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What Are Some Hair Colors You Think You Can Or Can’t Pull Off?

March 7th, 2012 by Karen 34 Comments

Hair colors you can/can't pull off?

I really enjoy playing with my hair color — not that I consider myself very adventurous with it (well, maybe a little now that I’ve ventured into pink territory). Most of the time, I bounce back and forth around different shades of brown, black and caramel.

Those are colors I think I pull off fairly well.


Dark brownish black base with dark brown highlights, May 2010

I’ve enjoyed the pink streaks I started experimenting with earlier this year, but they take some time and effort to maintain (and, truth be told, I’d rather spend that time watching TV), so I’m leaning against doing them again…


Pink streaks, January 2012

Really bright colors give me pause, like blonde, purple, green or blue. I just can’t see myself pulling off those shades, but ya never know. Maybe someday. 🙂

How about you? What are some hair colors you think you can or can’t pull off?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

What Are Some Hair Colors You Think You Can Or Can’t Pull Off? / Originally published March 7th, 2012

There are 34 comments on this post. Leave yours.

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Comments

  1. Nina says

    March 7th, 2012 at 9:30 am

    i really dont think i can pull off a blonde look … im much too yellow for that! 🙂

    i love love love red hair on anyone. on me, it kinda picks up on the natural red i seem to have in my hair color!

    Reply
  2. Cassy says

    March 7th, 2012 at 9:32 am

    The only color that comes to mind is green. I’ve done blonde, red, black, brown, orange, RED, blue and pink and I think I did pretty well with all of them. Green seems like it would be weird on me, though. My natural color is red, so it makes me think I would end up looking like Christmas with red brows and green hair, lol

    Reply
  3. Kelly Keeton says

    March 7th, 2012 at 9:39 am

    I am lucky in that I can pull of pretty much anything that isn’t too warm. Golden blondes on me look awful. Yellow and orange are a no-go. But everything else I can work with! 🙂

    Reply
  4. R.D. says

    March 7th, 2012 at 9:40 am

    I never colour my hair anymore. The one time I did I went with blond streaks and they looked great but I didn’t like the texture that they gave my hair. Now I haven’t dyed my hair in forever and I love the way it feels. I don’t think I could pull off any hair colour aside from the one I have … do you think I should be more adventurous?

    Reply
  5. Sunny @ Mostly Sunny says

    March 7th, 2012 at 9:40 am

    I honestly don’t know! I have never dyed my hair. I’m East Asian, but my hair color is lighter than usual. Especially when it’s under the light, you see a brown sheen in it. I actively like it so I haven’t thought about changing it at all. I would say if I die it a rich chocolate brown I’d be fine, but a blonde or redhead, I can pretty much forget about it!
    Sunny @ Mostly Sunny recently posted … Event: ICI PARIS XL Press Day with Black Up, Erborian, F Fekkai, Philosophy, Kenzoki, Orlane, Qiriness, ONLY YOU, & Madonna Truth or Dare

    Reply
    • Madeleine says

      March 7th, 2012 at 11:51 am

      I’ve never dyed my hair either.I’m European and blond.Unfortunatelly I do not have grey hair which really worries my hairdresser LOL When summer comes I get natural sun highlights around my banks and face.

      Reply
  6. Kristina says

    March 7th, 2012 at 9:41 am

    blonde! def cannot pull that off
    anything in black/dark brown territory works, loved having dark red highlights but they are def way too hard to maintain 🙁
    I want cherry brown now but have to lighten my hair a bit

    Reply
  7. Karen B says

    March 7th, 2012 at 9:51 am

    I can pull off just about any natural hair colour except for black. I’ve had them all: blonde, dark blonde, brown, copper. Black was just too harsh for my pale colouring. I’ve also had a pansy purple-brown kinda colour which was pretty striking on me but just looked too unnatural. And it faded really weird.

    Reply
  8. Megan says

    March 7th, 2012 at 10:03 am

    I can probably wear most colors, except for the extremes: I cannot wear black or platinum blonde.
    Megan recently posted … Saving The Planet, One Load At A Time

    Reply
  9. Melodie says

    March 7th, 2012 at 10:08 am

    For some reason I can wear purple very well…when I’m not going for bright, I usually stick with super blue-black. One color I definitely cannot pull off is blonde highlights (never tried a full head, but I just don’t think it’d work with my skin tone). They weren’t even intentional: I used to get red highlights in high school, but they’d inevitably fade to blonde within a few weeks.

    Reply
  10. Cristy says

    March 7th, 2012 at 10:08 am

    I have done red wine, almost dark purple, and I like it, but everybody told me when I had it kind of copper red, my olive green eyes pop! And I got bored of the same one color, Now I have my base like a 5, and blonde highlights and my tips are platinum, but I would Love to have it all blonde or like Lindsay from The Bachelor(Ben) But I know I look sooo older 🙁
    But I’m gonna try it once the summer begins!
    And If don’t feel it, in October, Nov, I will think in something else.. Is just hair, and it’s fun to try lots of looks, the worse thing You can do it’s not to try… What If….
    🙂

    Reply
  11. Chelsea says

    March 7th, 2012 at 11:02 am

    I’m a natural redhead who’s never dyed my hair. My red hair suits me (I’m pale and freckled). I had a friend in high school with the exact same coloring as me (we could have been brother and sister) and he dyed his hair black and it was just awful.

    I don’t feel that I’d pull off anything not reddish.

    Reply
  12. Phyrra says

    March 7th, 2012 at 11:19 am

    OMG Tabs in the wigs! So adorable! I actually feel like blonde was really hard for me to pull off. I think I look great in black, turquoise, fuchsia, purple, red and dark chocolate brown.

    There are tricks for maintaining color, especially unnatural ones.

    For me, I don’t wash my hair more often than every 5 to 7 days. For maintaining color, when I apply colors like Manic Panic or Jerome Russel Punky color I apply it, put a cap on, and apply heat for at least a half hour to an hour. This helps lock in the color. You can also do a clear gloss sealant type treatment to help it stick around after that.
    Phyrra recently posted … Darling Girl ‘Only One Can Win’ Hunger Games Swatches & Thoughts

    Reply
  13. Shannon says

    March 7th, 2012 at 11:26 am

    I think I could pull off pretty much any color, but there are definitely colors I would prefer over others. I don’t think I’d do vibrant colors (green, blue, pink, etc) just because I’m too lazy to keep them looking good. And I wash my hair too much for them to stay nice for very long. So, maybe there are some colors that wouldn’t work with my lifestyle, lol! But I think pretty much anything *could* look good, on a hypothetical level.

    Reply
  14. gio says

    March 7th, 2012 at 11:27 am

    Probably black. I think that would look really harsh against my pale skintone.
    gio recently posted … Product Review: L’Oreal Tripla Attiva Latte Detergente

    Reply
  15. denise says

    March 7th, 2012 at 11:47 am

    I been through the rainbow spectrum of hair colors! Blond,red, brown,purple and black. My caramel skin looks better in auburn-dark reddish brown shades. I look washed out in jet black and strange in blond. I can pull off brownish black though. Never forget when I dyed it bright purple, and a little kid said “look Mommy her hair is purple!” Lol

    Reply
  16. Marian says

    March 7th, 2012 at 11:58 am

    I’ve had all of the “natural” hair colors. I’ve been black, brown, red and blonde. I am currently au natural…which is white/grey. I’ve always thought with the right makeup and clothing look, I could pull off anything, however; I’ve never had the desire to go blue, pink, mauve, etc.

    Reply
  17. BeccaTheCyborg says

    March 7th, 2012 at 12:11 pm

    My hair’s been every colour but green. So, I suppose, not green for me then.

    My favourites: my current natural dark strawberry blonde, light pink, and platinum white.

    Reply
  18. Maria says

    March 7th, 2012 at 12:28 pm

    I’m 38 and about 75% grey so I’m just waiting on the other 25% and my brows, then I’ll try a blonde look. Although being fully mexican it will probably be a silly look and one others will be shocked by but oh well. Right now, the greys make for nice highlights when I get it colored – until the roots come in around day 10 after 🙁

    Reply
  19. Annabella Freeman says

    March 7th, 2012 at 12:30 pm

    Blue didn’t look so great but then does it on anybody? You need to bleach your hair to get it really bright then it fades and looks murky green – just look at Katy Perry at the moment not good!

    Reply
  20. Chris25 says

    March 7th, 2012 at 12:34 pm

    I went through a Manic Panic phase when I was 18 (blue,red and purple). That was fun! But I cannot pull of blond or electric sunshine yellow. I’m just too dark for that. I know Tony Kanal does it, but it’s just not for me.

    Reply
  21. Trisha says

    March 7th, 2012 at 1:11 pm

    I’ve had every color of the rainbow. But, I’ve found that I look better with darker hair. I have black hair right now and I think it looks awesome. Blond never looked quite right.

    But, as far as off-the-wall colors go, I looked best in pink and green. I love them both. <3
    Trisha recently posted … For St. Patrick’s Day: LUSH Grass Shower Gel

    Reply
  22. Raven says

    March 7th, 2012 at 1:14 pm

    Right now, I have my hair a vibrant fire engine- red color and I freaking love it! It’s a lot of matinence though, so I’m playing with the idea of blue hair.
    I don’t think I’d be able to pull off any blondes, because of my darker coloring, and I don’t love the color green on pretty much anyone :p

    Reply
  23. breyerchic04 says

    March 7th, 2012 at 1:17 pm

    I was a very blonde baby, so I have done lots of caramelly to blonde highlights in my medium brown hair. I also go red fairly often but it can’t ever be a blue red, that makes me look sick.

    I haven’t ever ventured into non haircolors, and don’t know if I could.

    Reply
  24. Katherine G says

    March 7th, 2012 at 1:56 pm

    I’ve personally done blue-black with blue-black highlights, blonde highlights (didn’t like them much because I had attempted them myself the first time I ever dyed my hair), various shades of brown, black with red highlights (natural red, not Manic Panic red), and many variations of auburn/red-gold hair.

    I’ve admired the people who have the guts to have pink hair, purple hair, etc, because I wouldn’t do that myself. I can’t do anything crazy because of the type of job I’m in. My natural color is a really dark brown, almost black, and it was a deep chestnut reddish brown as a kid. I prefer keeping my hair in the red family currently. Not too hard to maintain. I don’t recommend dying your hair jet black or blue-black as it is very difficult to highlight and get out (I decided to get highlights and grow it out, which was a year and a half long process). Red is another color that is very difficult to totally get out if you want to go in the blonde family.

    Reply
  25. kalcedon says

    March 7th, 2012 at 1:59 pm

    Can’t: lighter blondes. Especially with my dark eyebrows (I’m not really planning on bleaching them).
    Can: well, I’ve never tried/had my hair dyed. I’m just a bit afraid (of the ourcome color and healthwise, too, as my hair is really sensitive). The shade I have now is a really-really dark, cooler brown (almost black). I think I’d look good with warmer shades of brown, maybe dark cherry, auburn and brownish type of reds, too.

    Reply
  26. LOLARIS says

    March 7th, 2012 at 2:02 pm

    I can NEVER pull of blonde/platinum. I’m way to Asian for that. I will look like a joke. The only time I’ve worn blonde wig was when I dressed up as Miss Piggy on last year’s Halloween.
    Also, pretty red like Christina Hendricks or Marcia Cross. I wish I could. I’ve always wanted to be born pale so just that I can rock red hair and have green eyes!
    (I have drop of Dutch blood, but I only get the freckles. My mom’s eyes are gray/green. My younger sisters’ hair are chestnut and they’ve got the nose. It’s so hard being ‘Project 0’)

    I did, though, pull off burgundy/purplish-brown. But other than that, I remain with my natural hair color, which is brownish-black.

    I’ve always curious for having pink streak on my hair!! Can you share us the story, Karen? Pleaaaassee???

    Reply
    • LOLARIS says

      March 7th, 2012 at 2:03 pm

      Oh. And I love you with the bob!!

      Reply
  27. Kate & Zena says

    March 7th, 2012 at 3:01 pm

    Well, I can’t pull off red, black or blonde. I learned those doing my high school years. I know bright colors are also something I can’t pull off because I’m too pale and I’m just not bubbly enough. I think the colors you color your hair should reflect your personality, and bold and bright colors are NOT me. Most shades of dark brown look good on me.

    I just got dark violet highlights and I really love them. They aren’t bright which is something is great because I’m very shy and I think bright violet would have not represented me well. I had them done so when I have my hair down, you can barely see them; however, when I put my hair up in braids ponytails, buns, et cetera, you can see my highlights! They very noticeable unless I’m in the sun, but they are visible.

    Reply
  28. Emi at Project Swatch says

    March 7th, 2012 at 4:08 pm

    I don’t think I could pull off looking like a natural blond, I’m too dark skinned for that (I’m not dark skinned, but I’m too dark for blond, if that makes sense).

    I look awesome with purple hair though – too bad my current occupation doesn’t allow it!

    Love all of your past hair. I wish I was a full time beauty blogger, then I could have purple hair again – or at least purple streaks!
    Emi at Project Swatch recently posted … Chubby Lip Pencil Comparison, Review, Swatches

    Reply
  29. Rita says

    March 7th, 2012 at 11:06 pm

    Well, I’m a redhead (light golden copper). Anything else would make me depressed. I have tried.

    Reply
  30. artemis says

    March 8th, 2012 at 7:53 am

    blue hair 😀 i i could pull it off cause blue looks good on me 🙂 maybe mixed with black
    i had bright cherry red highlights in my natural dark brown hair when i turned 15 and i looked cool
    i died my hair black several times and it looked good 😀
    i also had this redish brown color w/ small ginger highlights and everybody loved it….i hated it when my roots grew tho…they were slightly darker and grayer brown so it looked off to me 😀 but it was nice before that, maybe i’ll dye it like that again
    i don’t think i can pull off golden blonde…maybe a pale one
    i had light brown-blond highlights when i was like 13 but i don’t really like them on me

    Reply
  31. The Blossom Shed Beauty Blog says

    March 10th, 2012 at 6:25 pm

    I have light, mousey brown hair, and think I look best with lots of tawny gold highlights, a kind of dirty, reddish blonde. I’ve gone dark too, but think I look a bit consumptive and ill!

    What I REALLY want is hair like Tami Taylor in FNL – strawberry blonde waves – but am not optimistic how it will look with my skintone. I may try it one day if I get really bored!
    The Blossom Shed Beauty Blog recently posted … Friday Frock

    Reply
  32. Alison says

    March 14th, 2012 at 11:28 am

    I went through a phase in my teens where I was very into hair dye and tried a bunch of adventurous colours, but now that I’m in my twenties, to be honest, I just like it long and flowing – its low-maintenance and just looks best on me! That said if I one day do get bored I wouldn’t mind experimenting with some subtle plummy highlights – my dark hair has plum undertones anyway, so that might be nice!

    I think tabs looks sassy in all those colours somehow, Karen! I wonder how he does it!

    Reply

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Hi there! I’m Karen, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, and I’m a Bay Area girl who hoards brown eyeshadow and covets coral lipstick. Every morning, I wake up and say, “I’m going to do something other than a smoky eye today.” Then…I end up doing a smoky eye anyway (most days). When I’m not putting on makeup, taking pictures of makeup or writing about makeup, which I’ve been doing daily since 2007 (!), you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my four-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my torbie girl cat (Pretty Girl Rosie, a.k.a. PGR).

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