Before I start with any sort of professional perspective, I will say this: when it comes to artistic expression there are no rules. I find that matching your skin tone and hair color can take on an intuitive guidance solely because it feels right.
Of course there are things to consider, but don’t dismiss your own gut instinct (as well as the opinion of your closest girlfriends!) Hair color sometimes works simply because it works.
Selecting a hair color that will match your skin tone
Quick Selection Guide
Fair Complexion
There are many shades that look great if you have a fair complexion. Dark espresso browns with a cooler base can really flatter, as well as your warm reds. Fair skin will also look great with medium cool blondes and Nordic or champagne highlights. This complexion really does have a wide range of possibilities.
The main difficulties with pale skin occur when you stray too far into the extremes. If your hair is too dark or black, you may look gothic and menacing without the proper complement of make-up and fashion (unless, that’s the look you are going for!) If your hair is too light or platinum blonde, you can have a tendency to look washed-out (again, it can be ‘make-up to the rescue’ in this scenario).
Pink Complexion
Those with red or pink tones in their skin may want to stay away from the cooler red shades, as they can leave you looking flushed (and in extreme cases you can even end up looking like a human raspberry!).
This skin tone can benefit by sticking in the neutral ranges, but if you are feeling more daring go for a slightly brighter blonde and add a few highlights.
Tanned Complexion
Although tanned skin can look great; if you have yellow or gold tones in your skin you may want to avoid colors that have strong gold bases. These colors pull out the gold tones in your skin, which isn’t always flattering. Either add a touch of a copper to offset and complement your skin tone, or stick to a neutral shade.
Those with a more olive complexion can pull off the cooler reds and burgundies, and also seem to be flattered by darker shades and highlights of a “coffee-with-cream” or subtle caramel tone.
Dark Complexion
Those with dark complexions often have a hair fabric that has a tenacious adversary when it comes to lightening. It’s difficult to get through the brassy gold stages into the blonde shades without compromising the hairs integrity.
Lighter latte shades (that still have some depth) can flatter and colors with a flaxen golden hue bring out warmth in the skin. Reds in the darker levels can also add a richness to the skin, but trying to get the lighter reds require more chemicals and processes which will increase the fadage that reds have a tendency to bring.
Using make-up to match your skin tone to your new hair color
The one aid that the ladies have that may not work for the men is that once a new color is selected, a new palette of make-up can compensate for the tonal differences in the skin.
With any deviation from your natural color, or from a color you have worn for some time, you may want to make sure that you go straight from the salon to the make-up counter to address this issue. Remember that it’s not just the alluring eye shades that may need to be upgraded, but also your foundation! Gentlemen – you can grab a tube of self-tanner and hide it behind your mouthwash. No one will be the wiser.
Other things to consider…
As with any hair color change, doing your homework is essential for a striking outcome. Take the time to clip and save pictures of colors that you have in your sights. Ask your friends and loved ones as well as asking a professional and take all this information into consideration.
Also remember that makeup can give you the skin tone that nature didn’t. So hold back a few extra dollars for some new cosmetics after your color excursion. It is also a great excuse to go shopping for new clothes as well!
I think that the dark brunette look can work with fair skin. I did it for years and I think I pulled it off. I have dark eyebrows naturally, so I would match it up pretty well.
I think with confidence anyone can pull off good hair colors.
I agree. I was born with fair skin and black hair. I don’t get something about this cite. I got color analysis and they always say if you have warm tone skin go with warm tone hair etc. ALL the color analysis cites on here say that too.
Some people just cannot pull it off. I have pale skin and when my hair is darker people tell me to please change it. It ages me and makes me look harder. I think once you age it also changes.
I agree Molly, it is all about confidence!
Hope you enjoyed this article 🙂 are you thinking of changing your hair color?
Susie x
I would argue that those with pink and/or translucent complexions can look good with red hair. Warm colors like copper and light auburn look gorgeous with pink skin! I know because I have that combination naturally! A good celebrity example is Christina Hendricks. She’s a natural blonde with fair, pink skin. Bright, copper penny hair looks stunning on her!
Hey Readhead,
You are right there, there are some exceptional people who can pull of red hair with pink/translucent skin! Christina Hendricks is beautiful!
Susie x
I agree Redhead, some shades of red make pink skin glow.
I need a hair dying consultation.
I have got a flame red henna, but I want to get a pale copper hair color with pre-bleaching. So, what color should I mix to the flame red henna and how much % of each to get my desired result?
I am a rosy cheeked ivory gal and, contrary to your guide, I look really good in copper- or warm-shade red, anything warm. I look bad in burgundy or auburn, like I’m sunburned. I also look fab in stripped out ivory, beige blonde (i.e. platinum). I apparently have warm skin but do well with warm-based colors. Odd huh?
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Thank you for good article. It’s help me to choose best hair color
Hi I need help picking a hair color please! My sisters think I have neutral skin with pink undertones. I have hazel eyes (even though everyone thinks their brown until the sunlight hits them) and my natural hair is a dark mouse brown and Used to pick up blonde highlights in the sun. I died my hair blonde about 8 months ago and I don’t think it’s the right shade on me. It’s a darker blonde towards the bottom and a lighter blonde towards the top (I left in the foils too long when I did my roots and that’s why it’s lighter at the top). My eyebrows are light brown and I don’t know what the perfect color would be on me, please help me because I have a wedding in 2 weeks and have to do my hair by then cuz my roots are coming in.
ホワイトラグジュアリープレミアムは口コミの評価がかなり高いんですね。まさかここまでとは。
しかし、これだけ口コミで絶賛されていると、なにかと疑い深い私は本当の口コミなの？って思ってしまいます。。
口コミを見る限り効果を感じている人は多く、良い口コミが多く見つかります。それもそのはずで満足率が94パーセントとなっているのでそれだけ良い口コミを書く人も多いのですね。
今なら安心の保証があります。ホワイトラグジュアリープレミアムは3ヶ月間。
「しっかり使って効果を実感してほしい」って自信の表れだと思います。
私もホワイトラグジュアリープレミアムは本当にオススメです。
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That’s good to know that dark espresso browns go with lighter skin. I guess the shade makes an aesthetic contrast. I have red undertones; is there anything specific that should affect a color choice for me.
Hurrah, that’s what I was seeking for, what a stuff!
existing here at this weblog, thanks admin of this website.