Hair Color Guide: What Color Works Best For You? 5 Tips

Looking for the ultimate hair color guide? In this article, we will share everything you need to know so you can learn how to choose the right hair color.

What's most important to remember when going for a new color is to choose the one you feel the most confident in!

Trying a new color can be intimidating, but we've done the research to show you how to choose hair colors that will flatter you most.

So, without further ado, let's get right into our hair color guide:

How do I know what hair color works best for me?

If you are here for the short answer, here it is:

To find the right hair color, consider your skin tone and eye color. Cool skin tones often suit ash blondes, cool browns, or jet black. Warm skin tones are enhanced by golden, caramel, or copper hues.

For a natural look, stay within two shades of your current color. But most importantly, it is always best to experiment so you can find the right hair color for you.

Hair Color Guide: 5 Tips on How to Choose Hair Color

When it comes to determining what color works best for you, it is important to consider a few different factors which we are going to detail in our hair color guide:

1. Your eye color plays a huge part

Did you know that the color of your eyes plays a huge part in finding the most suitable hair color for you? 

Are you someone who has light colored eyes? For instance, those with icy blue eyes could toy around with the idea of going dark brown, because the contrast of dark hair with light eyes will be nothing short of mesmerizing.

Therefore, the opposite is true for those with darker eye color. If you have deep brown eyes, playing with blonde, or lighter shades will also give you a nice contrast, even if those colors are just used as highlights.

 

But let's dive a little bit deeper:

• Blue eyes - if you have blue eyes, you may benefit from the striking contrast they create with darker hair colors - for example, rich brunettes or deep blacks. On the other hand, warm tones like golden blonde or light caramel can also highlight the coolness of blue eyes.
• Green eyes - red tones, including copper and auburn, are particularly beautiful with green eyes, as they enhance their vibrancy and make the color pop even more. You can try earthy tones like warm browns, which can also intensify green eyes. 
• Brown eyes - they are extremely versatile, which means that they can be accentuated with a wide range of hair colors. Some beautiful warm tones you can try include chestnut, caramel, or honey that can add depth to your eyes. On another hand, cooler shades like ash blonde or espresso can create an elegant contrast.
• Hazel eyes - hazel eyes often contain multiple colors and can look different depending on the hair color. Rich, warm colors like burgundy or mahogany can bring out the green in hazel eyes, while cooler shades like mocha or ash brown can emphasize the brown and gold tones.
• Grey or light colored eyes - light eyes, including grey, can be accentuated with cooler hair tones. Platinum blonde, ash brown, or even pastel shades can complement light eye colors.

2. Your skin tone also matters

In line with our hair color guide, we also have to mention skin tone - it matters when it comes to determining which hair color works best for you. Skin tones are usually categorized into 3 main categories:

• Cool skin tones
• Warm skin tones
• Neutral skin tones
• Olive skin tones

Cool skin tones

Cool skin tones usually mean that you have pink, red, or bluish undertones in your skin, which in turn means that you will look great in hair colors that also have cool undertones. 

Some awesome examples include ash blonde, black, and ash brown, as well as colors with blue or purple tints. As a general rule, you should avoid tones like gold, yellow, and red which may clash with the natural coolness of your skin. 

Warm skin tones

If you have a yellow, peachy, or golden undertone, you probably have a warm tone of your skin. This means that you are most likely going to find that hair colors with warm undertones look best on you. 

This includes rich golds, warm reds, honey blondes, and rich, warm browns. Cooler hair colors, like those with blue or violet bases, might not complement your skin as well.

Neutral skin tones

Neutral skin tones are the most versatile ones as they can pull off a wide range of hair colors. You might have a mix of both cool and warm undertones, or your skin might not have a noticeable undertone.

With a neutral skin tone, you can experiment with both cool and warm hair colors. The key is often to avoid extremes and choose shades that are more muted or balanced.

Olive skin tones

Olive skin tones are generally neutral but lean slightly towards warmth. They look great in hair colors that enhance their natural earthy undertones, such as dark browns, rich caramels, and auburn shades.

Extreme ash tones might make olive skin look dull, so they're usually best avoided.

How to determine your skin tone 

Just like when it comes to choosing the right foundation, knowing if you are warm or cool colored can change how you choose hair colors! The quickest way to tell if you have a warm or cool skin tone is by first asking yourself which jewelry color you think compliments you best.

Are you more of a silver gal or gold? If you lean towards silver, you're more than likely to be considered "cool," and those who prefer gold are "warm." Another test to try is by checking out your eyeshadow collection.

Do you prefer cool to warm tones on an everyday basis? For those that said they look their best in silver or cool tones, then hair shades like platinum or ashy blonde, and even espresso, if you want to stay dark, will look best on you!

For those that answered "warm," shades such as warm beige, honey blondes, or mocha, if you prefer a darker shade, will compliment you best!

3. Take your natural hair color into account

Another tip on our hair color guide is to take into account the natural color of your hair as it can determine what dyed hair colors will look the most flattering on you. 

For example, if your natural hair color is light blonde, you can experiment with various shades of blonde, as well as pastel colors. However, going much darker can create a harsh contrast, plus it may require more maintenance to avoid visible roots. 

On another hand, if you are a brunette by nature, you have a lot of versatility - you can either lighten your hair to a blonde without too much difficulty or darken it to a richer brown color. Warm highlights, like caramel or honey, can add depth and dimension to your hair.

Natural black hair provides a striking contrast with lighter colors, but bleaching to achieve such colors can be damaging. If you're looking for a change without extensive bleaching, you can consider subtle highlights or a semi-permanent color in a rich hue like dark purple or burgundy.

4. Consider your personal style and preferences

Of course, when it comes to the hair color that works best for you, don't underestimate the importance of your personal style and preferences. At the end of the day, it is essential to choose something that you like and feel confident in!

On top of everything else, hair color is also a form of self-expression. If you're outgoing and love attention, bright, unusual colors can be a fun way to show off your personality. If you're more reserved, you might prefer subtle hues or natural shades.

In addition, maintenance is also a key factor - some people love the process of having to do regular hair maintenance, while others are not happy (or simply don't have time) for frequent salon visits.

So, before choosing a color that works for you, do consider your desired level of maintenance - some colors are much more demanding than others.

5. Pay attention to your hair health

The last tip in our hair color guide is to pay close attention to the health of your hair. How healthy your hair significantly impacts how well the color takes, as well as how your hair looks and feels post-coloring.

Consider things like:

• Hair porosity - this refers to the ability of your hair to absorb and hold moisture, which also affects how it absorbs color. If you have highly porous hair, your color may be absorbed but also lost very quickly. Make sure to avoid damage caused by straightening or curling hair. 
• Existing damage - if your hair is already damaged, further chemical processing can exacerbate issues like dryness, breakage, and split ends. In such cases, it's advisable to avoid drastic coloring procedures like bleaching. 
• Hair texture - hair textures may vary between fine, medium, and coarse, and they also determine how your hair responds to hair color. For example, fine hair processes colors faster, but is also more prone to damage. Strong, coarse hair might resist color but can usually handle more intensive coloring processes.
• Conditioning and care - proper conditioning and a good hair care routine are essential when it comes to the health of your hair. Make sure to use a good conditioner and also do regular deep conditioning treatments - we highly recommend the NuMe Vegan Tourmaline Hair Care set. 
• Scalp health - having a healthy scalp is extremely important for overall hair health because it is the foundation for your hair. If you have scalp issues like dandruff, psoriasis, or sensitivity, some hair dyes might aggravate these conditions. To ensure good scalp health, we recommend the NuMe Hairology Scalp Serum.

What's the difference between lowlights and highlights?

Highlights are when you have pieces of hair that are dyed slightly lighter than your natural color that mix in with your hair, and lowlights are when you have slightly darker sections of hair that mix in with your natural color.

Depending on your original hair color, ask your hairdresser which one they think would look best on you. Having the right highlight or lowlight can create the illusion of more dimension in the hair, too!

Highlights and lowlights are a fun way of adding new colors to your hair, without having to deal with the damage that comes with dyeing all of it. If you're someone who doesn't like to make trips to the salon often, highlights are very low maintenance as well! 

FAQs about How to Choose Hair Color

What's the best hair color for my age?

The best hair color for your age depends more on your skin tone, eye color, and personal style than age itself. Natural, subtler shades often work well for a mature look, while vibrant, bold colors can be fun at any age.

Choose colors that make you feel confident and reflect your personality.

How can I prevent damage during hair color?

To prevent damage during hair coloring, use quality dyes and follow instructions carefully. Prioritize hair health with regular deep conditioning treatments. Minimize heat styling and avoid frequent coloring.

Consult a professional for major changes, especially when lightening hair.

Can I color my hair at home, or should I see a professional?

Coloring hair at home is feasible for simple changes, like covering grays or refreshing your natural color. However, for significant changes, bleaching, or complex techniques like highlights, it's safer and more effective to see a professional to ensure optimal results and minimize damage.

How long will my hair color last?

The longevity of hair color depends on the type of dye and your hair care routine. Semi-permanent colors last about 4-6 weeks, while permanent dyes can last 6-8 weeks or longer.

Using color-safe shampoos, avoiding frequent washing, and minimizing heat styling can help prolong the color.

Well, that's a wrap on our ultimate hair color guide! Feel free to tag us @NuMeHair with the looks you end up creating! Be sure to sign up for our NuMe Loyalty Program for sneak peeks of exclusive offers and announcements! Happy coloring