Two toned hair! Honestly one of my favorite modern hair trends is vivid and bold hair colors, and that includes high contrast, fun two-toned hair looks! I love to talk about it and also to do. There is something about two completely different colors together that just hits differently, gives you that ‘oh,wait’ effect, and just makes your hair wildly more fun to look at!
It can be as low key as a little bit of color hiding under your dark hair, or as loud as a full split tone look with two completely different colors on each side. I have been obsessed with this for years and I pulled together some looks that I think show off just how many ways you can wear it.
Dark Brown to Emerald Green Peekaboo Waves
That green is so so green, like really bright and rich. It lives under the dark brown and it shows through the waves as the hair moves. I think this is one of the coolest ways to wear a vivid color if you have dark hair. You do not have to bleach everything, just the underneath part.
Dark Brown with Hot Pink Peekaboo Underlights
Hot pink under brown is just such a good combination I can not explain it. The top stays dark and then the pink shows up at the ends when the hair moves. On this straight lob it looks really clean and sharp. I would do this in a heartbeat if I had dark hair honestly.
Deep Wine to Rose Pink Sleek Ombre
Starting at a deep wine color at the top and going all the way down to bright rose pink, this is a lot of color in the best way. The transition between the two tones is really smooth and pretty. I love when ombre looks like it melted, not like it was painted in a hurry. This one is long and straight which makes the colors look even more amazing.
Jet Black to Teal Blue Straight Underlight
The teal under black hair is honestly one of my all time favorite combinations. It looks really graphic and clean because the hair is so straight and long. You can see right where the black stops and the teal starts and it just looks so cool. I have done this on a few clients and every single one of them loved it.
Dark Brown with Silver Ash Blonde Peekaboo Underlights
This is the quiet version of two toned hair and I think people sleep on it. A cool silver blonde is hiding under the dark brown and you only see it when the hair gets flipped or moved. The lob cut with those curtain bangs makes it look super chic. If you want two toned hair but nothing too crazy, start here.
Honey Caramel Top with Jet Black Underneath
Wait, this one is backwards from what you expect and I love it so much. The warm caramel is on top and the black is underneath which is not what most people do. From the back it looks like this gorgeous two tone butterfly shape. If you want something that makes people look twice, this is the one to show your stylist.
Deep Magenta to Coral Peach Straight Ombre
This color combo is like a sunset and I am obsessed with it. Deep berry at the roots and warm coral peach at the ends on this long straight V cut. Because both tones are warm it all looks really cohesive and intentional. I think this is one of those looks that photographs absolutely beautifully.
Dark Brown to Lavender Purple Sleek Ponytail
Okay so the brown is on top and the purple just hides underneath until you put your hair up. I love that so much, it feels like a little secret. The lavender color is not too bright, it is soft and pretty. This one is good if your job is kind of strict about hair because it just looks brown at first.
Black Root to Ash Blonde Straight Lob
High contrast is the whole point here and it delivers. Dark roots on top, cool ash blonde on the bottom, blunt cut, clean lines. Sometimes keeping things simple is the most powerful choice. This is really good for people with dark hair who want a dramatic look without going into bright colors.
Black to Electric Purple Ombre Waves
Electric purple on black hair is such a classic vivid combo and this wavy style does it so well. The purple is really saturated here, not muted at all, like a proper bright purple. Waves make the color move and that movement adds so much depth. This is my go to recommendation when someone with black hair wants to try a vivid color for the first time.
Dusty Pink and Slate Grey Split Tone Long Layers
I stared at this one for a long time when I first saw it. Pink and grey living together in these long layers and somehow it works perfectly. It looks like fantasy hair but also kind of wearable at the same time. This is a big commitment but oh my gosh the result is incredible.
Dark Brown to Soft Lilac Ombre
The lilac here is so soft it almost looks like the color just faded in naturally. Starting from a dark brown root it blends down into this barely there cool lavender at the ends. I think this is one of the most delicate and dreamy two toned looks out there. It is perfect if you want color but nothing too loud.
Dark Brown with Mint Turquoise Peekaboo Underlights
Mint green under dark brown should not work as well as it does but here we are. The color placement on this one is super clean, you can see exactly where the brown ends and the mint begins. At the ends of this straight lob the mint just pops so much. I love a good underlighter and this mint one is really fresh and fun.
Dark Root to Silver White Platinum Sleek Ombre
This is so sleek it looks fake in a good way. The dark root fades into this long silver white platinum that goes all the way to the waist with zero texture, just pure glassy smoothness. It is a really high maintenance color to get and keep but wow is it worth it. I would call this one the most editorial look in the whole list.
Black with Dusty Rose Peekaboo Underlights
Black hair with dusty rose hiding underneath is such a good combo. The dark base keeps it from being too sweet and the pink underneath adds this soft surprise when the hair moves. I love that this one lets you control how much pink shows depending on how you style it that day. It is like having two hairstyles in one.
Dark Brown with Silver Lavender Underlights
These silver lavender underlights are so bright against the dark brown top, the contrast is really striking. You can see it clearly here when the top layer is pulled back to show what is hiding underneath. The hair is long and straight which makes the separation between the two tones look really sharp and clean. This is a cooler, more modern take on the hidden color trend.
Dark Root to Warm Honey Blonde Balayage Waves
This is the one that started it all for a lot of people honestly. Dark roots into warm honey blonde through soft beachy waves, it is such a classic. The balayage makes the blonde look natural and lived in rather than painted on. If you are new to two toned hair and want to start somewhere safe and pretty, this is your answer.
Dark Brown to Millennial Pink Voluminous Waves
This might be the prettiest look in the whole post, I said what I said. The dark brown root melts into this fluffy soft pink and the big voluminous waves make it look so lush and romantic. You really need length for this one so the gradient has room to develop fully. I have done a version of this color in the salon and people always lose their minds over it.
Copper Auburn and Platinum Silver Split Lob
One side copper, one side platinum, and a curtain bang right in the middle, this is so bold. It looks like two completely different hair colors just decided to share a head and somehow it is stunning. The textured lob cut keeps it from being too severe. This is for someone who really wants to make a statement and is not afraid of a little maintenance.
Jet Black to Electric Violet Ombre Waves
This violet is really vivid, not dusty, not muted, just a proper bright purple. On black hair with waves it looks so dramatic and rich. The dark root grounds it so it does not look too costumey. Out of all the purple two toned looks I have done over the years, this kind of saturated violet on black is always the one that gets the most compliments.
Jet Black to Teal Ocean Blue Layered Ombre
This teal is deeper and more ocean blue than turquoise which I think makes it a little more wearable. The black root blends down into it and the long layers give the color a lot of movement. If the previous teal look felt a bit too bright for you, this deeper version is a really good alternative. It is still bold but it feels a little more grown up.
Dark Chocolate to Cherry Red Wavy Lob
Cherry red ends on a dark chocolate base, yes please. The waves in this one make the color look so dimensional and lush. I feel like this color combo works on literally everyone which is rare. It is bold but not like, scary bold, it is the kind of red that feels cool and wearable at the same time.
Golden Copper to Peach Coral Ombre Waves
This whole look feels warm and glowy like golden hour in hair form. The top is a golden copper and it fades down into a soft peach coral through these long bouncy waves. Because all the tones are warm it feels really cohesive, not jarring at all. I love this one for people who want two toned color but want it to feel sun kissed and natural rather than bold and dramatic.
