What’s Your Season?

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Hair Colour for Your Skin Tone

We’ve all done it… headed into the hair salon with an inspo picture we’ve seen online, only to be completely disappointed when that colour starts to dry and they take that cape off (ugh trauma). It doesn’t make sense. You asked for exactly what they have, your colourist did a great job, so why don't you love it!?

There’s actually a simple answer.

Aside from the fact that thickness, fullness, condition of hair and many other factors can influence what your hair looks like, we often forget that skin tone also plays a huge part! Since your hair sits right next to your face, picking the right shade can totally transform your appearance. You want to pick a shade that compliments your complexion, without washing you out. Knowing your ‘season’ can mean the difference between choosing an average hair colour and your most flattering colour yet!

So, what’s your season? First we need to start by figuring out your skin's undertone. Most people fall into one of three categories: warm, cool, and (for those extremely lucky people) neutral. Figuring out where your complexion lies can seem confusing, but there are a few tricks:

1. Vein test: Flip over your arm. Are your veins more blue/purple? This generally means you will have a cool undertone. If you have more green/yellow veins, this most likely means you are a warm undertone.

2. Eye colour test: Do you have blue/grey/light hazel eyes? That means you are a Summer skin tone. Do you have dark hazel or brown eyes? That means you have a Winter skin tone. If you have green/hazel or light brown eyes, then you are a Spring skin tone. And lastly if you have brown/dark brown eyes, then you are an Autumn skin tone.

Once you know your season, it becomes a lot easier to pick your hue. After all, there are so many different shades of colours that your colourist can achieve, you want to make sure you’re specific with your #huegoals. For example, you might opt for an ashy blonde if you are a Winter season, or a honey blonde if you are a Spring season. Just because you suit blonde hair in general, doesn’t mean that all blondes will compliment your features the same way.

Summer skin tone: You have a cool undertone and light coloured eyes. You should pick colours/tones that are going to enhance your features. The paler you are, the lighter you can go with your blonde, (porcelain skin looks stunning with platinum blonde! Think Dakota Fanning or Taylor Swift). Your goal is to stay away from any warm tones that may make you feel washed out, such as your golden blondes.

Winter skin tone: You also have a cool undertone but your eye colour is generally deeper. You should pick cool deep tones in your colours, such as jet black, medium to dark ash brown, or grey.

Spring skin tone: Spring has a warm undertone, with green/hazel or light brown eyes. The best colour for your tone is ‘Bronde’. Think Jennifer Anniston or Blake Lively. Your goal is to stick to the golden blondes such as beige or honey blonde.

Autumn skin tone: Autumn is all about enhancing your skin's natural deep/warm tones. Considering going lighter but worried it may not suit? Try caramel or warm brown highlights. For brunettes, try a mahogany red!

Hot tip: Jump on Instagram or Google and find your celebrity muse! Pick someone with similar skin and eye colour and see what hair colours they have worn! This is a great way to see colours that work and don’t work on your season, without spending the money and the time working it out for yourself.

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All guests at Olive receive a complimentary consult prior to treatment. This appointment gives us the opportunity to talk about your hair goals, whilst also chatting about hair history, hair condition and your ‘season’ to find you the BEST colour for you!