Hair colour tips for beginners: Here's your best guide on how to pick the perfect hair colour

Hair colours generally fall into warm, cool, or neutral categories, and matching them with your skin tone can make a significant difference in your overall appearance (Image: Canva)

Choosing the perfect hair colour can be a transformative experience, enhancing your natural beauty and boosting your confidence. However, with a myriad of options available, selecting the right shade can be daunting. Here’s a quick guide to help you navigate the process, ensuring you find the ideal colour that complements your features and suits your lifestyle:

Understanding your skin tone

One of the most crucial factors in choosing a hair colour is your skin tone. Hair colours generally fall into warm, cool, or neutral categories, and matching them with your skin tone can make a significant difference in your overall appearance.

Warm skin tones: If your skin has yellow, golden, or peachy undertones, you likely have a warm skin tone. Colours that complement warm tones include rich browns, golden blondes, and coppery reds. Think shades like honey blonde, caramel, and auburn, which add warmth and vibrancy to your complexion.

Cool skin tone: Cool skin tones usually have pink, red, or blue undertones. If this sounds like you, consider opting for ash blondes, cool browns, and jewel-toned shades like burgundy or platinum. These colours can enhance the natural coolness of your skin, providing a striking contrast.

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Neutral skin tone: Lucky enough to have neutral skin? This means you can experiment  with a wide range of colours. Neutral tones are balanced, allowing you to try both warm and cool shades. From golden blondes to rich brunettes and even bold colours like purple or blue, the possibilities are endless.

Considering your eye colour

Your eye colour can also play a pivotal role in determining the most flattering hair colour. Here are some suggestions based on common eye colours.

Blue eyes: Enhance blue eyes with cool shades like ash blonde, platinum, or icy browns. These colours can make your eyes pop and add depth to your overall look.

Green eyes: Warm hues like copper, caramel, and chestnut can beautifully compliment green eyes, adding warmth and making your eye colour stand out.

Brown eyes: Brown eyes are versatile and pair well with a variety of hair colours. Rich, warm tones like chocolate, mahogany, and auburn are excellent choices, but don't shy away from experimenting with cooler tones like mocha or ashy blondes.

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Hazel eyes: For those with hazel eyes, consider shades that highlight the multifaceted nature of your eye colour. Rich golds, warm browns, and even vibrant reds can enhance the natural mix of colours in your eyes.

Assessing your lifestyle and maintenance preferences

It's important to consider the maintenance required for your chosen hair colour. Some shades, particularly bold or lightened colours, require frequent touch-ups and specialised hair care routines. Here are some points to ponder:

Low-maintenance options: If you prefer a low-maintenance approach, consider shades close to your natural hair colour. Balayage or ombre techniques can offer a natural-looking, low-maintenance option that requires fewer touch-ups.

High-maintenance shades: Bold, vibrant colours or significant lightening (such as going blonde) often require regular salon visits and specific hair care products to maintain the colour and health of your hair.

Semi-permanent vs permanent: If you're uncertain about committing to a new colour, semi-permanent dyes can be a great way to experiment without long-term commitment. These dyes gradually fade over time, allowing you to try different shades.

Consulting with a professional

While it can be tempting to DIY your hair colour, consulting with a professional colourist can provide invaluable insights. A professional can assess your skin tone, eye colour, and hair type, recommending shades that will work best for you. They can also ensure the colouring process is done safely, minimising damage to your hair.

“One must always choose a shade keeping in mind the shade and texture of their virgin hair,” says Mallika Juneja, creative director at Looks Privé, Priya Highstreet in Delhi’s Basant Lok. “It is the job of a hair stylist to fulfil a customer's desire but it is also the stylist’s responsibility to help out by making them aware of the process involved so that an informed decision could be taken.”

If you're unsure about committing to a new hair colour, consider using temporary hair colour products. These include sprays, chalks, or temporary dyes that wash out after a few shampoos. This method allows you to experiment with different shades and find the one that best suits you without long-term consequences.