What color should I dye my hair? (2024)

On your journey to dye your hair, you might have noticed that the world of hair color is infinite.

Maybe you already know what you’re looking for, have a good idea of how to dye your hair at home or have gathered inspirational photos for your hair stylist. Maybe you’re looking for a change but don’t quite know what you want to do. You’ve polled your friends, you’ve done your research but you’re still not quite sure what you want.

Whether you’re looking to add a few highlights or create a rainbow masterpiece, there are a few basic guidelines to consider when deciding on your new hair color.

In this article:

What color should I dye my hair?

Before you dye your hair, make sure you’ve considered exactly what type of transformation you want.

Will you be dyeing your hair or going to a professional? Your preference for your new will determine what products you or your hair stylist will use.

Typically, the dyes at your local drugstore will be different than the colors used at a salon. While box dyescontain pre-set ingredients, salons often customize their formulas specifically for your hair.

What should I consider before dyeing my hair?

Your “dream hair” might be harder to achieve than you think. Factors like the current health of your hair, its natural color and texture, and how often you’ve dyed your hair before all determine what the final product will look like. The rest is up to your preferences and your stylist’s technique.

Hair health

Hair color uses chemicals to penetrate the cuticle of the hair shaft and deposit pigment.1 Over time, this may compromise the integrity of the hair, making it dry, brittle and prone to breakage.2

Whether you’ve used box dye or dyed your hair professionally, it's important to let your stylist know your hair’s history so they can understand how your hair will react and avoid further damage. Patch testing hair dye you’re planning to use can also help ensure you don’t have a negative skin reaction.3

Hair texture

Texture can also affect the hair’s ability to absorb and hold color. Hair porosity is the ability of hair to absorb and retain moisture.4

Curly or textured strands tend to have a higher porosity because the hair's cuticle is raised. Hair with a damaged or lifted cuticle will absorb color more easily, leading to darker or duller hair.5

Higher porosity also means the color will bleed from the hair and fade easily.6 If you’re not sure about the porosity of your hair and how it will affect your color, it’s best to seek help from a trained professional.

Your current hair color

Your current hair color also impacts the process of achieving your desired color. The darker your hair, the harder it is to achieve the desired level of “lift” or lightening for your hair to hold the new color.7

For example, taking black hair to blonde might take several sessions of gradual lightening with repair maintenance in between to minimize the amount of damage and maintain the integrity of the hair.

Your natural hair color

The best reference for what color looks best on you might be the hair you already have. If it’s your first time dyeing your hair, it might be safest to stick with a color that is similar to your natural color.

Hair color expert Madeline Hall recommends starting with highlights or darkening a couple of shades to see if you like the look before committing to a bolder change: "For first-time color clients, I recommend enhancing their natural hair color at their initial appointment before changing it more drastically,” she says.

“Using color to enhance the warm tones in the hair or adding face-framing highlights are great ways to spruce up your natural color. This approach allows color newbies to get used to hair color maintenance while playing around with different tones and dimensions without a huge color commitment."8

Commitment level

Keep in mind that different hair colors will require different levels of maintenance. Red hair is known to be the hardest color to maintain as it is the hardest color to fully remove from the strand but also the first to fade.9

Blondes may require maintenance with a purple shampoo or conditioner to keep the color from becoming brassy.10 Dyeing your hair one solid color from root to tip will also result in a band of visible growth at the roots. Hair dye usually lasts 6 to 12 weeks before needing a touch-up, but results will vary depending on your hair and the type of color used.11

Personal style

Your new hair color will largely depend on your style and preference. Are you looking to make a bold statement with bright or artistic colors like pink, red or green? Or do you want to maintain a natural look and go a few shades up or down from your original color?

It’s always a safe bet to work your way up gradually when it comes to hair color or use temporary or demi-permanent color formulas.12

Best hair color for your skin tone and eye color

How a certain hair color looks on you is largely determined by the color that already exists in your body’s natural palette. Just as you would select makeup based on coloring, hair color works in much the same way.

Skin tone

Skin tone refers to the color you see on the surface of the skin. This color, determined by the amount of melanin in the skin, can change due to the amount of sun exposure and is generally categorized into three areas.13

  • Light: you typically do not tan at all and burn when exposed to sun
  • Medium: warm appearance; may burn but tends to tan
  • Deep: darkest skin tones; not as prone to burning

Skin undertone

Skin undertone is the hue or color that is present in the skin and never changes, regardless of sun exposure. Skin undertone falls into three categories.14

  • Warm: gold, yellow or peach
  • Cool: pink, red or blueish
  • Neutral: a mix of warm and cool

Cool skin undertones

Cool undertones usually look best in icy blondes or ashy browns, depending on skin tone. Colors such as ash blonde, silver and espresso or even purples, pinks and reds complement cool undertones, according to Hall.15

Neutral skin undertones

Neutral undertones are compatible with most hair colors since they sit right in the middle. Hall recommends colors with black or brown or warmer, lighter colors like caramel or copper.16

Warm skin undertones

Warm skin tones often work with gold-hued colors like mahogany or honey-blonde. Hall recommends considering deeper colors like fuchsia or indigo.17

Eye color

Choosing a hair color that complements your eye color is another great way to create a new look that enhances your natural beauty. Certain colors will look best with certain eye colors and will even emphasize certain hues, according to Hall.

  • Green eyes: Golden blondes or browns bring out the golden tones in light green eyes. Also consider contrasting dark colors like auburn or black.18
  • Brown eyes: Browns work with almost anything, but lighter browns work with buttery blondes, and darker brown eyes can try dramatic icy blondes or jet blacks.19
  • Blue eyes: Platinum or ashy blondes can make blue eyes look sophisticated, and warm browns or reds can bring out darker blue eyes.20
  • Hazel eyes: Hazel is a mix of green, blue and gold, so many variations of brown, blonde or copper work.21

Hair color inspiration

  • Light skin
    Cool undertones: ashy or cool blondes, reds and purples; avoid warm blondes
    Neutral undertones: caramel or auburn colors, lighter colors
    Warm undertones: warm, golden blondes and browns
  • Medium skin
    Cool undertones: cooler-toned dark blondes and browns
    Neutral undertones: warm medium blondes or browns or reds
    Warm undertones: tan, honey-colored browns
  • Deep skin
    Cool undertones: jet blacks or cool-toned browns
    Neutral undertones: reds, golds or cool-toned browns and blacks
    Warm undertones: warm reds and golden browns; golden blondes

Tips for choosing your ideal hair color

  • Understand your hair’s texture and porosity and how dyeing it will affect your hair’s health
  • Determine your skin tone and undertone
  • Know what colors look best with your eye color
  • Figure out your own personal style and preference
  • Consult with a professional for the best plan to achieve your desired look

How do you know which hair color looks best on you?

There are various factors to consider when trying to figure out what color to dye your hair. Though the options are infinite, you can narrow down what will work best based on your eye color or skin tone and undertones.22 Consulting with a professional will also provide you with expert advice. Ultimately the best hair color is one you feel comfortable with and that suits your style of expression.

Frequently asked questions

What factors should I consider before deciding on a hair color?

Key factors to consider before coloring your hair include hair health and texture, current hair color, commitment level and personal style.

Does the choice of hair color affect the health and texture of my hair?

Yes, your choice of hair color may affect your hair’s health and texture. Choosing a color within three shades of your natural hair color may help prevent damage.23 Lightening your hair by more than that typically requires higher amounts of peroxide, which leads to more damage.24

Can I dye my hair myself at home or should I seek professional help?

You can dye your hair at home using permanent or semipermanent hair color. However, it’s always wise to research the process, make sure you have all the tools and aftercare resources you need before dyeing your hair at home, and use products as directed.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult your health care provider before taking any vitamins or supplements and prior to beginning or changing any health care practices.

What color should I dye my hair? (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Stevie Stamm

Last Updated:

Views: 5878

Rating: 5 / 5 (80 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Stevie Stamm

Birthday: 1996-06-22

Address: Apt. 419 4200 Sipes Estate, East Delmerview, WY 05617

Phone: +342332224300

Job: Future Advertising Analyst

Hobby: Leather crafting, Puzzles, Leather crafting, scrapbook, Urban exploration, Cabaret, Skateboarding

Introduction: My name is Stevie Stamm, I am a colorful, sparkling, splendid, vast, open, hilarious, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.