Similar to lipstick shades and makeup in general, choosing the right hair color involves selecting a hue that harmonizes with your skin tone and features. Your skin’s undertones play a crucial role in determining which shades will illuminate your complexion and which might leave you looking muted or washed out.
Here, we’ll review how to identify your undertones and outline the best hair colors for you. We’ll also detail the shades you should avoid, ensuring that your chosen color complements rather than conflicts with your skin tone. Let’s get started.
Understanding undertones and skin harmony
Your skin’s undertone is the subtle hue beneath the visible surface tone, which might be described as fair, medium, or deep. These underlying hues, generally classified as warm, cool, or neutral, remain stable regardless of changes due to tanning or seasonal shifts.
Warm undertones tend to have hints of gold or peach, cool undertones often lean toward pink or blue shades, and neutral undertones represent a balanced mix of both. Recognizing yours is a key element of seasonal color analysis—a technique popularized by Carole Jackson in “Color Me Beautiful”—that guides you in choosing the best colors for you to enhance your natural glow and even out your complexion.
One common method to determine your undertone is to examine the veins on your wrist; if they appear more blue or purple, you likely have cool undertones, whereas greenish veins may indicate warm undertones. For those with a mix that is hard to define, you might possess neutral undertones.
Observing how your skin reacts to sunlight can also offer clues: cool undertones may burn more easily, while warm undertones tend to tan gradually. Some experts also suggest using a piece of white paper held near your face for a clearer contrast, or even relying on professional color analysis services.
The best (and worst) hair colors for your undertone
Here is a detailed breakdown explaining which shades work best for each undertone category and which ones might be less flattering:
- If you have a warm undertone
- Go for: Rich golden blondes, caramel, honey brown, copper, auburn, warm chestnut. These shades work to enhance the golden or peachy hues present in warm skin.
- Avoid: Ash blondes, platinum, and cool-toned browns. These colors tend to clash with warm undertones, making the skin appear sallow and less radiant.
- If you have a cool undertone
- Go for: Icy blonde, ash brown, jet black, cool espresso, burgundy. These colors are designed to complement the pink or bluish nuances of cool undertones.
- Avoid: Golden blondes, brassy reds, and orange-based coppers. These can create a discordant contrast with cool skin.
- If you have a neutral undertone
- Go for: Most shades work harmoniously with neutral undertones, but muted tones like rose gold, soft mocha, or neutral blonde are particularly flattering. These balanced colors enhance your natural beauty without overwhelming it.
- Avoid: Extremely warm or overly cool shades. Sticking to balanced, subtle colors ensures that your hair looks naturally cohesive with your skin tone.
Ultimately, the right hair color should make your skin glow and serve as an extension of your style rather than compete with your natural features. If you’re unsure about which shade best suits you, consulting with a professional colorist or stylist can guide you through the process. More often than not, opting for a tone that is close to your natural color is the safest way to achieve a luminous, flattering look.