Which hair color suits you?

Start with your natural shade and undertone — then decide how much change you'd love.

Any shade can work on anyone. What changes is how much time, care and upkeep it takes to get there and keep it. Knowing two things about yourself makes the choice much easier.

1. Find your natural level

Stylists number hair color from 1 (black) to 10 (lightest blonde). Look at the roots in daylight:

• 1–3 black to darkest brown
• 4–6 medium to light brown
• 7–8 dark to medium blonde
• 9–10 light blonde

2. Find your undertone

Look at the veins on your inner wrist in natural light:

• Mostly blue or purple — cool
• Mostly green — warm
• A mix, or hard to tell — neutral

If you have an olive cast, or both silver and gold jewelry feel right, choose neutral.

3. Shades that tend to complement you

4. Decide how much upkeep you want

• Gentle (every 6–8 weeks): a gloss for shine and tone. No lightening, lowest commitment.
• Moderate (every 8–12 weeks): face-framing highlights or balayage — the grow-out is soft.
• Committed (every 4–6 weeks): all-over lightening, platinum or red — beautiful, but roots and fading show quickly.

Staying within 2 levels of your natural shade keeps upkeep low and grow-out gentle.

If your hair is dark and you'd love to go much lighter

It's possible — it just takes planning. Going more than 3 levels lighter usually happens over several sessions, with a strand test first and a bond builder to protect your hair. Curls can loosen with heavy lightening, so ask your stylist about it up front. For a softer route, caramel or honey babylights 2–3 levels lighter add brightness and dimension with far less commitment.

Before any color service

• Ask for a patch test 48 hours before permanent or demi-permanent color, as the product directions require.
• If you're pregnant or trying, check with your clinician before chemical services.