Different skin tones and undertones have hair colors that can enhance or diminish their features. To assist with this, we conducted research and consulted with hairstylists who provided insight into the process of identifying your main skin tone and undertones, as well as suggesting which hair colors to avoid and experiment with during the winter season. We checked in with Jamie Wiley, celebrity hairstylist and hair expert, for tips and suggestions.
First Off, How To Find Your Main Tone And Undertones
When choosing a hair color, Wiley explains that “considering your undertone is important because it will either “compliment or clash with your skin tone.”
The tone will complement the underlying pigment in the skin, she adds, and there are three types of underlying pigments in the skin “warm, cool, and neutral.” Warm underlying pigment undertones, she notes, are “peach, yellow, and golden.”
The cool underlying pigments are “pink and blue hues.” Neutral undertones have the “best of both worlds,” she points out, and “don’t need to avoid anything.”
To find your undertones, Wiley advises to “look at your wrist and see what color your veins are,” as they are either warm (which would mean green), cool (blue or purple) or neutral (mixture). With that said, Wiley helps provide a go-to list of ideal hair colors for the following common tones and undertones:
Hair Colors To Try (And Avoid) For Each Skin Tone And Undertone This Winter
For Warm Tones:
@silvestrihair Replying to @kougarton what’s the difference between warm and cool hair? Warm hair has undertones of red, yellow, and orange Where, as cool hair has undertones of blue, violet, green It’s important to understand the difference. Sometimes, I have clients that say I want warm hair - and they refer to an ash brown color in this situation, if I do not look at photos, she would not get the hair color that she’s looking for #brownbalayage #ashyhair #torontohairstylist #haircolorist ♬ original sound - Michael Silvestri
1. Light Skin With Warm Undertones:
Light skin with warm undertones works well with “light earth tones like buttery blonde, light brown, and warm strawberry blonde,” Wiley says.
2. Medium skin with Warm undertones:
Medium and olive skin tones with warm undertones work great with “honey blonde, chocolate brown and copper.” If you’re searching for a subtle change with a lot of impact, Wiley notes that a soft caramel highlight on dark brown hair can add brightness to medium skin. “They complement the tone and underlining pigment in the skin,” she says, and it’s a good idea to “avoid ‘cool’ hair colors as they will clash with their warm undertones.”
3. Dark skin with Warm undertones:
Going for a copper look will be “more natural against darker skin tones” and will give a beautiful reflective red tone without “being too much,” Wiley shares. Caramel brown “compliments dark complexions by bringing out the glow of the skin,” she adds.
@raymanhair Cool blondes like beige or ashy blonde hues can complement warm skin tones. #haircolor #hairstylist #haircolorchange #blondehair #hairtipsandtricks #haireducation #haireducator #hairvideos #caramelhair #honeyhair #hairtutorial #behindthechair ♬ Goo Goo Muck - The Cramps
General Pro Tip: For Warm Undertones — Skip Very Golden Shades
In a 2023 interview with Byrdie, hairstylist, colorist, and Matrix brand ambassador George Papanikolas told the outlet that warm undertoned ladies should generally avoid very golden shades. "If you have warm undertones, you should avoid hair color shades that are too warm or golden," Papanikolas told the publication. "Instead, look for cool, blue-toned, or ashy shades that balance out your skin's natural warmth."
@honeycomb.hair.bozeman Cool Toned babes 🤍 #coolskintone #tonetip #besthaircolors ♬ original sound - Honeycomb Studio Bozeman MT
For Cool Tones:
1. Light skin with Cool undertones:
If your skin is fair with cool undertones, an “icy platinum blonde or a soft dimensional cool blonde will flatter your porcelain complexion,” she adds. Ash tones work well here, but it’s best to “avoid warm blonde shades like gold or caramel,” she continues, since they can add a pink tinge to the skin, “making you appear pinker.
2. Medium skin with Cool undertones:
Cream blonde balayage, blonde and chestnut hair colors “all flatter the medium skin and cool undertones,” Wiley says, and “these beautiful tones play off the cooler, softer side” of the undertone avoid any clashing in colors. In addition, she notes to again “avoid ‘warm’ hair colors as they will clash with their cool undertones.”
3. Dark skin with Cool undertones:
Ashy blondes are a “beautiful option for darker skin tones.” The blue will offset the natural underlying pigment of red, she says, “creating a neutral creamy blonde.”
@megdiem Follow to learn more about Winters! #winter #wintercolorpalette #winterseason #wintercolors #winterfashion #coloranalysis #colorseasons #wintercolor ♬ original sound - <3
General Pro Tip: For Cool Undertones — Skip Cool Or Ashy Shades
"If you have cool undertones, you should avoid hair color shades that are too cool or ashy," Papanikolas told Byrdie. "These shades can make your skin look dull and washed out. Instead, look for warm, golden, or reddish tones that complement your skin's and help give it some natural warmth."
@mehreemakeup Replying to @Satya best dark brunette hair colors for neutral skin undertones Remember neutral can play around with both but depends which tones and seasons you want to pull 1. Neutral-cool: mushroom, ash brown, black 2. Neutral-warm: chocolate brown, mahogony, eggplant red (for olive) Make sure you check my undertones playlist to learn how to find yours and more! #besthaircolorchallenge #coolskinundertone #coolskinhaircolor #warmskinhaircolor #neutralskintone #neutralskinundertone #coolskinundertone #neutralcoolblonde #neutralcoolundertone #neutralwarmundertone #greenscreen ♬ original sound - Mehreemakeup
For Neutral Tones:
1. Light skin with neutral undertones:
Those with a neutral skin tone can carry off either warm or cool colors like “ash, gold, reds, coppers, etc.”
2. Medium skin with Neutral undertones:
Wiley dubs “medium brown” to be the “perfect tone” for medium skin and neutral undertones. “It’s flattering on all skin tones and all undertones,” she adds, “I recommend adding dimension for that extra pop of depth.”
3. Dark skin with Neutral undertones:
Medium to dark brown is the “perfect tone for dark complexions,” Wiley says. It’s flattering on all skin tones and all undertones, she continues. “I recommend adding dimension for that extra pop of depth.”
@mehreemakeup Replying to @spoooky my fave blondes for neutral skin Generally, regardless of your skin undertone a beige is beutiful for neutrals! Now it depends which tones & seasons you want to pull and matched you best 1. Neutral-cool: beige with cool ash blondes/platinums 2. Neutral-warm: honey blondes,strawberry blondes, warm blondes 3. Neutral- olive: platinum, high contrast, beige with icy blondes, purple/lilac overtones Neutrals are a lot more leneient and can play around! Should I make a video on best brunettes or reds for neutrals? LMK! #oliveskintone #besthairforoliveskin #oliveskinhaircolor #besthaircolorforoliveskin #neutralskintone #neutralskinundertone #neutralskinhair #besthairwarmskin #warmskintonehair #colorsforneutralskin #colorsforwarmskin #colorsforoliveskin #colorsforcoolskin #oliveskinhaircolor #neutralskinhaircolor #coolskinhaircolor #warmskinhaircolor ♬ original sound - Mehreemakeup
General Pro Tip: For Neutral Undertones — Most Shades Will Be Flattering (Lucky You!)
According to Papanikolas, individuals with neutral skin tones enjoy the advantage of most shades complementing their complexion due to their position in the middle of the spectrum. Nevertheless, it is recommended to examine pictures of people with comparable undertones who have already donned your preferred shade to ensure your satisfaction with the appearance.
The Bottom Line
If you're ever feeling stuck when trying to find your tone and undertones, Wiley says being clear about this with your stylist (and telling them that you want a cut that will highlight and flatter your skin), is best.
"Have a thorough consultation with your hairstylist and based on professional recommendations, choose the color based on underlying pigment and how much depth you would like as well," she recommends. In addition, bringing reference photos with you to your appointment will give your stylist a better idea of what you're aiming for.
