Forget the elixir of youth. Sometimes the difference between "Ma'am, would you like to sit down?" and "Hey, would you like a coffee?" is just a visit to the hairdresser. We reveal which hair colors are your allies and which have decided to betray you.
You know that hair colors can affect your age? Have you ever looked in the mirror and wondered why your dark circles look like they could hold your weekly shopping? Maybe it's not a sleepless night watching Netflix, but your new hair color. After forty, the rules of the game change. While fashion trends dictate boldness, biology (thank goodness for this irony) gives us thinner skin and a few more wrinkles.
To avoid wasting money on expensive serums while your hair steals your youth, we've compiled a list of color "offenders" and "saviors."
Hair Colors That Shamelessly Age You (Avoid Them Like Exes)
Deep Black: Dramatic yet ruthless
Unless you're Monica Bellucci, going all black after 40 is a risky proposition. It creates a harsh contrast that highlights every shadow on your face. The result? Your wrinkles suddenly take on a 3D effect that you didn't want. If black is part of your identity, at least tone it down with warmer undertones. Black without depth is reserved for Gothic novels, not your face.
View this post on Instagram
Ash blonde: Gray hair in disguise
Cool, gray undertones may have been chic in your twenties, but now they make your complexion look tired and gray. Instead of looking like a Scandinavian fashion icon, you can quickly look like you just got over the flu.
View this post on Instagram
Platinum Blonde: When Hair Becomes a Spotlight for Pores
Platinum is a symbol of prestige, but on mature skin it acts like an aggressive studio light, highlighting all imperfections. Without natural shine, hair looks dried out, which visually adds at least half a decade.
View this post on Instagram
Scarlet Red: Nature Knows Why It Didn't Create This
Intense, artificial red fades quickly and accentuates redness and age spots on the face. If you want to draw attention to yourself, do so with a good handbag, not a color that screams “midlife crisis.”
View this post on Instagram
Color Lift: Shades That Will Give You Time (and Compliments)
Warm honey and wheat blonde: Sunshine in your hair
This is an absolute winner. The warm undertones bring back the glow to your skin, soften your facial features, and make you look like you just came back from a ten-day vacation in Capri. Bonus: they're great at camouflaging the first gray hairs.
View this post on Instagram
Chocolate and coffee shades: Sweetness that flatters
If you're a brunette, forget about black. Go for a rich chocolate or auburn. These shades add depth and softness, making your face appear fuller and more youthful. It's a color that looks "expensive" - and who doesn't want to look like a million bucks?
View this post on Instagram
Beige Blonde: Neutral Elegance
For those who swear by light tones, beige blonde is the perfect middle ground between cool and warm. It reflects light in the right places and doesn't accentuate signs of aging. It's like that perfect "nude" lipstick shade - it goes with everything.
View this post on Instagram
Copper and warm caramel strands: Tricks with light
A few strategically placed caramel highlights around the face act as an instant lift. These warm highlights soften the harsh lines of the jaw and cheeks, which is exactly what we need after a long work week.
View this post on Instagram
Be careful when choosing hair color
Hair color is not just a matter of fashion, it's a strategic decision. Before you sit in the hair salon next time, ask yourself: "Will this color work for me or against me?" And remember - the best color is the one that makes you feel good enough. confidentlyto smile at your own reflection. Even if that reflection has a few more wrinkles than you remembered.
