When it comes to choosing the right brown hair color, determining your skin’s undertones is key. Cool undertones look best with ash and platinum browns that have a blue, violet, or silver base. Warm undertones are complemented by golden and caramel browns. Read on to learn more about how to find your undertones and what shades of brown will be most flattering.
What are undertones?
Your skin’s undertones refer to the tones that come through from underneath the surface of your skin. There are three main categories of undertones:
- Cool – blue, pink, red undertones
- Warm – yellow, peach, golden undertones
- Neutral – a mix of both cool and warm
Identifying your undertones will help guide you to choosing flattering makeup and hair colors that will work with, rather than against, your natural complexion. Cool undertones tend to look best in silvers and ashes, while warm undertones are complemented by golds and coppers. Neutral undertones are versatile and can wear both cool and warm shades.
How to determine your undertones
Here are some ways to help figure out whether you have cool, warm, or neutral undertones:
- Veins – Look at the veins on the inside of your wrist. Are they blue or purple? This indicates cool undertones. Greenish veins point to warm undertones. Hard to tell? You likely have neutral undertones.
- Jewelry – Does silver or white gold look better on you than yellow gold? Cool undertones tend to look better in silvery metals.
- Clothing – Do you look better in silver, gray and icy pastels? Or do earth tones like tan, olive and terracotta make your complexion glow? Cool undertones shine in cool hues and warm undertones in warm shades.
- Sunlight – Notice how your skin looks in natural sunlight. Cool skin tones may appear pinkish or ruddy, while warm undertones give a golden glow.
- Foundation – Does mixing yellow pigment into your foundation help it better match your skin? Yellow-based foundation is designed for warm undertones.
You can also consult with a color analysis specialist. They can drape different colors against your neck and face to see which shades make your complexion look its brightest and most radiant.
Best brown hair colors for cool undertones
If you have cool undertones, brown hair colors that have an ash, platinum, or icy base will be most flattering. Stay away from golden browns, as these warmer shades can make cool skin tones look sallow. Here are some of the best browns for cool undertones:
- Ash brown – A cool-toned light to medium brown with hints of gray, violet or green. Flatters fair to medium skin tones.
- Dark ash brown – A neutral deep brown with cool undertones. Looks gorgeous on darker complexions.
- Chestnut brown – A rich reddish-brown that adds warmth while keeping things cool with a subtle burgundy tint.
- Espresso brown – A nearly black, ash brown that looks striking on pale to olive skin.
- Chocolate brown – A dark cool brown that mimics the hue of dark chocolate. Suited for medium to tan skin.
- Platinum brown – A light, silvery brown with a cool, metallic sheen. Best for fair skin.
For a dramatic color change, go for an icy platinum or ash blonde. Keep roots darker for a stylish ombre look. Light golden browns can also work for those with neutral undertones. Stay away from orangey browns and brondes, which skew too warm.
When trying a new cool brown shade, opt for a semi-permanent or demi-permanent hair color. This will give you the flexibility to switch things up if the tone isn’t quite right. Pay attention to how the color pairs with your eye color and complexion. Your skin should never look washed out or sallow. A flattering brown will make your eyes pop and give that perfect hint of warmth to fair or ruddy skin.
Best brown hair colors for warm undertones
Those with warm undertones will look radiant in shades of brown that have a golden, caramel, or ginger base. Cool ash browns can make warm complexions appear dull and lifeless. Here are some beautiful warm brown hair colors to try:
- Golden brown – A light, sunkissed brown with bright golden highlights. Made for fair to medium warm skin.
- Honey brown – A medium, toasted brown reminiscent of honey. Flatters tan or olive complexions.
- Caramel brown – A rich, warm shade of brown like the inside of a caramel candy. Stunning on medium warm skin.
- Bronde – A gorgeous blend of brown and blonde. Try buttery bronde shades for a flattering glow.
- Auburn – A reddish brown bursting with warm, ginger undertones. Made for porcelain to fair warm skin.
- Cinnamon brown – A spicy reddish brown that mimics a cinnamon stick. Perfect for olive to dark warm complexions.
For warm undertones, golden blonde highlights can look beautiful and natural, giving hair a sun-kissed look. Stay away from platinum and ash blondes, which can wash warm skin out. Chestnut browns with red undertones are also a great option for adding warmth and dimension.
Don’t be afraid to go a bit darker and warmer with your brown shade if you have a tanner or olive complexion. Dark golden browns, rich chocolates, and espresso colors can make your skin glow. For lighter porcelain and fair skin, stick to lighter caramels and soft auburns. Adjust your formula to add more warmth with copper and red tones.
Most flattering brown hair colors for neutral undertones
For those with neutral undertones that aren’t distinctly cool or warm, you have lots of versatility when it comes to brown hair shades. From dark chocolate to chestnut to buttery brondes, you can pull off both cool and warm brown tones. Here are some top picks for neutral complexions:
- Chestnut – A timeless reddish brown that adapts well to neutral undertones. Adds flattering warmth.
- Mocha – A rich mix of dark chocolate and espresso browns. Looking stunning on medium neutral skin.
- Taupe – A grayish brown with both cool and warm notes. Made for fair neutral complexions.
- Bronze brown – A dimensional brown with hints of caramel, copper and ash. Ideal for tanned neutral skin.
- Hazelnut – A nutty, neutral brown. Flatters those with a mix of golden and olive tones in their skin.
- Maple brown – A muted, earthy brown like the inside of maple wood. Universally flattering.
Don’t be afraid to alternate between both cool and warm browns if you’re neutral. Explore different ashy and golden shades to find the most harmonious shades for your complexion. Aim for rich dimensional browns that incorporate both cool and warm notes, like chestnut and hazelnut. Stay away from extremes of iciest ash or orange-y coppers.
How dye formulation impacts color results
It’s important to understand how the formulation of hair dye impacts the tone and color that shows up in your hair. Here are some key facts:
- Ash shades – Contain green, blue, or violet pigments that neutralize unwanted warmth, creating cooler shades.
- Golden shades – Use yellow, orange and red pigments to produce warmer, golden browns.
- Warm shades lift more – Warm dyes lift hair lighter due to the orange and red pigments they contain.
- Cool naturals – Natural and neutral brown hair tends to have underlying warm pigment. Using an ash shade can help neutralize this.
- Porosity matters – More porous hair absorbs more warm pigment, potentially resulting in unwanted brassiness.
- Color doesn’t deposit evenly – Areas like the roots and ends take the color differently. Ends often get warmer.
All of this means it can take some trial and error to find the perfect shade of brown for your unique hair. Going gradually lighter or darker while keeping tabs on how your hair’s undertones react will help you hone in on your ideal match. Use toners and glazes to perfect the results.
How to maintain your ideal brown
Once you’ve found the most flattering brown hair color, you’ll need to take steps to maintain it. Here are some tips:
- Use sulfate-free shampoo – Gentler cleansers help preserve color vibrancy.
- Shampoo less often – Limit washes to 2-3 times per week to avoid fading.
- Rinse with cool water – Hot water opens the cuticle, allowing color to escape.
- Use a color-depositing conditioner – These refresh color in between dye jobs.
- Get a gloss treatment – Clear glosses seal in color and add shine.
- Use a heat protectant – This prevents fading from hot tools.
- Avoid chlorine and sun – Both can cause oxidization and fading.
- Get regular trims – Blunt ends hold onto color better.
Also be diligent about root touch-ups, as regrowth is where warmth often sneaks back in. Use the same color formula each time for consistency. Schedule color refreshers every 4-6 weeks to keep your brown hair looking rich, shiny and vibrant.
DIY ways to adjust your brown hair color
If your brown hair color ends up skewing a bit too warm or cool between salon visits, there are some easy DIY tweaks you can make:
- Ash it up – Use an ash toner, additive, or color-depositing formula.
- Add warmth – Try a golden gloss or semi-permanent color.
- Neutralize brassiness – Use a purple or blue toning shampoo or mask.
- Counter dullness – Opt for clarifying shampoo and a brightening hair mask.
- Deepen color – Use a semipermanent brown dye in a darker shade.
- Go lighter – Lighten up with lemon juice and chamomile tea rinses.
Always do a strand test first when using any toning or coloring product at home. And consult your stylist if your color is looking drastically off. With some minor tweaks at home and regular salon maintenance, you can rock gorgeous brown locks no matter your undertones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the characteristics of cool undertones?
Those with cool undertones tend to have a fair complexion with hints of pink, red or blue. Their veins appear blue or purple, and they look best in silver jewelry. Cool undertones are often accompanied by darker hair and eyes.
What hair colors should those with cool undertones avoid?
People with cool undertones usually look best avoiding shades on the warmer end of the spectrum, like orange, yellow and copper. Gold jewelry and makeup tones can also clash. Stick to cool hues like ash brown, platinum and chestnut.
How can you enhance cool undertones in brown hair?
Use ash and platinum brown dyes to play up cool undertones. Adding violet and blue toners helps neutralize unwanted warmth. Also incorporate highlights in icy blonde and ash chocolate brown.using cool-toned styling products.
What are the key features of warm undertones?
Warm undertones present as yellow, peachy and golden hues. Olive and tanned skin often has warm undertones. Characteristics include green veins, a preference for gold jewelry, and an affinity for earthy colors like terra cotta, avocado and camel.
Should warm undertones avoid ash brown hair color?
Yes, ash and platinum brown shades contain green and violet pigments to neutralize warmth. This can make warm complexions appear drained of color. Opt for golden browns like caramel and honey to make your skin glow.
What brown shades enhance warm undertones the most?
Warm undertones look most vibrant with brown colors like cinnamon, ginger, bronze and strawberry blonde. Incorporating warm tones like gold, orange, red and yellow brings out the natural glow in warm skin.
How do you know if you have neutral undertones?
Those with neutral undertones don’t clearly lean cool or warm. Their veins are a mix of blue and green. They look decent in both silver and gold metal tones. Neutral skin also appears more even without prominent ruddiness or olive tones.
What hair colors work for neutral undertones?
Neutral undertones give you flexibility to wear both cool and warm shades. Opt for dimensional browns with a mix of undertones, like chestnut, brown, hazelnut and chocolate cherry. You can also alternate between ash and golden browns.
Should neutral undertones avoid any brown hair colors?
The most important shades to avoid are those on the extreme ends of the spectrum, like a very warm cinnamon copper or icy platinum blonde. Stay away from brown shades with overt orange, yellow or blue pigments. Focus on complex neutral browns.
Conclusion
Determining whether your skin’s undertones fall in the cool, warm or neutral category is the first step to finding your most flattering shade of brown hair color. Cool complexions shine with ash and platinum browns, while warm undertones pop with golden caramel and ginger hues. Neutral skin tones can flex between both. Avoid shades on the extreme warm or cool end of the spectrum. With the right dye formulation and proper at-home care, you can maintain beautiful dimensional brown locks.
| Undertone | Best Brown Hair Colors | Brown Shades to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Cool | Ash, Platinum, Espresso | Golden, Strawberry, Copper |
| Warm | Golden, Caramel, Cinnamon | Ash, Chestnut, Espresso |
| Neutral | Chestnut, Chocolate, Hazelnut | Extreme Golden Copper, Icy Platinum |
