How to Change Hair Color in Photoshop

Hair is among the most noticeable and likable features of a person. Whether you're a real estate agent or a real estate photographer, knowing how to change hair colors can improve the way you look to clients. Learn how to change hair color in Photoshop using different methods.

How to Change Hair Color in Photoshop

To change hair color in Photoshop, use a Layer Mask and Colorize tool to apply edits directly on the hair. Another way is to use the Color Balance adjustment layer to achieve different hues by adjusting the Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black sliders. You can also use the Brush tool to refine highlights.

Are you wondering what you would look like with a different hair color? Perhaps you need a quick color change for a formal photo. With these steps, you can try various hair colors and edit your portraits naturally.

Method 1: Using a Layer Mask

One of the easiest ways to change hair color in Photoshop is to use a Layer Mask. This is a non-destructive way to modify edits without affecting the whole image.

Duplicate a Layer

When working in Photoshop, it's a good practice to save a copy of your original image in case you need to redo some parts. Likewise, it's crucial to duplicate a layer to keep non-edited portions intact.

Create a Mask of the Hair

This step is crucial because this ensures your selected color only applies to the hair.

1. The standard way to create a layer mask is to click on a selection tool in Photoshop and draw a rough shape around the hair.
2. Click the eyeball icon beside the background layer. You have successfully formed a mask if the hair is the only thing you can see now.
3. When you check in the Layers panel, anything you draw in black will disappear, while those in white will be visible.
4. Use a small brush with medium softness to draw black parts until there's a transparent background checkerboard behind the hair.
5. Double-click on the mask to edit the mask's contrast and smoothness.
6. Adjust the Refine Edge controls to shift the mask's outline further. You need a more precise mask to bring out the effect on the edges if you want lighter hair colors. Meanwhile, a soft mask would be better if you need a darker color.

Dye the Hair

This part is where you need to adjust settings until you find your desired color.

1. Click on the image of the layer.
2. Head to Image, go to Adjustments, and open the Hue/Saturation adjustment layer.
3. Choose the Colorize button from the pop-up menu to pick new hair colors.

Edit the Layer Mask

Adjust the mask to make the new hair color look more realistic. Use the Brush tool or the Select and Mask option to refine the color's effect until you achieve your desired appearance.

Method 2: Using the Color Balance Adjustment Layer

Learning how to change hair color in Photoshop involves using Color Balance to correct a color imperfection in a picture. It can help you create dramatic effects by changing the overall mixture of hues.

1. Click on the New Adjustment Layer. Expand the Selective Color options, then set it to Neutrals.
2. Head to the Properties panel to see the Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (CMYK) sliders. Drag the sliders to the left to show the color label's complementary color. For example, if you adjust the Cyan slider to the left, the hair will transform into cyan's complementary color, which is red.
3. You can reset the Selective Color options to experiment with various hair colors.
4. Use the Brush tool to paint on certain parts of the hair for better selection.

Change Color to Red

The hair's color or highlights can affect how your colleagues or clients see you at work. While natural hair colors like black, brown, and blonde are the most acceptable in the real estate industry, specific colors resonate with a personality that makes you stand out more.

Erin Bogart, a custom hair stylist and colorist from New York, says that red hair can make you look bold, passionate, and goal-oriented in the workplace.

1. To make a red hair color, reset the Adjustment Layer and set the Colors to Neutral.
2. Move the Cyan slider to the left. 
3. Adjust the Magenta and Yellow sliders to the right until you achieve the desired red hue.

Change Color to Black

It's common for working professionals to choose a natural color like black. However, there may be instances where you may want to try a vibrant color, yet you need the latest portraits showing black hair. For some people, it can be time-consuming and hurtful to dye their hair black quickly.

The good thing is that you can also change your brown or blonde hair color to black using the Hue/Saturation adjustment layer in Photoshop.

1. Move the Saturation slider to the left.
2. Form a Levels adjustment layer. Set individual handles for Highlights, Midtones, and Shadows to modify the photo's luminosity easily.

Change Color to Blonde

Whether you're a photographer or a real estate professional, the right hair color and highlights can make you look younger. For example, adjusting the sliders to shades like honey can give your skin a healthy and youthful glow. Adding some golden highlights can also frame the face, especially hollow cheeks.

1. Head to Layer, expand the New Adjustment Layer option, and click Selective Color.
2. Go to the Properties panel, then set the Colors to Neutrals.
3. Move the Yellow slider to the right.
4. Drag the Cyan slider to the left to bring down the greens and blues.
5. Use the Black slider to create a lighter blonde.
6. Go to the Levels adjustment layer, then modify the Midtones to adjust the contrast.
7. Decrease the Output Level slider to create highlights.
8. Head to the drop-down menu and choose the Blue channel.
9. From the Output Level slider, adjust the white point to the left to create more yellow in the shadows.
10. Move to the Red channel and move the black point to the right to put more red in the shadows.
11. Create a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer. Adjust the Saturation and Hue sliders until you create the right shade of blonde.
12. Disable the Group if you lose the highlights because of these adjustments.
13. Press CTRL + Alt + 2 (Windows) or Command + Option + 2 (Mac) to pick the image's brightest pixels.
14. Press Ctrl + J (Windows) or Command + J (Mac) to duplicate the selection in the highlights.
15. Put the layer inside the Group on top of the layer stack.
16. Switch from Blending Mode to Screen.
17. Modify the Opacity to control the intensity of the highlights.

Related Questions

Conclusion

Hair is one of the most distinguishable features in a person, and this may affect how real estate clients perceive you. By mastering the Layer Mask and Color Balance adjustment layer, you can change your hair color in Photoshop realistically.