Fall is one of the best times of year to refresh your hair color. Rich brunettes, warm coppers, dimensional blondes, deep reds, and golden tones all feel right at home this season.
But with so many beautiful shades to choose from, how do you know which one will actually complement you?
Your skin tone and, more specifically, your skin’s undertone can be a helpful place to start. Understanding whether your undertone is warm, cool, or neutral can give you some direction when you’re considering a new shade—but it’s only one piece of the puzzle.
Start With Your Undertone
Your skin tone is the color you see on the surface of your skin, while your undertone is the subtle coloring underneath. Undertones generally fall into three categories: warm, cool, and neutral.
Not sure which one you have? Look at the veins on the inside of your wrist in natural light. If they appear more green, you may have warm undertones. If they look blue or purple, you may have cool undertones. If it’s difficult to tell, you may have neutral undertones.
Another clue is the jewelry you tend to prefer. If gold consistently looks especially flattering, you may lean warm. If silver seems to complement you more, you may lean cool. If both look great, you may have neutral undertones.
These aren’t strict rules, but they can give you a starting point.
Fall Hair Colors for Warm Undertones
Warm undertones often pair beautifully with hair colors that have golden, copper, red, or caramel qualities.
Consider shades like:
- Rich caramel
- Golden blonde
- Warm chocolate brown
- Copper
- Auburn
- Cinnamon-inspired brunette
These shades can add warmth and dimension while complementing the golden or peachy qualities already present in the skin.
Fall Hair Colors for Cool Undertones
If your skin has cool undertones, shades with cooler or more neutral qualities may create a beautiful balance.
You might consider:
- Cool brunette
- Espresso
- Mushroom brown
- Ash blonde
- Burgundy
- Cool-toned red
That doesn’t mean you have to avoid warmth altogether. A skilled colorist can adjust the tone and dimension of a color to create a result that works with your overall coloring.
Fall Hair Colors for Neutral Undertones
If you’re somewhere in between warm and cool, you may have more flexibility when it comes to choosing a hair color.
Neutral undertones can often work well with both warm and cool shades, including:
- Chocolate brown
- Soft caramel
- Neutral blonde
- Bronde
- Rich auburn
- Dimensional brunette
This can be a great opportunity to experiment with different tones while working with your stylist to find the balance that feels right for you.
Don’t Forget Your Natural Hair Color
Your skin tone isn’t the only thing your stylist considers when choosing a color. Your natural hair color, current color, previous color services, and the condition of your hair all play a role. A color that looks beautiful in an inspiration photo may require a very different process to achieve on your existing hair.
For example, going from a light blonde to a rich brunette isn’t always as simple as putting brown color over blonde hair. Going significantly lighter may require multiple appointments or a carefully planned process to maintain the health and integrity of your hair. That’s why a professional consultation is so important before making a major color change.
Think About How Much Maintenance You Want
The right fall color isn’t just about what looks beautiful when you leave the salon. It’s also about how much maintenance you’re willing to put into keeping it that way.
Ask yourself:
- How often do I want to visit the salon?
- How noticeable will I be comfortable with as my roots grow?
- How much time do I want to spend maintaining my color at home?
A dimensional brunette, lived-in blonde, or blended color may offer a softer grow-out, while a dramatic all-over color or significant lightening may require more frequent maintenance. Your stylist can help you find a color that fits both your appearance and your lifestyle.
Bring Inspiration, But Trust Your Stylist
It’s always helpful to bring photos when you’re considering a new hair color. They give your stylist an idea of the tone, depth, and overall feeling you’re drawn to. Just remember that the same color won’t necessarily look identical on everyone.
Your stylist can take the inspiration you’ve collected and customize it based on your skin’s undertones, natural hair color, previous color services, hair condition, and the result you want. The goal isn’t to find a shade that looks exactly like someone else’s. It’s to create a version that works beautifully for you.
Ready for Your Fall Color?
Whether you’re dreaming of rich chocolate brown, warm copper, dimensional blonde, or a completely new look, fall is a beautiful time to refresh your color.
At NikkiCole’s Hair Design, your stylist can help you choose a shade that complements your natural coloring while taking into consideration your hair’s current condition, your lifestyle, and how much maintenance you’re comfortable with.
Ready to find your perfect fall shade? Book a color consultation at NikkiCole’s and let’s create a color that’s uniquely yours.
Book online here: https://www.phorest.com/salon/nikkicoleshairdesignheadspa
Or Call Us:
Central Myrtle Beach (843) 945-1025
Carolina Forest (843) 450-3099
