7 Best Hair Colors for Older Women + Color Tips

It's no surprise that as we age, our hair changes. And while there used to be all sorts of hair "rules" for women of a certain age, today women over 60 have been freed from the need to conform to stringent standards of appearance.

What does that mean for your hair color? It means anything goes. So whether you want to go bright and daring or stick to a more traditional look for your hair, we have some of the best hair colors for older women plus tips to rock your style. 

If you're growing out color and transitioning to gray, there's a way to rock your salt and pepper tresses without having a skunk stripe down the middle as grow-out happens. Have a chat with your stylist about adding some highlights or balayage as you transition so you don't have a harsh line up in the middle. The result is super cute and classy.

A good rule of thumb when considering hair color is to go with a lighter, more natural color. This solves two concerns. First, it makes the drastic change from gray or white to colored hair not quite as conspicuous. Secondly, it's less likely that hair color will make you look older if you stick with something lighter and more natural.

Related: 11 Fun & Flattering Hairstyles Perfect for Senior Women

You need to consider your skin tone when choosing a hair color. For instance, if you have a cool or light skin tone, you will want to stay away from warm hair colors, like a copper auburn, and, instead, choose something like a rich brown. If you have a darker skin tone with an olive undertone, warmer colors will look amazing on you. 

If you've always dreamed of sporting gorgeous silver locks, it's within your reach, no matter what color your hair grays. The first trick is to keep your hair from yellowing using a toning conditioner like this yellow-neutralizing hair mask. 

If the toner isn't enough, talk to your colorist about adding a violet-tinted toner to neutralize yellow tones. It will last for about six weeks.  If you're not into the salon, you can also try an at-home gloss product that highlights your hair's silver tones, like the Madison Reed Crema gloss.

Mature women can absolutely pull off red hair. Choose a red that matches your skin tone, and keep in mind that red color fades more quickly than other colors. So, you'll want to choose a shampoo and conditioner that helps it last as long as it can. Davines Alchemic Shampoo in copper is a color-depositing shampoo that can help preserve your red for longer while illuminating your hair color, and Davines Alchemic Conditioner in copper gives your color-treated hair all the nourishment it needs. 

Remember how we said traditional is out and you can do anything you want? Well how about rocking some lovely lilac highlights? You can do as few or as many as you want. Of course, you can always go to the salon. Or, if you're feeling bold, try Overtone color-depositing conditioner in pastel purple. It's a semi-permanent color, so 15 minutes will get you results that last for a few weeks. We also love Overtone's smoky purple color, which looks beautiful in silvery gray hair. 

Looking for something a little less subtle? We love magenta! And it's so easy to do at home with Overtone's Extreme Magenta color-depositing conditioner. Whether you do your whole head or just a few streaks, you'll love this bold look. And as it fades, the color will still be a pretty pink shade that changes from wash to wash. 

One of the fun things about hair is how easy it is to change. And with more products than ever that deposit color into your hair temporarily, you can have a little fun with going gray. So whether you love a subtle blonde, prefer au natural, or you want to explore your wild side, these hair color ideas for older women are a great place to start.