33 Stunning Underlayer Hair Color Ideas for Brunettes and Blondes: From Blue to Red-Brown

Underlayer hair color is the ultimate trend for adding a hidden splash of personality to your look. With shades ranging from brown and red to daring purple and blue, this color technique is perfect for blondes, brunettes, and those with curly hair. Discover 33 inspiring ideas to personalize your style, whether you’re into subtle highlights or bold ombré. Each hairstyle is a creative way to elevate any haircut, including pixies, bobs, and layered cuts.

Blonde and Pink Underlayer

For those looking to add a touch of whimsy to their blonde locks, a blonde and pink underlayer is the perfect combination. This color pairing is playful yet chic, ideal for a summer party or casual brunch with friends. It complements those with fair or light brown skin tones, and it beautifully highlights blue or green eyes. The pink hue peeking through blonde hair creates a soft, romantic feel that suits both wavy and curly hairstyles.

To achieve this look, section off the bottom layer of your hair and apply a semi-permanent pink dye. Brands like Arctic Fox or Manic Panic offer vibrant shades that can be applied at home. Use a sulfate-free shampoo to maintain the color and prevent fading, ensuring the pink remains vivid for weeks.

Purple Underlayer on Black Hair

An underlayer of purple on deep, black hair creates an electrifying and mysterious look. This combination exudes confidence and works well for both short and long haircuts. Whether you’re heading to a concert or a date night, the purple underlayer makes a statement as it peeks through your natural hair color, adding depth and dimension. It’s particularly flattering for oval face shapes and those with dark or hazel eyes.

Apply a semi-permanent purple dye to the underlayer after bleaching it to a level 7 or higher for the best results. A toning shampoo specifically for color-treated hair will help keep the purple vibrant. Use a deep-conditioning treatment weekly to keep your hair healthy and hydrated.

Blue Underlayer on Light Brown Hair

A blue underlayer on light brown hair brings a cool, modern vibe to your hairstyle. This unexpected combination is perfect for those wanting a splash of color that’s still subtle enough for professional settings. The blue contrasts beautifully with warm brown tones, making it ideal for those with golden or caramel skin tones and brown eyes. The effect is striking when worn with a sleek bob or layered cut.

Achieving this look requires pre-lightening the underlayer for a more vivid result. After bleaching, apply a blue dye such as Pulp Riot’s Aquatic. To keep the blue from fading too quickly, wash your hair in cold water and use a shampoo designed for color-treated hair.

Red Underlayer for Brunettes

Red underlayers offer a bold contrast for brunettes, adding warmth and drama to your look. It’s perfect for fall and winter, complementing deep reds, oranges, and browns in your wardrobe. This look works best for those with medium to dark skin tones and green or dark brown eyes. The red hue under a rich brown color creates a fiery and captivating appearance that suits both straight and curly hairstyles.

To achieve a vibrant red brown underlayer, use a high-quality hair dye like L’Oréal’s Feria Power Reds. Apply a color-protecting serum post-dye to maintain the vibrancy and use a sulfate-free conditioner to keep your hair moisturized.

Green Underlayer for Black Hair

Adding a green underlayer to black hair results in a bold, edgy look that’s perfect for those who love to stand out. This combination is perfect for concerts, parties, or fashion-forward photoshoots. It complements cooler skin tones and blue or brown eyes. The peekaboo effect of green under dark hair adds a unique twist that pairs well with braids, locs, or a sleek ponytail.

To achieve this look, lighten the underlayer to a level 7 or 8 before applying a green hair dye such as Pravana’s Neon Green. Maintaining this bold hue involves using color-safe products and minimizing heat styling to keep the green vibrant.

Red and Black Ombre Underlayer

A red and black ombré underlayer creates a fiery and dramatic effect that’s perfect for special events or a night out. The dark roots transitioning to a bright red underlayer give depth and contrast, making it a standout look. It’s ideal for those with medium to dark skin tones and brown or green eyes. The ombré effect pairs well with long, layered hair or a sleek mullet cut.

To achieve the ombré effect, start by bleaching the underlayer and applying red dye towards the ends. Use a color-safe hair mask to maintain the health of your hair and preserve the vibrancy of the color.

Midnight Blue Underlayer for Dark Hair

A midnight blue underlayer on dark hair adds a hint of mysterious elegance, ideal for evening events or more sophisticated occasions. This shade works best with cool skin tones and complements dark brown or hazel eyes.

To achieve this look, lighten the underlayer slightly for a true blue effect, then apply Arctic Fox’s Poseidon. Keep it fresh with a blue-tinted conditioner to maintain vibrancy.

White Underlayer with Brown Hair

For a more sophisticated and contrasting look, a white underlayer with brown hair is an elegant choice. This style is ideal for those with cooler skin tones and light or dark eyes. The crisp white underlayer provides a striking contrast against dark brown hair, adding a modern edge. This look is perfect for formal events or even as an everyday statement.

Lighten the underlayer to a platinum blonde and tone it with a purple shampoo to avoid brassiness. Keep your hair moisturized with products like Moroccanoil Hydrating Mask to maintain its shine and softness.

Rose Underlayer on Ash Blonde Hair

A rose underlayer adds warmth to ash blonde hair, creating a soft, romantic look ideal for date nights or brunches. This shade suits warm and neutral skin tones, highlighting green or blue eyes.

Lighten the underlayer to a soft blonde before applying Overtone’s Rose Gold. Use a weekly color-safe conditioner to keep the tone subtle yet fresh.

Mint Green Underlayer for Brunettes

Mint green brings a playful pop of color to brunette hair, ideal for spring festivals or weekend adventures. This shade suits warm skin tones and enhances brown or hazel eyes.

To achieve this, bleach the underlayer to a pale base before applying a minty green dye. Good Dye Young’s Mint Green works well. Use color-preserving products for long-lasting vibrancy.

Bright Yellow Underlayer for Black Hair

A bright yellow underlayer on black hair creates a bold, edgy contrast. Perfect for lively occasions or fashion-forward looks, this color suits warm skin tones and brown or dark eyes.

Lighten the underlayer to a pale blonde, then apply a vibrant yellow dye like Pulp Riot’s Firefly. Protect with color-safe shampoo to maintain the intensity of the yellow.

Coral Underlayer on Light Brown Hair

A coral underlayer adds a tropical twist to light brown hair, perfect for summer beach outings or casual gatherings. This shade works well with neutral skin tones and brown or hazel eyes.

Lighten the underlayer slightly, then apply Adore’s Coral dye. Keep it soft with moisturizing treatments to avoid dryness and fading.

Smoky Lavender Underlayer for Gray Hair

A smoky lavender underlayer gives an ethereal vibe to gray hair, perfect for those seeking a refined yet creative look. This shade is ideal for cool undertones and blue or gray eyes.

Achieve this by lightening the underlayer and applying a grayish lavender dye. Joico’s Lavender Smoke works well. Use a purple shampoo to prevent brassiness.

Cherry Blossom Pink Underlayer for Platinum Hair

A cherry blossom pink underlayer on platinum blonde hair is soft and playful, suitable for spring and summer outings. It complements light skin tones and blue or green eyes.

Lighten the underlayer if needed, then apply Manic Panic’s Cotton Candy Pink. Use a sulfate-free conditioner to keep the pink shade delicate and bright.

Rusty Orange Underlayer for Dark Brunettes

A rusty orange underlayer brings warmth and depth to dark brunette hair, perfect for fall. This shade flatters warm skin tones and dark brown eyes.

Lighten the underlayer slightly for a bold orange effect, then apply L’Oréal’s Sunset Copper. Maintain with a color-safe shampoo for maximum vibrancy.

Pastel Yellow Underlayer for Blonde Hair

A pastel yellow underlayer brings a subtle glow to blonde hair, ideal for spring festivals or day-to-day style. This shade works with neutral skin tones and light-colored eyes.

After lightening the underlayer, apply a pastel yellow dye like Overtone’s Pastel Yellow. Keep the tone fresh with weekly deep-conditioning.

Mermaid Teal Underlayer for Long Black Hair

A mermaid teal underlayer gives black hair a bold, oceanic feel, ideal for summer events or creative styling. This color suits cool skin tones and highlights dark or hazel eyes.

Lighten the underlayer before applying a teal dye, such as Manic Panic’s Atomic Teal. Weekly moisture treatments help maintain color and keep hair soft.

Amber Underlayer on Medium Brown Hair

An amber underlayer adds a warm, sunlit glow to medium brown hair, perfect for enhancing autumn-inspired looks. This shade complements warm skin tones and green or brown eyes, making it ideal for layered or wavy hairstyles.

Lighten the underlayer slightly and apply a warm amber dye, like Wella’s Amber Glow. Maintain with color-safe products to keep the shade radiant and long-lasting.

Fuchsia Underlayer on Dark Blonde Hair

A fuchsia underlayer on dark blonde hair is vibrant and playful, bringing a pop of color that’s ideal for fun outings or casual events. This shade flatters neutral and warm skin tones and makes blue or hazel eyes stand out.

Lighten the underlayer to achieve the best results with fuchsia. Manic Panic’s Hot Hot Pink offers a bold fuchsia tone. Weekly conditioning treatments help maintain color vibrancy.

Ocean Blue Underlayer for Black Hair

An ocean blue underlayer on black hair creates a deep, mysterious contrast that’s perfect for night events or adding drama to daily looks. This cool-toned color complements darker skin tones and enhances dark brown or gray eyes.

Lighten the underlayer, then apply an ocean blue dye, like Pravana’s Blue Topaz. To maintain the shade’s richness, use a color-protecting shampoo and limit heat styling.

Burnt Orange Underlayer on Light Brown Hair

A burnt orange underlayer brings warmth and a seasonal vibe to light brown hair, making it perfect for fall-inspired looks. This shade works beautifully with warm skin tones and brown or hazel eyes, adding depth to wavy or curly hairstyles.

After lightening the underlayer, apply a burnt orange dye like Schwarzkopf’s Copper Blaze. Use moisturizing products to keep the color bold and the hair soft.

Underlayer hair color is a perfect way to add a touch of creativity and personal expression to your look. With options ranging from soft pastels to bold neons, there’s something for every personality and event. Try one of these ideas to elevate your style and make a statement. We’d love to hear your thoughts and personal experiences with underlayer hair color. Feel free to share your comments and photos below!