So you’re ready to dive into a new hair colour, but you’re not really sure what colours suit Asian skin tones the best. You might be surprised to hear that it’s not a one-size-fits-all sort of situation.
When it comes to deciding the right hair colour for you, it actually depends on your skin’s undertone. Does your undertone lean warm, cool, neutral, or even olive?
Before booking your next appointment, here’s everything you need to know about choosing the best hair colours for Asian skin tones.
How to choose the best hair colour for your Asian skin tone
A common misconception is that all Asians have warm undertones, but this actually isn’t always the case. Many Asians also have cool, neutral, and olive undertones.
For the most part, deciding what hair colours suit which Asian skin tones is actually quite simple: warmer hair colours complement warm undertones the best, and cooler hair colours flatter cool undertones the best.
For those with neutral undertones, virtually any hair colour suits you. If you have olive undertones, cooler, muted shades tend to work the best.
How to tell your undertone
So, how do you figure out your skin’s undertone? The simplest way to find out is by looking at your jewelry and clothing. Yes, just like with colour analysis.
If you look better in gold jewelry, earthy colours, and ivory or cream, you’re probably warm, and if silver jewelry, jewel shades, and crisp white suit you better, you probably lean cool. If you feel like you don’t fully fit into either warm or cool, you likely fall within neutral or olive undertones.
Warmer undertones tend to have yellow, golden, or peachy hues, while cooler undertones have pink, red, or bluish hues. Neutral undertones have a balance of both warm and cool hues, and olive undertones tend to have yellow or green hues.
Next, we’ll take a look at the best hair colours for each of these undertones.
Hair colours for warm Asian undertones
Warm undertones typically have hues of yellow, golden, or peach. For Asians with warm undertones, warmer hair colours work perfectly because they bring out the natural warmth and underlying golden tint in your skin.
Warmer, earthier hair colours help to brighten your natural glow and make you look more radiant. Shades that are the most flattering for warm Asian undertones include:
- Golden blonde
- Honey brown
- Caramel
- Copper
- Auburn
Shades of rose gold and even hot pink also suit warmer skin tones, if you’re into more fun and eccentric colours.
In terms of hair colours to avoid with warm undertones, you’ll want to steer clear of cooler shades – especially icy and ashy colours. The high contrast of cool hair tones with your skin’s warm undertone can make your complexion look dull, sallow, and less vibrant. We want your warmth to shine!
Hair colours for cool Asian undertones
Cool undertones tend to have hues of pink, red, or blue. Cooler hair colours complement your complexion, as opposed to clashing with it. Hair colours with cool tones can help to balance out the redness in your skin and make it look more even.
For those with cool Asian undertones, cooler hair colours shine the most, such as:
- Platinum
- Icy blonde
- Cool beige
- Ash brown
- Mocha
- Burgundy
If you’re into more adventurous hair colours, shades of lilac, blue, and even silver are very flattering on cooler skin tones.
With a cool undertone, you should avoid warmer hair colours in shades of yellow, golden, or orange. They can clash with your cooler undertones and emphasize the redness in your skin.
Hair colours for neutral Asian undertones
Asians with neutral undertones actually suit a wide variety of shades, so you have the most flexibility in terms of choosing your hair colour.
Neutral undertones are a blend of warm and cool, so if you want a hair colour that looks natural and effortless, go for a shade that balances both warm and cool tones.
The best hair colours for neutral Asian undertones are shades that don’t particularly pull too warm or too cool, such as:
- Sandy blonde
- Bronde
- Beige brown
- Rose brown
Hair colours that lean more heavily on the warmer or cooler side can also suit neutral undertones, but they do tend to look higher contrast and less natural.
Hair colours for olive Asian undertones
Olive undertones are less common than warm, cool, or neutral undertones, but many Asians do have this undertone. Olive undertones tend to have muted yellow or green hues, and there are many hair colours that complement this undertone.
For olive undertones, you want cooler hair colours that neutralize the green tones in your skin and give you a natural glow. This includes shades such as:
- Ash brown
- Mushroom brown
- Espresso
- Plum
- Cherry cola
- Burgundy
You should avoid shades like more yellowy blondes or browns that bring out the green or yellow hues in an unflattering way and can make your skin look dull and tired.
With the right shade, your new hair colour can enhance your complexion rather than washing you out. If you’re not entirely sure what hair colours would suit you best, you can book a consultation with one of our expert stylists at PERFECT X HAIR.
Why colouring Asian hair requires special techniques
Something many people don’t realize is that Asian hair is quite different from Caucasian hair. This means specific methods are required in order to achieve lighter colours for Asian hair.
Asian hair has high levels of melanin, which is actually what gives it its naturally dark colour. Asian hair follicles are also typically thicker in shape, and because of this, it’s more difficult for bleaching or colouring ingredients to penetrate.
This is why it’s crucial to work with a salon that specializes in Asian hair colouring. An experienced stylist can help you achieve the exact colour you’re looking for, while also ensuring your hair stays healthy throughout the entire process.
Do you need to bleach Asian hair to colour it?
Contrary to popular belief, bleaching isn’t always a must for lightening or colouring Asian hair. Depending on how light you want to go, you may not actually require any bleach to achieve your desired hair colour.
When done properly with an experienced stylist, bleaching is safe to do on your hair. The stylist will use expert precision to control the lift in your hair, protect its health, and keep it from looking brassy.
After your hair has been bleached, you’ll also want to use colour-safe products at home to help maintain the colour and keep your hair hydrated.
If you’re looking to avoid bleach, our skilled stylists at PERFECT X HAIR can help you determine the best way to achieve your dream colour without bleaching.
Popular hair colouring techniques for Asian hair
When it comes to colouring Asian hair, it’s not just about the shade – there are different techniques as well. Different colouring techniques can completely change how a colour looks, as well as how it grows out and how much maintenance it requires.
There are many different hair colouring techniques, and we’ll dive into some of the most popular ones for Asian hair.
Balayage
If you still want your beautiful natural colour to shine through, balayage is a great way to introduce more colour to your hair. It involves hand-painting highlights on your hair with a soft, gradient effect, blending your natural colour with your new colour. The result is a gorgeous, sun-kissed effect on your hair.
Balayage is highly requested for Asian hair because it seamlessly blends with your natural hair without any harsh lines, so the grow-out looks natural. If you prefer a more low-maintenance style that doesn’t require too much upkeep, balayage is an excellent option.
Highlights
For a bolder and higher contrast look, highlights are a very popular hair colouring technique for Asian hair. Your stylist lightens different sections of your hair to add depth and dimension.
The great thing about highlights is that they’re extremely versatile. Popular highlight styles include babylights, peekaboo highlights, and face-framing money pieces.
As highlights don’t blend into your hair as seamlessly as a balayage, they do require more maintenance and touch-ups at the salon.
Full colour
If you’re ready for a total hair transformation, you can go full-on colour. This involves colouring your whole head of hair with one consistent shade. This is a great option if you’re looking to try a bolder and more dramatic look, especially if you decide to go with a light shade or a more vibrant colour.
Full colour does require more frequent visits to the salon, as you’ll need to keep up with touch-ups as your roots grow out.
Get your dream hair colour at PERFECT X HAIR
When it comes to finding the best hair colours for Asian hair, it’s not just about cool or warm shades – it’s about finding the right balance of tone and contrast to complement your skin.
The right hair colour enhances your skin’s undertones, or balances them out. Once you’ve found your undertone, it’s a lot easier to find the perfect hair colour for you.
Ready for your next hair transformation? Book a consultation with one of our expert stylists at PERFECT X HAIR here in Toronto. We’re here to help you achieve your dream hair goals.
