Choosing the Right Hair Color Dye The decision between a cool versus a warm hair color lies at the heart of a successful dye job. You must know your own basic color "temperature" in order to select a new color that will harmonize with your features. It is not unusual for a woman to visit an aesthetician to have her colors analyzed before a hair change but if you cannot or don't want to go to that length, you can ask yourself some basic questions about your skin type, eye color, and existing hair color that will guide you in your decision. Fortunately if you go the "do it yourself" route most companies that make hair dye kits will also have a chart of dye colors on display with their products that is divided into cool and warm shades.

People who are "cool" should stay away from yellow, gold, bronze and red tones. These shades will give the skin a sallow texture and make the features look drawn. Blacks, ash browns, and blonde shades from platinum to near white work best. If "cool" people are indeed "cool" and daring, their natural coloration will work with different hair colors like lipstick red, purple orchid hues, and burgundy. (It's probably best to go with the more temporary dye methods if you experiment with unnatural colors.) Naturally warm people should avoid the wild hair colors of the trendier looks. No blues, violets, of jet black Goth dyes for these folks unless your desire is to look washed out and corpse-like. Deep rich browns, red hair colors from auburn to simple gold highlights, and golden blondes work very well for "warm" folk.