How to choose the best hair colour for your skin tone

The right hair colour brightens your face. The wrong one can make skin look dull. Start with your undertone, then decide how much change and maintenance you want.

Find your undertone first

  • Warm undertone: veins look greenish and gold jewellery suits you. Try caramel, honey brown, copper and golden brown.
  • Cool undertone: veins look bluish and silver suits you. Try burgundy, plum, ash brown and dark chocolate.
  • Neutral undertone: both suit you. Mocha, chestnut and soft brown highlights work well.

B4GLOW reads your skin tone from a selfie and suggests hair colours that suit you. Free, and photos stay on your phone.

Global colour, highlights or balayage?

  • Global colour: one colour all over. Bold change, needs root touch-ups every 4 to 6 weeks.
  • Highlights: thin streaks lighter than your base. Adds dimension.
  • Balayage: hand-painted, soft and natural, grows out gracefully. Lower upkeep.
  • Grey coverage: a shade close to your natural colour looks the most natural as roots grow.

Going 1 to 2 shades lighter than your natural colour is the safest first step for dark Indian hair. Bigger jumps usually need bleach.

Make your colour last

  1. Do a patch test: Test the colour behind your ear 48 hours before. Hair dyes can cause allergic reactions.
  2. Wait before the first wash: Give colour 48 to 72 hours to settle.
  3. Use colour-safe shampoo: Sulphate-free products and cool water keep colour from fading.
  4. Deep condition weekly: Coloured hair, especially bleached hair, needs extra moisture.
  5. Protect from sun and heat: Use a heat protectant and cover hair in strong sun.

Frequently asked questions

Which hair colour suits dusky skin?

Warm shades like caramel, honey brown, copper and burgundy look great on dusky and deep skin tones.

Do highlights need bleach?

On dark Indian hair, visible highlights usually need some lightening. Ask your artist for bond-protecting products.

How often should I colour my hair?

Root touch-ups every 4 to 6 weeks for global colour, and every 3 to 4 months for balayage.

Can I colour my hair after keratin?

Wait about 2 weeks. Colouring before keratin is usually preferred, so ask your artist to plan the order.