5 Celebrity-Approved Hair Color Tricks That Instantly Make You Look Younger

Our relationship with hair color is as emotional as it is aesthetic. Maybe you experimented with box dye in your teens, went blonde after a breakup, or rushed to the salon the moment you spotted your first gray. Hair color isn’t just a beauty choice—it’s a timeline, a transformation, and a tool for self-expression.

As we age, though, our hair undergoes shifts that make color even more important. Gray strands begin to appear, natural pigments fade, and even the way color plays against our skin tone evolves. Suddenly, that go-to shade you’ve loved for years can start looking flat or harsh. That’s why, for many, a few well-placed highlights or tonal tweaks can make all the difference.

Luckily, celebrity colorists are here with insider tips that can bring vibrancy back to your look—no drastic makeovers required. These expert-backed tricks are about enhancing your features, brightening your complexion, and giving your hair dimension, all while maintaining an effortlessly natural vibe. Think of them as low-lift, high-impact updates that act like real-life filters for your face.

Here are five hair color tricks that can instantly make you look younger—straight from the pros.

1. Warm Honey Highlights: The Golden Hour Effect

If you want to add glow and warmth to your face, look no further than honey-toned highlights. Inspired by Jennifer Aniston’s signature shade, these golden hues mimic the flattering light of sunset—soft, radiant, and universally flattering.

“Warm blondes soften facial features and brighten the complexion,” says Chase Kusero, celebrity colorist and co-founder of IGK Hair Care. Unlike cooler, ashy blondes that can sometimes make you look washed out, warm honey tones reflect light in a way that adds youthfulness and softness.

Colorist Tip: Ask for honey highlights around the face blended into a golden base to add depth without creating harsh lines. These highlights act like contouring, giving your face a lifted, luminous effect.

Maintenance Must: Keep your strands shiny and hydrated. Kusero recommends IGK’s Expensive Clear Gloss Top Coat and moisturizing serums to maintain that mirror-like sheen that makes warm hues really shine.

2. Soft Undertones: Subtle Yet Powerful

Soft undertones may not scream transformation, but they’re the quiet MVP of youth-boosting hair color—especially for brunettes. Think cinnamon or amber undertones that gently warm up your natural color without making it obvious you’ve had anything done.

According to Rita Hazan, celebrity colorist and salon owner, adding soft, light-reflecting tones through the mid-lengths and ends helps keep mature hair looking vibrant and full of life.

Colorist Tip: Request subtle cinnamon or amber undertones rather than bold highlights. Avoid anything overly golden or red to steer clear of unwanted brassiness.

Maintenance Must: To keep color vibrant between salon visits, Hazan suggests Glaze Supergloss. It enhances shine, boosts tone, and helps your hair look freshly done even weeks later.

3. Buttery Balayage: Low-Maintenance, High-Impact

Balayage isn’t just trendy—it’s timeless. The technique involves hand-painting highlights for a natural fade that enhances your hair’s movement and depth. The best part? No hard lines or awkward grow-out phases.

“Buttery blonde balayage adds softness and glow,” says Kusero. When done right, it mimics the natural highlights you’d get from a summer spent in the sun—except it’s completely customized to your hair and skin tone.

Colorist Tip: Ask your stylist for soft, golden balayage ribbons. On darker hair, this adds beautiful contrast and movement; on lighter shades, it gives richness and dimension.

Why It Works: Balayage creates the illusion of fuller, healthier hair while also lifting the face by brightening the areas around the cheekbones and jawline. Think of it as a built-in beauty light.

4. Blended Blonde Hues: Effortless and Elegant

Harsh regrowth lines can be aging—not to mention frustrating. That’s why a blend of blonde tones with a shadow root (a slightly darker root that melts into lighter ends) can make your style look effortlessly fresh for weeks.

Michelle Pfeiffer is the poster child for this technique. Her hair seamlessly transitions from deeper roots to soft golden mid-lengths, adding dimension and maintaining a natural look even as it grows out.

Colorist Tip: For long-lasting impact, opt for a shadow root with softly blended golden hues. It requires fewer touch-ups and still looks polished.

Maintenance Must: Kusero suggests IGK’s First Class Charcoal Detox Dry Shampoo. It refreshes your roots without dulling your color—a common issue with traditional dry shampoos.

5. Auburn Tones: A Youthful Pop Without Going Overboard

Ready to try something a little bolder but still flattering? Auburn is your go-to. These reddish hues add warmth, glow, and personality—all while enhancing your natural skin tone.

“It’s a flirty, fun color that brings warmth back into the face,” says Hazan. Auburn catches the light in all the right ways, making hair appear more vibrant and adding a natural blush effect to your complexion.

Colorist Tip: Customize your auburn. Golden copper works best for warm undertones, while deeper cinnamon suits cooler complexions. A tailored tone ensures the look is bold yet believable.

Maintenance Must: Because red pigments fade faster, keep your color fresh with regular gloss treatments and root touch-ups to retain that youthful glow.

Final Thoughts: Small Tweaks, Big Impact

The secret to youthful hair color isn’t about chasing trends or covering every gray. It’s about enhancing what you already have with smart, strategic choices. By adding warmth, depth, and dimension, you can soften your features, brighten your complexion, and bring life back to your hair.

Whether it’s honey highlights or a hint of auburn, these colorist-approved tricks are designed to work with your skin tone, lifestyle, and vibe—not against them. So next time you sit in the salon chair, skip the full transformation and try one of these flattering upgrades. Your hair (and your reflection) will thank you.