We Experimented with Top 5 AR Hair Color Apps for 2025

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TL;DR:

• Hair color apps help users try new shades with confidence and convenience, boosting sales & engagement;
• Top 5 hair color apps include Banuba, Fotor, Style My Hair, Fabby Look, and YouCam Makeup;
• When choosing the best one, consider realism, color variety, personalization, and live try-on options;
• Start by defining your goal, see the user reviews, consider your device's compatibility with the available apps, see what else the app can offer besides the try-on, and see how it actually works for you.

Why Use AR Hair Color Apps?

The allure of AR hair color apps is simple, yet profound. They solve a universal problem with elegant, accessible technology. Here’s why they’ve become an essential part of our beauty toolkit:

1. Convenience

With just a smartphone, users can explore countless shades anytime, anywhere, replacing lengthy salon consultations and messy swatches. This means less friction when buying and higher sales.

2. Risk-free experimentation

Virtual try-on tools eliminate the damage, cost, and regret of traditional trial-and-error. The boldest colors can be explored without consequence.

3. Personalization 

These aren’t some random filters. They’re powered by AI that actually takes your features into account. So instead of “one look fits all,” you get shades that work with you. For a business, this means higher customer satisfaction, as customers keep coming back for fitting dyes.

4. Decision confidence 

A clear visual preview removes hesitation, ensuring salon visits or at-home applications lead to results that feel certain and satisfying.

Top 5 AR Hair Color Apps and Tools Ruling 2025

The world of AR hair color is exploding right now, with new apps and tools popping up all the time. Most give you a peek at what’s possible, but a handful really raise the bar with stunning realism, smart features, and smooth experiences. We’ve tested several of them and created a roundup of the best in 2025, starting with the one everyone’s talking about.

How We Tested

Devices used: iPhone 15 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, plus other devices to assess performance across OS' and processing power.

Lighting Conditions: 

- Natural daylight: Outdoors, realistic sunlight conditions
- Standard office fluorescent lights
- Bright background with dimly lit subject

Testing Criteria:

- Segmentation Accuracy: AI precision in distinguishing hair from background, including stray strands and complex styles
- Temporal Stability: Smoothness and consistency of hair color as users move, checking for jitter, lag, or flickering
- Latency: Delay between user movement and AR effect; lower latency = more responsive
- Color Realism: Natural interaction of virtual color with real-world light and shadows, avoiding flat/static effects

1. Banuba AI Hair Color SDK: The Gold Standard for Businesses and Ultimate Realism

When it comes to AR hair color, Banuba is the technology powering some of the most realistic virtual try-on experiences on the market. While not a direct consumer app in the traditional sense, Banuba’s SDK (Software Development Kit) is the backbone for many leading beauty brands and developers who want to integrate AR hair color filters into their own platforms. Banuba’s AR technology has demonstrated measurable results in engagement and conversion. A recent case study highlighted a 30% increase in monthly active users for an app after implementing Banuba-powered filters.

Features That Set Banuba Apart:

• Realism and AI Accuracy: Banuba’s AI tracks each strand, every highlight, every shadow, so your new look isn’t just a flat filter. It moves with you, reacts to light, and feels utterly real. Try it once, and you’ll see why “unrealistic” doesn’t exist in their world.
• Live Try-On Abilities: Move your head, tilt your phone, smile at the camera, and watch your hair color shift with you. This real-time feedback makes picking a new shade easy and worry-free.
• Extensive Color Palette & Customization: Developers using Banuba’s SDK have access to an almost infinite range of color options, from natural shades to vibrant neons, and even allow for custom color mixing.
• Hair Segmentations & Styles: Banuba doesn’t stop at simple color changes. Their tech can actually separate different parts of your hair, letting you try on ombré, balayage, or even virtual extensions. You can experiment with full hairstyles or subtle effects and see exactly how they’d look on you before committing.
• Performance & Stability: Imagine experimenting with bold colors and intricate styles, and never once worrying about lag or glitches. That’s Banuba. Its smooth performance makes every virtual hair experiment feel instant and effortless.
• Tailored AI Recommendations: Banuba’s AI analyzes your features and highlights the shades that will look best on you. 

Best Use Cases:

• Beauty Brand Apps: For cosmetic companies willing to offer their customers a hyper-realistic virtual try-on experience for hair dye products. See how Scorpion Technology partnered with Banuba to bring virtual try-on to Loncolor, Romania’s well-known hair dye and care product manufacturer.
• Salon Consulting Tools: Salons can use Banuba-powered apps to help clients visualize new colors before applying them.
• E-commerce Platforms: Integrating realistic hair color changers to increase conversions and reduce returns.
• Social Media Filters: Developers creating hair color filters that pop on Instagram, TikTok, etc.

2. Hairstyle Try On (Fotor): AI-Powered Hairstyle and Color

Fotor might be famous as a photo editor, but their “Hairstyle Try On” feature is a hidden gem. Using AI, it can suggest both hairstyles and colors, letting users experiment with new looks in a snap.

Features:

• AI Hairstyle Suggestions: Beyond color, it can overlay different hairstyles.
• Hair Color Changer: Allows users to apply various colors to selected hairstyles or their own hair.
• Extensive Photo Editing Tools: Benefits from Fotor's robust photo editing capabilities.

Cons:

• May require more manual adjustments for hair segmentation compared to live AR apps.
• The AI for hair color might not be as specialized as dedicated AR hair color apps.

Best Use Cases:

• Users looking to experiment with both new hairstyles and colors.
• Those who already use Fotor for other photo editing needs.

3. Style My Hair (L'Oréal Professionnel): Brand-Specific Confidence

Style My Hair by L’Oréal Professionnel is all about effortless hair experiments. Try on any shade from their professional range in real time with AR. L'Oréal has a long-standing reputation for using augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the customer experience, having leveraged their acquisition of Modiface for years to power realistic try-on tools. With L’Oréal behind it, you know the results are reliable and the experience is top-notch.

Features:

• L'Oréal Shade Range: Users can try on actual L'Oréal Professionnel hair colors.
• Live Try-On: Provides a live view of how different shades would look.
• 3D Try-On Technology: Attempts to provide a realistic view of hair from different angles.
• Salon Locator: Makes it easy to locate L’Oréal Professionnel salons close by.

Cons:

• Limited to L'Oréal shades, so less variety for general experimentation.
• Realism, while good, may not always match the absolute cutting edge.

Best Use Cases:

• Individuals who use or are considering L'Oréal Professionnel hair colors.
• Salon clients looking to visualize specific L'Oréal shades before a salon visit.
• While users enjoy the features for the most part, some have noticed the app may lag and occasional glitches may happen.

4. Fabby Look: Simplicity and Speed

Fabby Look keeps it simple: pick a color, see it instantly, and decide. It's ideal for quick hair transformations without overthinking or extra clicks.

Features:

• Real-Time Hair Color Changing: Changes hair color on live videos or photos.
• Wide Range of Colors: Offers a decent selection of various colors, from vibrant to natural.
• Simple Interface: Designed for efficiency and letting users make fast and effortless edits.

Cons:

• Less advanced realism compared to top-tier solutions.
• Fewer supplementary features than comprehensive beauty apps.

Best Use Cases:

• Users who prioritize speed and simplicity for basic hair color changes.
• Those looking for a fun, no-frills hair editing app.

5. YouCam Makeup: The Comprehensive Beauty Suite

YouCam Makeup is a veteran in the beauty app space, known for its extensive range of features that go beyond just hair color. It’s a popular choice for consumers who want an all-in-one beauty editing app.

Features:

• Live AR Hair Color: Offers a decent selection of hair color filters for realistic try-on.
• Photo Editing Mode: Users can upload existing photos and apply various hair colors.
• Extensive Color Palette: A wide range of natural and fantasy shades.
• Other Beauty Features: Like makeup virtual try-on, skin smoothing, face reshaping, and more.

Cons:

• Realism can sometimes be less nuanced than dedicated hair-focused tools.
• Some advanced features are hidden behind a paywall.

Best Use Cases:

• Casual users looking for a fun hair color changer and a general beauty editor.
• Social media enthusiasts who want to quickly experiment with different looks for photos and videos.

Key Factors We Considered When Choosing the Right AR Hair Color Tool

With so many AR hair color apps booming on the market, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Focus on these factors to find the one that truly transforms your look.

Factor 1: Realism and AI Accuracy

This is perhaps the most critical factor. A truly great AR hair color experience relies on sophisticated AI hair color algorithms that can accurately detect your hair, differentiate it from the background, and apply color in a way that looks natural. Look for:

• Hair Segmentation: How precisely does the app outline your hair? Does it get confused by stray strands or complex hairstyles?
• Movement Tracking: If you're using a live try-on, does the hair color stay consistent as you move your head?
• Texture and Shading: Is it just a solid color, or does it interact beautifully with your hair’s texture and light reflection?

Banuba, with its cutting-edge AI, stands out significantly in this area, offering unparalleled realistic try-on that is critical for genuine user confidence.

Factor 2: Color Options Variety

Do you want to stick to natural shades or explore the wildest fantasy colors?

• Selection: Does it offer options from gentle pastels to bold neons, plus layered, creative color effects?
• Customization: Can you adjust the intensity, vibrancy, or even mix custom shades?
• Brand Loyalty: Does the app let you try the exact shades from your favorite hair dye brand, like L’Oréal’s professional palette?

Factor 3: Personalization Features

A truly smart at-home hair color tool goes beyond just applying color.

• AI Personalized Recommendations: Can artificial intelligence guide you toward the most flattering colors based on your unique look?
• Virtual Stylist: Can the app recommend hairstyles or cuts that suit your fresh color?

Both modes have their benefits, but from our point of view, live try-on offers a more dynamic and immersive experience.

• Live Try-On: It allows you to see the color change here and now, as you look at your device camera. Excellent for immediate feedback and interaction.
• Photo Editing: Uploading a photo allows for more precise adjustments and is ideal for carefully planning a look or creating content. 

Many apps offer both, giving their users the flexibility they're looking for.

Factor 4: Live Try-On vs Photo editing

Both modes have their benefits, but from our point of view, live try-on offers a more dynamic and immersive experience.

• Live Try-On: It allows you to see the color change here and now, as you look at your device camera. Excellent for immediate feedback and interaction.
• Photo Editing: Uploading a photo allows for more precise adjustments and is ideal for carefully planning a look or creating content. 

Many apps offer both, giving their users the flexibility they're looking for.

Tips for Choosing the Right App for You

Picking an AR hair color app has much in common with selecting a new hair shade, Why? Because we want both to suit you perfectly. 

Tip 1: Start with your goal. 

Salon tool? E-commerce solution? Or just a fun experiment at home? Each purpose calls for a different app.

Tip 2: Explore user reviews.

Read what real users say, too. This can save you from lots of unexpected surprises.

Tip 3: Test it on yourself. 

Swipe through a few shades, watch how they catch light, mix with your highlights, and flow with every strand for the full effect.

Tip 4: Keep your device in mind. 

Some apps run better on the latest phones or specific systems. 

Tip 5: Look beyond the color.

Don’t stop at just hair. There are many apps that also include makeup try-ons, salon finders, shopping links, and beyond.

Got the basics down? Great! Now it’s all about finding the app that fits. Maybe it’s just for fun, maybe it’s prep for a salon appointment, or maybe it’s for building a serious pro tool. 

Conclusion

AR hair color has leveled up big time. From a fun little filter to a fully AI tool, it’s now a game-changer for consumers and beauty retailers alike. In 2025, these apps go beyond just color. They are about self-expression, fun, and exploration without any risk.

Looking ahead, AR hair color apps will only get more realistic, smarter, and easier to use on a daily basis. And Banuba is at the forefront, blending AR and AI to set the high standard for the industry.

One thing is already certain: AR hair color changer is your no-risk ticket to exploring new styles. Try it, love it, and turn your favorite look into reality, right from your device.

Reference List

Arsenova, A. (2024, December 5). How to build a virtual makeup app like YouCam: SDK or white label. https://www.banuba.com/blog/how-to-develop-virtual-makeup-try-on-like-youcam-sdk-or-white-label

Fotor. (n.d.). Free AI Hairstyle Changer - Test hairstyles on my Face online. https://www.fotor.com/features/hairstyle-changer/

Krasko, A. (2025a, March 6). Virtual Try on for e-commerce: AI technology, solutions & examples. https://www.banuba.com/blog/full-guide-virtual-try-on

Krasko, A. (2025b, May 16). Virtual Try-On for a Romanian hair color brand. https://www.banuba.com/blog/virtual-try-on-for-a-romanian-hair-color-brand

Krasko, A. (2025c, May 16). Virtual Try-On for a Romanian hair color brand. https://www.banuba.com/blog/virtual-try-on-for-a-romanian-hair-color-brand

Krasko, A. (2025d, August 4). 30% more MAUs and 54% more users for video conferencing app. https://www.banuba.com/blog/30-more-maus-and-54-more-users-vroom-success-story

L'Oréal Professionnel Paris. (n.d.). Head up [Video]. L'oréAl Professionnel Paris. https://www.lorealprofessionnel.com/

L’Oréal acquires ModiFace further expanding its worldwide expertise in beauty tech. (n.d.). L’Oréal Finance. https://www.loreal-finance.com/eng/news-release/loreal-acquires-modiface-further-expanding-its-worldwide-expertise-beauty-tech

Rohachuk, T. (2025, August 8). Best Hair Segmentation SDKs for Apps in 2025. https://www.banuba.com/blog/best-hair-segmentation-sdk

Virtual hair color changer software solution for eCommerce. (n.d.). https://www.banuba.com/hair-color-changer