Ombré wasn’t just a passing a trend—it’s a hair color mainstay that looks good on so many cuts, colors and styles, and we still can’t get enough of it. So just in time for warmer weather, we’ve rounded up some major hair inspo to give you ideas for how to update your current color to this beachy, two-toned look.
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The Celeb: Chrissy Tiegen
The Look: “This ombré is more pronounced due to the extreme difference in color between the root and tips. The tonality of the mid-shaft offers a nice gradation between the crown and the tips, and blends smoothly from the deeper tones to the lighter tones,” says Bridgette Hill, lead colorist at the Four Seasons Palm Beach Salon. “She’s dark brunette at the root, with sandy beige and camel tones at the ends, which prevents the color from looking brassy. This works on her because her darker skin tone allows the lighter hair tones not to overpower, and the depth at the root creates a shadow around her face.”
The Celeb: Jessica Biel
The Look: “Jessica’s natural base color is rich brown, and the randomly placed butterscotch ombré is flattering around her face,” says Pierre Michel Salon’s senior color expert Giselle. “Because her hair is so dark, the ombré technique is much easier to maintain than a highlight to the root where the grow-out stage would be quite noticeable. This color is perfect if you don’t want to get a touch-up every other month.”
The Celeb: Cameron Diaz
The Look: “This ombré was created as a result of Cameron not doing her color. This looks like it’s about 6–8 months worth of growth for an old hair color that she had,” says celebrity colorist Joel Warren, cofounder of Warren-Tricomi Salons. “It’s natural, beachy and beautiful. The ombré look is a great way to grow out an old color naturally.”
The Celeb: Olivia Wilde
The Look: “This ombré is more drastic due to the length of the original root. The crown of her hair is brunette and the tips are cool brown,” says Hill. “Olivia’s porcelain skin and beautiful blue eyes can carry almost any ombré look. The contrast of her light skin tone and dark crown makes her eye color pop.”
The Celeb: Jamie Chung
The Look: “Jamie has a very subtle and soft ombré,” says Giselle. “The golden, sun-kissed ombré highlights her beautiful complexion and becomes very easy to maintain. The few paler pieces woven into her hair make it look even more natural.”
The Celeb: Kate Beckinsale
The Look: “This is an example of extreme ombré, as her hair is so dark. It looks to me that the ombré was done with extensions, which is a great option for girls with dark hair because they can get their desired look without completely bleaching their hair,” says Warren. “The base color is a nice chocolatey brown with a subtle highlight, and the ends are a nice pale color that nicely contrasts. This color works because it creates a great balance in the hair.”
The Celeb: Rose Byrne
The Look: “This is a very natural, subtle ombré look,” says Hill. “Rose is a true brunette at the crown of her hair, and the tips are one shade lighter, similar to a walnut color. Olive skin tones always look best when complemented by their natural brunette hair shade.”
The Celeb: Khloé Kardashian
The Look: “This is another example of extreme ombré—it looks great on her,” says Warren. “The base is all her natural color and everything from the nape down is a nice golden blond. This is a very achievable look that would look great on anyone. I like that it is extreme yet still looks seamless. It is carefree, beachy and wild. I love it.”
