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- Hair
- Hair Color
By
and
Updated on 10/03/23 10:29AM
Dark blue hair is a moody beauty statement that brings intrigue to any hairstyle. The mesmerizing hue pops against every skin tone — and we have the photos to prove it. Ahead, we've rounded up 26 inspirational pics of dark blue hair, which will have you feeling bluein the best possible way. You'll also find expert guidance on everything from pre-lightening to color placement from Michael Casey of Eliut Salon and Lisa Marshall at Davide Hair Studio. Whether you opt for tight navy curls, flowing ombré, or dip-dyed braids, let your personal blue period begin.
Byrdie Tip
Celebrity coloristMichael Casey of Eliut Salon shared his most important tip when it comes to dyeing your hair a bold color like blue: "If you want pastel, green, or blue hues, you need to pre-lighten your hair to a very pale blonde first and then deposit the color.These colors fade very fast, so you will need to spend a lot of time refreshing the bright colors,"he explains. In other words, make sure you're ready for the commitment.
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Ice Queen
All hail the queen of Cannes. Helen Mirren turned the red carpet blue at 2023 iteration of the French film festival, debuting a frothy confection of a hairstyle. The Barbie actress showed off a Marie Antoinette-style puff streaked with varying hues of blue, including L’Oréal Paris's ColoristainPastel Blue. She finished the style withL’Oréal Paris's Elnett Hair Spray andaccented it hair with shiny barrettes.
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Braided Blues
In case you haven't heard, dip-dye hair is back — and it looks particularly fetching in blue. Case in point: Amanda Stenberg looked stunning at the 2019 LACMA Art + Film Gala, wearing braids that had the blues.
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Dip-Dyed Delight
Just a girl at the airport. In 2015, paparazzi caught Gwen Stefani breezing into LAX with another take on dip-dye style. The Voice judge rocked a blunt angled bob with color blocks of platinum blonde and royal blue.
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Nicole's Slicked Back Style
Look at how incredibly chic Nicole Richie looks in this deep blue style swept back into an updo. She's tried just about everyhair colorunder the rainbow and pulls them all off effortlessly. As proven in this photo, minimal and understated makeup looks gorgeous paired with the mysterious shade of blue.
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These Navy Curls
These curls, which are a deep navy with lighter blue money pieces, are beyond cool.
Byrdie Tip
If you don't want to go all the way with permanent color, try Splat Hair Chalkinits navy blue shade. This temporary hair color glides on your hair so easily, leaving a major color payoff.
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Katy's Statement Wig
Katy Perry, a notable hair chameleon, obviously has a thing for blue. Perry's longtime colorist,Justin Anderson, has nailed just about every shade imaginable for the singer. The singer walked the 2010 MTV Movie Awards carpet in a playful blue wig accompanied by the sharpest cat eye.
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Buttoned-Up Blue
In 2019, Cardi B presented a decidedly more buttoned-up version of a blue wig. While strolling into a Queens court appearance, the rapper wore a shoulder-length lob in navy blue. The sleek hairstyle matched her double-breasted suit, which had pops of bubblegum pink.
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Billie's Midnight Blue Look
A blue hair color roundup wouldn't be complete without Billie Eilish, who had a major moment with the shade back in 2018. We love how dark blue hair is its own accessory, taking the easiest of looks to the next level.
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Navy with Teal Accents
Teal and navy just go together, huh? We love this combo, especially paired with voluminous curls. It gives mermaid vibes in the best way possible.
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Demi's Teal Toned Waves
Navy blue highlights? We're in love. Demi Lovato looks gorgeous with their streaky lob. Here's proof that this shade looks sophisticated in a feathered, tousled style.
Byrdie Tip
The right dye placement can change an entire look. "Navy blue may be very strong for someone with fair skin, so adding peek-a-boo panels may be a better option," Marshall says, noting darker and richer skin tones can definitely go a bit bolder with this look. As for texture, she will often guide a client into different placement options based on their natural texture. Long, straight hair can have more “block coloring” options, while she would recommend more of a “highlight” or “balayage” look for a client with short curly hair.
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Ashy Dark Blue
Ashy shades of blue are subtle and bold all at once, and we love how easily the darker and lighter tones blend together in this look.
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Extreme Navy Waves
This vibrant navy color, also known as Extreme Blue by Overtone, is a winning look. It has such pretty, hidden depth and happens to look so natural on dark hair.
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Blue, Blue Curls
Good Dye Young's Semi-Permanent Hair Color in Blue Ruin looks so fantastic splashed across these incredible curls. Also, the matching metallic eyeshadow is honestly iconic.
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Electric Money Pieces
If you have money pieces (AKA face-framing highlights), one of the best ways to switch them up is with color. This electric blue adds so much fun to these dark waves.
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Midnight Blue
Sometimes subtlety is key to making a statement—this shade of midnight blue is so close to black that it almost looks natural. If you want to keep darker roots, Marshall would suggest using a “foilyage” technique to create a soft transition from natural hair to the navy blue.
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Navy Natural Bob
This custom mixture comes courtesy of Pulp Riot's Semi-Permanent Dye, which Marshall says is her favorite dye to use.
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Layered Mermaid Waves
This amazing color also comes from a Pulp Riot mix. We're getting modern mermaid vibes from these expertly layered waves.
Byrdie Tip
Marshall cautions you must avoid drug store brand shampoos, saying direct dyes are very sensitive and can fade very fast if they are washed with low-grade shampoos. Also, try to avoid heat and hot water. This will ensure your color lasts as long as possible.
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All-Over Blue
Compared to say, King's spring approach to ombré approach, this all-over blue is giving us total winter hair vibes.
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Mixing Dark and Light
Bella Thorne is known for her bright hair choices. Though she typically sticks to a copper-red hue, this particular deep blue looks extra edgy. Pair it with an '80s-style eye, and you've got yourself a statement-making spectrum of blues.
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Midnight Blue Curls
These pre-lightened curls look so great with Poseidon from Arctic Fox Hair Color.
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Long Navy Layers
When it comes to color like this vivid blue, a stylish cut definitely amplifies the fun, while also looking super elegant. It's the best of both worlds.
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Ocean Tinted Curls
No words accurately describe these amazing curls. The color, though? That's Good Dye Young's semi-permanent color in Narwhal.
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Blue and Black
What really works with this navy blue style is how well the deep blue blends into the base color. When it comes to a balayage look like this, you would only need to get the blue touched up as it fades, which depending on your at-home care, Marshall says can be from four to eight weeks.
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Deep Indigo Waves
Not only are these glossy waves seriously enviable, but the color totally has us convinced blue is the way to go.
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Jaime's Light Ombré
We're in love with the ombré approach Jaime King took with her mermaid hair back in 2012 at the Saint Vintage Love Tour Cancer event in Los Angeles. From baby blue fading to deep purple, this daring hair looks so good on her. The actress filled Byrdie in on this dye job: "I’ve always wanted to dye my hair a different color but I couldn’t because of contracts, so when I wrapped the first season ofHart of DixieI just said, ‘Let’s do it.’ My husband and I went to the drugstore and bought purple and blue dye. My husband always colors my hair for me. He’s a director, but he’s also a painter, so I go to Tracey Cunningham, she mixes my color, and then Kyle paints it on. He painted this on at home one night.”
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Mood Indigo
Journey back with us once again to 2012, when Selena Gomez rode the blue wave. The Rare Beauty founder appeared at a concert with royal-blue and indigo highlights tucked into her lush, glossy dark waves. Her deep-blue eyeliner tied the look together.
Dark blue hair is the result of a lot of effort but hey, if the above examples are anything to go by, it looks like the time spent in the salon chair pays off. If you're going for allover color or switching it up with different shades, odds are it can take more than one session to get there, especially if you're pre-lightening. The thing is, once you fall in love with navy blue, will you ever really want to go back?
Not looking to go super dark? Try Blue Ombré on for size. Here's everything you need to know.