Why pick one color when you can have two? As seen on BeautyTok (the fan-dubbed section of TikTok videos that centers around beauty trends and DIY hair instructions) and elsewhere, two-tone hair colors are all the rage. For a refreshing, revamped new look, many are opting for two-tone, ombré, or other more bold coloring styles.
With that said, we rounded up 20 two-tone celeb and influencer looks for inspiration, and checked in with professional hair stylists and experts to learn more about the edgy, trendy and timelessly cool coloring technique.
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@luciahairandbeauty Changing it UP loving this two tone colour coloured using @Framar black foils #hair #haircolour #haircolourchange #moneypiece #twotonehair ♬ Afterglow – Wilkinson & Becky Hill
Why Is Two-Tone Coloring Such An Everlasting Trend?
Two-tone hair coloring allows you to “express your creative side while also providing an easy way to experiment with different hair colors without having to commit long-term,” Lauren Udoh, hair stylist and hair expert at WigReports, tells us.
Additionally, this trend (which you might remember first seeing in the 90s, 2000s and 2010s especially) can be used as a “great starting point for more adventurous one-offs or style changes,” Udoh notes. This, she says, allows those who want a “dramatic change in appearance but don’t want something permanent” to get a taste of what might suit the best. Two–tone hairstyles remain popular, she adds, because they offer “so many options and versatility” when it comes to expressing yourself through your look and style.
The two–tone hair color trend is a “style of coloring one’s hair in two or more different shades,” Udoh explains, noting that this is usually “separated by a defined divide or line.” It often involves using brighter hues and bolder shades to create an eye-catching effect. The look can be further customized with “highlights, lowlights, and other creative coloring techniques” for a truly unique look, she points out. With that said, here are some trendy celebrity examples:
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20 Best Two-Tone Hair Colors
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1. Black-And-Blonde Shag
Miley Cyrus’ two-tone shag is timelessly chic, edgy and rock and roll reminiscent, just like her personal style! The “Flowers” hitmaker’s look is composed of bleach-blonde-colored, side-parted top layers with pitch black-dyed under-layers. Her tresses were cut into a face-framing shag that is just as bold as it is flattering.
@babybella777 I did this is in one take did I do it right xx @lilmami_lani @erinparsonsmakeup ♬ Baddies only – Magdhelena
2. Brown-And-Blonde Bob With Baby Bangs
Bella Hadid stunned fans in a short bob wig with a rich brown main color and orange tips. The bob was cut in a retro way with flipped-out ends, and grungy baby bangs. Her jagged, edgy fringe tips were also dyed orange, which she paired with a classic red lip and 90s-esque eyeshadow.
3. Turquoise-And-Violet Bob
Georgia May Jagger rocked a faded, turquoise-and-violet two-tone look on Instagram, and took our breath away in the process! The model proved that these soft colors are a perfect way to welcome spring and prepare for Easter's many pastel hues. Jagger's bob has face-framing layering— like Cyrus'— that is the perfect pairing for bold coloring.
4. Long, Red-And-Black Waves
Vanessa Hudgens showed us all just how well red and black go together when added to wavy locks! This middle-parted, elegant-yet-edgy and flattering look is easy to recreate and a timeless, no-fail color pairing overall.
5. Black Bob With Violet Streaks
Lana Condor added subtle, rich violet streaks to the tips of her wavy, chin-length black bob and we can't get enough of this pairing, as well! For those with naturally dark hair, adding a touch of violet can instantly freshen up your look without creating a change that is too drastic.
6. Long Blonde Hair With Bangs And Green Tips
Nicki Minaj proved ith this two-tone look that emerald tips can give blonde hair an instant edge, especially if you also have full, blunt bangs.
7. Blonde, Side-Parted Bob With Faded Purple Ends
We'll never forget Selena Gomez's blonde bob era, or her faded purple tips! This delicate two-tone look not only complemented her skin tone, but also showed that a classic ombré never goes out of style.
8. Long, Chestnut Waves With Crimson Ends
Salma Hayek added crimson coloring to her chestnut brown locks, and we think this pairing helps emphasize her incredible, thick and voluminous waves even more!
9. Long Waves With Two Shades Of Blonde
Lady Gaga stunned fans with her 2010 Grammy Awards hair that combined elements of Old Hollywood glam and her signature eccentric and bold style. Her two-tone look consisted of a lighter blonde at the top and a more vibrant yelloww hue at the ends.
10. Black-And-Blonde Pixie With Bangs
Charlize Theron added wispy, piecey bangs to her signature pixie, and showed us another great iteration of a two-tone black-and-blonde look!
11. Long Black Blowout With Face-Framing Gray Streaks
Cardi B channeled 90s glam with a sleek blowout on Instagram and added cool gray streaks to her long black tresses. Her early aughts-esque silvery strands show how making your face look more symmetrical is not only done with a good layered cut, but with an intricate coloring technique as well!
12. Long, Side-Parted, Red-And-Green Waves
Do you think that red and green only work well together for Christmas or the winter holiday season? Think again! At the American Music Awards in 2016, Bella Thorne showed fans that these colors can be worn year-round when made to look more vibrant (she used a rich scarlet and neon green!)
13. Blonde Layers With Pink Streaks
Blonde-and-pink is another classic, tried-and-true combo, and Avril Lavigne has long been a two-tone hair icon. One of our favorite hair looks from the singer was her long blonde locks with delicate pink streaks.
14. Sleek Black Bob With Golden Ends
Tinashe added golden ends to her sleek black bob, and gave a prime example of subtle two-tone coloring. With this look, the singer's coloring is understated, minimal and as chic as ever.
15. Blonde Wavy Lob With Pink Tips
Iggy Azaelea is another blonde who rocked pink tips! Unlike Lavigne, the rapper cut her locks into a wavy, center-parted lob, showing that there are many different cuts that look great with this color pairing.
16. Lob And Bangs With Vibrant Pink-And-Red Waves
If your goal is to truly stand out and draw eyes to your tresses with the help of a classic two-tone look, take inspiration from Hayley Williams! The Paramore frontwoman is no stranger to bold dye, and one of her most memorable styles involved a red-and-pink pairing with bangs that we're eternally obsessed with.
17. Long, Center-Parted Black Waves With Turquoise Tips
If you're a brunette with long hair and want to add a pop of color, Ariel Winter shows that blue is always a great option! The actress notably rocked turquoise tips with her black hair, and it's hard to deny how well these colors always go together.
18. Pink-And-Blue Buzz Cut
Ruby Rose stunned fans with a badass buzzcut on Instagram, and also revealed a cool pink-and-blue two-tone look! The actress created a bold divide in the center of her hair where the two colors met.
19. Dark Brown Bob With Neon Green Tips
Demi Lovato gave her brown bob an edge with neon green tips! The singer's two-tone look is just bold enough to make a statement but also subtle in its placement and amount of neon color used.
20. Wavy Blonde Lob With Black Under-layers
Dua Lipa is known to be a style icon spearheading a Y2K revival, and she recently pulled off a quintessential early aughts hairstyle, too! The singer added black under-layers to her blonde, collarbone-length lob and made her two-tone look seem more natural.
Overall, two-tone hair is easily customizable and can instantly change up your look with any colors you desire. Udoh says to consider your color palette carefully before trying it out, and to "make sure the colors that you choose complement each other well." When picking a two-tone style, "opt for either light and dark or warm and cool shades of the same color family so that they work together harmoniously," she advises, adding that it is vital to also ask your hairstylist about "low or no-ammonia dyes" to help protect hair from damage due to harsh chemicals in the dye.
If you are looking for something that will last longer, "consider using semi-permanent coloring rather than permanent coloring," she notes, as this can be less damaging to the hair shafts. Last but not least, she concludes that "properly caring for your colored hair is essential; use gentle shampoos and conditioners made specifically for colored or highlighted hair to keep it looking fresh and vibrant."
