Short ombre hair offers a color melting effect from one hue to another on a short-length cut. It’s a fun, modern way of adding refreshing shades to your natural locks.
Sami Skinner, a Florida-based hairstylist, shares her rule of thumb with gradient highlights. “Keep the dimension underneath,” she notes. The dimension keeps the length prominent and allows for more peaks and valleys in the texture.
Getting your hair colored may take some time. Different outcomes demand different approaches. Trust the process and trust your stylist.
This color trend is perfect for ladies looking for a lower-maintenance look. It gives you more time between the appointments. Even so, this doesn’t always mean low-budget.
“Easy-maintenance hair typically requires longer appointments with more time in between. So plan ahead,” Skinner advises.
Skinner’s top suggested products for ombre short hair are from Redken. These include the acidic bonding concentrate shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in treatment.
She explains, “This product line is best for women who go through a lightening service. It can balance the pH in the hair, leaving it soft and healthy.”
Moreover, a color-depositing shampoo helps maintain the tone between salon visits.
During the consultation, let your stylist know the look you desire to achieve. They’ll give you recommendations according to that.
Scan through these images and find the most popular short ombre hair ideas you can try. Honey blonde, burgundy, platinum, or copper—the choice is yours!
#1: Mousy Brown to Light Brown Color Melt
Go for an easy-maintenance hair color with a mousy brown to light brown color melt. Ombré is one of the best techniques for natural-looking highlights and gives the illusion of sun-kissed ends that come naturally from the sun. Enjoy your beautiful-looking color that looks as natural as spending a day at the beach.
#2: Light Brown Roots to Platinum Ends
To achieve light brown roots to platinum ends, I suggest it’s best to start with pre-lightened hair. With a light brown natural base color as well.
#3: Dark to White Blonde Neck-Length Bob
Are you someone who likes to have their hair platinum blonde? Consider doing a full head of highlights instead of bleaching your hair. This will allow for a softer grow out. Purple shampoos are great to keep yellow out of hair. But try to avoid using them more than once every two weeks to avoid buildup.
#4: Unicorn Pink Ombre for Short Hair
“This is a fun mix of bright pinks and purples, placed together under a deep violet shadow root,” says independent stylist Katie Walters of Cincinnati, OH. “The best thing about this color is the few hidden pops of blue! Adding a shadow root makes the short ombre hair color appear more lived-in and organic and makes the bright colors really pop. All products used were Pulp Riot,” states Walters.
If you are thinking about having a fun unicorn pink ombre like this, she says to consider the commitment it will take. “Ask your stylist what you can do at home to best maintain these colors! Before committing to vivid colors, you have to make sure they fit into your lifestyle and budget!”
A texture spray is key, and a great dry shampoo is a must to get you through with fewer washes to keep the color as long as possible!
#5: Short Blonde Ombre for Women with a Round Face
Get a short blonde ombre for women with a round face to totally change your look. The beauty of an ombre is that it creates a depth at the roots and around the face against the blonde. This is what creates a slimming effect. Add this with a short length, which sits above the shoulder, to skim the sides of the face and enhance your face shape.
#6: Short Black to Cherry Red Ombre with Bold Ends
This fashion color melt black to cherry red ombre was created by hairstylist Montana Daniels of Evansville, IN. “Don’t you love how the reds and violets blend and intertwine together? This works wonderfully and gives it that pop of contrast because there is a darker base going into those bold ends,” says Daniels.
It is a lot of maintenance. Expect to go into the salon between 3-6 weeks to get it touched up. If that’s not in your beauty budget, look at something not as bold as this. Use a color maintenance shampoo/conditioner and moisturizing shampoos and conditioner. Alternate between both to boost the shine and softness. Try Redken products on your hair. Colors like these love any product that is protein/moisture based. The color molecules are attracted to that hair which helps prolong your color.
“We use a heat protectant, leave-in conditioner, and do deep conditioning treatments in the salon,” adds Daniels. “Your hair needs to be healthy for these ombre colors. If you aren’t already a lighter brown or blonde, you’ll have to lighten your hair to achieve these fiery red ends.”
It’ll bring out the pink in your skin tone, so be prepared to change your makeup routine or get a different foundation. It can be a huge shock if you’ve never had red hair before.
#7: Sandy Blonde Ombre on Short Hair
Opt for a sandy blonde ombre on short hair. While toning, ask for a darker tone at the root area, then have it melted it down to this pretty sandy color. Use Paul Mitchell Blonde Me Shampoo and Conditioner or the Blue Joico Moisturizing Deep Conditioner. Your hair will change texture after getting a style like this.
#8: Black to Silver Ombre Hair
Rock this cute two toned short ombre hair color for a next level confident look. The longer bob cut retains the classic quality of this modern hairstyle.
#9: Chocolate to Toffee Ombre Hair Color
A highly contrasting combination of dark and light brunette is an exciting one to try! These hues would complement tan and warm undertones beautifully.
#10: Copper Brown to Copper Blonde Ombre
One of the hottest trends in the ombre world is this fiery copper color-melt that looks totally impressive on any length – short, medium, or long! This shade works best on warm to neutral skin tones.
#11: Purple to Sapphire Ombre on Short Hair
Strong fashion colors like a wonderful sapphire hue is a bit hard to maintain, so a great way to wear this is with a short haircut like this flattering straight bob.
#12: Sun-Kissed Blonde Ombre for Short Choppy Hair
Get the cool ombre beach waves on your short hair for a great summer look! These trendy sun-kissed short ombre strands would look best on any textured wavy hair.
#13: Natural Dark Roots to Light Blonde Ombre
Soft-toned textured bob, effortless but stylish. That’s one reason to consider a chin-length bob. This bob can be dressed up or dressed down and is perfect for any occasion or personality. The melt and blended ombre colors + healthy shine was created by OWAY’s H color.
This beautiful colorful ombre and cut create a shape to flatter the neck and collar bone while still leaving length to frame the face.
#14: Short Black to Cherry Ombre with Fringe
This short ombre hair color is a good balance between classic and edgy. It was created by Aveda stylist Natalie Morrow of Santa Rose, CA. “The textured bob is timeless, low maintenance, while bright red ombre is pretty daring and a high commitment,” she states. “The simple cut makes the bold ombre color very wearable and not so shocking. If your base is a dark natural color, it’s pretty low maintenance as far as reds go.”
For the color, lighten the ends before applying the red. Bright red fades very quickly but is difficult to get out completely if you decide you want it gone. Visit your colorist every 6 weeks to refresh your red ends, and use a color-safe shampoo. Wash your hair as little as possible.
To rinse it, Morrow says to use as cold as you can tolerate sealing in the color. “Bright red hair is a lifestyle, to say the least! Every 12 weeks you’ll need to bring up your grown-out ombre with some highlights. This will keep the transition point between your base and the red right around your eye level,” she adds.
#15: Short Burgundy to Honey Blonde Ombre with Bangs
This is a short hair ombré with bangs – a pop of an intense red at the regrowth for vibrancy and depth. It was created by Minnesota-based master lead stylist Melissa Johnson.
“The ombre fades into a light caramel color which melts into a soft blonde onto her ends. These colors melted together so beautifully! This matched perfectly creating wildfire ombre hair colors,” she adds.
The most ideal face shape would be oval but heart, round, and square can also work wonderfully with this short hair ombre melt.
Products Johnson loves are Davines treatment oil, Davines curl building serum, and Aveda air control for a light hold with a shiny vibe. “Extremely coarse and curly hair might have a harder time with this color because it wouldn’t blend as easy, but if done right you can make it work,” she says.
#16: Short Hair with a Platinum Ombre
It’s an edgier take on a classic short ombre hair color. A semi-permanent color was used, so it washes out fairly quickly. Short hair with platinum ombre is super hot right now. Keep your ombre color and hair to this length by getting a haircut more often.
#17: Rose Gold Color Ombre
This rich rosy ombré color for short hair was created by master hairstylist Mark South of Albuquerque, NM. “It features an amazing combination of color with the length of the haircut. It’s a perfect way to add some flavor to a shorter style,” explains South.
Have a thorough consultation with your stylist who you can trust with their honest opinion regarding your skin type and style and whether or not you can “pull it off.”
South says, “rosier tones tend to fade faster so expect to come in to refresh your toner about a week sooner than you normally would in order to keep your new ombre color on point!”
#18: Black to Blue Ombre on Short Hair
“If you love how bright color melts into the base then this dark ombre hair color is for you,” states stylist Talisa Correa of New Westminster, BC.
Correa also suggests you get yourself a quality shampoo and conditioner.
For this ombre hairstyle specifically, Correa says, “it’s an excellent choice for women with short hair wanting a bit of something extra without going crazy. Jewel tones work amazingly well on all skin types and are a great choice for darker hair since they don’t require such extensive lightening to achieve. An ombre hairstyle is also an awesome way to add lots of color without having to deal with roots!”
#19: Mocha to Raspberry Ombre Mermaid Hair
This mocha to raspberry ombre mermaid hair is a great blend of natural hair color/root, fading into the raspberry-colored ends. It was created by stylist Madelaine Green of Manitoba.
“This ombre color is a lengthy process. The girl in this photo started out at a level 4/5 dark brown (natural),” explains Green.
To lift the brown hair light enough for the fashion colors to show up their true color the hair has to get quite light. “This can take 2-3 sessions, so be patient! One issue with lightening the hair so much is that it can get quite porous, and although the color deposits nicely onto it, it will also fade a lot faster,” she adds.
#20: Sleek Short Bob Ombre
Hairstylist Kara Morgan of Penryn, Cornwall created this sleek ombre bob. “If you want to stay light, ask for more of a root shadow in your hair rather than bringing the short ombre root down too far,” she explains.
Don’t take the root down too far. Because the hair is shorter, you’ll need to bring the blonde higher a lot quicker.
“Don’t you love the blend from the root black to blonde hair? It’s a seamless blend and the hair sits perfectly at this shoulder length,” adds Morgan.
#21: Subtle Reverse Peach Ombre for Women with Short Hair
This reverse ombre with a subtle peach gradient was created by stylist Kazuma of Toronto, ON. “Notice the root’s pink slowly transitioning into a more natural color. Reverse ombre is a trending combination that creates a very different color from conventional ombre hairstyles. The red to blonde gives a slight transition at the top,” explains Kazuma.
Pastels are notoriously difficult to maintain as it fades and may become brassy with each shampoo. This is totally fine for women who are okay with a gradual change in their hair’s color. If you’re not one of those women, one way to maintain the initial color would be to use a pink shampoo and pink conditioner.
Additionally, since the hair becomes dry and damaged during the bleaching process, Kazuma also recommends to care for the hair at home. “This can be done by applying a hair repair mask or any hydrating leave-in treatment (typically an oil or cream). Most salons can provide this treatment service as well,” she adds.
#22: Rooty Platinum Blonde Ombre on Short Hair
Ombré hairstyles are something that will be on-trend for many years to come! This one in particular was created by colorist Isabelle Hermo of Drummoyne, NSW.
“This is a flawless blend of a rich brown root melting into a beautiful creamy blonde,” she explains. “If you are looking to try a brown to platinum blonde, this one shines.”
This gorgeous ombre color seamlessly melts into each tone from dark to light.
An ombré is a style that allows you to be that fun blonde and also a shiny, healthy brunette.
If you want to be this color without the high maintenance of coming every four to eight weeks, this is definitely the style for you. Warmer skin tones should stick to a cool-toned blonde (ice * white). Cooler skin tones should stick to warm-toned blondes (sandy & beige).
“If you want to try shorter ombre hair use professional products to ensure your hair doesn’t go brassy from day to day lifestyle choices. The Nova Fusion De Lorenzo Silver Shampoo and Conditioner are a great product line for all blondies! They provide the best long-term results for women between visits,” says Hermo.
#23: Dark Brown to Light Brown Ombre on a Shorter Haircut
This light brown ombre look on a shorter haircut is effortless and chic. It was created by color specialist Dominique DeFrancesco of Bellmore, NY.
“This color is considered somewhat low maintenance. It will make you feel lighter and brighter without having to get a touch-up so frequently,” she explains.
#24: Short Cut Ash Blonde Ombre Highlights
Go for a shadowed root blonde ombre short hair style. “The added depth at the root creates a bolder effect than the natural tone in most cases,” explains stylist creator Shelby Stevens of Sturbridge, MA.
This look is extremely low-maintenance due to the fact that the root area has a super seamless smudged effect for little to no grow out.
“Most of the time this ombre on short hair can be maintained with the proper at-home care and salon visits three to four times a year,” she adds.
This style is an ideal option for women wanting ombre highlights!
#25: Short Hairstyle with Dark Black to Metallic Ombre
Silver ombre short hair can be funky but elegant. This one was created by Tenille Mellan, the owner of Imperial Hair Studio in Penrith, NSW. “It starts with the grey balayage which gives it not only lightness on the ends, but blended depth throughout the top. The ombre hair color for short hair has a beautiful dark/light contrast,” explains Mellan.
As seen in the picture, “a little trick is to finish this ombre off is with a little sea salt spray,” says Mellan. “The spray added some much-needed edge and texture to this amazing ombre style. The metallic color is hard to polish off but when done right, looks absolutely gorgeous.”
#26: Chestnut to Caramel Brown Ombre on Short Hair
“The short ombre color is a first session balayage working to remove previous box color. It’s a combo of balayage and foilyage to add some extra dimension,” explains hairstylist and balayage specialist Whitney Carroll of Salem, OR.
With balayage, there are no lines as it grows out.
“When going lighter from any box color, it’s always a process. The same goes if your hair is super dark or coarse/resistant,” adds Carroll.
If it is your first balayage service, it’s important to remember it can take a few sessions to build the dimension and give you the lightness you desire to get the overall ombre-ish color scheme. Trust the process! It really all depends on the haircut and color. The stylist should be able to place the lightener where it will accentuate your features or haircut best.
This color will definitely work best when used in conjunction with professional products to maintain the color. A good professional moisture shampoo, a professional leave-in conditioner, a heat protectant, and a styling side will help the style look the best and maintain the hair’s integrity. Brown ombre hair is a solid choice.
#27: Short Cinnamon Red to Peach Blonde Ombre
This is a warm, autumn-toned red with tones of peach and cinnamon with a rich warm brown base. “The best part of this red ombre is the warm tones,” says hairdresser Tanya of Broadbeach, QLD.
“Ombré works with all hair lengths. Short, cropped hair with a shadowed root area will give depth to the root area, adding texture and the illusion of thicker hair. Medium length hair is great for the same reason and you can wear it in a sleek bob or curl it for some extra texture. And we have all seen the perfect ombré on long, lush hair,” explains Tanya.
This ombre color is also relatively low maintenance if you match the darker base to the level of your natural color. If you have greys, it is an easy job to just touch up the root area every five to six weeks, along with a toner through the lightened ends.
#28: Short Mermaid Green to Neon Green Ombre
“If you relate color to food, you could describe this as Fun Dip Ombré,” says hairstylist Paige Brueck of Atlanta, GA.
The coolest part about this green and blue ombre style has to be the neon ends. Who doesn’t love neon?!
“This neon ombre color is high maintenance,” she adds. “It’s important to use cold water, sulfate-free shampoos, and heat protectants with ombre hair colors this vibrant. This color will fade over time so you have a blank canvas for your next hairstyle!”
#29: Dark to Light Purple Ombre on a Short Pixie
Go for a punk pixie look that is a combination of edgy and whimsical. Dark to light purple ombre on a short pixie? Yes, please! Hair and wig stylist Ariana Castiglia of Orange County, CA created this beautiful ombre.
“Take this journey with a stylist you trust,” states Castiglia. “The day-to-day maintenance is pretty low (put in a little product, ruffle and go), but it does require a visit to your salon every four to six weeks to maintain the color and cut.”
All women can rock a short pixie with funky colors like this blue to purple to silver color combination, you just need the right stylist to specialize the ombre/cut for you. A good stylist can give you the color and pixie cut in the picture. Purple ombre hair color ideas for short hair might be harder to find, but it can be worth it.
#30: Brown to Golden Brown Ombre on Short Layered Hair
“Brown to golden brown ombre on short layered hair is a hot color trend at the moment,” states stylist Georgeanne Harter of Woodbridge, VA.
This ombre color is ideal for women who more warm tones in their hair.
“With lightened hair, it’s important to use some kind of thermal protectant before applying the heat,” she explains. “The key to perfecting this style is using an oil or serum when finishing the style to piece out the curls, loosen them up, and make them appear softer. This also doubles as a gloss to make the hair look smooth, sleek, and finished.’
#31: Dramatic Brown to White Champagne Ombre
This dramatic brown to white champagne ombre hair color was created by hairstylist Leeann Tumidanski of Goodyear, AZ.
For this one particular color, Tumidanski says “the natural base was kept for a more dramatic feel, making the ends almost solid blonde. Yes, you can do this with ombre short hair!”
Use a great beachy sea salt spray like Rockaway salt spray from R+Co. After curling, I mess it up a bit with your fingers and you’re done!
This brown ombre is great for almost every hair type and can be done with a variety of colors.
#32: Espresso to Beige Ombre on a Short Bob
This espresso to beige ombre on a short bob was created by hairstylist Kiersten Kountz of Lynchburg, VA. “The best part about this style is how well it blends. The colors, although drastically different, melt effortlessly into each other,” she states.
Kountz says to ask your styles for Aveda Color. Then ask her/him to use a green blue base to cut the red orange tones in your hair to produce a cooler-toned ombre.
“Use a color conserve everyday shampoo and a blue/purple-based conditioner once a week to maintain the ashy blonde,” she adds.
The color has very low upkeep, especially if you have darker roots already. It allows you to let it grow out without seeing the line of demarcation as opposed to regular highlights, but still looks sassy by adding so much blonde.
#33: Short Chin Length Hair with Ashy Blonde Ombre
Not many women think that they can achieve a lived-in look with shorter hair. But you can!! “The best part about the contrast is that it gives you a low maintenance color,” says stylist Leslie Barr of Meridian, ID.
Use Kenra Express 10 Minute Color on the regrowth in 4n and hand-paint the mid-shaft to ends with Kenra Clay lightener. Then leave out some of the previous blonde to add a little depth within the ash blonde color. Process for 20 minutes, then rinse and tone with Guy Tang’s Mydentity Titanium for five minutes on towel-dried hair.
“It’s the ideal ombre color for women who love to get their hair done but don’t have to ability to get in so often,” she adds.
#34: Short Wavy Bob with Red to Blonde Ombre
This ombre is best described as red to blonde. It was created by stylist Lauralei Averette, the owner of Shear Bliss Salon in Tuscaloosa, AL. It’s great for girls who love their waves in their hair but want to change it up some by adding some color!
“Use Matrix Total Results Brass Off shampoo to keep it bright. Switch out between it and Matix Color Obsessed shampoo and conditioner to maintain your red ombre,” says Averette.
#35: Short Cut with Lived-In Dark Black to Blonde Ombre
“This short cut with lived-in dark black to blonde ombre is versatile,” says stylist Ruth Curran of Vancouver, BC. “We all would rather spend more time outside than in the salon, and having a bit of a root shadow is perfect for that.”
This is also a perfect length and color for sweater weather. The length is fabulous with higher necks and chunky sweaters. The color brightens up those grey days with the beauty of the blonde on the ends.
“Every blondie out there needs to invest in a purple shampoo and conditioner like Kevin Murphy’s Blonde.Angel shampoo and conditioner,” says Curran.
It’s great for women who don’t have too much time for the salon. This ombre features tones of blonde that only require a visit once every three to six months.
Curran adds, “It’s also a great color for ladies with dark hair as it still keeps that beautiful natural color without overdoing the blonde.”
#36: Fall-Inspired Red and Brown Ombre on a Short Bob
This is a staple fall-inspired red and brown ombre on a short bob. It was created by balayage specialist Janay Lima of South River, NJ.
“A rich level 6 brown was used to create a heavy shadow root. Not only did the hair bring out the darker, richer tones all over the roots, but a reverse-balayage was also done to bring a few darker strands down towards the ends. This gave it a very dimensional brunette look,” explains Lima.
Lima says to always preserve the overall integrity of your hair. That being said, “there are a variety of products to maintain and build healthy hair while performing color services,” she adds. “Treating your hair should not stop there, however. Buy a quality leave-in conditioner to use at home. This will help your hair in more ways than one! For example, after you shampoo and condition, apply your leave-in throughout your ends before you brush it.”
With ombre’s, the upkeep is minimal. This ombre is for any woman, no matter the age, who would like to change up their color as well as add some dimension.
#37: Straight Black to Teal Blue Ombre Hair Color
Own your boldness with a sleek bob haircut. Keep it straight and side-swept for a sizzling finish.
#38: Dark Brown to Blonde Ombre
What a great way to represent two colors in one. With this kind of dark brown to blonde ombre, upkeep and maintenance will be the least of your problems. And grow out is effortless too!