Ever fallen in love with someone else's Hair Colour or saved a Hair Colour inspiration photo, rushed to recreate it… and then stared in the mirror, wondering where the magic went? Same Colour. Different outcome. Enter the disappointment spiral.
Before blaming the dye, the developer, or even your own Hairdressing skills… you might want to consider a deeper culprit. Yes, we’re looking at you, genetics. Thanks, mum and dad.
Because here’s the quietly powerful truth: not every Hair Colour is designed to harmonise with every skin tone.
The good news? Once you understand your skin Undertones (Warm, Cool, or Neutral), choosing your perfect Hair Colour becomes less guesswork and more glow-up science. Let’s break it down simply, clearly, and in a way that actually helps you shop smarter for your next Hair Colour.
First: What Are Skin Undertones?
Your Undertone is the subtle, underlying tone beneath your skin’s surface. It does not change with tanning or seasons, and it plays a key role in determining which Hair Colours will naturally flatter you.
There are three main Undertone types:
Warm Undertones
Cool Undertones
Neutral Undertones
A quick way to check:
Look at the veins on your wrist.
Green or olive veins → Warm Undertones
Blue or purple veins → Cool Undertones
A mix of both → Neutral Undertones
Or try using clothing.
If butter yellows, oranges, and earthy tones lift your complexion → Warm.
If icy blues, burgundy, or crisp tones suit you more → Cool.
If you wear almost everything well → Neutral.
Warm Skin Undertones
Warm Undertones thrive in richness, Warmth, and dimension. Think: golden hour captured in Hair form. Warm tones naturally enhance glow and bring softness and vitality to the face, as no bronzer could.
Characteristics:
Veins appear green or olive.
Skin has yellow, golden or peach tones.
Skin looks more yellow in sunlight.
Red, orange and Warm tones feel naturally flattering.
Best Hair Colours for Warm Undertones:
Warm Undertones love Colour with Gold, Copper and Caramel reflection. These Shades add radiance and depth.
Choose:
Golden Blondes
Strawberry Blonde
Copper and auburn tones
Bronzed and Warm brunettes
Rich reds
Avoid:
Ash tones
Silver-based Blondes
Cool, flat browns
These can wash out Warmth and make skin appear more red or uneven.
If you have Warm Undertones, choose these Blonde Shades:
9.3 Light Golden Blonde, >Boss Blonde, 7.3 Golden Blonde, Strawberry Blonde , Amber Blonde, Salted Caramel Blonde, Toasted Almond Blonde, 7.53 Chocolate Blonde
If you have Warm Undertones, choose these Brunette Shades:
Honey Brunette, 5.3 Golden Brown, 5.53 Chocolate Brunette, Milk Chocolate, Chestnut Brunette
Warm Undertones love Hair that feels sun-kissed, glossy, and multi-dimensional rather than flat or Ashy.
Cool Skin Undertones
Cool Undertones shine in clarity, contrast, and Cooler pigment families. These Shades enhance a fresh, bright complexion and show off their qualities, pinkish hues and dewy skin.
Characteristics:
Veins appear blue or purple.
Skin has a pinkish hue.
Skin appears more blue-based in sunlight.
Blue tones in clothing feel most flattering.
Best Hair Colours for Cool Undertones:
Cool Undertones are enhanced by Ashy, creamy, and Cool-toned Shades that refine rather than Warm the complexion.
Choose:
Ash Blonde tones
Cool Natural Browns
Burgundy and Violet tones
Mahogany Shades
Blue-Black
Avoid:
Golden Blondes
Copper and auburn tones
Warm caramel or bronzed browns
These can introduce unwanted Warmth and dull the natural clarity of the skin.
If you have Cool Undertones, choose these Blonde Shades:
901 Extra Light Ash Blonde, 902 Extra Light Beige Blonde, 908 Extra Light Silver Blonde, 10.2 Very Light Beige Blonde, 9.1 Light Ash Blonde, Old Money Beige Blonde, Teddy Blonde, 8.2 Light Beige Blonde, Mushroom Blonde, 7.1 Ash Blonde, Parisian Blonde, Dark Ash Blonde, Intense Dark Ash Blonde
If you have Cool Undertones, choose these Brunette Shades:
1.10 Blue Black, 5.11 Intense Ash Brown,
5.52 Deep Chocolate Plum, 6.22 Intense Violet, 6.5 Pure Plum
Cool Undertones look best when Hair feels sleek, polished, and softly Cool rather than golden or Warm.
Neutral Skin Undertones
Neutral Undertones are the chameleons of the Hair Colour world. You can sit comfortably between Warm and Cool palettes, which opens up a wide range of Colour options.
Characteristics:
Veins appear blue, green or purple.
Skin can appear Warm or Cool depending on lighting.
You suit a wide range of Colours (yellow, blue, pink, earthy tones).
Best Hair Colours for Neutral Undertones:
Neutral Undertones are versatile but tend to look best in balanced, natural-looking Shades rather than extreme Warm or icy tones.
Choose:
Natural Browns
Soft blended Blondes
Mixed-tone Colour Cocktail Shades
Beige-based tones
Soft caramel and muted Ash blends
Avoid (if anything):
Extremely intense pigments (very strong copper or violet)
Overly harsh or artificial-looking tones
Instead, lean into softer blends like peachy Blondes or muted Violet Browns if experimenting.
If you have Neutral Undertones, choose these Blonde Shades:
6 Dark Blonde, 7 Medium Blonde, 8 Light Blonde, 9 Very Light Blonde
If you have Neutral Undertones, choose these Brunette Shades:
3 Dark Brown, 5 Light Brown, 5.52 Deep Chocolate Plum, Natural Brunette
Neutral Undertones are perfect for seasonal switching: Warmer tones in winter, Cooler Ashier tones in summer.
