I Tried 6 Trendy Hair Colors. Here’s Which One Looked Best on Me

I’ve spent plenty of time looking at hair-color inspiration and wondering the same thing:

Would that color actually look good on me?

Lately, I’ve been thinking about it even more as I’m getting more gray. I don’t want to completely change my natural color or spend hours at the salon every few weeks. I’m looking for something that blends naturally with my growing gray, feels flattering, and is easy to maintain. If you’re looking for more inspiration, explore these 2026 hair color trends to see which shades are worth trying.

So instead of guessing, I decided to experiment.

I used HairLook to try six different trendy hair colors this year on my own photo. Some were subtle, while others were a much bigger change. And, as it turned out, my favorite wasn’t necessarily the one I expected.

Here’s what I thought of each one.

The Before: My Natural Color

My starting point was my usual hair color, with its familiar tone and texture. It felt comfortable and very much like me, but after seeing so many beautiful hair-color transformations, I wanted to know what a different shade could do.

Would going lighter make me look brighter? Would a warmer color soften my features? And which shade would blend with my gray roots and keep them from becoming too noticeable too quickly?

Or would a deeper brunette give me the polished look I’d been missing?

Time to find out.

1. Ash Blonde

The first color was a cool ash blonde with soft, muted tones. It felt light and sophisticated without looking overly bright.

What I liked: The cool tone blended beautifully with gray and made the overall color look soft and modern. It also felt like a realistic option if I wanted to move lighter gradually.

What I didn't: Cooler blondes can sometimes make the complexion look a little washed out, depending on your skin tone.

Verdict: A beautiful choice if you want to go lighter while keeping the color understated and gray-friendly.

2. Auburn

Next, I tried a warm auburn with rich copper and reddish-brown tones.

This was definitely more noticeable. The warmth instantly changed the overall look and made the hair feel richer.

What I liked: It added warmth and dimension without going as dramatic as a bright red.

What I didn't: Auburn requires more commitment. As gray roots grow in, the contrast can become noticeable, so regular coloring may be needed.

Verdict: Gorgeous if you want warmth and personality, but probably not my first choice for keeping salon visits to a minimum.

3. Rich Brunette

Then I went darker with a rich, deep brunette.

The result was polished and elegant. The darker shade made the hair look glossy and gave the whole look more definition.

What I liked: It looked sophisticated and made the hair appear especially rich and healthy.

What I didn't: This was one of the colors that made me think about gray roots the most. The contrast between dark brunette and growing gray would be harder to ignore.

Verdict: Beautiful, but probably too high-maintenance for what I want right now.

4. Blended Gray

This was the one I was most curious about.

Instead of covering the gray, this color embraced it with a soft blend of silver, gray, and darker tones. It felt much more natural than trying to hide every strand.

What I liked: It looked intentional, sophisticated, and much easier to imagine maintaining as more gray comes through.

What I didn't: Going fully gray is still a big visual change, and the right blend would be important to keep it looking dimensional rather than flat.

Verdict: One of the most practical options if you're ready to work with your gray instead of constantly covering it.

5. Honey Blonde

Then I tried a warmer honey blonde.

Compared with the ash blonde, this one felt softer and sunnier. It added warmth without looking as dramatic as some of the darker colors.

What I liked: It brightened the overall look and gave the hair a healthy, warm glow.

What I didn't: The warmth would require more maintenance if my natural gray continues to come through.

Verdict: A beautiful option if you want a warmer blonde, but not necessarily the easiest one for low-maintenance gray coverage.

6. Dark Cherry Red

Finally, I went for the most dramatic option: a deep cherry red.

It was rich, glossy, and definitely made me look twice. The color completely changed the mood of the hairstyle without changing the haircut at all.

What I liked: It felt bold, modern, and surprisingly sophisticated.

What I didn't: Red shades can be demanding to maintain, especially when you want to keep the color rich and vibrant.

Verdict: The most fun transformation, but probably the least practical if my goal is fewer trips to the salon.

So, Which Hair Color Actually Worked Best?

After seeing all six, I realized that the prettiest color isn't necessarily the best color for real life.

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  Auburn Hair Color Try On Hairlook

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  Honey Blonde Hair Color Try On Hairlook

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  Grey Blended Hair Color Try On Hairlook

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  Espresso Brown Hair Color Try On Hairlook

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  Dark Cherry Hair Color Try On Hairlook

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  Ash Blonde Hair Color Try On Hairlook

The auburn and dark cherry made me look warmer. The ash blonde and espresso brunette gave me a completely different personality. The honey blonde felt familiar, but brighter.

But the gray-blended color made me think differently about my hair altogether. Instead of constantly trying to hide the gray, I could work with it.

And that's exactly what I was looking for: a color that feels like me, grows out naturally, and doesn't send me back to the salon every few weeks.

Trying all six with HairLook made that decision much easier. I could see the possibilities before making a commitment.

Sometimes the right hair color isn't the one that changes you the most. It's the one that makes you feel like yourself, only better.

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