Tap your skin, your undertone, your eyes and your natural colour: the hair colours named for you by at least two colourists or colour brands, what to skip, and the upkeep from your colour, each line in their words.
Medium skin · Warm undertone · Brown eyes · Medium brown hair
Golden brown, black or caramelThe shades the colour guides name for medium skin with a warm undertone. Skip: ash, icy, platinum, blue-black.
- Golden brown
- Black
- Caramel
- Golden blonde
- Copper
- Chocolate brown
- Your undertone
- Warm: match it
- Skip
- Ash, icy, platinum, blue-black
- From medium brown
- Golden brown: low upkeep
Your shades
Golden brown
- “If your skin is medium and you have warm undertones, golden or chestnut brown, true black and true brunette are ideal hair color shades.” — Prose
- “Those with warm medium skin have less risk of being overwhelmed by dark, dramatic colors — this is where rich, golden brunettes and blacks truly shine.” — StyleSeat
Black
- “If your skin is medium and you have warm undertones, golden or chestnut brown, true black and true brunette are ideal hair color shades.” — Prose
- “Those with warm medium skin have less risk of being overwhelmed by dark, dramatic colors — this is where rich, golden brunettes and blacks truly shine.” — StyleSeat
Caramel
- “Medium skin with warm undertones looks great with rich, warm hair colors like caramel or honey blonde.” — Trademark Salon
- “Caramel and honey-toned shades can create a warm, natural-looking effect on Indian skin tones, particularly medium complexions.” — Garnier India
Golden blonde
- “When your undertones are warm, tawny or peach, try light golden blonde, medium brown hair with golden highlights or dark brown to black hair with warm red shades,” — L’Oréal Paris Canada
- “If you’re a “warm”, consider warmer hair colors like bronze, copper or golden hues.” — Prose
- “Gold, copper, and mahogany are great hair colors for warm skin tones.” — Garnier
Copper
- “If you’re a “warm”, consider warmer hair colors like bronze, copper or golden hues.” — Prose
- “Gold, copper, and mahogany are great hair colors for warm skin tones.” — Garnier
- “it’s best to stick with shades that have a more orange tint, such as copper or rusty red.” — Glaze
- “Hair colors like caramel, copper, and chocolatey brunette will accentuate your skin’s golden yellow hue, adding a radiant, youthful glow to your look.” — StyleSeat
Chocolate brown
- “Hair colors like caramel, copper, and chocolatey brunette will accentuate your skin’s golden yellow hue, adding a radiant, youthful glow to your look.” — StyleSeat
- “Warm undertones generally suit shades such as chocolate brown, caramel, mocha, and mahogany, while cooler undertones can pair well with ash brown and cool mocha.” — Garnier India
Skip
Skip ash, icy, platinum and blue-tinted shades: they can wash warm skin out
- “Hair colors with icy, ashy, or blue tones tend to wash out warm skin, making it appear green or even gray.” — StyleSeat
- “You should avoid cool-blonde shades like platinum, as these can make you look washed out.” — Glaze
- “If you want to go brunette with warm-toned skin, avoid brown shades that have a blue tint.” — Glaze
- “Avoid overly cool or ashy shades, which can clash with your skin’s natural warmth and make your complexion appear washed out.” — Haiirology
Medium skin can wear most shades
- “Medium, or neutral, skin tones can usually pull off most hair shades.” — Garnier
- “You’ve got quite a bit of wiggle room, but opt for something ranging somewhere between rich caramel and cocoa.” — Secret Spa
For brown eyes
Honey or caramel, for light brown eyes
- “If you have light brown, nearly copper-colored brown eyes, honey blonde hair is a match for you.” — L’Oréal Paris (eyes)
- “Consider warm shades like caramel brown or honey blonde for clients with light brown eyes and hints of golden flecks.” — Salonory
- “Light brown eyes can even handle edging towards dark blonde and caramel.” — Secret Spa
Dark brown eyes and dark hair go together too
- “Broadly speaking, try to pair the depth of colour in your eyes with the depth of brunette.” — Secret Spa
- “dark eyes and dark hair is a winning combination.” — L’Oréal Paris Canada
Left out for your undertone or skin: Ash blonde, for dark brown eyes.
Your upkeep, from medium brown (level 4)
Within 2 levels of your natural colour: the most natural look, the least upkeep
- “For the most natural look with less maintenance, it is important to stay within 2 levels of your natural hair color.” — Garnier (new to color)
- “If you want a change that is low maintenance, sticking to colors close to your natural shade will make regrowth less noticeable.” — Trademark Salon
Far lighter than your natural colour: roots show sooner, and more than 2–3 levels takes bleach
- “The further you move away, the more dramatic your results will be, meaning your roots could be noticeable more quickly than if you had stayed closer to your natural hair color.” — Garnier (new to color)
- “Most permanent hair colors only lift your hair 2-3 levels, while bleach can lighten strands up to 7-8 levels.” — Garnier (new to color)
- “if your natural hair colour is dark, be aware that going lighter is going to involve some effort and maintenance, and switching back again isn’t always a smooth ride.” — Secret Spa
- “transitioning a naturally dark brunette to a platinum blonde will require different steps—and more maintenance—than lightening a soft brown.” — Haiirology
Far darker: easy to go, slow to undo, as dye will not lighten dyed hair
- “Once you color your hair, you won’t be able to lighten it at home without using bleach.” — Garnier (levels)
- “Permanent dye will not lighten or lift previously dyed hair.” — Fox News
Roots: a touch-up every 4–6 weeks
- “Generally speaking, you’ll need to touch up your roots every 4-6 weeks.” — Garnier (new to color)
- “On average, touch-ups are needed every 4-6 weeks for root regrowth, but it varies from person to person.” — Trademark Salon
Not sure of your undertone?
Match your hair’s tone to your skin’s undertone
- “the rule of thumb is to match tones: warm skin tones look better in warm hair colors, neutral in neutral, and cool in cool.” — Garnier
- “As a general rule, people with cool skin tones should go for cool colors, while those with warm skin tones should opt for warm tones.” — Prose
- “Your hair color tone and skin tone should match – cool tone shades, for example, usually won’t suit those with warmer skin tones.” — Glaze
- “Choose hair colors that correlate — cool hair colors for cool tones, warm shades for warm undertones, and a mix of both for neutral undertones.” — Trademark Salon
Your wrist veins: blue or purple is cool, green is warm, both or neither is neutral
- “Green veins indicate a warm undertone, while purple, olive and blue indicate that you have cool undertones. See both? This indicates that your skin tone is neutral.” — Prose
- “If your veins appear green, you have warm undertones; if they appear blue, you have cool ones.” — L’Oréal Paris
- “If they roughly match the color of your skin, that means your undertone is neutral.” — Garnier
- “However, if the color is somewhere between blue and green, you’re likely neutral-toned.” — StyleSeat
- “If your veins look blue or purple, you probably have cool-toned skin.” — Glaze
Jewelry: silver suits cool, gold suits warm, both suit neutral
- “Silver is more attractive on people with cool tones, and gold is preferable on folks with warm tones.” — Prose
- “Silver jewelry will look better against cool-toned skin, whereas gold jewelry will look better against warm tones.” — Glaze
- “If you look great wearing both metals, you probably have a pretty neutral skin undertone.” — Naturtint
Still can’t tell? You are likely neutral, or try another test
- “If it’s difficult to discern, you might have neutral undertones.” — Trademark Salon
- “Veins are easier to see on pale skin — if you can’t see your veins, try one of the other methods listed.” — StyleSeat
Where the guides differ
Match your undertone, or contrast it?
- “the rule of thumb is to match tones: warm skin tones look better in warm hair colors, neutral in neutral, and cool in cool.” — Garnier
- “As a general rule, people with cool skin tones should go for cool colors, while those with warm skin tones should opt for warm tones.” — Prose
- “If your skin undertone is warm, try picking a hair color with a cool undertone to provide a nice contrast.” — Naturtint
- “Similarly, if you have a cool skin undertone, choose a hair color with warm undertones.” — Naturtint
If you tan easily, are you warm or cool?
- “If you sunburn easily, you most likely have a cool undertone, whereas if you tan quickly, it’s likely you have warm undertones.” — StyleSeat
- “If you tan easily, you might have warm undertones.” — Haiirology
- “If you tan easily and hardly ever burn, you have a cool or even neutral undertone.” — Naturtint
How far from your natural colour: 2 levels or 3?
- “For the most natural look with less maintenance, it is important to stay within 2 levels of your natural hair color.” — Garnier (new to color)
- “You’ll get the best and most natural-looking results by staying within three shades up or down of your natural starting tone.” — Garnier
- “If you want a change that is low maintenance, sticking to colors close to your natural shade will make regrowth less noticeable.” — Trademark Salon
Is strawberry blonde a cool shade or a warm one?
- “The best hair colors for cool tones include shades like strawberry blonde, pearl, and platinum.” — Glaze
- “For light skin with cool undertones, go for shades like ash blonde, strawberry blonde, silver or true red.” — Prose
- “The hair colors that look best with warm undertones will also have warm tones — think strawberry blonde, honey blonde, mahogany, or chestnut.” — StyleSeat
Ash on dark skin?
- “He also adds that ash tones are the most flattering hair colour for dark skin tones.” — L’Oréal Paris Canada
- “Dark skin tones are generally flattered by cooler, darker shades of hair color.” — Garnier
- “Colors that are too light or ashy, however, can create an unwanted dull cast, making your skin appear muted or washed out.” — Haiirology
Bright red on dark skin?
- “Those with darker skin and warm undertones can look gorgeous with a bold, fire-engine red” — Glaze
- “Unless you’re going all out radical, avoid really bright reds.” — Secret Spa
Can olive skin go blonde?
- “Going blonde is perhaps hardest for divinely olive tones, but it’s not impossible.” — Secret Spa
- “Honey blonde, golden blonde, and strawberry red are the top favored color for green eyes with olive skin tone.” — KM Xtend
Auburn with blue eyes?
- “Auburn is sometimes considered to jar with blue eyes, but it can be used in lowlights.” — Secret Spa
- “Rich brunette hues, warm blondes, and coppery reds are the hues that suit blue eyes with any skin tone.” — KM Xtend
Every line is quoted from 12 hair-colour brands, colourists and salons, each shade on at least two of them. Checked 2026-10-17. Ours: the order of the shades, each shade’s level, its swatch (a screen cannot show a dye’s real shade) and its try-on match, and the short line over each quoted list. The number on the box, and your colourist, win.
Quick answer: match your hair colour to your skin’s undertone. Cool (blue or purple veins): ash blonde, platinum, ash brown, burgundy, blue-black. Warm (green veins): golden or honey blonde, caramel, copper, chocolate, mahogany. Neutral: both sides suit you. Skip the other side, and stay within 2 levels of your natural colour for the least upkeep.
How to use it
Tap your skin (fair, medium, olive or deep), your undertone, your eyes and your natural colour at the roots. The finder lists the shades the colour brands, colourists and salons name for you, each on at least two of them, then what to skip, what suits your eye colour, and the upkeep from your own colour. Each shade says how far it is from your natural level and links to the Hair Color Try-On to see it on a face. Not sure of your undertone? Open Not sure of your undertone? under the answer. Every answer has its own link to send to your colourist or a friend.
Hair colour chart for your skin tone and undertone
The first three shades the finder gives for each skin and undertone, on brown eyes. Your eyes and your natural colour add more below the answer.
| Skin | Cool undertone | Neutral undertone | Warm undertone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fair or light | Ash blonde, true red or platinum blonde | Mushroom brown, copper or rose gold | Copper, golden blonde or mocha |
| Medium | Chestnut brown, burgundy or ash blonde | Copper, rose gold or mushroom brown | Golden brown, black or caramel |
| Olive | Mocha, ash blonde or platinum blonde | Chocolate brown, mocha or auburn | Chocolate brown, mocha or auburn |
| Deep or dark | Icy ash blonde, espresso or platinum blonde | Espresso, copper or rose gold | Sun-kissed golden brunette, honey blonde balayage or golden blonde |
Hair colour levels chart: 1 to 10
Box dyes and colourists number natural colour from level 1, black, to level 10, the lightest blonde. Read your level at the roots in daylight, since indoor light can make hair look darker or warmer. The swatches are ours: a screen cannot show a dye’s real shade.
| Level | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Black |
| 2 | Darkest brown |
| 3 | Dark brown |
| 4 | Medium brown |
| 5 | Light brown |
| 6 | Dark blonde |
| 7 | Medium blonde |
| 8 | Blonde |
| 9 | Light blonde |
| 10 | Lightest blonde |
Every shade in the finder
Each shade’s level is our approximate one, so the finder can tell you how far it is from yours. Who it is named for comes from the guides.
| Shade | About level | Named for |
|---|---|---|
| Ash blonde | 8 | cool undertones; fair skin, cool; deep skin, cool; blue eyes; brown eyes |
| Platinum blonde | 10 | cool undertones |
| Strawberry blonde | 8 | blue eyes |
| Golden blonde | 7 | warm undertones; fair skin, warm; blue eyes; green eyes |
| Honey blonde | 7 | warm undertones; deep skin, warm; hazel eyes; brown eyes |
| Caramel | 6 | warm undertones; medium skin, warm; brown eyes |
| Mushroom brown | 5 | neutral undertones; fair skin, neutral |
| Ash brown | 5 | cool undertones |
| Golden brown | 5 | medium skin, warm; deep skin, warm |
| Chestnut brown | 4 | medium skin, cool; hazel eyes |
| Mocha | 4 | fair skin, warm; olive skin |
| Chocolate brown | 3 | warm undertones; olive skin; blue eyes; green eyes; hazel eyes |
| Espresso | 2 | deep skin, cool; deep skin, neutral; blue eyes |
| Black | 1 | medium skin, warm |
| Blue-black | 1 | cool undertones |
| Copper | 7 | neutral undertones; warm undertones; fair skin, warm; medium skin, neutral; green eyes; hazel eyes |
| Auburn | 5 | olive skin; green eyes; hazel eyes |
| Mahogany | 4 | warm undertones; fair skin, warm |
| Burgundy | 4 | cool undertones; medium skin, cool |
| True red | 6 | fair skin, cool |
| Rose gold | 9 | neutral undertones; medium skin, neutral |
| Pastel pink | 10 | cool undertones |
Examples
- Fair skin, a cool undertone, blue eyes, dark blonde hair: Ash blonde, true red or platinum blonde. Skip golden, honey, caramel, copper; black, the darkest browns. Ash blonde is about 2 levels lighter than yours: low upkeep.
- Medium skin, a warm undertone, brown eyes, medium brown hair: Golden brown, black or caramel. Skip ash, icy, platinum, blue-black. Golden brown is about 1 level lighter than yours: low upkeep.
- Olive skin, a neutral undertone, hazel eyes, dark brown hair: Chocolate brown, mocha or auburn. Warm and cool both suit you. Chocolate brown is about your own level: low upkeep.
- Deep skin, a warm undertone, brown eyes, black hair: Sun-kissed golden brunette, honey blonde balayage or golden blonde. Skip ash, icy, platinum, blue-black. Sun-kissed golden brunette is about 4 levels lighter than yours: more upkeep.
- Fair skin, a warm undertone, green eyes, medium blonde hair: Copper, golden blonde or mocha. Skip ash, icy, platinum, blue-black; black, the darkest browns. Copper is about your own level: low upkeep.
Warm or cool? Find your undertone
Look at the veins on the inside of your wrist in daylight: blue or purple means cool, green means warm, and both or neither means neutral. Jewelry is the second test: silver flatters cool skin, gold flatters warm skin, and both suit neutral. If you still cannot tell, you are most likely neutral. The Color Season Quiz & Undertone Test asks more questions and also gives your colour season.
Upkeep: how far from your natural colour
Staying within about 2 levels of your natural colour gives the most natural look and the least upkeep, because the regrowth shows less. Going far lighter takes more: most permanent dyes lift only 2–3 levels, and past that it takes bleach. Going far darker is easy, but slow to undo, as dye will not lighten hair that is already dyed. Either way, roots usually need a touch-up every 4–6 weeks.
Where the guides differ
- Match or contrast: Garnier and Prose say match your hair’s tone to your undertone; Naturtint suggests a contrast, a cool shade on warm skin and a warm shade on cool skin.
- Tanning: StyleSeat and Haiirology say that tanning easily points to warm undertones; Naturtint says it points to cool or neutral ones.
- 2 levels or 3: one Garnier page says stay within 2 levels of your natural colour, another says within three shades.
- Strawberry blonde: Glaze and Prose list it for cool tones; StyleSeat lists it for warm ones.
- Ash on dark skin: a colourist for L’Oréal Paris Canada calls ash the most flattering for dark skin, and Garnier says cooler, darker shades; Haiirology warns that too light or too ashy can look dull.
- Bright red on dark skin: Glaze says a bold red suits dark skin with warm undertones; Secret Spa says to avoid really bright reds.
- Blonde on olive skin: Secret Spa calls it the hardest, though not impossible; KM Xtend names honey and golden blonde for olive skin with green eyes.
- Auburn with blue eyes: Secret Spa says some think it jars, but it works as lowlights; KM Xtend names coppery reds for blue eyes.
Read next
For ideas in each shade, see NeedleStyle’s hair colours for cool undertones, hair colour ideas for brown skin, strawberry blonde hair ideas, dark caramel balayage and hair colour ideas for a new you. The Makeup for Your Eye Color tool matches your makeup, the Gray Blending Planner plans colour for greys, and the Highlights or Balayage? Finder says how to ask for it: balayage, foils, babylights, lowlights or an ombré.
The pages we read
On hair colour and skin tone: L’Oréal Paris USA and Canada, with colourist Brennen Demelo; Garnier USA and India; Prose; StyleSeat; Secret Spa; Naturtint; Glaze; Trademark Salon; and Haiirology. On eye colour: L’Oréal Paris, Salonory Studio and KM Xtend. On levels and upkeep: Garnier’s hair colour number guide and new to hair colour pages, StyleSeat on hair levels, and Fox News with colourist Brad Cucinello. Every quote was checked against its page on 17 October 2026.
FAQ
What hair colour suits me?
The one that matches your skin’s undertone: cool skin suits ash, platinum, ash brown, burgundy and blue-black, warm skin suits golden and honey blonde, caramel, copper, chocolate and mahogany, and neutral skin can wear both. Your skin depth and eye colour narrow it down, and staying within about 2 levels of your natural colour keeps upkeep low.
How do I know if my skin is warm or cool?
Look at the veins on your wrist in daylight. Blue or purple veins mean a cool undertone, green veins a warm one, and both or neither a neutral one. If silver jewelry flatters you, you are likely cool; if gold does, warm; if both do, neutral.
What are hair colour levels?
A scale from 1 to 10 for how dark or light hair is: level 1 is black, 4 medium brown, 6 dark blonde, 8 blonde and 10 the lightest blonde, close to platinum. Box dyes are numbered by it. Read your own level at the roots in daylight.
What hair colour suits olive skin?
Rich browns and deeper reds: chocolate brown, mocha and auburn are the shades the guides name most. Going blonde is the hardest change for olive skin, though not impossible; with a cool undertone, choose a cooler blonde over a golden one.
What hair colour should I avoid?
With a cool undertone, skip golden, honey, caramel and copper shades, which can wash cool skin out or make it look flushed. With a warm undertone, skip ash, icy, platinum and blue-black. On fair skin, black and the darkest browns can wash it out. Neutral skin can wear both sides.
How far from my natural colour can I go?
For a natural look and the least upkeep, stay within about 2 levels. Most permanent dyes lift only 2–3 levels; going lighter than that takes bleach, and the roots show sooner. Going darker is easy, but dye will not lighten dyed hair afterwards. Plan on a root touch-up every 4–6 weeks.