Auspicious hair colours for Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year – the festival of angbaos, goodies, gatherings and gambling. Some may hold fast to beliefs like wearing “lucky colours” or even red underwear for the extra huat factor, whether you’re participating in new year gambling games or just want better fortune in general.
Why stop at dressing in certain colours? Go all out in boosting your chances at good luck with spanking new auspicious hair colours, according to your Chinese zodiac sign. It’ll tie in with your new year, new me mantra, and you won’t even have to pick out your lucky colours from the wardrobe each day.
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Table of Contents
1. Dragon
Born in: 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000
Auspicious colours: Gold, Silver, Grey
Image credit: @samcheevs via Instagram
When you think of gold hair, the first thing that comes to mind might be that of the mythical creature, Sun Wu Kong a.k.a. the Monkey King. However, having gold hair does not necessarily have to look that obiang. Incorporate gold tones and choose colours like golden or honey brown for a more wearable look.
2. Snake
Born in: 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001
Auspicious colours: Black, Red
Try copper for a more toned down look.
Image credit: @harts_salon via Instagram
In line with the colour red being an all-around auspicious colour in Chinese culture, the feisty and bold ones can choose to sport a full head of fiery red. For a more subtle look, you can instead get red highlights on brown hair.
If you’re looking for that unmistakable warm and rusty look without veering into bright and jarring crimson shades, go for copper tones. The result will be less bold for sure – for those who don’t want to be the centre of attention – without sacrificing on the vibrancy.
3. Horse
Born in: 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002
Auspicious colours: Red, Purple, Blue
Image credit: @harts_salon via Instagram
With both warm and cool undertones to the colour, purple might be one of the easiest “wild” hair colours to pull off. For a look that’s bold yet not too in-your-face or straight up anime character purple, opt for an ash lavender shade.
Image credit: Pinterest
Plus, if you’re one who struggles with random grey strands, this is the perfect colour to sneakily blend and camouflage those pesky tell-tale signs of ageing.
Dark purple underlights pair well with jet black hair, for those who don’t wish to get a full bleach.
Image credit: @harts_salon via Instagram
Another way to incorporate purple to your hair colour without having a full head of bright violet is to experiment with hidden highlights, also called underlights.
It involves colouring only the inner section of your hair while leaving the outer layers untouched for a peekaboo look. The colour is somewhat hidden and will only be obvious if you tie your hair up, or run your fingers oh-so-subtly through your tresses.
4. Goat
Born in: 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003
Auspicious colours: Brown, Red
Image credit: Cha Hong Salon
Rather than sticking with the safe option and going for the usual brown shades, try a dark orange colour that still consists of brown tones. Because it isn’t a flat-out striking orange shade, it saves you the predicament of walking around with a tangerine-like head.
Image credit: Pinterest
Other than helping you become the redhead bombshell of your dreams, the rusty, deep orange shade also embodies ultimate autumn vibes. It’s a versatile yet bold colour that can be brightened or darkened based on your personal preference.
5. Monkey
Born in: 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004
Auspicious colours: Grey, Blue, Black
Add dimension to ash grey hair with dark blue highlights for a smoky blue tint.
Image credit: @harts_salon via Instagram
Grey hair might be synonymous with ageing but when done right, can be a flattering and avant garde colour.
For an alternative to underlights, opt for an ash grey colour with balayage for a more gradual change in colour that’s equally multi-dimensional. Similarly, this would also work well alongside naturally black hair.
6. Rooster
Born in: 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005
Auspicious colours: Brown, Gold, Yellow
Image credit: Shunji Matsuo via Facebook
For something that’ll serve as a significant makeover while remaining wearable day to day, go for a strawberry blonde or rose gold hair colour with peachy pink tones. To achieve this, you might need to bleach your hair a couple of times depending on the current shade of your hair.
Image credit: @excellenthairsalon via Instagram
If strawberry blonde and rose gold might be too light of a colour for those just starting out in their hair dye journey, you can always go for a brown shade with rose gold highlights.
7. Dog
Born in: 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006
Auspicious colours: Red, Green, Pink
Image credit: Hairstyle Hub
For a brighter, bolder look, dye your hair pink at the base with coral tips to create a multi-dimensional colour. Other than being a vibrant colour perfect for ringing the new year in, it’ll also fade beautifully into an ashy pink colour. Great news for low maintenance folks who dread to see their hair fade into dull and unsightly colours over time!
Image credit: @harts_salon via Instagram
If the hair colour combo is too high-level for your taste, go for pink highlights with a dark brown base for a more everyday – and possibly workplace-friendly look.
8. Pig
Born in: 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007
Auspicious colours: Orange, Grey, Brown
Image credit: Tou Tiao
Those who are relatively fairer skinned can even consider pink orange. The pink tones in this bright shade balance out the orange, helping to ensure that it’s not too striking or cartoonish of a hair colour.
9. Rat
Born in: 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008
Auspicious colours: Blue, Gold, Green
Image credit: The Trending Hairstyle
Featuring shades of green and blue, turquoise is a colour that isn’t too one dimensional, ensuring that you’ll have different gradients to look forward to even as the initial dye fades.
Going all out with full-on turquoise hair might not be for everyone, but you can start with an ombre shade if you’re itching to rock some shades of green and blue. You might remember turquoise ombre hair to be all the rage during the Tumblr heyday, but fear not about it looking outdated as it’s remained the timelessness factor.
10 & 11. Ox
Born in: 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009
Auspicious colours: Green, White, Gold
Image credit: @stylenext_haru via Instagram
When we think of white hair, we automatically picture a full head of pure white – perhaps sported by our grandparents. Rather than dyeing all your hair a stark white, you can rock this auspicious hair colour by choosing light blonde or platinum.
Image credit: r/blackpink via Reddit
To achieve maximum impact without changing much of your existing hair colour, try out the Money Piece hairstyle recently popularised by Blackpink’s Jennie. To achieve this globally viral look, dye your hair jet black – which is thankfully the base many of us hair dye virgins are already starting out with – while leaving the front portion bleached platinum blonde.
Image credit: @paletteh_zia via Instagram
Light green definitely isn’t top of mind when you consider new hair colours – unless you’re rocking the Billie Eilish look – but actually works wonders for those seeking an edgier and more unique hairstyle. If you’re worried about looking like a Troll doll with grassy neon green hair, try out green underlights for a more comfortable venture into this not-so-common shade.
Inject dimension into the green portions by having different shades of green for your underlights. Plus, you’ll be able to choose from a variety of hairstyles to showcase the bold colour when you want to, and easily hide it as and when you like.
12. Tiger
Born in: 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998
Auspicious colours: Blue, Orange, Grey
Image credit: @chill_barbershop_taiwan via Instagram
If dyeing your whole head blue seems too bold, go for highlights in the aforementioned colour palette instead. This works best with a black hair colour as a base – which is great news for us dark-haired Asians who might not want to go through rounds of bleaching – and gives off a subtly contrasting look.
Image credit: @harts_salon via Instagram
Alternatively, ombre or hidden hair looks are always an option when it comes to showcasing vibrant and saturated shades, depending on how loud you’re willing to go.
13. Rabbit
Born in: 1951, 1963, 1975, 1999
Auspicious colours: Pink, Purple, Red
Image credit: @harts_salon via Instagram
Mix purple and red together and you’ll get magenta, which is quite an adventurous hair colour not many would experiment with. You can opt for a hidden look with magenta on the underside of your hair, and brown on the outer.
This colour works best as an underlight against a reddish-brown base. This allows the red hues to complement the striking magenta for a soft yet eye-catching contrast.
Get your huat on with Shiseido Professional‘s PRIMIENCE hair dyes & accessories
Dyeing your hair and achieving vibrant shades usually requires bleaching, especially for dark Asian hair like ours. However, bleaching and constant colour touch-ups might mean dry, damaged and all-around less healthy hair – which is a huge no-no especially for all the CNY visiting this festive period.
These days, genderless beauty and androgynous hairstyles – from daring dyes to bold silhouettes like the wolf cut – are getting increasingly popular. To kick off the new year with a fresh look, consider getting a gender-neutral hair makeover that has a harmonious mix of feminine and masculine elements.
This could apply to both cut and colour palette, so you can explore new avenues of expression no matter your gender – free of worry about conforming to society’s standards and expectations.
The products are formulated with S-hyaluronic acid, ensuring that you can leave the salon with hydrated, silky hair and a fresh, new look.
Image credit: Shiseido Professional
Whether you’re a guy or a girl, having lusciously smooth hair is always a plus point which makes your overall look more polished. The next time you’re having a hair makeover, opt for Shiseido Professional’s PRIMIENCE and ULTIST Colour Cream range of products. They help to produce long-lasting and pigmented colours while still providing your hair with the moisture it needs.
Image credit: Shiseido Professional
They also have a cream bleach product called BLEACH MASTER which contains an oil base. It protects and strengthens hair while neutralising the orange-y tones which Asian hair usually has after bleaching. This results in an even bleaching result so you won’t have to worry about patchy colours.
Aftercare and maintenance is a given, and the products you use after the bleaching and dyeing stages are as important as the colouring process itself. With a range of products targeting different hair and scalp concerns, the SUBLIMIC products are available at salons and offered for home use.
Choose from shampoos and leave-in conditioners you can add to your home care arsenal, targeting issues like thinning, damaged, coloured or unruly hair, as well as scalp dryness.
Image credit: @shiseidopro_singapore via Instagram
As a bonus, most of the new SUBLIMIC products now come in new refillable packaging which cuts plastic waste down by 75% as compared to the regular dispenser bottles. Now you can play a part in combating plastic wastage, and keep the oceans clean as you beautify your hair.
Changing up your look with a brand new hair colour is always exciting, and the extra huat you may get from dyeing your zodiac’s auspicious hair colours is a plus point. Get ready for the festivities with your new look and maintain it throughout the new year with Shiseido Professional’s salon-grade products.
Check out Shiseido Professional’s products here
This post was brought to you by Shiseido Professional.
Cover image adapted from: @hairbitue, @stylenext_haru via Instagram, Shunji Matsuo via Facebook
Originally published on 10th January 2022. Last updated by Raewyn Koh on 12th January 2024.