The Right Hair Colors for Your Skin Tone
Get the right hair colors for your skin tone in sync!
Your skin tone plays a major role when determining what the right hair color is for you. And, getting the right hair colors for your skin tone right is not as easy as product manufacturers might have you think. One thing you may have learned the hard way from box hair color is, ‘what you see is not what you get.’ A note to the wise . . . always read the chart on the back to determine what hair color you can expect to come out with when put on your strands.
“The Right Hair Colors for Your Skin Tone”
Back to your skin tone, the right hair colors for your skin tone can make you glow, or even melt away the years.The wrong hair color for your skin tone will make you look sallow, sickly, worn out or freaky! And if that’s not bad enough, harsh contrasts or flat tonalities will emphasize lines and angles, Yikes! So, what is the right hair colors for your skin tone?
Your Skin Tone, Warm or Cool?
You may be stumped as to whether you fall into the warm or cool category when determining the right hair colors for your skin tone. Here are some questions to answer that will help. Using the basic color chart above, which colors look best on you?
- What color are your eyes?
- What is your natural hair color?
- What are the color of your veins on your inner wrist?
You are a COOL tone if:
- Your eyes are deep brown, black brown, gray blue or dark blue, hazel with gray, white, or blue flecks
- Your natural hair color is black, deep coffee brown, medium ash brown, dishwater blonde, salt and pepper, white
- Your skin tone is, dark brown, brown with pink undertones, olive as most Asians and Latinos, medium with no color in cheeks or pink cheeks, medium with golden undertones, pale with no color in cheeks or pink undertones or brown or bronze when you tan.
- Your veins on your inner wrist are blue
You are a WARM tone if:
- Your eyes are — golden brown, green, green blue or turquoise, hazel with gold or brown flecks
- Your natural hair color is — deep brown with gold or red high lights, medium golden brown, auburn, red, strawberry blond, golden blond, gray with a yellow cast
- Your skin tone is — brown with golden undertones, pale with peach or gold undertones, freckled, ruddy or golden brown when you tan.
- Your veins on your inner wrist are green
What if you cross over the lines and have both warm and cool traits?
The most basic principles of color theory applies when trying to find the right hair color and your skin tone. Take a look in your closet and see if you see a trend happening here. Using the color chart, what colors look best on you warm or cool? If you can’t be objective, ask a few friends whose opinions you value. It’s easier to evaluate what we like on others than on ourselves don’t you think?
Find the Right Hair Colors for your Skin Tone
Here are the basics for what hair colors will go well with your skin tone. But, I need to emphasize that all hair colors have different values, or how deep or light they can be formulated and that will also have a bearing if the hair color will be right for your skin tone.
Natural Cool Skin Tones Can Wear:
- Blacks
- Cool ash browns
- Cool blondes
- Whites
- Burgundies
- Unnatural colors like blue, orchid, fusias
Natural Cool Skin Tones Should Avoid:
- Gold
- Yellow
- Red
- Bronze tones
Natural Warm Skin Tones Can Wear:
- Deep Chocolate
- Rich golden browns
- Auburns
- Warm gold and red high lights
- Golden blond shades
- Natural looking coral, oranges and reds
Natural Warm Skin Tones Should Avoid:
- Jet Black
- Blue
- Violet
- White
If you want beautiful, multi-dimensional hair color like you see on the celebrities, you should leave it to the pros. Even if you are set on coloring your hair at home, it could benefit you to consult with a hair colorist first. They may or may not try to talk you into their chair, but they also can evaluate your hair and skin tone and give you direct hands-on advice.
Don’t miss our complete guide to hair coloring for more in-depth information.
Make sure you check out my other hair skin tone articles:
- Tips for Finding Your Best Hair Colors for Your Skin Tone
- What hair color skin tone?
- The Right Hair Colors for Your Skin Tone
- Best Hair Colors for Your Skin Tone
- How to Match Skin Tones and Hair Colors
- What Hair Color is Best for My Skin Tone?
Got a question, war story or comment about this topic? Click on the "Leave Your Comments" link at the very bottom of this article. Some of my best ideas for future articles come from reading reader comments. I'd love to hear from you!
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This post is in: Chart of Hair Colors, Hair Color, Hair Colors and Skin Tone, How Tos
April 1, 2010 By: Barb Quinn Hairstyle Blog Leave your comments (19), Your input matters.19 Comments »
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hi im wondering what colour skin tone i have iml. i have blue green eyes goldenish flecks, blue vanes, naturaly dark blonde/ light brown hair
Comment by julie — May 12, 2010 @ 9:37 pm
Julie,
Sounds like your skin tone is cool, eyes probably more cool than warm and hair may be cool or warm.
Check out some hair extensions (kiosks at the mall) or a beauty store, putting them next to your face and see what you prefer.
Or ask a stylist or make up artist who can see you face to face.
Comment by Barb Quinn — May 20, 2010 @ 1:28 pm
Just wondering, my eyes are green (like cat green). I can wear many colors. It is hard to tell my vein color because I am tan. My natural hair color is light brown but the sun gives it a golden cast which I hate. Can I wear beige blondes or platinum highlights??
Comment by Toni — May 21, 2010 @ 6:15 am
I feel a little torn… my natural hair color is a dark blonde, my eye color is green with a hint of blue, my veins are blue, i have fair skin with pinkish undertones. I feel i look best in clothes colored blue, green, gray, and white. I’m not really sure what my skin tone is.
I would like to dye my hair a lighter blonde, but will it look good?
Comment by Emilee — May 26, 2010 @ 4:47 pm
Emilee,
I think blondes look best with multi-tones throughout and include a darker base.
Why not try a few subtle lighter foils of blonde around the face and see how you like the color? You can always add more later.
Comment by Barb Quinn — May 27, 2010 @ 4:55 pm
I’m wanting to dye my hair a deep red color like red wine, kind of like Haley Williams from Paramore? But im not to sure if it would look good against my skin. I mean I want to look edgy but i don’t want to look “off.” My natural hair color is like a mousey blonde, i have darker blue eyes and my skin color is pale but a little tint of olive coloring, and my veins are green. I’m ok if i stand out with the color i just don’t want to be too washed out with it. Would it look good?
Comment by Kat — June 6, 2010 @ 5:56 pm
Kat,
Your skin tone sounds like it may be warm for such a cool deep red hair color, but your dark blue eyes are cool. Can’t say for sure without seeing you, but it would probably look edgy. I suggest you bring a trusted friend and try some hair swatches (ponytail add-ons) next to your face to see what you think.
Comment by Barb Quinn — June 10, 2010 @ 11:02 am
Hi, I am pretty confused about what skin tone I am. I can get REALLY tan, but I usually burn before I tan (at least at first). I am a natural brunette, medium to dark, but I get blondish highlights very easily (sometimes they are reddish). My veins are blue, though. I have never dyed my hair and I want to go blonde but I’m scared that I’m too dark for it. Then I see celebrities like Jessica Alba who have a darker complexion rocking blonde and it makes me hopeful. Should I chance it, and if so, what shades won’t look horrible with my skin tone??
Comment by Laura — June 27, 2010 @ 8:22 pm
Laura,
Good question. I answered your question in a post here;
http://www.hairstyle-blog.com/how-to-choose-the-right-hair-color.html
Comment by Barb Quinn — June 29, 2010 @ 11:24 am
i need advice on what colors i could possibly dye my hair. i have dark brown eyes and hair and my skin tone is medium.
Comment by ashley — August 21, 2010 @ 7:26 pm
hi,
what highlights will work?
I have cool skin tones yellow. My hair is dark brown and my eyes are hazel,green depends on what Im wearing. My veins are blue what will be best for my complexion
Comment by ann noble — December 3, 2010 @ 7:49 pm
hi . my skin color is a little white and i have green eye,my hair color is dark brown, what is the best hair color for me?
Comment by sepide — January 14, 2011 @ 9:59 am
Hi, im wondering what skin tone I am.
I have pale skin that burns in the sun and I rarely tan. I have a few freckles, with dark brown hair and very blue eyes. I would say I probably have pink undertones. I am wanting to dye my hair a dark ashy blonde, do you think this will suit me. Thank you for any help!
Comment by Claudia Rose — January 18, 2011 @ 11:19 am
Claudia,
Sounds like you fall into the ‘cool’ range. Why not start with dark ash blonde highlights just around the face to see what you think. It’s an easy way to try it out. Check out these other ideas on how to ‘test drive’ hair color; http://www.hairstyle-blog.com/find-the-right-hair-color-tips.html
Comment by Hairstyle Blog — January 19, 2011 @ 2:21 pm
Hey there! The article helped me a bit, however I have traits from both. I have hazel/green/gold and a little blue on the outside eyes. dark/grey ash eyebrows. Pale skin with pink undertone, bluish almost green veins, i was strawberry blonde as a child, now i have a little left, with gold & strawberry blonde and a little bit darker almost brown highlights all natural. freckles sometimes but not many.
Comment by EvaJael — February 13, 2011 @ 4:22 pm
I have very dark brown eyes and brown almost black hair. Im lattina so im sorta like really tan i tan within five minuts in the sun i do not burn at all ive never gotten a sunburn;i dont know if that has anything to do wih it.Its hard for me to tell my vien color but i think it is green.Friends say red clothes look good on me.So at that i think im warm but im still not so sure.Can u help me?
Comment by Nessa — December 4, 2011 @ 3:32 pm
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okay so my hair is a natural deep coffe brown and my skin town is olive so what color should i dye my hair i dyed the underneath burgundy before i liked it but, i cant see myself dying all my hair that color but, i want to do like a black/blue with like a hint of violet in it and i dont know if i could pull it off or not? what do i do?
Comment by Jean — January 25, 2012 @ 4:13 pm