What is the Best Hair Color for You Based on Your Skin Tone?

Choosing a hair color is a little more complicated than looking at the hair coloring boxes and buying a hair color shade that looks pretty. If done correctly, the hair color that you choose will complement your skin tone. If you choose a hair color that doesn't go well with your natural coloring, the result could be skin and eyes that look drab and dull.

Skin tones fall into two general categories- warm or cool. The hair color shade that you choose should be based upon which category best describes your own skin.

People with warm skin tones usually have red or golden tones to their natural hair color. Hair color can range from bright red to a dark brown to blonde. Skin will have golden or peachy tones as well. Freckles usually indicate warm-toned skin. People with green eyes usually have a warm skin tone. Golden brown eyes or any eye color with golden flecks is also an indicator of warm skin coloring.

Very dark pure black or brown hair or blonde hair with no golden undertones, such as ash blondes, indicates cool coloring. Cool skin can range from very dark brown to pale. Cool skin tones often have pink undertones. Sometimes cool skin tones will appear almost colorless, or like porcelain. Olive skin is usually a cool tone. Very dark brown eyes or blue eyes with no hint of green or yellow usually indicate a cool skin coloring.

It is more difficult to determine skin tone correctly with blonde or brown hair. Again, look for the natural undertones. If there are natural golden highlights in your hair or a golden undertone to your skin, your skin tone is probably warm. If your skin appears pinkish or colorless, you are probably a cool skin tone.

If you're still uncertain of your natural coloring, look at the underside of your wrist. Veins that appear blue indicate a cool skin tone. If the veins look somewhat green, your skin is probably a warm tone.

After determining your true skin tone, then it is time to decide on the best hair color to flatter your natural coloring. It now becomes much easier to narrow down your hair coloring choices and be confident that you will look great.