How to Pick a Hair Color

Last Updated: November 10, 2022 References

Whether you want to cover grays, or you're just bored of your old color, dying your hair is something that can change up how you look and feel. When dying your hair, there are often hundreds of colors to choose from, which can make the decision difficult. However, if you take your time, consider all your options, and pick a color that won't clash with your tone, you can narrow your decision and pick a color that will make you look fabulous.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Determining Which Color is Best

1
Determine what look you want to achieve. If your hair color drastically differs from your skin tone, it will give you a more dramatic look. If you want people to look at you and notice you, or you want to stand out in a crowd, consider going down this path. If you choose a hair color that compliments the tonality of your skin and eyes, you'll be able to achieve a more natural look. Think about the reasons why you want to dye your hair and choose a color that helps you achieve your goals.
- If you're tired of being overlooked or passed by in the bar or a club, having a drastic hair color may invite people to have conversations with you.
- The more drastic your dye differs from your natural hair color, the more likely it will look brassy or ashy.^{[1]
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- Colors that don't naturally occur in nature like pink, blue, green, or purple will make you stand out.
2
Determine how much time and money you want to spend. Certain hair colors will cost more for you and will be more expensive depending on your desired hair color. For instance, dark haired people that plan on going blonde must invest in monthly root touch-ups and quality sulfate free shampoos and conditioners to keep their hair looking healthy.^{[2]
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Research source} When considering your finances, think about how you want to get your hair dyed. You can either go to a professional salon which will cost more, or go to a department store and purchase a home dyeing package.
- Root touch-ups vary in cost depending on the salon or area that you are in and can range anywhere from $50 to $150.^{[3]
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- Call salons in your area and ask about prices for different services, as well as the frequency in which you'll need to maintain it.
- If you are on a budget, you can at home root touch-up kits for less than $35.^{[4]
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- If you can't afford the cost of the expensive monthly maintenance, consider getting highlights instead.
- You can also experiment or look into semi-permanent dye which may be cheaper.
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3
Decide if you want highlights, lowlights, or all-over color. Unlike all-over color, highlights are a process that lightens portions or strips of your hair but not all of it. Lowlights, on the other hand, are when the hairdresser darkens part of your hair. Highlights and lowlights are more subtle than all-over color and cost less in maintenance because only a portion of the hair needs to be re-dyed. Also, they cause less hair damage because only a portion of the hair is being bleached or dyed.^{[5]
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- The cost of getting highlights can be anywhere from $75 to over $300.
- While initial cost for highlights may be more expensive, touchup costs for highlights and lowlights end up being anywhere from 50%-70% less than all-over color.^{[6]
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4
Decide whether you want permanent or semi-permanent dye. Semi-permanent or temporary dye does not require you to bleach your hair and can be healthier than using permanent dye. However, exposure to the air and shampooing will fade the color quickly, and the dye typically only lasts for six weeks. Permanent dye uses the process of oxidation, which infuses the color into your hair for a longer period, but can also cause more damage to your hair than a temporary dye would.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.}^{[8]
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- If you are unsure of the color that you want, use a temporary dye first before committing to a permanent dye.
5
Seek a professional for advice. Talk to your hairdresser and ask for advice when seeking out a new hair color. Their experience will allow them to give you tips on what colors they think are right for you. They can also fill you in on the cost of getting the color done, as well as the cost of maintenance over time. If you regularly go to the same hairdresser, ask for their advice, as they already have a good idea of your hair type and its health.
- If you have damaged or broken hair, make sure to consult a professional before dying it yourself.
6
Match hair colors with a celebrity. A good way to choose a hair color is to copy a celebrity that you like. Make sure that you have similar skin tones or eye colors because the pigment can look vastly different on different people. If you find that a celebrity has the same eye color and skin tone as you, but their natural hair color is different, you can also try to dye your hair to their natural shade.
- Actress Sophie Turner from the show "Game of Thrones" dyed her hair from copper red to icy blonde. She has fair skin and light blue eyes.^{[9]
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7
Try on a wig with the same color you intend to dye your hair. Trying on a wig will give you a preview of how that hair color will look on you.^{[10]
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Research source} You can even wear the wig out with your friends to see how comfortable you feel with the new shade.
- Make sure to try to get the closest match to your intended hair dye so you have an accurate idea of how you will look in your new color.
- You can purchase wigs at beauty salons, wig stores, or online.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Matching Your Hair Color with Your Skin Tone

1
Look at the color of your jawline. Make sure to stand in natural light and wear white clothes when determining your skin tone. Colored clothing may reflect artificial light which can affect how you see your skin color. Use a mirror to determine the surface color of your skin. Surface color skin tones are fair, light, medium, or dark.
- Fair skin tones are light and burn easily.
- Light skin tones are also fair but have more beige and yellow undertones than fair skin.
- Medium skin tones are darker and have olive undertones and usually have green, warm brown, or hazel eyes.
- Dark skin tones are deep and rich. Those with dark skin tones typically have dark brown eyes.^{[11]
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- Your surface skin tone may change depending on the season or how much time you spend in the sun.^{[12]
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Determine your skin's undertone. Unlike surface skin tone, undertones remain constant regardless of skin conditions like rosacea and acne. To determine your undertone, look at the color of your veins in your wrist. If your veins appear blue or purple, you have a cool undertone. If they appear greener, then you are warm-toned. Neural toned people will have blue-green veins.
- Many people from African or Indian who have an easy time tanning have warm undertones.
- If you get red, flush easily, or burn when tanning, you most likely have a cool skin undertone.^{[13]
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Think about the color of your eyes. The color of your eyes also contributes to your overall tone. Those with golden brown, green, and blue eyes are normally warm-toned. Additionally, those with gold specs in their eyes commonly have warm undertones.^{[14]
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Research source} Those with black or deep, steel blue, or hazel with gray or blue flecks have cool undertones. Keep your eyes in mind when considering your hair color.^{[15]
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- Light blue or gray eyes look good with light blonde hair.^{[16]
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- Darker toned people look good in dark brown or mocha hair.
4
Pick a hair color that compliments your tone. If you aren't looking to make a fashion statement or have people notice you, then you may want to pick a color that compliments your tone. Doing this will allow your dye to look natural and attractive.
- Those with a cool tone look good in colors like wheat blond, walnut brown, tawny blond, golden caramel, or copper.
- Those with a medium tone look good in gold, honey, auburn, cinnamon, ebony brown or mocha.^{[17]
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- Chocolate brown, mahogany, toffee, or other warm and rich colors are best for people with darker complexion.

Community Q&A

Question

What about unnatural colors?

Community Answer

You can always get a free hair color changing app and test it out to see what you would look like.
Question

I have freckles but want a lavender or lighter shade of purple, like pastel color dye. My eyes are light brown, and my hair is reddish brown. Would the shade I want suit me?

Iworkout

Community Answer

Honestly, only doing about half or just the tips would look better than doing the whole thing.
Question

I have light skin with a cool undertone and blue-green-gray eyes. I want to dye my hair ebony black. Will it look good on me or will I look washed out?

Community Answer

If your skin isn't super tan and you have bright eyes, brown/black is a good color for you. But, if your eyes will clash with the color of your hair, it's a no go.