Change Hair Color Photoshop - Step by Step Process for Flawless Edits

Why change hair color in Photoshop

• Creative experimentation: You can be creative and experimental in Photoshop by using outrageous, fantasy colors such as purple, blue or even neon green. You will be able to break the visual barrier, and reveal your personality. No destruction, no rules, no restrictions, just imagination.
• Digital beauty enhancements: If your hair is dull or faded in the picture, no worries, that can be digitally corrected. In Photoshop, revive the saturation of colors or add some slight highlights. Your portraits will appear finished and professional.
• Branding or themed shoots: In case of marketing or seasonal campaigns, the coordination of hair color with the theme works well. You can align pictures with your corporate image or Christmas spirit. Photoshop is all under your control; no reshoot is required.
• Social media & content creation: You want people to notice and like your posts. Bright or trendy hair colors will help you create scroll-stopping content. It improves your communication and elevates your visual storytelling.

Preparation before you start

• Choose a high-resolution image

Before you set out to change hair color in Photoshop, preparation is of prime importance. Begin with a high-resolution image. The lighting in the photograph you choose should be good, either natural or soft studio light. Make sure the hair does not blend with the background. Straight-on or slightly angled is the best shot, especially when hair detail is a factor. The significance of clarity is that Photoshop considers sharp edges between hair and the rest of the image to perform masking.

• Understand your Photoshop workspace

Then, get to know the Photoshop work environment. You will perform non-destructive work on layers, select the hair with masks, and perform final color correction with adjustment layers. Realistic results may be obtained with the assistance of blend modes such as "Color" or "Soft Light." The Adobe Photoshop version you need is CC 2020 or higher, since it has improved tools to perfect hair selections.

How to change hair color in Photoshop: 7 easy steps

STEP 1
1. Duplicate the original layer

Start by duplicating the original layer to protect your source image. This allows you to work non-destructively and easily compare results. Use the shortcut Ctrl+J (Windows) or Cmd+J (Mac) to create a copy. Rename this new layer to keep your workspace organized. Working on a separate layer gives you full control over edits without risking the original image.

STEP 2
1. Create a hair mask

Use the Lasso Tool to make a rough selection around the hair. With the selection active, go to "Select" in the menu bar and click "Select and Mask." In the workspace, choose a view mode like Overlay, On Black, or On White to better see your selection. Adjust the Radius and enable Edge Detection to capture finer strands. Select "Object Aware" to improve edge refinement near the skin. These settings help you isolate the hair more accurately for color adjustments.

STEP 3
1. Use the Refine Edge Brush Tool

Inside the "Select and Mask" workspace, switch to the Refine Edge Brush Tool to carefully highlight flyaway strands and soft edges. Brush around the hairline to improve the mask while avoiding areas like the face or clothing. Use the minus brush to remove any unwanted parts. Click "Refine Hair" to let Photoshop automatically enhance the selection. Set the output to "New Layer with Layer Mask" and click "OK" to preserve the refined selection.

STEP 4
1. Add a Hue/Saturation Adjustment Layer

Go to the Adjustments panel and add a Hue/Saturation layer. Right-click on this layer and choose "Create Clipping Mask," so the adjustment only applies to the hair mask. This ensures your edits won't affect other parts of the image.

STEP 5
1. Choose a new hair color

Check the "Colorize" box in the Hue/Saturation panel. Now move the Hue slider to pick the desired hair color. Use the saturation slider to adjust the intensity of the color, and the lightness slider to control brightness and shadows.

STEP 6
1. Apply the right blend mode

To make the color change more natural, change the blend mode of the Hue/Saturation layer. Try "Color" to affect only the hue, or "Soft Light" to add subtle contrast. "Overlay" is another option if you want a more dramatic effect. Adjust the opacity slider to tone down the effect and blend it seamlessly with the original hair texture.

STEP 7
1. Fine-tune the edges

If you notice color bleeding or rough edges, double-click the layer mask to reopen the "Select and Mask" workspace. Here you can refine the edges, feather them, or shift their position. Use the Brush Tool on the mask itself to manually fix areas that look off, like where the color overlaps the background or misses fine hair strands.

While Photoshop offers advanced editing tools, you may find it overwhelming due to its complex interface and steep learning curve. It also requires a paid subscription, which isn't ideal if you're just looking to change hair color. That's where CapCut stands out. It's easy to use and doesn't require any technical skills. You get rich features and instant hair change results. Suppose you want quick, realistic edits without the hassle. Let's uncover more insights down below!

CapCut: The best alternative for realistic hair color change with AI

CapCut is a powerful video editor that offers an easy way to change hair color without Photoshop. Its Retouch feature lets you instantly swap hair color without advanced editing skills; CapCut handles complex edits for you. Whether you're creating content or testing new looks, you'll get fast, realistic results. Try CapCut today and explore endless creative possibilities with a zero learning curve.

Key features

• AI retouch: CapCut allows users to retouch portraits, including changing hair color. It provides eight preset colors, or you can customize a color by text prompt.
• AI replace: CapCut's AI Replace lets you change specific elements in your photo, like hair color and style. You just need to select the area, describe what you want, and CapCut handles the rest.
• Makeup effects: The makeup tool helps you enhance your look with digital makeup. You can adjust eyebrows, lipstick, and more for flawless beauty shots.
• Facial features adjustments: Facial features adjustments allow you to refine your facial details, like eye shape or jawline.
• Rich visual elements: CapCut offers diverse visual elements to polish images, including filters, stickers, effects, and so on.

Change your hair color in photos using CapCut

STEP 1
1. Launch CapCut and import your photo

Start by launching CapCut and clicking "Create project" to begin. Once the workspace opens, upload the photo you want to edit. Next, select the image directly on the timeline.

STEP 2
1. Change your hair color in an image

Navigate to the "Video" tab, then open the "Basic" section. Select the "Retouch" feature and pick the "Hair" option. CapCut offers eight colors for you to choose from. You just need to select one, and it will automatically apply to your image. CapCut also provides the "Customize" option. You can enter a text prompt to customize the hair color in the image.

STEP 3
1. Export the image

After finalizing your new hair color, it's time to save the result. Click the three-line menu icon (also known as the hamburger menu) in the top-right corner. From the dropdown options, select "Export still frames." You'll then choose your preferred resolution and file format, such as PNG or JPEG. Finally, pick your storage location, and your edited photo is ready to share.

Pro tips to make hair color changes more realistic in Photoshop

• Use multiple masks to achieve complex effects like ombre, balayage, or highlights. This lets you control each hair section individually for better blending and depth.
• Apply "Dodge" and "Burn" on a duplicated layer to mimic natural light and shadow. It helps you add contrast and contour, making the color look dimensional and real.
• Add a subtle "Noise" or "Texture Overlay" to match the original photo's grain. This prevents your hair editing from looking too smooth or artificial.
• Match the hair's shadow with the lighting in your environment. Adjusting shadows keeps the edit grounded and visually consistent with the scene.
• Use selective color correction tools like "Curves" and "Levels" for fine tone adjustments. This helps you enhance depth, fix flat areas, and bring life to the new hair color.

Conclusion

Change hair color in Photoshop gives you complete control over your visuals, from creative experiments to professional makeovers. You learned how to prepare your image, create precise masks, adjust hues, and fine-tune details for flawless results. But if you want a faster, smarter, and more beginner-friendly solution, CapCut is your best bet. Its AI retouch feature lets you change hair colors in seconds with no skills required. You get pro-level edits with just a few clicks. Whether you're enhancing portraits or leveling up your content game, CapCut makes hair color changes effortless. Try it today and start creating your perfect look instantly.

FAQs

1
1. Can I apply multiple hair colors to different hair sections in Photoshop?

Yes, you can. To do this, create separate layer masks for each section of hair. Use the Lasso Tool or Select and Mask to isolate areas. Then, apply individual Hue/Saturation adjustment layers for each color. This allows full control over placement, blending, and vibrancy. If you prefer a faster and more intuitive option, CapCut's AI replace tool lets you change specific sections of hair with just a prompt.

2
1. How do I enhance my hair's shine after changing color in Photoshop?

Use the Dodge Tool to subtly brighten strands where light naturally hits. For even better control, apply a Curves or Levels adjustment layer clipped to the hair. Increase highlights and add contrast to bring back depth. You can also duplicate the hair layer, set it to "Soft Light," and reduce opacity. In CapCut, you can apply lighting filters to give your edited hair more gloss instantly.

3
1. How long does it take to change hair color in Photoshop?

It depends on your experience and image complexity. On average, it takes 15–30 minutes. CapCut, on the other hand, can deliver results in under 30s.