Beauty (and especially hair) enthusiasts typically have a special place in their hearts for curls, often viewed as wild and carefree. Plus, it’s aspirational—for many, curls are impossible to achieve without permanent treatments and frequent heat styling.
That said, there are times when even curly-haired girls yearn to switch things up with a new hue (or two) which is where our handy roundup of the best curly hair color ideas comes into play. Whether inspired by our 2023 hair trend predictions or looking to take your big hair energy to the next level, you can rest assured that it’s possible to color curly hair as long as it’s done with care. Here are all the answers to some of your biggest questions surrounding curly hair color, along with a full spectrum of ideas to help enhance your natural ringlets.
Is it okay to dye curly hair?
One of the biggest questions surrounding curly hair color is whether it’s safe. After all, curly hair often comes with a separate user manual that some owners spend years trying to decode (and then, with weather and bodily changes, often re-code). Curly girls are often rightfully cautious of anything that could put a kink (pun intended) in their tried-and-tested routines.
Hair color for curly hair is different than hair types, but even amidst other curly hair types, not one-size-fits-all. An experienced colorist can properly assess your mane and develop a customized approach, using colors and techniques optimized for your hair texture and needs. In addition, your stylist has access to the best products to help preserve the health and integrity of your spirals. If you’re going lighter, lightening formulas like Redken Flash Lift Power 9 Bonder Inside are formulated with glycine and citric acid to help minimize the amount of strong (disulfide) bonds that break during a chemical process (like lightening) to help protect your curl pattern. It’s always important to visit a professional when changing your hair color, but maybe even more so for those bestowed with curly hair.
Hydrate Shampoo
A deeply hydrating, color-preserving shampoo for normal to thick dry, color-treated hair.
Hydrate Conditioner
A hydrating, softening conditioner for medium to thick dry, color-treated hair.
Hydrate Sheer Shampoo
A lightweight, sulfate-free shampoo that hydrates fine, color-treated hair.
Hydrate Sheer Conditioner
A lightweight, silicone-free conditioner that hydrates and detangles fine, dry-color-treated hair.
Acidic Bonding Concentrate Intensive Treatment
An intensive acidic rinse-off treatment that helps reinforce weak hair bonds and repair damaged hair.
Acidic Bonding Concentrate Bundle
Acidic Bonding Concentrate bundle to strengthen hair & repair damage
Styling Dry Shampoo
Maximum oil absorption and cleaner feeling hair.
Serie Expert Curl Expression Curls Reviver Spray
Lightweight curl and coil defining and reviving spray that calms frizz and instantly extends curl and coil pattern and definition.
How can I care for curly hair color?
Your colorist can help you develop a personalized care routine for keeping your newly-colored coils vibrant and healthy. Shower staples typically include a color-safe, sulfate-free washing duo. We recommend Pureology’s Hydrate Shampoo and Hydrate Conditioner for medium-to-thick densities. Fine hair types should stick to a lightweight system like Pureology Hydrate Sheer Shampoo and Conditioner.
Keeping a bond-repairing system on hand, like Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate, can also nourish colored hair from the inside out. The brand’s acidic formulas help repair and strengthen hair against the damaging effects of coloring, heat styling, and other chemical services. The four-step routine includes an Intensive Treatment, Shampoo, Conditioner, and Leave-In and is suitable for all hair types and textures.
Last but not least, a salon-quality dry shampoo like Matrix Styling Refresher Dry Shampoo and a curl refresher spray like L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Curl Expression Curls Reviver Spray can go a long way. They help extend your styles by cutting back on washing and heat styling, which prevents premature color fade and helps keep curls in shape.
Good hair day by hitexturehair
What should I dye my hair if I have curly hair?
If you’re wondering what color looks best on curly hair, keep scrolling for 45 of our favorite real-life applications that are guaranteed to make your spirals shine.
The Best Curly Hair Color Ideas to Try Now
Champagne Rose
Whether creating them by hand or rocking your natural texture, you can make your ringlets pop with an iridescent champagne-inspired shade. Ask your stylist about the new Redken Shades EQ Gold Rose Hair Gloss in 010GRo Sparkling Wine to achieve this subtle rose reflect on lightened or blonde hair.
Good hair day by edgybgirl
Brown Rose
Rose isn’t limited to just blonde hair—this brunette rose shade with hints of gold pairs exceptionally well with darker skin tones.
Good hair day by hairbyreema
Red Hot
Why said curlies can’t get in on the latest hair cut trends? Nuances of red paired with a curly wolf cut make this look a true standout. Not to mention, a properly-cut curly bang can expertly frame the face.
Good hair day by janeair_studio_uz
Dark Auburn
What happens when fire engine red meets brown? This fiery auburn explosion. It’s (almost) too hot to handle.
Good hair day by hairbyreema
Creamy Golden Blonde
Equal parts cool, beige, and golden, this lightened-up look is an ideal way to brighten up your skin tone and inject extra dimension into your twists.
Good hair day by beeblondor
Gingerbread Highlights
Who says gingerbread hair color is just for the holidays? Warm up your mane year-round with this brunette that weaves a reddish ginger glow throughout.
Good hair day by curls.by.lailee
Purple
Not all fantasy colors have to be bright and commanding. If you’re wary of your hair color coming off as too artificial, this deep purple is so dark it can almost pass as black—-until the sunlight hits it, of course.
Good hair day by caidycreate
Lilac Blonde
Is there a color (or scent) as universally loved as lavender? The best part is that if you’re starting with light hair, you can use a temporary formula like Biolage Professional Color Balm Lavender Color Depositing Conditioner to give you a lilac look without the commitment.
Good hair day by designsofcomposure
Periwinkle
Embrace your inner (punk) princess with an up-and-coming pastel purple-blue. We love how it’s mixed with violet here for a whimsical yet slightly edgy appearance.
Good hair day by rebeccataylorhair
Pastel Rainbow
If you crave something a little more unexpected, why not take dreamy pastel rainbow for a whirl? Protect the vibrancy of fast-fading hair colors like pastels by adding a system like Matrix Total Results Keep Me Vivid Shampoo and Conditioner to your routine.
Good hair day by curls.by.lailee
Bloody Mary
Equal parts earthy and spicy, bloody mary hair will have you ready to dial up your stylist ASAP. We especially love this trend because of the edginess of color-blocking your bangs.
Pure Gold
True golden pigments bring out the warmth in skin, making it ideal for those with medium to olive complexions. Revive your gilded hair in-between salon appointments with Pureology Color Fanatic Top Coat + Tone Gold, which will refresh your golden color for up to six washes.
Good hair day by yourstrulyeddy
We’ve always been told to strive for gold, but we’ll take the bronze when it comes to hair. If that just-stepped-off-the-beach glow were ever bottled into a hair color, this would be it.
Good hair day by beeblondor
Sunflower Balayage
This balayage is a prime example of how well warm and cool blonde tones play together when it’s done right. Golden warmth frames the face, while cool ends give you a hit of brightness that is much easier to maintain than it would be at the root.
Good hair day by milenarosehair
Copper Mocha
It’s red, it’s copper, it’s mocha! Whatever it is, this trio marries beautifully to create a unique shade of reddish brown. Replicate this look by asking your stylist to blend Matrix Coil Color in shades 7M, 6CC, and 6RR.
Jet Black
You don’t need to change your hair color to make an impact with your spirals—giving them bounce and definition is sometimes all it takes to put your jet black hair in the spotlight. L’Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Curl Expression Definition Activator Gel is perfect for giving strands frizz-free definition while infusing curls with the hydration and strength it craves.
Good hair day by beeblondor
Ginger
If you’re one of the lucky ones who were born with natural ginger hair, we’re majorly side-eyeing you. If not, going ginger has never been easier or more popular. Just ask any Hollywood A-lister.
Good hair day by Greg_Gilmore
Platinum
Paired with a pixie cut and tousled ringlets, a platinum hair color will get its time to shine.
Good hair day by @therealhairbender.
White
A touch brighter and less pigmented than its platinum counterpart, white hair is as back-to-basics as it gets.
You’ll want to keep a purple shampoo on hand to neutralize brassy undertones in your white hair and keep it cool-toned. We love Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain Ultra Violet Purple Shampoo.
Good hair day by beauty_studio_trend_nasice
Blue and Green
Channel your inner mermaid with this majestic mix of blue and green curls. It’s particularly beautiful on curly hair because the motion of your ringlets can be reminiscent of a flowing body of water.
Good hair day by pati.rodrigz
Turquoise
Want to go a touch darker with your aquatic mermaid hair? Choose a deep turquoise instead. Paired with natural hair, it’s a sure knockout.
Good hair day by georgepapanikolas and michaelkanyon
Honey Blonde
Like honey drizzled generously into your morning tea, honey blonde makes everything sweeter.
A honey color can make your curls look dreamy, but a honey-infused gel keeps them supple and soft! Pick up Matrix’s A Curl Can Dream Light-Hold Gel, made with manuka honey to help define curls and coils without the crunch.
Good hair day by marcelcurlsyouon
Silver
No matter how much we try to fight it, gray hair is inevitable. If you’re thinking of letting your natural grays shine through, have your colorist dye your hair silver or add silver highlights to make the transition into gray hair that much easier.
Good hair day by hairmax_parrucchieri
Strawberry Blonde
Calling all redheads: If you’re ready for a small refresh of your signature shade that’s neither red nor blonde, strawberry blonde may be just what you need to shake things up.
Good hair day by michelleoconnorbeauty
Sunny Yellow
Light up your life with this vivid shade of yellow. After all, sunshine-reminiscent hues are associated with boosting your energy and happiness—and we could all use a little bit of that.
Good hair day by evanjosephcurls
Peach
Soak up all the flirty vibes with peachy pink. Especially great for fair-to-light skin tones, peach is also practical because it looks good even when it slightly fades or washes out.
Good hair day by joyjah
Mauve Highlights
Situated squarely between a natural and fantasy color, mauve is one of our go-to curly hair color ideas because it’s so wearable. Have your colorist focus a bulk of the shade around your face to illuminate your skin.
Good hair day by monicapvaladez
Espresso
Somewhere in between jet black and dark brunette falls espresso hair color, a neutral shade with a high-shine finish that never appears dull. Amp up your hair’s sheen with Redken’s Shine Flash Hairspray.
Good hair day by beeblondor
Smoked Out Roots
If you want to keep your salon touch-ups to a minimum, ask your stylist to smoke out your roots to ensure a more seamless grow-out and reduce your upkeep.
Good hair day by chanelstylez
Sun-Kissed Greige
A harmonious blend of cool greige (gray and beige) and iridescent gold, this sun-kissed effect is a stunner on curly to coily hair.
Good hair day by dezarai.stylist
Gemini Hair
Embrace two sides of your personality (or simply pat yourself on the back for being indecisive) with stylish half-and-half hair color. Also called Gemini hair, this trendy dual-toned look celebrates anyone afraid of hair color commitment or fears missing out on the latest hair color trends.
Good hair day by leysahairandmakeup
Deep Rust
Whether it be the nails sitting in our junk drawers or our dating life, we usually shy away from anything that presents itself as rusty. The only exception is this electric rusty red hair shade, of course.
Good hair day by leysahairandmakeup
Super-Fine Streaks
While some like their highlights to be bold and chunky, others prefer them fine and delicate. Opting for skinny, lightened streaks can help you add depth to your curls, and your stylist can strategically place them to blend any stray grays.
Good hair day by ferarango_hairstylist
Spicy Curry
Elevate a deep brunette curly base with a sprinkling of curry-kissed chunky highlights.
Good hair day by lindsey.marie.olson
Golden Sunrise
Add dimension to golden locks with a range of cooler and warmer tones for a sun-kissed ombre effect. We love how the depth is maintained when worn on the shoulders in the style shown.
Good hair day by andreycorbanni
English Toffee
This toffee shade is especially great for amplifying lighter eye colors. Treat the toffee as an accent color instead of the whole picture, and you’ll have yourself a showstopping, voluminous ‘do.
Good hair day by marinela_hairstylist
Chocolate Almond
As recently gushed about, chocolate brown is taken to new decadent heights when combined with ribbons of creamy almond. Try the fresh twist on an old classic to ease into hair color and embrace your brunette.
Good hair day by @deborahpadula
Honeycomb
For another sweet treat, try lightening up dark curls and creating the appearance of more volume with honey-hued highlights. This lightweight Biolage Professional Volume Bloom Shampoo delivers a natural boost and next-level shine without stripping your hair.
Chestnut
Chestnut is having a serious moment. Warm up with a full wash of the reddish-brown shade, or add depth to your brunette base with subtle streaks of chestnut throughout your mane.
Good hair day by marcelcurlsyouon
Copper Bronze
Copper takes on an edgier, warmer aesthetic when met with its bronze counterpart. Pick up a toning hair mask formula like Matrix Total Results Brass Off Custom Neutralization Hair Mask to help preserve your color while managing brassiness.
Good hair day by @mustafaavci
Gold-Foiled
Command attention wherever you go with a metallic-inspired look. A gel or lotion, such as Mizani True Textures Sleek Holding Gel, can help keep hair in place and provide the perfect foundation for your crown.
Good hair day by @haircolorkilla
Maroon
Named one of the hottest red hair color trends, maroon is a great option for those looking to try a bright, yet still office-friendly, shade. A quick tip: Your colorist may need to darken your base first to ensure proper saturation if you have lighter hair
Good hair day by michelleoconnorbeauty
Cherry Cola
The nostalgic concoction, typically identified as a brown base with waves of violet and red, resurfaces for the summertime but still goes strong all year. This hue is especially great for those with darker shades who want to lighten up without using bleach.
Good hair day by @_serinarenee.
Pumpkin Spice
Lean into all that is fall with the ongoing seasonal that is pumpkin spice (also known as the perfect blend of sweet and spicy). While universal, this shade is among those we’d specifically recommend for darker skin tones.
Good hair day by @rondah.shaskey.hair.
Autumn Leaves
This colorful style combines maroon, red, and orange for an ombre aesthetic reminiscent of fall leaves, regardless of what the calendar says.
Interested in coloring your curls? Shop Hair.com for our best professional products to maintain your look.
Hydrate Shampoo
A deeply hydrating, color-preserving shampoo for normal to thick dry, color-treated hair.
Hydrate Conditioner
A hydrating, softening conditioner for medium to thick dry, color-treated hair.
Hydrate Sheer Shampoo
A lightweight, sulfate-free shampoo that hydrates fine, color-treated hair.
Hydrate Sheer Conditioner
A lightweight, silicone-free conditioner that hydrates and detangles fine, dry-color-treated hair.
Acidic Bonding Concentrate Intensive Treatment
An intensive acidic rinse-off treatment that helps reinforce weak hair bonds and repair damaged hair.
Acidic Bonding Concentrate Bundle
Acidic Bonding Concentrate bundle to strengthen hair & repair damage
Styling Dry Shampoo
Maximum oil absorption and cleaner feeling hair.
Serie Expert Curl Expression Curls Reviver Spray
Lightweight curl and coil defining and reviving spray that calms frizz and instantly extends curl and coil pattern and definition.
Total Results Keep Me Vivid Sulfate-Free Shampoo
A sulfate free, gentle shampoo that gently cleanses so hair color remains vibrant.
Total Results Keep Me Vivid Nourishing Conditioner
A lightweight, yet hydrating conditioner that leaves colored hair vibrant, smooth and soft.
Serie Expert Curl Expression Definition Activator Gel
Curl definition gel provides curl and coil pattern definition from roots to ends and activates curls and coils.
Blond Absolu Bain Ultra-Violet Purple Shampoo
Shampoo for lightened, cool blonde, bleached, or gray hair.
A Curl Can Dream Light-Hold Gel for Curly and Coily Hair
Flake- and crunch-free Manuka honey extract-infused light-hold defining gel for curls and coils.
Shine Flash Hair Spray
An anti frizz hair spray for glass-like shine and finish.
Total Results Brass Off Custom Neutralization Hair Mask
A color-depositing hair mask that neutralizes brassiness in colored hair.
True Textures Sleek Holding Gel
Sleek Holding Gel provides the benefits of a flexible, long-lasting hold without crunch or flaking
