9 Ways to Wear Rose Gold Hair
There's a reason rose gold hair has transcended trends to become a salon staple. The high-shine shade sits in that sweet spot between soft pastels, vibrant bolds and warm blonde colors, making it ultra-versatile. You can amp it up, dial it down and work it year-round for maximum wearability, and you can even tweak it to suit every skin tone. Your Wella colorist will take care of that.
So, the question you're left with is this: what kind of rose gold hair look do you want? We've got all the shades and technique inspiration you need, so you can shimmer all season long...
How to Get Rose Gold Hair Color
1. On Blonde Hair
Pale blonde hair is the perfect canvas for rose gold hair. So, if you crave an all-over wash, your light base color means pre-lightening can be kept to a minimum. You also have greater control over the color intensity, giving you the option to work a soft, pinky tint or dial your shade up to a heavy metal hue.
But, if your blonde is a mid or dark tone, your hair colorist may need to pre-lighten your base first. For this, we recommend BlondorPlex, our bond-strengthening lightener that gives you up to 97% less breakage¹. From there, they can create your rose gold shade with a SHINEFINITY Color Glaze. This zero lift, zero damage, demi-permanent glaze veils your hair in translucent color that shimmers from root to tip.
2. On Light Brown Hair
If you have light brown hair, you've got two options for your rose gold masterpiece: either have your hair pre-lightened so the soft pink tones pop, or retain your brunette richness and try rose brown hair. Either way, Color Touch is the ideal toner to personalize your golden rose hair, with true-to-tone vibrancy and shine, no matter your hair's condition. Always loved, now better than ever, it features a built-in Metal Purifier, which neutralizes metals in your hair, so your rosy shade looks glossy and lustrous from one appointment to the next.
Try asking for the rose tones to be focused through mid-lengths and ends, against natural roots, for a classic balayage with a pink twist. Or up the intensity by working the shade in root-to-tip highlights that are sure to turn heads. You could also wear a beautiful shade of rose brown all over – a more intensive yet statement-making transformation that’s perfect for the color-brave.
3. On Dark Brown Hair
If you want to retain the richness of your dark hair while adding a rose gold glow, try asking your colorist for highlights in brighter shades of metallic pink or coral. Or if you want to work a full head of rose gold tones, your hair will need to be lifted from root to tip. For this, we recommend our bond-strengthening lightener, BlondorPlex. Not only does it give you up to nine levels of lift, but it also reduces hair breakage by up to 97%¹ in the process. From there, your hair is ready for its rosy injection of color.
This can be done with our most intense permanent hair color, Koleston Perfect; the first and only professional hair color that combines uncompromised color performance with Metal Purifier and ME+ Dye Technology. This breakthrough combo gives you the most true-to-tone color, while also providing protection against damage – ideal for bigger hair color transformations.
9 Rose Gold Hair Color Ideas
Rose Gold Glass Hair
Look Credit: Monique McMahon
Rose gold tones and glass-like shine are a match made in hair heaven, so why not head to your nearest Wella salon for a Rose Gold Glass Hair service? This exclusive creation is part of our Golden Glass Hair menu of looks, and features a base layer of Illumina Color, our permanent formula for radiant, youthful, 100% natural-looking color. Then, the gloss is levelled up with a zero damage, zero lift top coat of SHINEFINITY for irresistible silky shine. The demi-permanent color glaze sets lengths aglow with these seamlessly melted rosé ribbons. You can amp up the look and seal in the shine with ULTIMATE SMOOTH Miracle Oil Serum, a lightweight oil that gives you nourishment in 30 seconds and smoothness that lasts up to 3 days².
Subtle Rose Gold Hair
Image Credit: @luca_brusini
If you're new to pastel hair, start slow with this subtle rosy blush; a blink-and-you'll-miss-it hue that shimmers through a light blonde base. This particular look was created with the Color Fresh Mask in Pink Blush, which deposits pigment in 10 minutes when applied to clean, damp hair. Ask your hair colorist to perfect it in the salon or try it at home on already-blonde hair. Don't forget to comb it through with a wide-tooth comb for a beautifully even finish.
Rose Gold Curly Hair
Image Credit: @michellethompsonhair
Just look at these rosy curls. Veiled in the dreamiest metallic shade, they were first perfected using BlondorPlex to lighten, so that the soft pink and rosy hues could pop. It's our bond-strengthening pre-lightener, which gives you up to 97% less breakage¹, so even delicate hair types can be gently lifted. Then, the blush tone was mixed up with Color Touch, our demi-permanent formula with the new built-in Metal Purifier that delivers true-to-tone vibrancy, no matter the hair's condition. With a wide range of shades that can be mixed together, any shade of rose gold is possible. Try a pinkier tone like this or take it lighter for a sheer wash of macaron.
Rose Gold Hair with Peachy Tones
Image Credit: @_litvinova_julia
Because they're both on the warmer end of the color spectrum, peach blonde and rose gold tones can be intertwined. The result: a fruity, juicy, metallic mane with added vibrancy. Ask your colorist to mix up separate peaches and pinks, then melt them together in side-by-side ribbons. The multi-tonal finish is beyond mesmerizing, giving you megawatt shine you can dial up at home with a spritz of EIMI Glam Mist.
Light Rose Hair
Image Credit: @jhair_stylist
Give bombshell blonde hair a rosy twist by asking for a platinum base with a pop of pink. Your colorist can start by lifting and toning hair in one step with the Koleston Perfect Special Blonde palette. Once your light blonde base is locked in, they can mix up your metallic pink shade. A SHINEFINITY Color Glaze is perfect for this, as it veils hair in zero lift, zero damage for irresistible silky shine.
Dark Roots with Rose Gold Lengths
Image Credit: @by.elnaz.a
Who said a dramatic hair color change has to be high-maintenance? By teaming rosy blonde shades with darker roots, regrowth is easier to manage. Your colorist can make sure your root shadow melts seamlessly into the pastel pink, so you swap harsh demarcation lines for a feathered effect. This is a good technique if you have some stray grey strands you want to hide, as your colorist can use Koleston Perfect directly on the roots for up to 100% coverage. Then, for follow-up appointments, Koleston Xpress will touch up roots in just 10 minutes, giving you a non-progressive permanent color that provides up to 100% grey coverage.
Rose Brown Hair
Image Credit: @parrucchieriinnpaese and @jacoposchiavinato
Rose gold lengths lend a beachy vibe to medium or dark brown hair. The key is embracing a balayage technique, so your chocolatey roots seamlessly segue into light, blush-tinted ends. Your colorist can use Blondor Freelights, our specialist freehand lightener, to create the look, and then tone your hair to glossy perfection with SHINEFINITY Color Glaze. It’s the dream color product year-round, but especially in the summer months, when the sun’s warm glow adds to that shimmery, shiny, sun-kissed effect.
Dreamy Pastel Rosé Hair
Image Credit: @jhair_stylist
Showing just how impactful rose gold tones appear when swept through a dark brown base, this look retains a lived-in root while giving lengths and pastel vibrancy. It’s another SHINEFINITY masterpiece that you can try for yourself at your nearest Wella salon. If you’re blessed with curls like these, don’t forget to finish your style with NutriCurls Curlixir Balm to define every rosé ringlet.
Pink and Rose Gold Hair
Image Credit: @luca_brusini
To amp up the intensity of rose gold tones, ask your colorist to add extra sweeps of a sweet candy or neon pink hue. As long as they stick to pink shades with a warm undertone, the brighter hues will intertwine beautifully. You can try this through any base color, but we especially love this dark blonde, ultra-rooty take.
5 Quick Tips to Maintain Rose Gold Hair
1. Use a Color-Safe Shampoo
Healthy hair just glows better, so you want a shampoo that will repair and prevent damage, while also being kind to your salon color. ULTIMATE REPAIR Shampoo is your suits-all-hair-types, luxurious lather of choice, with a skincare-inspired blend of AHA and Omega-9 to cleanse and care in one. Follow it with ULTIMATE REPAIR Conditioner, a creamy formula that rinses completely clean to leave hair beautifully nourished.
2. Boost Hydration with Deep Treatments
Take the health boost to the next level. After washing your hair, treat it to this salon pro secret weapon: ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue. It’s a leave-in treatment that repairs hair damage in 90 seconds², and also leaves your rose gold hair 12x smoother³ with 99% less breakage⁴. Mist it through clean, damp hair from root to tip, let it absorb for 90 seconds, and then style your hair as usual. It’s the easiest way to future-proof your mane.
3. Apply a Color-Depositing Conditioner
When you’re weeks away from your next salon appointment and you want to refresh rose gold tones, try the Color Fresh Mask in Pink Blush. It’s a tinted treatment that lets you revive your color at home. Simply smooth it through hair after shampooing, allow it to develop for 10 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly. You’ll see the radiant, rosy results instantly.
4. Protect Your Hair Against Heat
Because nothing triggers shade fade like excess heat, you need a heat protectant in your kit. Choose one that doesn't just shield your hair against hot tools, but keeps it safe from the effects of UV rays too. ULTIMATE REPAIR Protective Leave-In ticks the boxes, with a delicate cream texture that nourishes all hair types. Apply it before blow-drying, curling or straightening to maintain the health of rose gold hair.
5. Don’t Skip a Salon Session
Last but not least, make sure you never miss a visit to your nearest Wella salon. Rose gold hair needs touch-ups to retain its radiance, and when you’re ready to try a new shade, you’ll be in the right place. Need inspiration? Check out our round-up of this year’s biggest hair color trends, featuring copper browns, vibrant corals and glassy honey blondes.
¹ When using Wellaplex N°2 with Blondorplex, versus Blondorplex alone.
² If unwashed for 3 days, vs. untreated.
³ When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue.
⁴ Vs. non-conditioning Shampoo.
⁵ When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue instrumental test vs. non-conditioning Shampoo.