Understanding Skin Undertones
Before choosing a hair color, it's essential to understand your skin's undertone — the subtle hue beneath the surface of your skin. Undertones fall into three categories: warm (yellow, peachy, or golden), cool (pink, red, or bluish), and neutral (a mix of warm and cool). Unlike your skin tone, which can change with sun exposure, your undertone remains constant.
How to Identify Your Undertone
There are several simple ways to determine your undertone. Look at the veins on the inside of your wrist — if they appear greenish, you have warm undertones; if they look bluish or purple, you have cool undertones; if you can't tell, you're likely neutral. Another method is to hold a piece of white paper next to your face — if your skin looks yellowish, you're warm; if it looks pinkish, you're cool.
Best Hair Colors for Warm Undertones
If you have warm undertones (golden, peachy, or olive skin), you'll look best with hair colors in the warm spectrum. These include rich browns with caramel or auburn highlights, golden blonde shades, copper and red tones, warm chestnut, and honey blonde. These colors complement the golden warmth in your skin and create a harmonious, sun-kissed look.
Best Hair Colors for Cool Undertones
Cool undertones (pink, rosy, or bluish skin) are complemented by hair colors with cool, ashy, or jewel-toned qualities. Think platinum blonde, ash brown, cool black, burgundy, and violet-tinted shades. These colors create a striking contrast with cool skin and enhance its natural clarity and brightness.
Best Hair Colors for Neutral Undertones
The good news for those with neutral undertones is that you can wear almost any hair color. Both warm and cool shades look flattering on neutral skin. This gives you the freedom to experiment with a wide range of colors, from warm honey blonde to cool ash brown, and everything in between.
Considering Your Natural Hair Color
Your natural hair color is also an important factor. Dramatic color changes require more maintenance and can be harder on your hair. If you want to minimize damage and upkeep, consider staying within two to three shades of your natural color. Highlights and lowlights can add dimension without the commitment of an all-over color change.
Try Before You Dye
The best way to see how a hair color will look on you is to try it virtually before committing to a dye job. Our AI Hairstyle Changer lets you preview 20+ hair colors on your own photo in seconds — so you can experiment with different shades and find your perfect match before visiting the salon.