Guys, let’s talk about hair colour—and yes, this really is an article for you. Because the idea that colouring your hair is just for women or that its niche or simply about fashion shades like navy blue and hot pink is shifting hard.
A quick history lesson
That’s because men colouring their hair isn’t a trend. Not even a new one. “It’s always been about experimentation and selfcare,” affirms Michelle Roach, a Toronto-based, 19-year colourist who has worked with global professional haircare brands like Goldwell and L’Oréal Professionnel. “Why not try something new? There’s no downside to exploring colour.”
According to the Natural History Museum in London, England, people—male and female—have been doing just that since ancient Egyptian times, circa 1500 BCE, when they used henna and crushed plants to tint their hair and mask their greys. Later, in classical Greece and Rome, men used plant extracts and mineral pigments for status, theatre and, even, to make a fashion statement. So know that when you apply colour now, you’re simply joining a very long tradition.
Fast-forward to 2025
Today, men of all ages are booking into their local hair salon for a hit of blonde, brunette, black, or auburn and not just to cover the greys, but to experiment, express identity and polish their look. “This is especially becoming more popular with younger men,” adds Roach. “Although we still have plenty of older gentlemen colouring their hair too.”
So many in fact, that according to Market Research Future’s 2024 analysis, the global hair colour market was valued at US $4.5 billion with projections to reach US $7 billion by 2030. Additionally, nearly 10 per cent of all North American and European men report using hair dye and, not to be outdone, the Canadian professional colour market (for both women and men) generated a total of US $975.2 million in 2021 with an expected growth at mid-single-digits annually until 2028.
Who’s leading the style game?
The short answer says Roach: “celebrities and influencers.” The long answer: actors like Nicholas Galitzine, who was snapped by People magazine at the Fendi Men’s Spring/Summer Runway 2025 show in Milan debuting a honey-blonde hue with dark roots and piecey side-swept bangs that looked bold, clean and modern. TikToker Brad Mondo, known for his “Hairdresser Reacts” videos is another fan favourite, attracting over 10.6 million followers with his men’s colour inspiration tutorials, while K-pop star Felix (of Stray Kids), rocking a platinum-blonde mullet with fairy-core vibes at the 2024 Met Gala is further proof that men are literally using colour like a styling tool.
“The fashion shades are typically used this way and are common in urban, artsy neighbourhoods or cultural circles,” says Roach. “Younger men, especially, like to play with shades like bright orange or blonde with a dark root—Shadow roots are big because they create a lived-in look that grows out seamlessly.”
So, if you’re a man thinking “should I?” the answer is yes—professionally, intelligently and with a colourist you trust. Just make sure to use Roach’s pro tips to help you get the colour and service you need. Here’s what she has to say about going blonde, brunette or simply covering a few stray greys.
What’s the first step for any guy thinking about colour?
“A consultation,” advises Roach. “Hair length, natural colour, lifestyle, maintenance preference—it all matters. A 16-year-old and an 80-year-old aren’t going to want or need the same thing.” Pro tip: most reputable hair salons offer hair colour consultations for free.
What is a ReShade colour service:
“It’s a grey-blending service, ideal for softening grey hair rather than fully covering them,” explains Roach. “It only takes about 15 minutes and processes for five, so you can be in and out of the salon in about half an hour.”
What’s the next level up from ReShade:
“A traditional colour service, like a root touch-up,” says Roach. “The challenge for men is that colour can fade warm, meaning yellow or orange, especially on darker-toned hair. Even ash shades have yellow underneath, so warmth eventually shows through and can make hair look older.” Which makes booking in with an expert colourist like Roach—whose work can be seen on Instagram @ColourByMichelleRoach—a must to ensure your chosen shade is not only the right one but is also applied properly.
Can men get highlights?
“Absolutely,” enthuses Roach. “Many male clients get highlights, mostly blonde, but red is an option too. It’s popular for brunettes who want lighter pieces, especially around the face.” Highlights can brighten the face, making you feel and look fresher and younger. “It’s similar to that feeling you get when your hair is freshly cut,” adds Roach. “It’s psychological, but it works.”
Which highlight option is most popular: Full, Partial or Mini highlights?
“Most men choose a Mini highlight because they typically have shorter hair,” explains Roach. “A Mini is the number of highlights applied, not the length of the hair, and is usually 10 to 20 highlights.” Partial is 20 to 60 highlights; Full is 60 to 80. “Even a Full often ends up being a Mini simply based on hair length,” she adds.
What is a Shadow Root service?
It’s a hair colour service that adds a darker colour at the roots and a lighter one throughout or at the tips. “Like bright orange or blonde hair with a dark root,” Roach explains. “Shadow Roots are big because they create a lived-in look that grows out seamlessly.”
What is Balayage?
It’s a sun-kissed look that gradually blends darkness with lightness and the colour is often painted on the hair by the colourist by hand. “But most men don’t do this,” says Roach. “Mostly because their hair is usually too short. On short hair, balayage can look like frosted tips—very ’90s.”
What colour service would you not recommend for most men?
“A solid, single-process colour,” says Roach. “It looks great when they leave the salon, but unless the hair is very dark, it usually fades to warm tones and requires more maintenance than most men want. If colour ever looks flat or matte, adding a few highlights, even tone-on-tone browns, helps.”
What price range should men expect?
“A ReShade starts around $40; Full highlights can go up to $250, depending on length and time,” says Roach. “A realistic average price for services typically falls somewhere in between.”
How often should men maintain their colour?
“For a ReShade, every six weeks; Traditional root-to-tip highlights every six to eight weeks and Balayage can be once or twice a year—it’s very low-maintenance,” she says.
Should men use colour-protecting salon shampoo and conditioner?
Yes. “It’s very important,” Roach says. “Colour-safe shampoo matters for longevity. I recommend having two shampoo sets in rotation: one for colour care and one based on your hair’s needs (moisture, volume, etc.). Switching keeps your hair responsive and avoids product buildup.”
