Feeling like a change? Before quitting your job, leaving your marriage and selling all of your belongings, why don’t you consider a hair transformation instead? Whether it’s jumping from brunette to blonde or throwing a fringe into the mix, no matter how confident you might feel, we always recommend doing a little research before committing to any kind of change. Temporary or not.
So, before cracking open that blonde box dye, scroll down and consult our four tips to find out which hair colour will look good on you (and won’t make you have a breakdown in the car on the way home from the hairdressers). Don’t lie to yourself, we’ve all been there.
#1 Consider your undertones
Factoring in whether you’ve got warm, cool or neutral undertones will help determine which hair colour will best suit you. Cool-toned skin has blue and olive hues, whereas warmer-toned skin lends itself towards more gold and yellow tones. No idea where you sit? Take a peep at your wrists. If you can see predominantly green-hued veins, you’re warm. If things are looking blue or purple, you are most likely cool.
#2 Discover your celebrity lookalike
Do people in the office always tell you that you look like Jennifer Aniston? You might want to do a Google search and see which hair colours have worked best on your celeb doppelgänger. Locating someone with similar eye colour and features to you can be a good test when assessing what hair shades will best suit you.
#3 Try a virtual try-on tool
Want to try before you buy? Well, you can. Both Redken and L’Oreal Paris have introduced free virtual try-on tools. Upload an image of yourself and test out over 70 different hairstyles. From brunette to blue, play around and find out.
#4 Consult your hairdresser
Before you show up to your appointment with an image of Jessica Chastain and dive hair-first into a new colour, consult a professional (AKA your hairdresser). Ask questions and find out what kind of upkeep is required to keep this new ‘do looking fresh. And if you’re considering going platinum blonde, find out whether your hair is strong and healthy enough. Your hairdresser may suggest a gentler demi-dye. Though you might suit the colour, you mightn’t suit the admin that comes with it.
If you do take the plunge and decide your new colour isn’t quite right for you (we’ve all been there), don’t stress. A bottle of Colourless Max Condition ($28 at Big W) will be your saving grace. Your hair will be restored to its OG colour and feel healthier and shinier than ever after just one session with this keratin-infused hair colour remover.
Main image credit: @jessicachastain
What hair colours best suit you? How did you figure that out?
Speaking to your hairdresser is probably the best advice. I am sceptical of apps.
I think dark brown hair suits me the best which is also my natural colour.
I’ve had blonde hair before but I found it too hard to maintain. It always needed toning or a special shampoo or my regrowth always needed done.
Good on you -yes I would be the same -my hair grows fast
That is true, there would be so much maintenance.
It doesn’t seem to matter what colour I put in my hair, it always ends up with a copper/ginger undertone :/
Tell me about it -I find this a lot too
I used to dye my hair when I was younger but now I just cant’ be bothered with the maintenance that goes with it. I think my natural hair colour suits me
nice to be content with what you have
That is true, we should be content with our natural beauty.
Hmm well I know I cannot ever pull of red as a color because with my hair the color just bleeds out too much, it does not retain the pigment at all! My hair just winds up really faded & patchy after one wash =( I loved being blonde but it is so much maintenance, constant bleaching and lightening..or going orange haha!!!!
Have not dyed my hair in a while, I am leaving it natural light brownish blonde for a while
I must be neutral then. Not cool or warm. So can wear anything (but pink it seems)
I have never dyed my hair. Just never felt any other colour suited me other than brunette.
The virtual try-on tool sounds great to try.
I am cool so brown or auburn seem to be my best colours for hair
I usually figured it out after I dyed my hair, I just dyed over it if it looked bad.
My favourite hair colour is ash brown but at the moment I’m auburn/chestnut. I don’t suit blonde at all.
Or try wigs on!
Wow I just could not imagine myself with pink hair.
I have always had fair hair and have ever only put highlights in my hair.
I like the idea of those virtual try-on apps although I’ve never tried it myself
I’m happy with my shade from Clairol
Warm browns an reds work well for me. Blonde and dark hair makes me look washed out. But it doesn’t matter anymore as I’ve stopped colouring my hair.
Cool undertones for me
I live the Virtual try on tools, will give that a try
Born Ginger. Now going grey. Constantly trying to put the Ginger back in, but my wonderful hairdresser has talked me into Mahogany and blonde foils. She calls me her Mahogany Blonde. Loving it. Such a clever girl!
Blonde shades work best for me.
A virtual try on tool would be the best! There are some colours I would like to try but worried about how it would look
Some beautiful Colours for Summer coming with hair colour Thank goodness, that I don’t have to colour it again but I still use Platinum Blonde Toners sometimes to cut the brassiness down.
None for me thanks; still happy as I am
Timely article, I’m thinking about making a hair change.
A great read and I think dark brown suits me best.
I like the idea of a virtual try on. Especially as what suits you will change over time.
I like my natural hair, dark brown. I’d never try or go blonde or have highlights.. i dont think that will look good on my hair at all
I love having bright red hair, but it is so hard to maintain
It’s always been blonde for me
I tried virtual try on tools. But prefer to ask hair dresser before get the new look.
I’ll check out that try it on hair tool !
I usually like the light and dark brown of hair according to the condition and situation .
I normally go reddy brown colour just to give my hair some shine.
Always in doubt whether to change my hair colour or leave it natural. I’m afraid if I start, I will need to continue as I do not like the look of the colour growing out. Anyone feel similar?
Undertones are key! I dyed my hair bright blue once, & it suited my cool complexion.
I was blonde naturally when I was younger, I have it coloured blonde now but I would like to be a bit darker.
Mine was very blonde when I was younger and now quite a bit darker. Also showing signs of going grey.
Is that photo of J Lo in the pink hair or someone who looks like her?
Also if gold ‘brightens’ your skin better you’re more likely warm; cool is when silver suits better. Neutral is when both look great.
Cool tones here. I’m naturally dark brown, not too many greys yet. I do dye it burgundy as I love that colour.
The L’Oréal one leaves a lot to be desired. It was too pale/washed out. I don’t think it have a true indication of colour.
I worked out the hard way that I do not suit blonde hair. It looked awful on me.
Imagine going out with pink hair. One must be very comfortable in their own skin. I think it is lovely and wish I was brave enough.
I have highlights put in my hair, I don’t stray too far from my natural colour.