The Best Change-Your-Hair-Color Apps of 2023

Make sure it's the right color before you commit

By
Amanda Derrick
Amanda Derrick
Amanda Derrick
Freelance Contributor
  • University of Utah
  • Florida Tech
Amanda Derrick is a mechanical engineer, business strategist, and former Lifewire writer who has also written for USAF Civil Service, ATK, and Boeing.
lifewire's editorial guidelines
Updated on January 4, 2023
Reviewed by
Christine Baker
Reviewed by Christine Baker
Christine Baker is a marketing consultant with experience working for a variety of clients. Her expertise includes social media, web development, and graphic design.
lifewire's editorial guidelines

Dyeing your hair is a way of life for many, but deciding to change your hair color can also be intimidating. Mobile app stores are full of options to play with hair and makeup, but some of these apps are buggy, filled with advertisements, and offer limited functionality. We researched the best hair color apps to find the best ones to help you visualize your future look.

01
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Best for a Realistic Look: Hair Color Dye

Hair Color Dye app for iOS
What We Like

  • Place color where you want.

  • Select hair areas to edit.

  • Realistic results.

  • Share your new hair color via text or social media.

  • Easy to use with a variety of colors.

What We Don't Like

  • Available only for iOS.

  • Some colors cost an additional 99 cents.

If you want to try out a unique hairstyle, Hair Color Dye lets you choose from a huge variety of varied and vibrant hair colors. Upload a photo and swap out your overall hair color, or paint only certain areas by hand. For example, add a stripe of neon blue to your bangs, or see how you'd look with red tips.

This app gets great marks for ease of use, color variety, and easy-to-follow instructions. This iOS-only app is free, but some colors cost an additional 99 cents through an in-app purchase.

02
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Best 3D Hair Color Technology: Style My Hair

Style My Hair Color Changing App
What We Like

  • Choose from tons of color palates.

  • 3D technology shows a new color in motion.

  • Directs you to a L'Oreal professional salon.

  • Offers tips, tricks, and trends.

What We Don't Like

  • No option for seeing what a haircut would look like.

L'Oreal's Style My Hair is a free, flexible, and accurate hair color-change app. It has options that range from natural blondes and browns to more avant-garde pinks and purples.

With 3D technology, see how your new hair color looks as you move around, flip your hair, and run your hands through your tresses. If you like a look, share it with friends and get their opinion. When you're ready to commit to a color, the app directs you to a nearby L'Oreal professional to make it happen.

Download For:

03
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Best for African American Women's Hair: Black Hair for Women

Black Hair for Women app
What We Like

  • Focuses on Black women's hair.

  • Try on hair colors, styles, and cuts.

  • Adjust color, brightness, and saturation.

  • All styles are professionally edited.

What We Don't Like

  • No Android version yet.

The Black Hair for Women iOS app is designed to cater specifically to colors, styles, and cuts for Black women's hair. Upload your photo and easily try on various styles and cuts in an array of colors, from natural tones to vibrant, fun hues. Upload your photo, try out new looks, and save or share with friends.

Black Hair for Women is free, but upgrading for $2.99 eliminates ads. Spend 99 cents for add-on packs with additional short and braided hairstyles.

04
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Best for Whimsical, Trendy Colors: Fabby Look

Fabby Look hair color changer app
What We Like

  • Try on unique, trendy hair colors.

  • Experiment with color in real time.

  • Try on color in videos as well as photos.

  • Realistic results.

What We Don't Like

  • Not as many color choices as some other apps.

Fabby Look is a fun, fast-loading, realistic hair color app, even if its color choices are centered around unrealistic colors. If you'd like to see how you'd look with blue, purple, pink, magenta, platinum, and other fun colors, this is the app for you. Check out your new hair color in a photo you upload, in real time, or in a video, and share your fabulous new look with friends on Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, and more.

This app is free and gets extra points for ease of use and fast results.

Download For:

05
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Best for Selfies: YouCam Makeup-Magic Selfie Cam

YouCam Makeup-Magic Selfie Cam hair color changing app
What We Like

  • Augmented reality applies color automatically.

  • References actual hair dyes to take to a stylist.

  • Try out makeup and facial enhancements.

  • Fun selfie filters for social media.

What We Don't Like

  • Must upgrade to Premium to take advantage of all features.

YouCam Makeup-Magic Selfie Cam is more than a hair color-changing app. Calling itself a virtual makeover app and beauty camera, YouCam uses augmented reality to overlay various hair colors and try out new hairstyles.

Smart facial detection applies makeup looks in real-time or on photos and selfies. Retouching tools smooth out your skin, whiten teeth, add a smile, or adjust facial shape and features. More than 200 special effects turn your selfies into a #mood!

The app is free, but you'll need to upgrade to a paid version to take advantage of the advanced features.

Download For:

06
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Best for Men and Women: Hairstyle Magic Mirror

Hairstyle Magic Mirror App
What We Like

  • Huge array of hairstyles and color variations.

  • Easy-to-use interface.

  • Hairstyles for men and women.

  • Create your own color.

  • Hairstyle library is continually updated.

What We Don't Like

  • If your face shape isn't oval, it's hard to fit the hairstyles properly.

  • Need the paid version to use all styles and colors.

Hairstyle Magic Mirror comes in a free version (Lite) as well as a $4.49 Premium version that unlocks additional hairstyles, colors, and other features. This app lets you choose a male or female character to use, or take a photo and upload your picture to style. Traditionally masculine and feminine hairstyles let anyone try out any style that appeals to them, along with an array of colors.

The facial-detection feature works much better on the paid version, allowing you to improve the final result by dragging the hairs' anchor points.

Download For:

07
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Hair Zapp app for changing hair color
What We Like

  • Originally developed for hairstylists.

  • Compare favorite styles and colors side by side.

  • High-resolution imaging.

  • Premium features for hairdressers.

  • Get feedback from the Hair Zapp community.

What We Don't Like

  • The free version has ads.

  • Update to a paid version for enhanced features.

Hair Zapp offers more than 500 hairstyle and color combinations in its free version, with hundreds more if you upgrade to the $4.49 Premium version. Compare favorite looks side by side and consult the Hair Zapp community for advice.

The styles and colors are unique, and the app's community forum is a fun feature that differentiates this app from others. If you're a hairdresser, upgrade for stylist-specific features, including client-management tools.

Download For:

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is there a filter to change hair color for Instagram? Yes, Instagram has tons of appearance-altering filters. Learn how to search for Instagram filters that can change your hair color and other physical features.
  • Is there a filter to change hair color for Snapchat? Yes, there are many Snapchat filters that alter your appearance, including your hair. Learn how to apply Snapchat filters to change your hair color and other physical traits.
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