The Dazzling Guide To Gold Hair Plus 8 Iconic Ideas.

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When it comes to timeless, on-trend hair colors, you really hit gold with gold!

This color looks great on everyone and it will make you feel like a million bucks. If you want to know how you can dye your hair gold at home, and the best gold hair dyes you need to do it, we have all the info you need.

There are so many different shades of gold out there that you can find one that fits your personality perfectly!

But how you know which shade of gold will work best? Don’t worry – we have all the answers right here in this guide.

We cover everything from what type of product works best with your hair type to how long each color lasts before fading away.

And don’t forget about our tips on how to maintain the color once you get it done!

Follow our expert advice and you won’t have any problems keeping your beautiful golden locks for as long as possible. Let us help take some stress off while giving yourself a fresh new look!

Let’s go for gold!

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What hair color is gold?

This is a multidimensional color that can be described as bright blonde, golden brown, rose gold or shimmering strawberry blonde. It’s one of the most flattering shades for women who want to go lighter during the spring/summer months.

We love it for its versatility and it’s bang on-trend with other metallic hair colors like rose gold, silver and copper.

It looks incredible mixed with lighter shades of blonde in highlights, ombre and balayage styles. It can also look really rich when rocked in a deeper, brunette shade.

The best thing about it? Its not just for blondes! Trust us.

It looks equally as good on people who have dark hair. Golden tones are simply colors that compliment warm skin tones so whether your skin is pale or tanned, golden tones will work with it.

Check out the latest looks on our Gold hair Pinterest board for ideas and inspiration.

Screenshot 2022 01 10 at 10.29.27

8 Gold Hair Color Ideas For Inspiration

Gold hues offer a spectrum of stunning shades, so there’s a perfect gold for everyone. Explore these 8 gold hair color ideas for inspiration, you can save take your favorite to your hairdresser or, if you’re feeling brave, try to recreate it at home.

#1 Classic Gold Waves

A timeless look, classic gold waves feature a pure, shimmering gold hue cascading down in soft waves.

It’s the gold standard for those who want simplicity with a touch of elegance. This shade looks on point in any season, making it a popular choice.

#2 Rose Gold Glamour

Rose gold combines the warmth of gold with the soft pink tones of rose, creating a luxurious and chic color.

Especially popular among fashion-forward peeps, rose gold hair stands out in any crowd, making it perfect for those looking to make a statement.

#3 Golden Honey Highlights

For those not ready to fully commit to an all-over gold, golden honey highlights offer a subtler approach.

These highlights weave sun-kissed strands throughout the hair, giving a radiant and natural summer glow.

#4 Deep Gold Balayage

This technique involves blending a deeper, almost bronze-gold at the roots that fades into a lighter gold towards the tips.

It’s a great option for brunettes wanting to experiment with gold tones without a drastic change.

#5 Champagne Gold

Slightly cooler than the classic gold, champagne gold offers a sophisticated and muted golden shade that hints at luxury. It’s perfect for those who want golden tones with an air of refinement.

#6 Golden Auburn Fusion

Marrying the richness of auburn with the shimmer of gold results in a warm and vibrant shade. This blend is ideal for autumn months or for anyone wanting to add depth and dimension to their golden locks.

#7 Sunset Gold Babylights

Sunset gold combines light brown hair and golden blonde glints with subtle babylights. It’s a romantic and dreamy choice for the artistic souls.

#8 Metallic Gold

Taking a cue from the metallic trend like copper and silver, this look is all about high shine and reflection. It’s a bold choice and guarantees turning heads wherever you go.

Does gold hair have cool or warm undertones?

Gold tones are classed as warm colors so they’ll naturally flatter warmer skin tones.

That’s not to say cool toned peeps can’t wear it too.

Blend it with ashier colors like ash blonde, mushroom blonde, beige blonde and cool rose and you’ll create a completely different look to what’s traditionally worn by warmer skin tones.

Not sure whether you have warm or cool undertones? Find out using our handy checklist below!

If you have cool undertones:

  • Your skin tone is pink or pale.
  • You blush easily!
  • Jewel and pastel colors are so your thing.
  • The color yellow washes you out and does not look good on you.
  • You have blue not green veins in your wrist.
  • Pearls and silver jewellery look awesome on you.

If you have warm undertones:

  • You have red or golden tones in your natural hair.
  • Your skin tone is golden, tan or olive.
  • You might have freckles.
  • You have green not blue veins in your wrist.
  • You suit bright or rich shades better.
  • Gold jewellery looks awesome on you.
cool or warm undertones infographic

Will gold hair suit me?

What hair colors suit gold? We love how golden shades compliment mustard, olive and warm terracotta shades. It also looks amazing with jewel toned reds.

We recommend going lighter than your natural shade if you want to rock this trend.

If you’re already blonde then make sure it’s bright blonde (ashier is better).

If you’re brunette we recommend opting for strawberry/caramel highlights or balayage.

If you’re not sure what colors will suit you, you can take our quick quiz!

Which Hair Color Suits Me?

You can also try on some virtual hair colors with the Best hair color changing apps you need to try this year!

Can you dye your hair gold at home?

Gold hair dye is a color that doesn’t really exist. It’s not the brown of pure gold, and it’s not quite yellow either.

Many brands have tried to recreate the metallic golden glints, but most fail. In fact, most golden hair dyes tend to lean more towards yellow or orange rather than real Gold.

That being said, there is a way in which you can get the gold tint in your hair at home even with regular at-home products.

The trick is in achieving a specific tonality in your base color prior to applying the final touch of golden shine.

Best gold hair dyes at a glance.

Hair dyeLooks likeBuy it now
L'Oreal Paris Superior Preference Golden Blonde L'Oreal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying + Shine Permanent Hair Color, 9G Light Golden Blonde, Pack of 1, Hair Dye
Garnier Nutrisse Permanent Hair Color Golden Brown Garnier Hair Color Nutrisse Nourishing Creme, 63 Light Golden Brown (Brown Sugar) Permanent Hair Dye, 2 Count (Packaging May Vary)
Garnier Nutrisse Light Golden Blonde (Honey Butter) Garnier Hair Color Nutrisse Nourishing Creme, 93 Light Golden Blonde (Honey Butter) Permanent Hair Dye, 2 Count (Packaging May Vary)
L'Oreal Paris Superior Preference, Dark Rose Blonde L'Oreal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying + Shine Permanent Hair Color, 8RB Medium Rose Blonde, Pack of 1, Hair Dye
Keracolor Clenditioner Semi Permanent Hair Color Depositing Conditioner Keracolor Clenditioner HONEY Hair Dye - Semi Permanent Hair Color Depositing Conditioner, Cruelty-free, 12 Fl Oz(Pack of 1)
Clairol Natural Instincts Semi-Permanent Hair Dye, Medium Golden Blonde Clairol Natural Instincts Hair Color, [8G] Medium Golden Blonde 1 Each

Can i dye my hair gold without bleaching it?

To achieve this color you need to start off with very light blonde hair.

If you have light hair – you’ll need to go lighter than your natural color to create this look properly. This means using lightening agents like bleach to strip your hair of color and prepare the perfect base.

If you’re naturally dark haired and want Golden highlights through your mane then we suggest getting them done by a professional at a salon. For all over dye jobs, you’ll also need to lighten your hair with bleach.

This might take a few processes to get the right, light base so make sure your hair is in good enough condition to take it.

You need to start off with a pale blonde base for this look to be properly seen and then go lighter in the summer months when you’ll want that “pop”.

You can basically rock any tone of golden hair but our favourites are light golds, rose golds and peach shades.

We’re seeing a lot of these colors on the catwalk recently so it’s worth heading down to your local salon and booking in for an appointment to get your color done.

If you have dark hair, golden toned highlights generally looks best when they’re blended through subtle ombre style shades – alternatively add some rose pink tones through your ends for added dimension!

Watch and Learn: How to dye your hair golden blonde at home.

Here’s a great video tutorial from Sally’s that guides you through how to dye your hair a luscious golden blonde shade at home!

How can I care for golden hair?

If you’re rocking light blonde hair, keep your locks healthy by using a shampoo and conditioner for colored hair.

Stay away from sulphates (sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate) – if the ingredients list contains either of these chemicals it’s best to avoid them as they can cause dryness, damage and fading of color.

Instead look out for deep conditioners that nourish your hair without stripping it of all moisture.

Finally finish with regularly use toning and anti-yellowing treatments like purple shampoo that will help cancel out any brassy tones in your ravishing golden locks.


Parting words

Gold hair dye. It’s easy and affordable, so there’s no reason not to try it out!

Your locks will shine brighter than ever before. The results are long lasting, so once you achieve that perfect colour, it won’t fade away anytime soon!

And because we’ve covered a wide range of shades for every type of hair, everyone can find their ideal shade with ease.

So what are you waiting for? Get started today!

Found your perfect gold shade? We’d love to see it! Tag us on Instagram @colouredhaircare or Facebook and share your hair dye success stories. Looking for more hair care tips? Check out How to Look After Colored Hair: 11 Expert Secrets For Long-Lasting Color.

This article was written by:

  • Nicola Freeman, Creative Director & Content Lead
    Creative Director & Content Lead

    With over two decades of passionate hair dyeing experience, I've experimented with nearly every shade imaginable. My journey began long before blogging; as an award-winning copywriter in London and New York, I shaped narratives for iconic brands. However, when friends sought advice during lockdown for at-home hair dyeing, I realized my true calling. Beyond being your hair color expert, I'm a mom of two girls, wife to artist Tony, and an avid soccer player!