24 Best Ombre Hair Colors For Short Hair

Dark at the roots, descending to light at the ends – Ombrés never go out of style, especially on badass short haircuts, like a bob. And currently, short hair ombre is one of the widely popular hair color trends out there.

But if you need some inspiration to pick the right ombré hair color for short hair, you have come to the right place. The right colored ombré can accentuate your eye color and skin tone and even enhance your natural hair color and texture. You can also opt for pop shock colors like vibrant or pastel shades of pink, blue, purple, green, and red. Or you may select softer, natural shades like brown, blonde, auburn, and gray.

So swipe up and get to cherry-picking your new hair color for that fierce bob!

Before You Get Started

• A color that looks fantastic on somebody else may not appear the same on you. Therefore, it is beneficial to select shades that flatter your skin tone.
• It is recommended not to go for a DIY approach. Get help from a professional hairstylist to achieve the right level of dark-to-light hues throughout your hair.
• If you have never changed your hair color, it is best not to go more than two or three shades lighter than your natural color.
• Use color-safe shampoo to prevent your hair color from fading too quickly.

24 Best Ombre Hair Colors

An ombre shade can play a transformative role in enhancing your overall look. When you choose one for yourself, consider your skin tone and eye color. Plus, ensure the selected color resonates with your personality and matches your vibe to look and feel stunning. Below, we have listed 24 amazing ombre hair color ideas — from gradual ombre highlights to rich color melt shades. These will blow your mind away. Keep scrolling.

1. Peacock Ombre

The perfect combination of deep roots transitioning to soft sea-green creating vibrant blends of turquoise, teal, and blue. It’s impossible to resist this ombre. The soft and seamless way the colors blend gives the impression that they were meant to be together!

2. Phoenix Ombre

This is perfect for those who want to try an edgy ombre color but are too worried to color their entire hair. Try a statement ombre where you only color the front of your hair in bold phoenix shades. The color combination features the seductive tones of pink, purple, orange, and yellow. And you can color the rest of your hair in a bright pink ombre that goes well with dark brown natural hair.

3. Silver Ombre

Silver is one hot color! It goes well with cool-toned skin. If you have a warm undertone, add in some gold or blonde highlights. If you really want your silver ombre to pop, you can also throw in some lilac highlights.

Sejal Kumar, a YouTuber, shared her personal experience of getting a subtle silver and lilac ombre hair color. She talks about her complete hair journey and happily reports about the results, “I was basically there for some eight hours and the end result was this, which I really really loved. I had not thought that this kind of color would look nice on my skin, I didn’t think a gray color would suit Indian skin tone at all.” She also offers a point to remember, “If you do get a color which is blended from the top till the end, you have to keep refreshing it for it to look good (i).”

4. Smokey Purple Ombre

Purple ombre hairstyles with dark shadow roots make for an absolutely bewitching look! Smokey purple goes well with warm-toned skin. Check out other pastel shades of purple that have a cooler tone if you have cool-toned skin. Go for dark smokey purple shadow roots on the top half of your hair and color the rest of your hair a pastel lilac shade.

5. Powder Blue Ombre

Blue hair has been around for ages. It is classy, stylish, and vibrant. This look starts out intense and becomes light towards the end. If you want powder blue hair, opt for an ombre like this one. Style the hair by tying it in braids such as fishtail or Dutch braids to create the interplay between black and blue color. This hairstyle looks vibrant and bold.

6. Lilac Hair

Lilac and lavender ombre hair color ideas have taken over all hair color enthusiasts’ social media feeds these days. These lovely, wild colors make you feel free, working best with medium and fair skin tones. A big craze right now is a lilac ombre with the roots done up in an intense lilac shade that gets lighter as you reach the ends.

Quick Tip

It is recommended to have a blonde base before applying any lilac hair color (like silver). A blonde base helps reflect the lilac beautifully and enhances the short hair look.

7. Blonde Balayage Ombre

Balayage is a free-hand coloring technique. It makes the added color blend seamlessly into your natural hair color. This subtle blonde ombre balayage is perfect for beachy summers. Use a curling wand to style the hair in loose waves to create movement in the hair. The wavy texture makes the gradient effect more noticeable in the hair.

8. Gray Ombre

Steamy gray ombres are a hit this year. Gray is a mature yet chic color. It tends to stand out during fall and works with the Christmas theme too. The darker roots of this hair look help frame your face beautifully.

9. Red-Blonde Ombre

Red and gold are warm-toned hues that bring the mythical phoenix to mind. These colors add shine and volume to your locks. They also bring depth to your tresses. I love how the red blends in with the golden blonde to create this glossy ginger look that is perfect for fall.

10. Rose Ombre

Rose gold is like that popular kid at school that everyone loves! You can almost feel the warmth of this pink-gold combo emanating from the picture. Experiment with different hair styling techniques on this gorgeous ombre, such as some chic blown-out curls to add dimension to your locks.

11. Titian Ombre

Titian is a beautiful reddish-brown hair shade with an orange tint. It is often confused with auburn. Pair your titian ombre with some subtle strawberry blonde highlights. This is a warm combination that will suit people with warm undertones.

12. Gradual Blonde

If you have dark locks, your ultimate makeover would be going to the light side (like a Jedi, get it?). Instead of an immediate transition to blonde, opt for a gradual blonde ombre. It is a safe way to see how blonde hair would look on you without any dire consequences.

13. Lob Ombre

The lob is taking over the world. Actresses like Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Stone have popularized this chic hairstyle. If you have a lob, one sure way to spice it up is with a natural colored ombre. Get a chocolate brown ombre to add depth and dimension to your locks.

14. Driftwood Blend

Driftwood looks stunning. It is brown at the top and blonde as you peel away layers. A driftwood ombre will add dimension to your locks with a touch of contrast. Choose smokey shades to infuse a mysterious vibe to your look.

15. Rose Brown Ombre With A Blonde Shine

Rose brown is making brunettes all over the world go crazy. It’s a stunning color inspired by the rose gold shade. Add a subtle golden touch to your rose brown ombre to make it glossy. Style it in some curls and go slay!

16. White Ombre

White hair is the latest trend in blonde hair colors. Keep an inch of your roots dark to add depth to your ombre. This white-washed blonde ombre first merges with the dark roots to look ashy but becomes stark white at the end.

17. Dirty Blonde Ombre

Light with a golden touch or deep like a mystery – dirty blonde is a versatile shade that is making women everywhere happy. A dirty blonde ombre is just what you need to spice up your locks this autumn. It is a shade that will suit cool- and warm-toned skin.

18. Deep Blue Balayage

If you have naturally black hair, try out this ombre. It’s grungy and young! If your hair is dull, this is a great way to liven it up. This deep blue shade looks great with the autumn and summer color palettes.

19. Cherry Ombre

There’s a reason the best things in life are described as the “cherry on top.” Opt for a cherry ombre to spice up your hair. This color is playful and deep. It suits fair skin, but you can find shades to suit your skin tone and undertone as well. Layered haircuts add dimension to this Cherry ombre hair, giving it a vivacious look. Use a blow dryer for an effortless tousled look.

20. Candy Cane Ombre

Think of a color that best describes femininity—you probably thought of candy pink and pastel lavender. Well, you can now get your hair looking extra attractive and delicious with this combo. Try this funky wavy candy cane ombre blend, which is a bubbly blend of both these colors, and you will love it!

21. Turquoise Ombre

Blue is such a beautiful and calm color. It makes me wonder why the phrase “Monday blues” has such a negative connotation. This blue ombre reminds me of the waves calmly crashing against the shore.

Quick Tip

There are different varieties of turquoise ombre to experiment your short hair with such as purple and turquoise ombre, gunmetal turquoise ombre, and turquoise green ombre.

22. Denim Blue Ombre

Denim has been around for ages and is a classic. Color experts have taken it a step further, allowing us to take this denim obsession to our hair. Isn’t this denim ombre absolutely to die for? Hands down, it’s one of the coolest, edgy, dark ombre hair color ideas ever!

23. Lived-In Blonde Ombré

A beautiful look that gives a laid-back, natural vibe with a chic touch. Unlike regular ombré, it’s meant to look grown-out and effortless, requiring less maintenance. With darker roots gracefully fading into lighter tips, it’s a stylish way to embrace a natural-looking, fashionable hair color.

24. Honey Bronde Ombre

A classic combination that never goes out of style. With a beautiful honey color at the top slowly melting into sandy blonde locks, this hair color is perfect for those who don’t want to experiment with vibrant hues like green, blue, or purple. Whether you have a pixie or a good old bob, this color will take your hair game up a notch and turn heads wherever you go.

Infographic: Top 6 Best Ombre Hair Color Ideas For Short Hair

Ombre is a popular choice for short hair as it adds depth, dimension, and a pop of color to your style. From vibrant shades to subtle hues, there is a wide range of options to suit your taste and skin tone. Whether you prefer bold and edgy colors or soft and elegant blends, check out the infographic below for the 6 best ombre hair colors for short hair and get ready for your next hair transformation.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best products to maintain ombre hair?

Color-protecting shampoos and conditioners are essential to preserve the hair color and retain the seamless ombre effect. A deep conditioning treatment or hair oil is essential to restore the lost moisture of the hair and its natural shine. If you have light ombre hair color, incorporate a purple or blue shampoo in your routine to prevent the strands from turning brassy.

Is ombre or balayage better for short hair?

Balayage is a better hair dye technique for short hair if you want more depth and dimension. In addition, it is an effective alternative to ombre. However, you can opt for ombre if you want a more natural gradient style.

Where do you start ombre on short hair?

You can start ombre on short hair near the jawline.

Is ombre better than highlights?

Yes, ombre is a better option than traditional highlights, as it gives a more natural look and needs low maintenance. Certified trichologist Monica Dickenson says, “ An ombre is a great option for someone who likes to change their hair color a couple of times a year”.

Illustration: Best Ombre Hair Colors For Short Hair

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Check out this video to find out the top 7 best ombre colors for short hair! Get inspired and find the perfect look for you!

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Monica DickensonCertified Trichologist

     

Monica Dickenson has more than 30 years of experience as a dedicated technician and business owner. She is very passionate about providing the best service possible to anyone experiencing hair loss and has certifications in hair replacement and holistic trichology.

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Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

 

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

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Madhumati ChowdhuryAssociate Editor

Madhumati is an associate editor with seven years of professional experience. She has previously worked as an editor, proofreader, and a writer with various organizations, helping her navigate through the various facets of content creation and refinement with ease.

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Bhumika DagaBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Bhumika is a content writer with 2.5 years of expertise in crafting articles across diverse genres. She graduated from the University of Delhi and completed her post-graduation from Indira Gandhi National Open University, Delhi.

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