How to Choose the Right Hair Color for Your Skin Tone: A Stylist’s Guide

Choosing the right hair color can completely transform the way you look and feel—but with endless shades of blondes, brunettes, coppers, and balayage blends, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.

At The Abode Salon & Spa in New London, Minnesota, our stylists specialize in custom, lived-in color that enhances your features, brightens your complexion, and fits your lifestyle. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how to choose the perfect shade for your skin tone.

👉 Ready for a personalized consultation? Book your color appointment

✅ Understanding Skin Tone vs. Undertone

Before choosing any hair color, it’s important to understand the difference between:

1. Skin Tone (Fair, Medium, Dark)

This is your overall complexion color.

2. Undertone (Warm, Cool, Neutral)

This determines what colors harmonize with your complexion.

Your undertone is the most important factor when choosing a flattering hair color.

✅ How to Identify Your Undertone

Use these simple tests:

✔ Vein Test

• Blue/purple veins → Cool undertone

• Greenish veins → Warm undertone

• A mix of both → Neutral undertone

✔ Jewelry Test

• Silver looks best → Cool

• Gold looks best → Warm

• Both look good → Neutral

✔ Blush Test

• Pink produces a natural flush → Cool

• Peach/apricot looks better → Warm

If you’re still unsure, your stylist can identify your undertone during your consultation.👉Meet our color specialists

✅ Best Hair Colors for Cool, Warm & Neutral Undertones

✅ Best Hair Colors for Cool Undertones

Cool undertones look stunning with shades that balance or soften natural redness or pinkness.

Best Blonde Shades:

• Icy blonde

• Champagne blonde

• Pearl blonde

• Ash balayage

• Cool neutral beige

Best Brunette Shades:

• Espresso

• Ash brown

• Mocha

• Cool chocolate

• Mushroom brown balayage

Best Red Shades:

• True red

• Burgundy

• Plum

• Cherry cola

These colors pair beautifully with cool Scandinavian & Nordic complexions, which are common in Minnesota.

Explore our blonde & brunette services:👉 Blonding & Balayage

✅ Best Hair Colors for Warm Undertones

Warm undertones glow with rich, golden, or sun-kissed hues.

Best Blonde Shades:

• Honey blonde

• Caramel blonde

• Golden balayage

• Buttery blonde

• Warm beachy highlights

Best Brunette Shades:

• Chestnut

• Warm chocolate

• Caramel ribbons

• Golden brown

• Sienna brunette

Best Red Shades:

• Copper

• Ginger

• Strawberry blonde

• Auburn

These colors look incredible on clients with tan, olive, or golden skin.

See examples in our color gallery:👉 Dimensional Color Inspiration

✅ Best Hair Colors for Neutral Undertones

If you have a neutral undertone—lucky you! You can wear almost any shade.

Best Blonde Shades:

• Neutral beige blonde

• Creamy blonde

• Soft gold balayage

• Natural rooty balayage

• Neutral baby lights

Best Brunette Shades:

• Balanced chocolate

• Neutral brown

• Soft dimensional brunette

• Rooted lived-in highlights

Best Red Shades:

• Rose gold

• Cinnamon

• Soft copper

• Bronde (brown + blonde mix)

Neutral undertones pair perfectly with lived-in, low-maintenance color, which The Abode specializes in.

Learn more about the Abode signature lived-in blend:👉 Lived-In Color Services

✅ Choosing a Hair Color Based on Your Eye Color (Bonus Tip!)

Eye color can also guide the perfect shade.

✅ Blue Eyes

Pair beautifully with:

• Cool blondes

• Ashy brunettes

• Champagne balayage

✅ Green Eyes

Look amazing with:

• Warm blondes

• Caramel highlights

• Copper tones

✅ Brown Eyes

Pop with:

• Rich brunettes

• Toffee highlights

• Dimensional balayage

✅ What Hair Colors Look Best on Fair, Medium & Dark Skin Tones?

✅ Fair Skin Tones

Best colors:

• Icy blonde

• Beige blonde

• Light ash brown

• Cool caramel

• Soft copper

Avoid: overly dark colors without dimension.

✅ Medium Skin Tones

Best colors:

• Honey balayage

• Warm brunettes

• Bronde blends

• Medium golden blonde

• Auburn tones

✅ Dark Skin Tones

Best colors:

• Espresso

• Rich chocolate

• Dark caramel

• Copper brunette

• Bold reds

Choosing the right depth prevents hair from washing out your complexion.

✅ Why Professional Color Matters for Skin Tone Matching

At The Abode, we don’t just “pick a color.”We customize every formula based on:

• Skin tone & undertone

• Eye color

• Natural base level

• Face shape

• Lifestyle & maintenance schedule

• Seasonal changes (MN winters can be harsh!)

• Hair integrity and previous color

This ensures your finished color enhances your natural beauty, not works against it.

📌 Want a fully customized color plan?👉 Book your color consultation

✅ The Importance of Maintenance for Keeping Your Tone Perfect

To maintain a flattering shade that still complements your skin tone, we recommend:

• Gloss/Toner every 6–10 weeks

• Lowlights for seasonal depth

• Regular trims to avoid dry ends

• Proper at-home care (your stylist will recommend products)

Learn more here:👉 Color Care & Glossing Services

✅ Your Perfect Hair Color Starts With the Right Stylist

Ready for a customized hair color that enhances your complexion, brightens your features, and lasts beautifully between appointments?

Our Abode color experts specialize in:

✅ custom blonding✅ dimensional brunettes✅ copper + red transformations✅ low-maintenance lived-in color✅ glossy, healthy results

👉 Book your personalized color appointment today Schedule Here

Or explore other specialty services:✅ Head Spa Treatments ✅ Nail Services

✅Hair Extensions