If you have hazel eyes, you already know their natural beauty shines with minimal effort—a swipe of bronze eyeshadow and mascara can make them sparkle. But did you know the right hair color can enhance their glow even further? Just as you select shades to suit your skin tone, choosing a hair color to complement hazel eyes can elevate your entire look.
To help you find the perfect match, we consulted with Alii Wray, Matrix artistic educator, to curate a guide to the most stunning hair colors for hazel eyes. Whether you’re drawn to classic dark brown tones or want to experiment with bold fantasy hues, these are the styles to inspire your next salon visit.
What Is the True Color of Hazel Eyes?
Hazel eyes are a unique and captivating blend of colors, typically featuring a mix of brown, green, and gold tones. Each pair is different, with some leaning more toward green, while others showcase prominent brown or golden hues. The specific balance of these shades can shift depending on lighting and even the colors you wear in your hair, makeup, or clothing, enhancing different aspects of your eye color.
What Hair Colors Make Hazel Eyes Pop?
The beauty of hazel eyes lies in their versatility, allowing you to experiment with a variety of hair colors to bring out their different tones. Here are some options to consider:
- Warm Tones: Shades like honey blonde, caramel, and chestnut accentuate the golden and amber flecks in hazel eyes, creating a warm, harmonious look.
- Rich Auburn and Copper: For a striking contrast, opt for deep auburn or copper hues. These shades enhance the green and brown elements of your eyes, making them truly stand out.
- Darker Shades: Colors like chocolate brown or soft black provide a dramatic backdrop that highlights the depth and vibrancy of hazel eyes.
While these suggestions can help you enhance your eye color, there are no strict rules. The best choice is the one that makes you feel confident and radiant, so consult with your colorist to find the perfect match for your unique features.
How to Care for Color-Treated Hair
No matter which hair color you choose to highlight your hazel eyes, maintaining the vibrancy and health of your strands is key. Here’s how to keep your color-treated hair looking its best:
1. Use Color-Safe Products
Start by swapping out your regular shampoo and conditioner for formulas specifically designed for color-treated hair. These products help preserve the intensity of your color and prevent fading. Look for options with low pH levels to gently cleanse your hair while maintaining vibrancy.
To extend the time between washes, use a dry shampoo to absorb excess oil and refresh your roots. Reducing the frequency of washes helps prolong your color, as overwashing can cause it to fade more quickly.
2. Refresh with a Hair Gloss
In between salon visits, a hair gloss is a great way to revive your color. This demi-permanent treatment deposits a sheer wash of pigment that restores vibrancy, tones brassiness, and adds a healthy shine. Glosses also help smooth frizz, giving your hair a refreshed and polished look.
3. Keep Brass at Bay
If you’ve gone blonde to complement your hazel eyes, toning products are your best friend. Incorporate a purple shampoo and conditioner into your routine about once a week to neutralize brassiness and maintain cooler, more vibrant blonde tones.
4. Strengthen and Repair Your Hair
If your new color required bleaching, focus on strengthening your strands post-service. Bleach can weaken hair, but bond-repairing treatments can help restore its integrity. Look for products specifically formulated to rebuild and fortify damaged strands to keep your hair looking and feeling healthy.
With the right care routine, your color-treated hair will stay vibrant, shiny, and healthy—perfectly complementing those hazel eyes. Now, explore the best hair colors to match your eye color and skin tone!
What Hair Colors Best Complement Hazel Eyes and Light Skin?
Hazel eyes paired with light skin create a perfect canvas for warm and versatile hair colors. Here are some stunning shades that can enhance your natural features:
1. Warm Blonde
Warm-toned blondes like honey blonde, butterscotch, and cream blonde are excellent choices for hazel eyes. These shades amplify the golden and green flecks in your eyes while adding warmth to your overall look.
“Since lighter skin typically has less melanin, warm tones won’t overwhelm your complexion or make you look washed out,” explains Wray. Instead, they create a radiant and balanced appearance that flatters both your eyes and skin tone.
2. Vanilla Sugar Blonde
For a blend of warm and cool tones, vanilla sugar blonde is the perfect compromise. This creamy blonde hue, made famous by celebrity hair colorist Laurie Heaps, strikes the right balance between warmth to highlight hazel eyes and coolness to flatter pale skin.
The shade is both dimensional and sophisticated, making it ideal for light-skinned individuals looking to accentuate their eye color. With its subtle warmth and cool undertones, vanilla sugar blonde creates a polished, glowing effect that’s hard to beat.
Both warm blonde and vanilla sugar blonde offer unique ways to enhance your hazel eyes while complementing light skin tones. Whether you want a classic glow or a modern twist, these shades are guaranteed to elevate your style.
4. Copper
The pairing of red and green is a natural standout—and it’s not just for the holidays! A warm, fiery hue like copper enhances the green tones in hazel eyes while bringing warmth to fair skin.
“Red and green are contrasting colors, making them a perfect match,” Wray explains. “The warm copper shade won’t overshadow your eyes but will draw attention to their unique color.”
5. Cherry Cola Red
If you’re ready to go bold, cherry cola red is an eye-catching choice that pairs beautifully with hazel eyes and fair skin. The vibrant red hue amplifies the golden and green tones in your eyes, creating a striking contrast. Pair it with cherry cola lips for an on-trend, cohesive look that’s sure to turn heads.
6. Dirty Blonde
For those who prefer a low-maintenance option, dirty blonde strikes the perfect balance between blonde and brunette. The mix of tones creates depth and subtly highlights the green and gold in hazel eyes, making them pop without overwhelming your features.
7. Dark Chocolate
Rich, deep shades like dark chocolate brown provide an elegant contrast to hazel eyes, bringing out their lighter flecks. This versatile brunette hue flatters fair skin while adding warmth and dimension to your overall look.
8. Bubblegum Pink
Want to embrace something fun and whimsical? A pastel shade like bubblegum pink is a playful choice for fair skin. Inspired by pop culture’s ongoing “think pink” trend, this dreamy color adds a unique, youthful edge to your style.
For a temporary pop of pink, those with blonde or light brown hair can experiment with color-depositing masks to try the look without committing to a full transformation.
9. Shades of Green
If you’re ready to try something playful and unique, green is an excellent choice. Cool-toned greens, like neon money pieces, highlight the green flecks in hazel eyes while adding an edgy, experimental vibe. This bold hue pairs beautifully with pale skin, creating a fun and striking contrast.
10. Espresso
Darker shades like espresso brown create a dramatic backdrop that makes hazel eyes appear brighter and more vibrant. A cool-toned espresso strikes the right balance, going as dark as possible without overwhelming fair skin. For a sleek and polished finish, maintain high shine with a gloss treatment that enhances depth and richness.
11. Bright Yellow
Looking for something bold and unexpected? Bright yellow is a daring choice that pairs surprisingly well with golden hazel eyes. Opt for a vibrant ombré effect to add depth and dimension to the look while staying on-trend with this playful coloring technique.
12. Medium Brown
Medium brown is a versatile and flattering choice for super fair skin. This balanced brunette shade enhances hazel eyes by drawing out their natural warmth while avoiding the harshness of deeper browns. It’s perfect for a subtle yet striking look.
13. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a timeless reddish-brown hue that works year-round, not just in fall. Its warm undertones bring out the golden and green tones in hazel eyes, creating a cohesive and radiant look. This color’s versatility makes it an easy pick for those looking to complement their natural features.
Best Hair Colors for Hazel Eyes and Medium Skin
Hazel eyes paired with medium skin tones offer the flexibility to play with a variety of hues, from natural tones to bold, trendy shades. Here are the best hair colors to enhance your features:
1. Dark Brown
If you’re naturally dark brown, embrace it! Wray suggests keeping the color near your face predominantly darker to accentuate your hazel eyes. If you’re craving a subtle change, add chocolate brown lowlights to create dimension and movement without losing the richness of your base color.
2. Bronde
Bronde is the perfect middle ground for those who want to go lighter without leaving their dark roots behind. The golden blonde tones in bronde hair make hazel eyes appear brighter while complementing medium skin tones. Ask for a balayage or ombré technique to keep the face-framing strands soft and natural.
3. Cranberry
For a bold, experimental look, opt for cranberry hair. This cool-toned red pairs beautifully with medium skin tones, balancing the natural warmth in your complexion while enhancing the green flecks in hazel eyes.
4. Sandy Blonde
Sandy blonde is a great option for medium skin tones that retain a sun-kissed glow all year. This warm blend of light blonde and sandy brown adds brightness to your hair while harmonizing beautifully with hazel eyes.
5. Ash Brown
If you’re drawn to cooler tones, ash brown is an excellent choice. This muted shade complements medium skin while enhancing the depth of hazel eyes. To maintain its cool undertones, incorporate color-safe shampoos that prevent brassiness.
6. Lavender
Fantasy shades like lavender are perfect for making a statement. This cool pastel hue contrasts beautifully with the warmth of medium skin and brings out the green and gold tones in hazel eyes. While pastel shades can be high-maintenance, they’re well worth the effort for a bold, trendy look.
7. Twilighting
Enhance the warmth of hazel eyes without committing to an all-over golden tone by trying the twilighting technique. This method involves golden highlights applied throughout a dark base, adding depth, warmth, and a sunlit glow.
8. Honey Blonde
Honey blonde is a timeless choice for medium skin tones. Its warm, golden hues complement both the natural glow of your complexion and the golden flecks in hazel eyes, creating a harmonious look.
9. Copper Highlights
For a subtler way to experiment with red tones, copper highlights are a great option. They add just enough warmth and depth to enhance your hazel eyes and medium skin without committing to an all-over red shade.
Best Hair Colors for Hazel Eyes and Dark Skin
Hazel eyes paired with dark skin create a striking contrast that allows for a wide variety of hair color choices. Whether you prefer natural tones or bold hues, here are some stunning options to enhance your features:
1. Caramel Highlights
Caramel highlights are a timeless choice for dark skin tones, instantly brightening your look while drawing attention to hazel eyes. Adding brightness around the face creates a glowing effect that enhances the golden tones in your eyes. If you’re not ready for a full head of highlights, try a money piece or strobing highlights for a subtle yet impactful pop of color.
2. Mulled Wine
This rich, warm red is perfect for hazel eyes and deep skin tones. Mulled wine hair color accentuates the golden and green flecks in your eyes while adding depth and dimension to your look. It’s a bold yet sophisticated choice that exudes elegance.
3. Violet
For a vibrant and cool-toned option, violet hair color offers a striking way to make hazel eyes stand out. This deep purple hue pairs beautifully with dark skin, drawing attention to your eye color without overwhelming your complexion. While violet requires a bit more maintenance, the payoff is worth it for this bold, head-turning style.
4. Burgundy
Burgundy offers the perfect balance of boldness and wearability for dark skin tones. The deep red shade appears natural yet striking, pulling focus to the warm and green tones in hazel eyes. It’s a fiery, flattering color that’s as versatile as it is stunning.
5. Dark Auburn
If you’re torn between red and brown, dark auburn is the perfect middle ground. This reddish-brown hue highlights the green flecks in hazel eyes while maintaining a natural and balanced look against darker skin tones.
6. Hot Pink
For a playful and adventurous style, hot pink is a bold fantasy color that works especially well with buzzed or short hair. The vibrant shade adds a youthful and creative flair while contrasting beautifully with hazel eyes and dark skin.
7. Black
A rich black hue is ideal for dark skin tones, creating a sleek and polished look that enhances the brightness of hazel eyes. The inky shade provides a dramatic backdrop for your eye color, while a shine-boosting treatment can keep your strands glossy and frizz-free.
8. Sandstorm Blonde
Don’t shy away from blonde! Sandstorm blonde is a tawny, warm-toned shade that complements dark skin beautifully. Foil highlights or balayage can add streaks of blonde throughout your hair for a dimensional, sun-kissed effect that makes hazel eyes pop.
9. Chestnut Highlights
If a full red hue feels like too much, chestnut highlights are a low-commitment way to add warmth and depth to your look. This soft reddish-brown shade blends seamlessly with darker hair while subtly enhancing the golden tones in hazel eyes.
From classic caramel highlights to daring hot pink hues, these hair colors offer endless possibilities to enhance your hazel eyes and dark skin. Whether you prefer natural elegance or bold experimentation, there’s a shade here to suit your unique style.
FAQs
1. What is the best way to enhance hazel eyes with hair color?
To make hazel eyes stand out, choose hair colors that complement their natural golden, green, or brown tones. Shades like caramel highlights, burgundy, and dark auburn draw out the warmth in your eyes, while cool-toned hues like violet or mulled wine enhance the green flecks.
2. Are bold colors like hot pink or sandstorm blonde suitable for dark skin?
Absolutely! Bold colors like hot pink or sandstorm blonde can look stunning on dark skin when customized to your undertones. For example, warm blondes like sandstorm blend seamlessly with dark skin, while vibrant hues like hot pink add a playful, edgy flair.
3. How can I maintain vibrant hair colors like violet or mulled wine?
Fantasy shades require extra care to stay vibrant. Use color-safe shampoos and conditioners, and incorporate gloss treatments to refresh your hue. Your stylist can recommend a touch-up schedule and products tailored to extend the life of your color. Regular hydration and shine-boosting treatments also help maintain the health and brilliance of your hair.
