The 25 Best Hair Colors For Hazel Eyes, According To An Expert

By Jessie Amato & Powered By L’Oreal Professional Products Division

If you’re blessed with hazel eyes, you know it doesn’t take much more than bronze eyeshadow and a quick coat of mascara to make your dazzling eye color pop. However, choosing a hair color that perfectly complements your multi-colored eyes and skin tone and eye color can be a bit tricky.

We teamed up with Alli Wray, Matrix artistic educator, to bring you the ultimate guide to hair colors for hazel eyes. Whether you’re looking to keep it simple with dark brown hair or try something a bit more daring, these are the 25 shades you’ll want to ask your colorist about.

What color looks best with hazel eyes?

Hazel eyes have flecks of gold, green, and brown, so it’s best to complement them with warm-toned blondes, browns, and reds if you really want your eye color to stand out. If your hazel eyes have a lot of green in them, rich red shades like auburn and copper will work best for you.

The Best Hair Colors For Pale Skin And Hazel Eyes

Good hair day by @leandrogabanno.

Warm Blonde

If you’re searching for the perfect blonde hair color to flatter hazel eyes, Wray suggests warm-toned shades like honey blonde, butterscotch, and cream blonde. The warm glow from your hair will help bring out the green and gold tones in your hazel eyes.

“Since lighter skin typically has less concentrated amounts of melanin, you can add a lot of warmth without worrying about looking washed out,” Wray says.

New to blonde hair? It’s essential to care for your newly lightened mane with salon-quality products. Start out by swapping your regular shampoo and conditioner for a system designed to benefit color-treated hair. We recommend Biolage R.A.W Color Care Shampoo and Conditioner. Formulated with coconut milk and meadowfoam, this system protects color-treated hair, leaving it soft and shiny with lasting color vibrancy.

To keep your blonde hue brass-free, swap out your regular shampoo and conditioner for a purple color-toning system once a week. We recommend Matrix Total Results So Silver Shampoo and Conditioner. This system neutralizes brassy warmth and corrects yellow tones on blonde hair.

If you’re transitioning from dark to blonde, your colorist will need to use bleach to lift your color. Bleach will always cause damage, but with the help of your stylist and an at-home hair treatment like the Redken All Soft Mega Hydramelt Moisturizing Hair Lotion, you can help to improve the look and feel of your strands.

Good hair day by @amadeu.marins.

Copper

Red and green are a color match made in heaven—and we’re not talking Christmas decorations. For fair skin, a warm red hue like copper hair will instantly bring out the green in your hazel eyes.

“Red and green are contrasting colors so they work really well with one another,” Wray explains. “This will make the eyes the focal point because the two colors are able to stand next to one another, but the warm hair color won’t overpower or take away from the eyes.”

Good hair day by @sarahbalboahmu.

Cherry Red

When it comes to red hair colors and hazel eyes, the bolder, the better! Wray loves the look of bright red hair paired with fair skin and hazel eyes. If you’re up for the challenge, this bright cherry hue packs a serious punch!

Good hair day by @abbieaddotta.

Dirty Blonde

If you’re looking for a blonde that’s a bit lower-maintenance, consider dirty blonde. This stunning blend of blonde and brunette shades will make your hazel eyes shine.

Good hair day by @sos.hair.studio.

Dark Chocolate

Don’t be afraid to go dark—especially with a brunette shade like dark chocolate. This deep chocolatey brown is rich and dimensional enough to flatter any skin tone or eye color.

Good hair day by @curtiscolorshair.

Bubblegum Pink

Thinking pink? Us too! For fair skin tones with hazel, we recommend a pink shade that leans more pastel like bubblegum pink.

It’s no secret that fantasy shades are more challenging to maintain, but if you’re up for the challenge, be sure to swap your regular shampoo and conditioner for the Matrix Total Results Keep Me Vivid system. This shampoo and conditioner is specifically formulated for high-maintenance hair colors.

Good hair day by @courtgannhair.

Emerald

If you’re going to try a cool-toned hair color, don’t just pick any shade—go green! Green shades like this stunning emerald hue can complement your pale skin and the green flecks in hazel eyes.

Espresso

We’ll let you in on a little secret: The darker the hair color, the brighter and bolder your eye color will look in contrast. If you’re looking to go as dark as possible with your hue while still complimenting your fair complexion, look to espresso.

Good hair day by @designsofcomposure.

Bright Yellow

We know, bright yellow is an unexpected choice, but a vibrant, out-of-the-box hair color like this looks absolutely stunning with golden hazel eyes.

The Best Hair Colors For Medium Skin And Hazel Eyes

Good hair day by @alannaarrington.

Dark Brown

For those with naturally dark brown hair and medium skin tones, Wray has some advice to share: Don’t change a thing!

“Keeping the color around the face predominantly darker will help accentuate the eyes,” Wray says.

If you want to make a change, keep it simple. Ask your colorist to apply chocolate brown highlights or lowlights throughout your mane. This will keep your overall hue dark while adding dimension and movement.

Good hair day by @cristenkelso.

Bronde

Looking to go lighter while staying true to your dark roots? Bronde hair allows you to experiment with both ends of the color spectrum—plus, the golden blonde tones can make your hazel eyes look brighter.

To prevent your face-framing strands from becoming too bright, ask your colorist for a bronde balayage or ombre.

Good hair day by @ashleylantzhair.

Cranberry

Since medium skin tones already have a lot of warmth, Wray suggests avoiding bright red shades. Instead, opt for a cool-toned hue like cranberry hair if you want to test out a wild hair color.

Good hair day by @createdbyami.

Sandy Blonde

If you’re lucky enough to maintain your summer glow all year long, channel your inner beach babe with a sandy blonde shade. This stunning combination of light blonde and sandy brown has just enough brightness and warmth to complement both your eye color and skin tone.

Good hair day by @studioplayhelsinki.

Ash Brown

Ash blonde hair might be favorable for fair skin tones, but we absolutely love ash brown for medium skin with hazel eyes. To keep your new hue in tip-top shape, swap your regular shampoo and conditioner for Redken Color Extend Brownlights Shampoo and Conditioner. This progressive color-depositing system keeps brown hair cool and prevents brassiness by depositing the perfect balance of blue pigment with every use.

Good hair day by @ambrosiacarey.

Lavender

Leaning towards something a bit more cool? Stay on-trend with a cool-toned pastel shade like lavender.

Good hair day by @mikaelabeauty_.

Twilighting

We’ve already established that warm-tones are key to enhancing hazel eyes, but what if you’re not trying to commit to a full-head of honey or cream blonde? Ask your colorist about the twilighting technique. Your colorist will apply golden highlights throughout your naturally dark base to add depth and warmth to your look.

Good hair day by @glamourmish.

Mulled Wine

We never say no to wine—especially when it looks this good! If you have tan skin and hazel eyes, mulled wine is the perfect shade of red for you.

The Best Hair Colors For Dark Skin And Hazel Eyes

Good hair day by @pekelariley.

Caramel Highlights

You can never go wrong with caramel highlights and deep skin tones. Wray loves adding caramel highlights to instantly draw attention to hazel eyes.

“For clients that have darker skin tones, adding brightness around the face will create light that reflects off of the eyes, giving them a brighter appearance,” Wray says. “This will also add depth and dimension to the hair.”

If committing to a full head of highlights sounds like a full-time job, Wray recommends asking your colorist for money piece or strobing highlights to add a subtle pop of color around your face. Wondering with highlighting technique is best for you? Check out our full guide.

Good hair day by @michelleoconnorbeauty.

Violet

If you’re looking to keep things vibrant but cool, Wray recommends giving violet hair color a go.

“Cooler, dark hair colors such as burgundy or deep violet will both help to draw attention to hazel eyes without washing you out,” Wray says.

Keep in mind that although violet hair is gorgeous, the shade is not for the faint of heart. If you decide to commit to violet, your colorist can help you develop a touch-up schedule and hair care routine that best fits your needs.

Good hair day by @cesar4styles.

Burgundy

Burgundy hair might appear bold on lighter skin tones, but the deep red shade looks almost neutral against dark skin. If you’re looking for a fiery hair color that makes hazel eyes pop, burgundy might be the one for you!

Good hair day by @makeupbynkc.

Dark Auburn

Deciding between brown and red? Auburn is the best of both worlds! Not to mention, the reddish-brown hue picks up on the green flecks in hazel eyes.

Good hair day by @edgypynkgirl.

Hot Pink

As far as fantasy hair colors go, it doesn’t get much better than hot pink. If you have deep skin and hazel eyes, give this daring shade of pink a try.

Good hair day by @ryansuparno_arieharry.

Black

Is there any combination more stunning than black hair and hazel eyes? We think not! While a smoky, jet black hue is a bit too dark for fairer skin, it’s perfect for deep skin tones.

Black hair looks best with a high-shine finish, so be sure to invest in a shine-enhancing hair serum like Pureology Hydrate Shine Max Hair Serum. Formulated with the brand’s exclusive AntiFade Complex, this alcohol-free serum adds shine and smooths flyaways.

Good hair day by @haircolorkilla.

Sand Storm Blonde

If you have hazel eyes and dark skin, don’t assume you can’t wear a full head of blonde! It’s all about finding a color that’s customizable for your skin tone. Case in point: sand storm blonde. To achieve sand storm hair color, your colorist will use foil highlights or a balayage technique to add streaks of sandy blonde throughout your mane.

Good hair day by @browsandstyles_.

Chestnut Highlights

If you’re worried that a full head of red will be too much to handle, chestnut highlights can give you the hint of red you’re craving with half the commitment.

Interested in getting a hair color correction? Use our salon locator to book an appointment at a salon near you.