Cooper Delivered · Hair Lab · Hairdresser Guide
How to Choose the Right Hair Colour: A Hairdresser’s Guide to Skin Tone & Undertones
Welcome back to my chair. Spin around — today we’re stepping into the colour bar.
If you’ve ever wondered how to choose the right hair colour, this is where it starts. Not with trends. Not with what’s “in”. But with you.
The right hair colour doesn’t change your face — it enhances it. It lifts your skin, brightens your eyes, and brings everything into balance.
This is where hairdressing becomes both science… and a little bit of magic.
The right hair colour enhances your natural features — not hides them.
Why choosing the right hair colour matters
Choosing the right hair colour is not about copying someone else. It’s about understanding your own skin tone, undertones, and natural features.
The wrong shade can make your skin look dull or washed out. The right shade makes everything feel brighter, softer, and more balanced — often without needing anything else.
Step 1: Understand your skin undertone
The first step in how to choose the right hair colour is knowing your undertone.
Warm undertones
Yellow, golden, or peach tones in the skin.
Best colours: honey blonde, golden brown, copper, warm red
Cool undertones
Pink, red, or bluish tones in the skin.
Best colours: ash blonde, cool brown, espresso, icy tones
Neutral undertones
A mix of both warm and cool.
Best colours: most shades — this is where you can experiment more freely
Step 2: Use your eyes to guide your colour
Your eye colour plays a bigger role than most people realise when choosing the right hair colour.
- Blue and green eyes → warm tones like copper or golden blonde make them pop
- Brown and hazel eyes → deeper tones like espresso, chocolate, or auburn enhance richness
Step 3: Balance, not contrast
Good colour isn’t about going lighter or darker — it’s about balance.
When your hair colour matches your undertones, everything feels more effortless. When it fights your undertones, it feels off — even if you can’t explain why.
Hairdresser trick: gold vs silver test
If you’re unsure how to choose the right hair colour, try this:
- Gold jewellery suits you → likely warm undertones
- Silver jewellery suits you → likely cool undertones
- Both work → neutral
Natural and lower-impact colour options
If you’re looking for more low-tox or sustainable options, there are alternatives to traditional colouring.
- Henna for natural red and copper tones
- Chamomile for gentle brightening
- Hibiscus for subtle red tones
- Low-commitment colour masks
From my chair to you
The biggest mistake I see is people chasing trends instead of understanding themselves.
When you know how to choose the right hair colour, everything becomes easier. Your hair works with you, not against you.
And that’s where confidence comes from — not the colour itself, but how it feels on you.
Quick guide to choosing the right hair colour
- Identify your undertone
- Consider your eye colour
- Aim for harmony, not trends
- Start subtle if unsure
FAQ: Choosing the right hair colour
How do I know what hair colour suits me?
Look at your skin undertone, eye colour, and natural hair depth. These give the clearest direction.
What is the best hair colour for my skin tone?
Warm skin tones suit warm colours, cool skin tones suit cool colours, and neutral tones can suit most shades.
Can I wear any hair colour?
Yes — but some shades will enhance your features more naturally than others.
Find your colour
Want more personalised guidance? Explore the Hair Lab or dive into more education inside the Cooper Journal.