60 Short Ombre Hair Color Ideas to Get Excited About

The short ombre hair look is in! From your traditional brown and blonde ombre to brilliant hues like pink and green, the list goes on.

I have been a stylist for a long time and have had the opportunity to give people a wide variety of ombre looks. So, I am qualified enough to introduce you to all the styles available.

The Best Short Ombre Hairstyles

Here are the top short ombre hair color ideas you should check out:

Black Hair with Ash Blonde Ombre

A lot of people assume that going from darker hair to a much lighter shade will create quite the contrast. This doesn't always have to be the case, though.

If you have black hair and want a blonde ombre, you can still manage a softer look. The best way to do this is to have similar undertones in your dark to light transition.

This is why black short hair with ash blonde ombre works so well. If you look at natural ash blonde locks, you will see that they have naturally dark undertones, hence the name.

Due to this, when you go from dark roots to lighter strands, the contrast is minimized and you get a softer look. Here are some examples of this short ombre hair to get a better understanding of this effect:

The transition from dark to light is so smooth that this works well on straight hair. You can pull off a sleek bob without any trouble.

If you have really short hair, this look works just as well. In this short ombre style, the dark roots are minimal and the length is made up of the lighter ashy blonde strands.

Black Hair with Platinum Blonde Ombre

Black hair with platinum blonde ombre is a bold look particularly on short hair. This is because there is such a major contrast between the two hair colors.

Due to this, you don't see these ombre hairstyles too much. If this is a short ombre hair look that you are considering, here is some inspiration for you:

As you can see here, the platinum blonde ombre starts pretty high up on the hair shaft, even on medium-length hair. This means that the darker roots aren't as visible.

In turn, the transition from dark to light doesn't seem as drastic.

If you want an even softer look for wavy hair, here is a dye job that you should check out. Here, there are dark brown strands woven through the pale blonde ombre hair. This helps to create a more natural bridge between the two shades and cuts down on the contrast a little.

This short ombre hair look takes a different approach. The dark base is a lot more obvious here, but only the middle of shaft is platinum. The ends are a darker blonde. This helps to balance out the contrasting hues.

It is also a great ombre hair style to go for if you want to shake things up and do something a little more unique.

When choosing this short ombre hair color combination, consider your skin tone. Platinum has a tendency to wash you out if your complexion has warm undertones.

So, ombre hairstyles in this shade work best if you have a cool undertone.

Black Hair with Medium Blonde Ombre

If you want something more subtle with your short ombre hair, look for a medium blonde.

The color here is a bit warmer, closer to brown. So, while it does lighten up your short ombre hair considerably, the distinction between the dark side and the light shade aren't as great.

If you have a short bob, this is an absolutely gorgeous idea to consider. The contrast on this ombre bob is removed even further as only thinner streaks of hair are painted. What takes this look to the next level is that the shade chosen is a perfect match for her complexion.

Looking for short ombre hair ideas for slightly longer locks? Or, do you want a more fiery look? Well, this is the look you should be going for! To make the transition more natural on this ombre on short hair, there is some dark brown woven throughout the hair.

Black Hair with Brown Ombre

Black hair is one of the most common hair colors. So, you will find that many ombre hairstyles have brown ombre as a result.

There are two reasons that this works wonderfully for short ombre hair. First, there is a minimal difference between the natural tone and the ombre colors. This helps it look quite natural.

It also means there is less damage to your short hair as it doesn't have to be lightened as much. This makes it perfect for curls or those with wavy hair.

If you just want to lighten up your black hair color, dark brown ombre is the way to go.

If you have a short haircut that is jaw length or a little longer, the dark brown ombre helps to add texture to your hair.

If you have slightly longer hair complete with choppy layers, this is the look that you should go for:

As you can see from the above ombre hairstyles, it is best to have a more uneven break between your natural hair color and the ombre hair. This means that your stylist should start dyeing higher up the shaft in some sections.

This helps to break up the loose curls so that it seems softer and more natural.

If you have shorter hair, such as a chin-length bob, then a medium brown ombre look is a better option for you. The sharpness of a sleek bob helps you pull off these shades.

Of course, if you prefer slightly long locks, this is still a short ombre hair style that you can pull off. Just look at this shoulder length, collar bone-grazing locks - the lighter ends help to add some serious edge and definition to this haircut.

This color can look just as good on a long bob too:

Looking for a richer rather than a brighter brown for your short bob or shoulder length hair? Then consider this chocolate brown shade. It gives the best of both worlds.

If you want to change up your look, you will need a lighter brown for shorter hair. This is an ombre style that you can draw inspiration from. It straddles the line between blonde and brown beautifully.

When looking for a lighter shade of brown for short haircuts, you need to consider the right shade for your complexion.

If you have a cooler tone, you can go for a brassier look with your short ombre hair. Otherwise, look for something with a warmer undertone.

If you want the best of both worlds - both dark and light brown, this is the short ombre hair style that you should be considering. The black hair gives way to a dark brown before gradually transitioning to a lighter brown.

This look works especially well on thin hair as it lightens up the strands without taking too much bulk out of the style.

Brown Hair with Blonde Ombre

This is one of the most common ombre hairstyle ideas. This is largely because the transition from brown to blonde is a more natural one.

It is also a great way to add dimension to dark hair.

The transition from natural brown to blonde in this short ombre hair is absolutely flawless! You have to do a double take to figure out where the brown ends and the blonde ombre begins.

The trick to getting this short ombre hair just right is to choose two shades that have the same undertone. This way, even when you are lightening the strands quite a bit, you still get a very natural looking result.

Looking for something a bit subtle? Then these mocha highlights are absolutely perfect. To make the look more natural, the blonde ombre follows the natural sweep of the hairstyle and length.

If you have dark brown hair, there are a few different options for short ombre hair. You can choose to go just a few shades lighter than your natural hair color. Or, you can go much lighter for a bolder short ombre hairstyle.

Even if you want to go lighter, this doesn't always need to be a drastic change. The key to achieving a more natural look is to either minimize or maximize the section of blonde ombre hair.

In this case, only a hint of brown is visible as the darker base and the rest is made up of blonde hair.

Here, there is a minimum amount of blonde ombre hair, allowing it to add a lively pop of color.

This is another instance where a more drastic brown to blonde ombre hair look is done well. The key is that there is a balance between the shades. The ash brown gives way to dirty blonde with ashy undertones.

Reverse Ombre

There isn't an exact definition for reverse ombre. However, this typically refers to when the natural hair color is at the bottom and the dyed shade is at the top.

In essence, it is a role reversal of the traditional short ombre look.

Here are some examples to help you understand this style better:

From shadow roots to a more common 50-50 split of the hair colors, there are many ways you can pull off this short ombre style.

Due to the uniqueness of this look, I would say that it works best as an ombre bob. It could work just as well with a shorter hairstyle like a pixie cut as well.

In general; the shorter, the better, as this helps to create a more nuanced and balanced look.

Red Ombre

Red ombre is not as common as the other ombre hairstyles in this post but it is definitely one that is worth mentioning.

If you are tired of the other short ombre hairstyles and are really looking to switch things up, then this is definitely one way to do it.

The most popular version for red short ombre hair is black hair with red tips. These two shades go together well.

If you are looking for something more natural, a dark burgundy is the way to go for ombre on short hair. This will work especially well if you have a deep complexion.

If you're looking for a hue with more of a kick to it, here are some fiery shades. Not only are these colors super stylish and flattering for a short length, they work great on short and long bangs too.

Looking for something a bit softer? Here is a gorgeous short ombre auburn style that you should check out. There are hints of light pink ombre running through it as well.

While black may be the most obvious choice, this long bob proves that red can work really well on blonde shades too:

Pink Ombre

Pink may not be the most typical choice for your short ombre hair, but it is certainly a lovely one.

Although it may not seem like it, pink is a pretty versatile shade. As such, it works with various hair colors - blonde, black, brown, and more!

Not to mention, you can go as soft or as bold as you like, creating a different aesthetic each time.

Looking for a more gentle pink for your ombre bob or lob? Then, here are some softer shades for you to consider:

If you want a darker ombre bob, here is a style to draw inspiration from:

Want something a bit more outrageous? These hot pink ombre hair styles might capture your attention:

Want to see what it would be like if you reversed this hot pink style on a long bob? Well, here you go!

Of course, pink ombre doesn't just look good on natural hair shades. It works just as well if you want to work with brighter hues. Just see how great these hairstyles look:

Blue Ombre

Despite being an unusual shade, this is a great option for anyone who wants to play around with the mermaid look.

Here are some styles that will really pop:

Green Ombre

Green is a great option for anyone who is tired of the status quo when it comes to ombre hair. If you want to push the envelope, don't be afraid to try out green hair.

Not ready to go too far with your ombre look? Not a problem, look for something with jewel tones like this shade:

If you have brown hair, a lighter shade of green may work better:

If you want to do something that will elevate your look to the next level, try a green gradient ombre look. It looks absolutely stunning on a pixie cut, bobs, and even mid-lengths:

Does Ombre Look Good on Short Hair?

Yes, ombre can look really good on short hair as long as it is done right. This includes knowing what color combinations will suit your natural shade, your skin tone, and more.

It is also a good idea to get a professional stylist to handle this look on short hair as it creates a better effect.

Is Balayage and Ombre the Same Thing?

No, although balayage and ombre are often mistaken for one another, they aren't the same.

Ombre hair refers to the hair been split into two colors, horizontally. In some instances, ombre hair may involve a few more shades.

For the most part, balayage is simply a method painting the dye onto the hair in a particular fashion instead of using the traditional method of hair foils.

However, balayage typically refers to the lightning of hair in a vertical pattern.

What you need to keep in mind is that many people use these terms interchangeably. Even some colorists do this.

So, always remember to explain to your stylist what effect you are looking for instead of just using ombre or balayage to describe what you want.

Is Ombre or Balayage Better for Short hair?

One coloring technique isn't necessarily better than the other. You should think about the exact effect you're trying to create with your short hair.

If you assumed that ombre styles only suited long hair, this couldn't be further from the truth. From super-short hair to layered cut styles to natural and bold colors, you are spoilt for choice.

Now that you have a selection of some of the best looks, all you need to do is find the right shade for your hair.