Let’s be real—choosing a new hair color can be both exciting and terrifying. You want to glow, not look washed out. But with so many stunning shades out there, how do you know what hair color fits your skin tone? If you’ve ever found yourself Googling, “skin tone: what color should I dye my hair?“ or “what hair color best suits me?“—you’re in the right place.
This guide will help you understand how your skin tone (and undertone!) affects which hair colors will look best on you. Whether you’re dreaming of icy blonde, bold red, rich brunette, or trendy pastel, we’ll break down how to tell what hair colour suits you, what to avoid, and how to make your new look pop.
First Things First: Understanding Your Skin Tone
Before you pick a shade, you need to figure out your skin tone and undertone. These are not the same thing:
- Skin tone refers to the depth of your skin—fair, light, medium, tan, or deep.
- Undertone is the subtle hue underneath your skin—warm, cool, or neutral.
How to Tell What Hair Colour Suits You: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Check your veins.
Look at the veins on your wrist:
- Blue or purple veins = cool undertones
- Greenish veins = warm undertones
- A mix of both = neutral undertones
Step 2: Think about how your skin reacts to sun.
- Do you burn easily? You probably have cool undertones.
- Do you tan easily? You likely have warm undertones.
Step 3: Try the jewelry test.
- Gold jewelry pops? You’re warm.
- Silver jewelry looks better? You’re cool.
- Both look good? You’re likely neutral.
What Hair Color Fits My Skin Tone?
Now that you’ve figured out your skin tone and undertone, let’s talk color. Here are the most flattering hair dye options by undertone and skin depth.
Best Hair Color for Cool Skin Tones
If you’ve got cool undertones, think ash, icy, and blue-based shades.
Hair Dyes for Cool Skin Tones:
- Blondes: Ash blonde, platinum, champagne, icy blonde
- Browns: Cool brown, mocha, espresso
- Reds: Cherry, burgundy, auburn with blue undertones
- Fashion colors: Blue, purple, silver
Best Hair Colors for Warm Skin Tones
Warm skin tones look amazing in golden, copper, and red-based colors.
Hair Dyes for Warm Skin Tones:
- Blondes: Honey, caramel, butter blonde
- Browns: Chestnut, chocolate, golden brown
- Reds: Ginger, copper, warm auburn
- Fashion colors: Coral, orange-pink, peach
Best Hair Color for Neutral Skin Tones
Lucky you! Neutral undertones can pull off both cool and warm shades. Go crazy (responsibly).
Hair Dyes for Neutral Skin Tones:
- Soft balayage blends
- Mushroom brown
- Rose gold
- Neutral blonde
What Hair Colour Suits My Skin Tone: Real-Life Pairings
Let’s get into specific examples of what hair color fits me best based on your skin tone category.
Fair Skin With Cool Undertones
Try: Ash blonde, platinum, pastel lavender
Avoid: Warm reds, golden tones (can make your skin look blotchy)
Fair Skin With Warm Undertones
Try: Strawberry blonde, golden blonde, copper
Avoid: Ashy shades (they can wash you out)
Medium Skin With Cool Undertones
Try: Dark mocha, cool burgundy, ash brown
Avoid: Very light or warm blondes
Medium Skin With Warm Undertones
Try: Golden brown, honey blonde, warm auburn
Avoid: Jet black or blue-based reds
Olive Skin With Neutral Undertones
Try: Rich brunette, espresso, caramel highlights
Avoid: Very light blondes (unless you tone them down)
Dark Skin With Cool Undertones
Try: Jet black, blue-black, cool burgundy
Avoid: Light warm blondes
Dark Skin With Warm Undertones
Try: Chestnut, golden brown, warm red
Avoid: Overly cool tones (like silver or ash)
Still Not Sure? Use These Tools
If you’re still wondering how do I know what hair colour suits me, here are some helpful tools:
1. Cool Hair Colors for Your Skin Tone Chart
Print or screenshot a skin tone color chart to compare side-by-side with your selfies. Many charts are available on Pinterest or beauty blogs.
2. Virtual Hair Color Try-On Apps
- YouCam Makeup (free)
- Style My Hair by L’Oréal
- Hair Color Changer (Android)
These let you test dozens of shades using your phone camera before making the jump.
3. Talk to a Colorist
They’ll help you determine what hair color will suit me in real life—not just what looks good in a filter.
Don’t Forget Maintenance
Once you’ve figured out what hair color fits me best, think about upkeep. High-contrast colors like platinum blonde or cherry red require toning and frequent touch-ups. If you want a lower-maintenance look, go for:
- Balayage
- Root smudge
- Semi-permanent tints
And always use color-safe shampoo and deep conditioners!
Final Thoughts: What Hair Color Will Suit Me?
Finding your perfect hair color isn’t just about following rules—it’s about enhancing your beauty and expressing your personality. When you ask, “what hair color suits me?” or “how to tell what hair colour suits you,” the answer lies in understanding your undertones and picking a shade that balances or enhances them.
Whether you’re after a subtle change or a bold transformation, trust your instincts, test it out with a virtual app, and most of all—have fun with it. Because hair grows back, but confidence in your look? That’s worth everything.
