A complete guide to help you choose hair color based on skin tone (with tips from a colorimeter)

Regardless of trends and fashion, there are certain colors that, due to our natural hues, favor us more than others. Therefore, in the universe of colorimetry there are hair colors that are ideal for highlighting our strengths and disguising any imperfections.

Yaneli García is a Make up, Nail and Hair Artist with 16 years of professional experience in hair imaging and colorimetry, formed by Wella Professional and L’Oreal Professionel. With her help, we will define the perfect color for her case.

exclusively for the awesome.club, Yaneli helped us put together a comprehensive guide for you to find the ideal hair color based on your skin tone. Remember that this is just a guideline: your tastes and interests are critical to the final decision.

Image professionals usually adopt the same scale used by colorimetry to, based on warm or cold tones, indicate the best options for look for your customers. The scale is used to find the colors that favor us in relation to clothes, makeup or, of course, hair color. To detect which group you belong to, there are some quick tests:

The color that fits best
Choose one pink and one yellow piece, place each one under your chin, against the light, and see which one looks best. The wrong piece will highlight your imperfections, while the correct one will brighten your face.
pink = cold tone
Yellow = warm tone Accessories that fit best
The same goes for gold and silver accessories: put both on and see which one suits your face best.
Silver = Cold tone
Gold = Warm tone the color of your veins
Look at the veins on your wrist and identify if it has predominant shades of blue, purple or green.
Purple/Blue = Cool tone
Greens = Warm tone

It is worth mentioning that there is also the neutral tone, which mixes characteristics of the cold and warm tones.

Let’s try to classify skin tones into just three types: light, medium and dark. Frame your tone according to the table above. This is, of course, a range of dark tones, but if your skin is a different shade, it’s still possible to make an assessment. Try to identify which pattern is closest to your skin.

Once your skin tone and undertone have been identified, it’s time to match your eye color to then find the best shade for your hair in each situation.

Light or medium tone + warm undertone + light eyes (blue, brown, green or with slightly golden accents) = spring

Yes: Brown (medium), golden or reddish. You can also try the chocolate shades. No: Avoid shades of gray and darker colors.

Light or medium tone + cool undertone + light eyes (with bluish, greenish or gray tones) = summer

Yes: Blondes, browns or shades a little lighter and gray colors as long as they guarantee an illuminated look. Silver or blonde/platinum highlights add light to the hair, as do dark ones (two shades up). No: The ash-blonde, by itself, can leave your locks “erased”. If you choose this tone, you need to think of something that illuminates. Avoid auburn colors, copper tones and golden blonde hues, as they can create a more aged look.

Light or medium tone + warm undertone + honey-colored eyes, in turquoise, green or dark tones (black or brown) = autumn

Yes: Bet on golden, brown, blonde or copper tones, as well as chocolate, reddish and light brown tones. You can opt for a color that can be accentuated with auburn tones or just reddish. No: Avoid ash-blonde, which doesn’t help at all when it comes to brightening your face.

Dark, medium or light tone + cool undertone + very dark (black, brown or gray) or very light (blue or green) eyes = winter

Yes: Dark colors such as black, bluish black, brown and medium brown. These tones can be enhanced with the help of colors such as bright blue-black. Also bet on reflections with shades of purple or copper and ash-blonde. No: Blondes and very light browns and golds can dull your skin’s glow. The reddish ones, on the other hand, can age or make those women with cheeks that are already rosy even redder.

What season do your natural colors belong to? Do they look like someone famous? What hair color would you like to try? Comment!