I'm After a Hair Colour That Makes Me Look Elegant and Rich—These 5 Work

When it comes to beauty, we're all about making the most of what we already have—but admittedly, the prospect of changing up your hair colour can be all too tempting. Whether you've just gone through a breakup, are starting a new job, or simply want a fresh colour for the new year ahead, if you're looking for hair colour inspiration for 2024, then you've come to the right place.

Hot off the back of the 'quiet luxury' trend, one of the biggest beauty trends for 2024 is 'expensive-looking hair'. Fortunately, achieving expensive-looking hair doesn't actually come with the price tag that you might expect. In fact, there are countless ways to elevate your hair in order to make it look more polished, sophisticated, and pulled together.

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(Image credit: @NNENNAECHEM)

While regular haircuts, shine-enhancing hair products, and learning to master an at-home blowdry will all go a long way to making your hair look more expensive, there are certain colours that will give your hair luxury vibes with very little maintenance required. 

Scroll down the discover the expensive-looking hair colours that experts and trend forecasters believe will be on trend for 2024.

1. Golden Caramel

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(Image credit: @SOFIARICHIEGRAINGE)

A combination of warm blonde and cool brown tones creates this rich and golden caramel effect, which looks great with every skin tone.

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(Image credit: @ROSIEHW)

If you're making a moodboard for your colourist, Rosie Huntington-Whitely's Instagram page is all you need to take. Her hair features a perfectly-balanced and strategically-layered blend of deeper tones underneath and lighter ones on top.

2. Peach Fuzz

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(Image credit: @ALLLISONHO)

Bring Pantone's colour of the year to life at your next hair appointment. Less pink-toned and more orange-toned, it's all about a playful candy tone which offers a more natural-looking take on pastel. According to trend forecasters WGSN, this shade (and other muted pastels) are seen as 'gateway shades' for those looking to explore and get creative with their hair colour in 2024.

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(Image credit: @ANTHONYHOLGUIN)

Bright colours are always a statement, but this washed-out, faded take on copper looks far more expensive and luxurious than a true orange.

3. Rich Brunette

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(Image credit: @NNENNAECHEM)

"Expensive-looking brunette is all emphasising the depth and richness of brunette shades," says Louis Driver, Senior Stylist at Bleach London. "This trend is all about creating a multi-dimensional look that plays with high and low lights, that adds depth and interest. It's about choosing tones that complement your skin and eye colour."

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(Image credit: @COURTNEY__FLOWERS)

The key to achieving an expensive looking brunette? Cool tones and a few lighter shades of brown to lift and create constrast.

4. Apricot Red

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(Image credit: @LAURENNICOLEFK)

"Apricot red is a variation of copper red, offering an orange-toned red that looks vibrant and stunning," says Driver. "This shade is particularly striking, with a natural element that can become a showstopper for curly hair types."

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This rich, golden-toned red has a luxurious feel that really pops in the sunlight.

5. Scandi Blonde

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(Image credit: @MEGANADELAIDE)

In contrast to icy cool platinum tones, Scandi blonde is a more natural take on blonde, with hints of dark and warm undertones delivered via strategically placed highlights and lowlights.

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If you're not naturally blonde then keeping this hue looking fresh will require regular maintenance to hide roots and prevent brassiness.

The best products for maintaining coloured hair:

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Freelance Beauty Editor

Grace Day is a beauty editor and content creator. She has over 10 years of beauty-industry experience, spanning editorial, retail, and e-commerce, which gives her a unique understanding into how people shop for their beauty routines.While studying for a history degree (specialising in the history of beauty) and working as a beauty adviser in department stores, Grace started writing her own beauty blog in order to share the products she discovered while dealing with acne. After graduating, she moved to Beauty Bay as beauty editor and content manager. Grace is currently a beauty contributor to Who What Wear. She has also written for Hypebae and PopSugar and works as a brand consultant and copywriter.