Alt Hair Color Ideas: 20 Looks to Try Next

Changing your hair is the fastest way to change your whole look. A new alt hair color can make you feel like a different character overnight, in a good way. Here are 20 ideas, from classic goth black to full rainbow, plus how to keep bright color from fading in a week.

The classics

1. Jet black

The original goth hair. Glossy blue-black looks amazing with pale or deep skin alike and goes with everything you own.

2. Black with a bright streak

A single chunk of red, purple, blue or white in black hair. Very 2000s emo and still great. Our emo hairstyles post has cuts that suit it.

3. Blood red

Bright, cherry or crimson red. Bold, classic and works for goth, punk and metal.

4. Burgundy and oxblood

A darker, more subtle red. Often shows on light brown hair without bleach.

5. Platinum or white

Bleached to near white. High maintenance, high impact. Looks great with dark brows and black clothes.

Cool tones

6. Deep purple

Plum, eggplant or violet. A favorite for romantic goth and whimsigoth looks.

7. Electric blue

Bright and punchy. Pairs well with black for a cyber or scene look.

8. Navy and midnight blue

Almost black in dim light, glowing blue in the sun. A nice "work-friendly" option.

9. Silver and gray

A smoky, gothic silver. Takes careful bleaching and toning but looks stunning.

10. Emerald or forest green

Moody, witchy and not as common as purple, so it stands out.

11. Teal

Somewhere between blue and green. Fades into lovely mermaid shades.

Warm and bright

12. Hot pink

Very scene, very fun. Looks great with black roots grown out.

13. Orange or copper

Bright pumpkin orange or a deep copper. Perfect for autumn and Halloween.

14. Toxic or neon green

Slime-bright green. Big cyber and rave energy.

15. Pastel lilac or pink

Soft goth or pastel goth. Fades fast but looks dreamy.

Placement ideas

Color placement matters as much as the color itself.

16. Split dye

One half of your head one color, the other half another. Black and red, black and blue, blue and pink, black and white. Iconic.

17. Money pieces

Two bright face-framing strands at the front, with the rest of your hair darker. Easy to maintain since less hair needs bleaching.

18. Peekaboo or underlayer

Color hidden under the top layer of your hair. It shows when you move or tie your hair up, and hides when you need it to.

19. Leopard or cheetah spots

Spots of color painted on the back or sides of your hair. Very punk.

20. Color-blocked bangs

Bangs or a fringe in a different color from the rest. Great with a bob or a mullet.

Before you dye

Bleach or no bleach?

Bright and pastel colors need light hair underneath. If your hair is dark, you'll usually need to lighten it first. Bleach is harsh, so:

• Get a strand test done first.
• Consider a professional for big changes, especially going platinum or silver.
• Go in stages over several weeks rather than all at once.
• Use a bond-building treatment.

Deep shades like burgundy, plum, dark blue or dark green can sometimes show up on light brown hair without bleach, just more subtly.

Semi-permanent dyes

Most bright colors are semi-permanent, meaning they wash out slowly over a few weeks. Popular brands people use at home include Manic Panic and Arctic Fox. They're conditioning, so they're gentle, but they do stain pillowcases and towels. Use old ones.

How to make color last longer

• Wash with cool water. Hot water opens up the hair and lets color out.
• Wash less often. Dry shampoo is your best friend.
• Use color-safe, sulfate-free shampoo.
• Top it up. Mix a little of your dye into your conditioner.
• Protect from heat and sun. Use a heat protectant and wear a hat in strong sun.
• Expect fading. Many bright colors fade into a pretty pastel version, so enjoy that stage too.

Caring for bleached hair

Bleach changes how your hair behaves. A few habits keep it healthy:

• Use a deep conditioner or hair mask once a week.
• Let it air dry when you can, and keep heat tools on a lower setting.
• Detangle gently with a wide-tooth comb, starting from the ends.
• Get regular trims to keep split ends from traveling up.
• Wait a few weeks between bleach sessions.

Bright color and work

Plenty of workplaces are fine with bright hair now, but if yours isn't sure, there are tricks. A peekaboo underlayer hides when your hair is down. Navy, plum and burgundy read as dark in an office and glow in the sun. Money pieces can be tucked behind your ears. You get the fun without the argument. And temporary options, like color sprays, hair chalk and clip-in colored extensions, are great for a weekend look that washes out by Monday.

Matching hair to your style

• Trad or romantic goth: black, burgundy, deep purple.
• Emo: black with streaks, split dye, red. See our emo outfits guide.
• Scene: neon, leopard spots, rainbow.
• Punk: anything loud, leopard spots, bleached with color.
• E-girl and e-boy: money pieces, split dye, pastel. Our e-girl and e-boy style post has more.
• Whimsigoth: plum, wine, forest green.

Makeup that matches

Bright hair changes what makeup looks best. Purple and blue hair look great with smoky silver or black eyes. Red hair loves a dark winged liner. Check our goth makeup for beginners guide for looks to pair with your new color.

Show off the new color

New hair calls for new photos. Take one in daylight so the color really shows, then update your profile on Alt Chat. And for fun, try Altify, which turns your profile photo into an alt or goth version in one tap.

FAQ

What hair color is considered alt?

Jet black, deep red, purple, blue, green, silver and split dye are all popular alt hair colors. Really, any bold or unnatural color fits, as long as you love it.

Do you need to bleach your hair for bright colors?

For bright or pastel colors on dark hair, yes, you usually need to lighten it first. Deep shades like burgundy, plum or dark blue can sometimes show on light brown hair without bleach.

How do I make bright hair dye last longer?

Wash with cool water, use color-safe or sulfate-free shampoo, wash less often and use a heat protectant. Mixing a little of your dye into conditioner helps you top up the color between dyes.

What is split dye hair?

Split dye is when your hair is parted down the middle and each side is a different color, like black and red or blue and pink. It's a classic alt look that's been popular for years.