lifting virgin hair is pretty easy, but when lifting through old color (professional and box dye), it can be unpredictable. Taking it slow ensures that your hair stays healthy and doesn’t compromise anything.
I usually send all of my clients home with professional grade at-home care products to ensure the longevity and health of the hair. Any hair type can achieve this look in time but don’t be surprised if you have thick, dark hair, you probably won’t get to an icy blonde color in one service.
This color is lived-in, meaning you can go a few months without doing much to it and it’ll still look seamless. The cut can be achieved on straight hair to really curly hair. It has minimal layers for added movement and face-framing pieces to fit any face shape. No matter what texture, however, you style it, this color and the cut combo are perfect for all you low maintenance gals and guys out there!
#18: Dark to Light Ombre Hair
This is a dramatic blended ombre lob. The techniques used were babylights, balayage, root shadowing, compression cutting, and dry slide shear cutting. What I love about this look is its purely low-maintenance but a high level of visual impact.
This is a great style for any client who loves a dramatic look but doesn’t have the time or budget to commit to one. This color and cut only need touch-ups a few times per year and can work on most hair types. The cut styles have a lot of versatility and look wavy or straight!
#19: Caramel ombre on Dark Brown Hair
Q&A with style creator, Zoe Bernard
Stylist @ Connie’s Hair Salon in Strasburg, OH
How would you describe this look?
This look is a subtle approach to a caramel ombre for somebody who wants to change it up but it’s not too intense. My favorite thing about it is how well the color fades as well as how nice it grows out!
The mixture of coppers and beiges I used ensures it fades out nicely and she doesn’t have to worry about having drab hair, also being able to go longer in between appointments. This color technique looks great with straight or curled hair, short or long hair! The cut and color is super low maintenance. The technique I used and the color formula works with most clients depending on the intensity of color.
Any advice for someone considering it?
The client would need to be ok with warmer tones. This look again is great because it introduces the warm caramel tones without the fear of being too red if that is a concern of the client.
#20: Dark to Ash Ombre
High contrast ombres are for those ready for a big change and understand the maintenance of blonde ends. Clients also need to understand that to achieve these light blonde ends. It takes several sessions. Another thing to keep in mind is the upkeep. Most natural brunettes have a lot of red undertones. Thus when their hair is bleached, it tends to pull more orange/gold than ashy. To keep it ashy, it requires maintenance with either toning or purple shampoo!
I work and love Redken products, so my recommendation to keep your hair integrity and strength is to use Redken extreme anti-snap before drying it or use the extreme C.A.T. treatment before shampooing. Another recommendation, if you prefer ashy blonde, would be to use Redken color extend blondage purple shampoo, but only when you notice your blonde going too gold. If used daily or even weekly, it may start staining your hair purple.
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