Your Undertone Decoded: Choosing Hair Colour That Enhances Your Skin Tone
Ever left the salon wondering why a certain colour didn’t quite hit - even though it looked stunning on someone else? It probably comes down to one sneaky little detail: your undertone.
Whether your skin is deep, fair, golden, or anything in between, understanding your undertone is the key to finding hair colour Brisbane that lights you up from within - instead of washing you out.
Let’s decode it together.
Wait - What Is an Undertone?
Your undertone isn’t your skin colour - it’s the temperature that sits underneath. You can have the same skin depth as someone else but a totally different undertone.
Here’s the cheat sheet:
Warm undertones = golden, peachy, or yellow base
Cool undertones = pink, red, or bluish base
Neutral undertones = a mix of both (aka, you wear gold and silver equally well)
And yes, this applies across all skin tones - whether you're rich espresso, olive caramel, medium beige, golden honey, or fair porcelain.
How to Tell What Your Undertone Is
Still unsure? Try these quick tests:
The Vein Test
Look at the inside of your wrist:
Greenish veins? You’re likely warm
Bluish/purple veins? You’re cool
Can’t really tell? You’re probably neutral
The Jewellery Test
Do you glow more in:
Gold jewellery? You’re warm
Silver jewellery? You’re cool
Both? You’re neutral
Bonus tip: If you tan easily, you're likely on the warmer side. If you burn or go pink first, you might be cool.
The Best Hair Colours for Your Undertone
Once you know your tone, choosing hair colours becomes way easier - and way more fun. Here’s what tends to glow up each undertone:
Warm Undertones
You look amazing in golden, honeyed hues. Warm colours complement your natural glow and bring out the richness in your skin.
Best Matches:
Caramel highlights
Golden or buttery blondes
Copper and warm auburns
Chocolate brunettes with golden ribbons
Works beautifully on: deeper skin tones with golden undertones, medium skin with warmth, olive skin with a sun-kissed base.
Cool Undertones
Ashy, icy, or smoky tones are your best friends - they neutralise any redness and add contrast without clashing.
Best Matches:
Ash or platinum blondes
Cool mocha brunettes
True black or blue-black
Burgundy or cool violet-reds
Works beautifully on: fair skin with pink undertones, deep skin with blue undertones, medium skin that flushes easily.
Neutral Undertones
You lucky thing - you can pull off almost anything. It’s about choosing how much contrast you want, and what vibe you’re after.
Best Matches:
Neutral chestnut or dark espresso
Beige or wheat blondes
Rose golds, bronzed reds
Creamy toffee balayage
Works beautifully on: any skin tone that doesn’t lean obviously warm or cool - and wants balance with subtle flair.
At Ella & Jade, We Colour with Intention
We believe hair colour should feel like you - not just a trend, not just a tone. That’s why we approach colour with intention, creativity, and a deep respect for the diverse beauty of our clients.
As a hair colour specialist, we work with every human, every hair and every kind of story. From rich curls to sleek waves, deep espresso tones to sun-kissed blondes - we customise every colour service to enhance your features, celebrate your tone, and reflect your personal style.
We believe hair colour should feel like you – not just a trend, not just a tone. That’s why we approach colour with intention, creativity, and a deep respect for the diverse beauty of our clients.
Not Sure Where You Fall? We’ve Got You
Come in for a consultation - we’ll walk you through it, test tones against your skin, and talk options that suit your maintenance level and lifestyle.
Book your colour consult now for hair care brisbane, or DM us a selfie in natural light if you want a head start. We’ll guide you from there - no pressure, just real advice from stylists who know their tones.