40 Stunning Examples Of Rose Gold Hair You'll Want To Take To The Salon

Hair dyes are by no means a new invention. Though chemical treatments didn't emerge until the early 1900s, henna dyes can be traced back well over 3,000 years. Ancient colors were pretty much limited to black and whatever shades could be sourced from local flora, but today's dyes are innumerable — whether you opt for a drug store boxed solution or a customized color mixed at the salon, it's easy to go from a brunette to blonde to green and back again. Just give your hair a break in between treatments or risk frying your strands.

Like baby names and the cut of jeans, colors are very much a part of the trend cycle. Right now, shades like Barbie pink and Millennial pink are having a moment, not to mention the recent popularity of Valentino pink in high fashion spaces. "This is culture-specific, so I am speaking in terms of American culture, but pink is usually seen as a romantic, youthful, cheerful, and whimsical color," Naomi Torres-Mackie, Ph.D., explained to PopSugar, discussing the growing popularity of pink hair dyes. Rose gold first gained traction throughout the early 2010s and shows no signs of slowing down. The next time you visit the salon –- or spontaneously scan the aisles of CVS for a semi-permanent change to your appearance –- consider rose gold. For inspiration, look to these 40 stunning examples.

Whereas highlights are added using the aluminum foil technique, "balayage" refers to the practice of hand-painting the hair. Using a brush, your stylist will apply color to random sections, giving you a more natural, sun-kissed look. Traditionally, most of the saturation is directed toward the ends of the hair or around the face. In the words of YouTuber Brad Mondo, "[balayage is] the most simple way to elevate a style." A rose gold balayage introduces the warmth of classic blonde highlights while still giving you a uniquely colorful look.

Social media filters have long influenced the beauty world, popularizing everything from bleached eyebrows to tattooed freckles. If you enjoy the subtly of tinted filters on Snapchat or TikTok, opt for a barely-there pink hair dye, a color easily mistaken for a trick of the light. As New York City-based colorist Maddison Cave advises InStyle, bringing a reference photo for your stylist is always helpful, especially when it comes to trending colors. If unsure, use a pink phone filter to test the shade first.

Though highlights add dimension, it's easiest to opt for a uniform color if you're dying your hair at home. To be safe, add a protective layer like coconut oil or a hair mask to your scalp before applying the dye. This will prevent the color from staining your skin, per Allure. As noted by professional hair stylist @divinityray on TikTok, pay special attention to the hairs that frame your face first. Next, section your strands little by little with a rat tail comb before using a brush to color your roots. 

If your hair is naturally dark, you'll need to start with a few rounds of bleach to achieve the desired base. Due to the strength of lightening chemicals, it's safest to make a trip to your colorist rather than attempt this process at home. "I have heard so many horror stories about clients of mine frying their hair by attempting to just touch up their roots," colorist Rachel Bodt warned Allure, adding, "Bleach is very strong and can go wrong if you aren't careful." A salon will have the proper tools needed to avoid permanently damaging your hair. 

From low-rise jeans to graphic tees, 2000s trends are experiencing a resurgence. Yes, this means we're beginning to see more and more chunky highlights, a style proudly sported by Kelly Clarkson in the early aughts. Though Clarkson was famous for her striking blonde highlights, switch it up with rose gold. "For girls with curls, individual curls can be highlighted to create a chunk or bold highlight," Jessica Wall Innella, the Global Director of Education at Aloxxi International, pointed out to The Zoe Report. Before you know it, you'll also be scrounging up your low-rise jeans and Abercrombie tees. 

If you're on the hunt for a face-framing style, you can't go wrong with peachy waves. Start from the back of your head, and curl medium sections of hair away from your face, holding them in place for approximately 10 seconds before letting go –- the longer you hold the iron, the tighter the curl. Leave out the bottom two inches of hair for a more natural finish. Paired with a warm, peach dye these beach waves will make for the perfect sun-kissed summer look.

It doesn't have to be Valentine's Day for you to rock rose gold hair. Whereas knotless braids are trending, with celebrities like Kelly Rowland, Keke Palmer, and Zendaya debuting the look on the red carpet, box braids usually last a bit longer. Keep in mind that knotless braids often result in less tension on the scalp, making them beneficial for your long-term hair health. Whatever style you choose, get creative with a pop of color. For instance, licensed cosmetologist and TikTok creator @slayedbyliz creates complimentary rose gold hair by blending pink and yellow synthetic strands.

Notorious Disney villain Cruella de Vil is known for her two-toned black-and-white look, a style which grew in popularity in real life post quarantine, per Nylon. Whether you invest in a wig or dye your natural hair, color block with rose gold. Apply pink to one half of your hair, letting your natural part create a division. For starters, take inspiration from Nikki Minaj and pair rose gold with platinum blonde. Alternatively, auburn or hot pink make for perfect rose gold companion colors. 

Traditionally, ombré hair refers to the subtle shift from dark to light, starting at the roots and progressing toward the end of the hair. Believe it or not, this trend took off during the 2008 financial crisis in response to limited finances, according to Byrdie. When it comes to a rose gold ombré, think about starting with a base of dark brown and shifting into a warmer tone. Alternatively, experiment with a reverse ombré, beginning with a light blonde base and dying your hair a deeper pink closer to the ends.

Rebel streaks, or bold sections of face-framing highlights, have evolved beyond blonde. They've become a staple for anyone looking to change up their look without committing to a full head of color. For instance, singer-songwriter Rina Sawayama contrasted her dark brown hair with orange streaks. Try the style out yourself by pairing your natural base with rose gold curtain bangs. Alternatively, take it up a notch with hot pink highlights and a rosy base, a look perfected by @hair_by_jenny on Instagram.

It wasn't until the 1950s that the pixie cut became a go-to hairstyle, with movie stars like Audrey Hepburn contributing to its mass popularity. Today, they're far less of a taboo and can be a great way to play up your personal aesthetic (and cut down on shower time). Take inspiration from Demi Lovato who, after debuting an edgy new pixie cut, experimented with pastel pink dye. Though the singer let her naturally brown hair shine through underneath, you can also opt for an all-over rose gold look, bleaching your base before going in with color.

Rather than prepping your hair by bleaching your roots and working your way down, let those strands closest to your scalp breathe. Especially if you have dark hair, your natural color will contrast perfectly with rose gold, making for a grungy take on the otherwise wholesome aesthetic. Not only is this style healthier for your scalp in the long run, but it also allows for stress-free regrowth. "By not bleaching roots, the stylist is allowing the client to maintain their natural color while also experimenting with fashion colors," hairstylist Kiera Cecil informs Allure. 

The lighter your hair, whether pre-bleached or naturally blonde, the easier it is to experiment with temporary tints. For instance, TikTok creator Katherine King (@katerineking) tries out the Kristen Ess Rose Gold Tint, a product with majority five-star reviews on Amazon. According to instructions, this solution will give you the most dramatic results when applied to damp, as opposed to soaking wet, hair. It will also come out after one to three washes, making it a perfect non-committal look.

If you aren't quite ready to commit to dye, give clip-in hair extensions a try. For starters, check out these color streaks –- including rose gold clips –- available on Urban Outfitters. These extensions are perfect for adding contrast to dark hair, but they're also a great way to add dimension to blonde locks. Alternatively, incorporate volume Ariana Grande-style with a pink pony extension from INH Hair. Remember, properly maintaining your clip-ins is a must. Wash them approximately once a month –- more frequent washes may cause them to lose their luster — and never, never sleep in clip-ins. 

Take inspiration from actress Megan Fox at the premiere of "Life in Pink," and opt for platinum pink tresses. For this look, it's best to consult a professional stylist, as they will help you successfully (and safely) lighten your hair to the necessary shade before coloring it. If you have an all-or-nothing philosophy, think about lightening your eyebrows to match. After all, bleached eyebrows are trending, just look to celebrities like Lizzo and Bella Hadid as evidence. Alternatively, check out KVD Beauty's pink multipurpose pomade for something less permanent.

Rose gold fits under the strawberry blonde umbrella. Whereas the former relies on pink, the latter combines a coppery shade of red with a golden blonde. Best of all, it works well with any skin tone, hair texture, or cut. For starters, give bangs a try. TikTok creator Bri Campbell (@bri.veronica) shows how to create faux bangs simply by pinning back your curls.

Remember that red-based dyes are among the most difficult to maintain. In a conversation with The Zoe Report, Jamie Mazzei, creative director for NuBest Salon and Spa, recommends using a color-depositing shampoo. 

Before there was Valentino pink there was Millennial pink. As Jenny Clark, head of color at trend forecasting company, WGSN pointed out to Insider, "[Millenial pink] pushed the boundaries to become a color which was gender neutral and it felt empowering, youthful, playful, and, most importantly, wearable." Bring back the mid-2010s by adding a hint of Millennial pink to your hair, whether that means creating a subtle ombré or adding decade-defining micro bangs for a full-on hipster aesthetic. 

Whether your hair is blonde or brown, Overtone offers temporary rose gold dye options. TikTok creator @melbellles demonstrates what the process looks like on light hair, slathering on Overtone's rose gold coloring conditioner and letting it sit for approximately 10 minutes before rinsing it out in the shower. According to the brand's website, Overtone can last a week or a month. It all depends on the person, their hair color, and their texture. The darker your hair, the more subtle the tint.

What better time to experiment with creative colors than during your short hair era? In the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the big chop was trending –- more and more people opted for shaved or closely cropped natural looks. Spiff up your buzz cut or close-cut curls with rose gold dye. "A haircut [sic] is like a cleanse," says Lilli Bridger, a hairstylist at Larry King Salon. As she goes on to explain to Glamour, "It's a liberating feeling — getting rid of your old image and embracing something new..." 

'70s-inspired hair is trending, with styles like the wolf cut and mixie –- a combination of a mullet and pixie –- taking over social media and red carpets alike. For inspiration, look to stars like Stevie Nicks and Jane Fonda, both of whom rocked the style at its height. Five decades later, elevate the look with a pop of color, preferably pink. Though overall length depends on your preference, face-framing fringe is a necessity.

Highlight your curls with a hint of rose gold. "Adding highlights gives curly hair dimension," says Jaxcee, the color director at Hair Rules. As they go on to expertly advise Refinery29, "When curly hair is one single color, it can hide its beautiful texture. Adding a few brighter pieces (even just around the face) can make your curls pop without compromising the health of your hair." Check out Curl Smith's Rose Gold Hair Makeup if you're not a fan of commitment. This product temporarily coats strands, and can easily be washed away.

Pink dyes lose their vibrancy faster than other colors. Though it may seem like the unwanted end result of a once-vibrant look, washed-out hair is actually a trend in itself and involves very little maintenance at that. So, as your Barbie pink dye fades in the sun or rinses out in the shower, embrace the rose gold underneath –- it will make for an edgy-chic aesthetic. Fully capitalize off of the punk rock look by pairing your washed strands with a leather jacket and combat boots.

Bobs come in all different shapes: voluminous and curly, tousled waves, and straight edges. Syd Hayes, International Session Hairstylist, tells Glamour that, "The most universally flattering bobs will be the slightly longer ones that sit below the jawline." Though the undone French girl style is definitely having a moment, take the leap and stand out from the masses with a razor-sharp cut like Joey King at the Berlin premiere of "Bullet Train." As time goes on, this editorial cut will grow into an equally flattering lob. 

Hair is truly a canvas –- especially if you have the right colorist helping you out. Whether you're prepping for Pride month festivities or just want a look that will turn heads, spiff up your hair with pride flag colors. Add accents of pastel pink and blue to your bleached blonde hair to represent the trans flag or combine pink and orange to pay homage to the lesbian flag. If you plan to dye your hair at home, opt for temporary pigments since a multi-colored look can be difficult to perfect.

"Rose brown," a color first introduced by Sydney, Australia-based stylist Thi Thao Tu, might just be the superior rose gold (via Refinery29). To achieve this look, you'll want to first consult your colorist, who will use an ombré or balayage technique to apply a rosy color to select highlights. If you're in the midst of that awkward post-bleach regrowth stage, a rose brown dye could be the perfect way to reintroduce warmth to bleached ends. 

Red and copper dyes were trending throughout 2022, with A-listers like Kendall Jenner and Sydney Sweeney opting for warm-toned hair. "Auburn hair is huge right now," celebrity colorist Jeremy Tardo told Byrdie, adding, "I think everyone is searching for a perfect 'coming out [of the pandemic]' hairstyle..." Add rose gold highlights to a copper base to put your spin on the celebrity-approved look. With this, your hair is sure to pop, especially during golden hour.

Although very few women dyed their hair in the 1950s, YouTube creator Dafna Bar-el shows her followers how to create retro waves on bleached pink hair in a step-by-step tutorial. Using a curling iron with a small diameter — approximately 3/4 inch — start from the back of your head and work your way forward, pinning up the ringlets as you go. The creator recommends making your curls as tight as your can. Eventually, you'll use a comb to brush them out for added volume, doing final shaping with pomade.

If you're looking for a seamless transition between your natural hair color and highlights –- in this case, rose gold –- ask your colorist for a root melt. This technique blends the line between your natural hair color and your chosen dye, making the regrowth process as painless as possible. As stylist celebrity colorist Min Kim clarifies for Byrdie, "A root shadow or melt is perfect for overdue regrowth, even with fashion shades."

All too often, beauty trends are named after food –- there's glazed donut nails, cotton candy makeup, and the "Brownie glazed lips" taking over TikTok. Strawberries and cream hair, a combination of pink and creamy bleached blonde, is the perfect summertime style. Best of all, this look is adaptable –- add high-contrast blonde bangs to dark pink hair like the stylists at Alchemy Salon (@alchemy_salon on TikTok), or compliment a creamy base with subtle rose gold highlights.

Since changing your hair color can totally change your aesthetic, it might be time to try out some different makeup looks. "When you change your hair color, you need to adjust your makeup to reflect those tones," celebrity hairstylist Sarah Potempa tells Makeup.com, also noting, "It's an exciting time to explore new varieties of shadows, contour, blush and especially lip colors." It's your best bet to opt for soft colors, using shades of peach and pink on your lips and cheeks. Alternatively, go for contrasting hues like electric greens and blues, creating edgy graphic liner looks.

Undercuts allow you to play with the idea of a full-on chop before committing. Plus, the longer your hair, the easier it is to disguise your shaved scalp for certain occasions (visiting your grandma, running for congress, etc). At the same time you experiment with shorter hair, why not try out a fashion color like rose gold? Halsey famously sported a partially-shaved pixie cut, but you can also pair an undercut with knotless braids, like TikTok's @basiiey_monnapula, or even windswept beach waves.

It's official: bowl cuts are trending, or at least a more modern take on them is. Supermodel Bella Hadid debuted an edgy bowl cut at Marc Jacobs's fall 2022 runway show, per Allure, and celebrities like Cardi B and January Jones have experimented with their own versions of the straight-edged cut. However, today's bowl is a bit less uniform, according to PopSugar. As New York City hairstylist Devin Toth explained to the site, "Even if you cut some texture into a bowl cut, it's still super thick-looking, which is cool and really in right now." 

Florence Pugh is truly a style icon, showing us how to rock everything from super sheer dresses to jaw-dropping two pieces. Just prior to chopping off all her hair and sporting a pixie-mullet combo cut (aka "mixie"), the "Black Widow" star dip-dyed the ends of her blonde hair. If your base color is similar to Pugh's, try the look out for yourself and apply a layer of rose gold dye to your ends. If you have darker hair, you'll need to first bleach your ends like "Eternals" actress Gemma Chan. Worst case scenario, you can always trim it off.

Especially if you have a special occasion on the horizon, consider a glamorous pink updo –- this look can be achieved on whatever hair type you're working with, whether you're rocking lots of texture, thin, straight hair, or are opting for a rose gold dyed wig. For starters, see Houston-based hairstylist @slayedbyshady demonstrate the look on TikTok, securing the client's hair before pinning the elegant style in place. Specifically, '90s messy updos are trending. TikTok creator Candice Jones (@bycandicejones) shows how to style your natural hair à la Pamela Anderson. Make sure to leave out face-framing tendrils.

Peekaboo hair is ideal for those hoping to experiment with a fun fashion color without fully committing to a full head of dye. "It's popular because bold statements are in right now ... and it's a fun way to change your look completely without having to color all of your hair," Nine Zero One Stylist Emily Cable points out to The Zoe Report. Best of all, upkeep is minimal. The majority of the quirky color will be hidden by natural hair as roots grow out. 

Dusty rose is rose gold's edgy sister. Whereas the latter has warm undertones, the former is closer to gray. "Dusty rose is for the girl who wants a softer, more subdued cool pink," Felicia Dosso, a junior colorist at Nunzio Saviano Salon in New York, explains to Byrdie, also noting that dusty rose tends to be a high-maintenance color. Consider opting for a purple-ish shade of mauve rose if you have dark brown hair.

Tousled French bobs are one of today's top "cool girl" hairstyles. Because messiness is part of their charm, they require very little upkeep. French bobs suit any texture, just make sure you consult a professional whose experience aligns with your hair type. Celebrity stylist Garren outlines his ideal cut for Byrdie, explaining, ​​"I'd like people to start using their natural wave pattern and have the hair cut precisely for their hair and face, using a razor or scissor." After you've said goodbye to your long hair, experiment with a brand new color like rose gold.

Finger waves, first popularized in the 1920s by singer and civil rights activist Josephine Baker, are known for their distinctive "S"-shaped pattern. According to Fashion Magazine, rapper Missy Elliot contributed to their growing popularity throughout the '90s. To perfect the look, you'll need plenty of mousse, a fine-toothed comb, and –- as the name suggests –- your fingers. Today, the style can be seen on high fashion runways and red carpets alike. Just look to stars like Zendaya and Rihanna for inspiration, or put your own spin on the look by first dying your hair rose gold.

Considering the fact that hair grows at a rate of about six inches every year, this might not be the most long-lasting style. However, it is one of the most unique. Start by bleaching your fresh buzz cut and dying it a shade of pastel pink. Next, paint hot pink or red hearts. If you're looking to go above and beyond, think about hair carving, a technique made popular by artist Janine Kar, per Elle. This style uses different lengths of hair to create dimension.

Because shades of pink are among the fastest-fading colors, it's important to know how to care for your freshly-dyed hair. For starters, make sure your hair is healthy before coloring. Dry hair will struggle to hold on to pigment. Once your color is set, it's important to avoid using shampoo on a daily basis, as this will deplete the pink. Warm water, too, can have disastrous effects on your fresh color. The bottom line? Though dying your hair may feel like a big change, it's temporary. Everything washes down the drain eventually.