When it comes down to it, at the heart of beauty is skin tone. It affects almost every makeup, hair and even wardrobe decision we make, whether it’s choosing a foundation, an outfit, and a shade of hair color.
Hair Choice 101
Since your hair color will always have to go with your skin tone, it’s important to match your locks with your face. That said, it is almost never a good idea to try to get the same color in your hair that you have in your skin. People who try that tend to look washed out. Instead, use your skin tone to determine what complimentary color will draw eyes to you. You want a hair color that will make your natural beauty stand out while reducing or eliminating the look of flaws.
Skin Tone 101
Skin is normally classified as warm, or cool. Not sure what yours is? No problem. Start with your eyes. Extremely dark and extremely light eyes both indicate a cool skin tone. If you have deep browns, blacks, or baby blues paired with pale or medium skin, very dark brown skin, or olive skin, you’re skin tone is cool. Green, light brown, and hazel eyes generally indicate a warm skin tone. You may have pale skin, but you’ll also have peach or gold undertones. You could also have brown skin with caramel undertones, or be freckled.
Still not sure? Check the veins on your wrist. A green tint indicates warm skin, and blue means cool skin.
Cool Skin
With cool skin, you likely have little color variation throughout your skin, but where there is color, it looks a little too red. Rather than lathering on makeup to bring color in, style your hair with intense shades of red, blonde, or brown. The colors will draw focus to your eyes, and help hide any redness that may pop up. You can also add some light highlights like wheat or taupe to contrast with the base and bring a little more color out of your skin.
Warm Skin
If you have warm skin, the wrong hair color can make your skin look a bit yellow and end up seeming drab and lifeless. The right hair color for you is a rich, deep base like chestnut or dark golden brown. The richness makes your complexion look even and adds a sultry appeal. The deep color will add even more to your look with the addition of red, cinnamon, or copper highlights.
Bottom Line
Rules are meant to be broken. The color you’ve always wanted but maybe thought you couldn’t pull off could be within your reach. Looking at photos of yourself as a child is a great starting point for finding a flattering hair color—that and playing around with different colors of fabric against your skin. Have fun with it!
Adjust your makeup and accessories when you change your hair color. You’ve got to play with them, and really wear the new color, otherwise it will wear you. You can’t be self-conscious, or it will look like something’s wrong.
Whether you’ve found your perfect shade or you need more expert help, take advantage Health and Style Institute’s incredible talent and fantastic deals. January’s special: Get a free haircut and flat iron with any full-priced color service. Good through 1/31/16. Call today to schedule at either of our two locations!
