HAIR COLOR IDEAS FOR HIGHLIGHTS SKIN

“When highlighting dark hair, always keep your natural underlying pigment in mind,” he says.

HAIR COLOR IDEAS FOR HIGHLIGHTS SKIN

Then he says it depends on your complexion and skin tone when wanting to go for cooler or warmer undertones and adjust accordingly. Going two to three levels lighter is a good range. Kanadasamy agrees and says the balance between dark and light is very important. “Keep your bright streaks to the places on the head that are most exposed to light.” “Highlights should only accent the hair and focus on where the sun naturally hits it,” he adds. Papanikolas says that if you want your highlights to look soft and the most natural, you’ll want to stay within two shades of the base color at the root area and no more than four shades lighter at the ends to keep the contrast soft and blended. There are a couple of things to keep in mind when wanting to highlight dark brown hair. Hair colorist and R+Co Collective Member Richy Kandasamy adds that dark brown hair goes great with highlighting techniques like ombré, balayage, sombré, flamboyage, and so much more. “Dark brown hair can look good with caramel, hazelnut, mocha, golden, or baby blonde highlights,” Papanikolas says. Or, you can make like hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos, who used Lime Crime's Unicorn Hair in Valentine to create Megan Fox’s recent red-velvet bob.This Blue Shampoo Keeps My Brunette Highlights Looking Rich What types of highlights best flatter dark brown hair?Īccording to hair colorist and Matrix brand ambassador George Papanikolas, brown hair has the benefit of being the broadest and most versatile range.

“Upkeep on reds can be a lot, and this is one of the hardest colors to keep,” says O’Connor, who recommends coloring your roots and getting a glaze every four to six weeks. “Colorists should be educating you on the right shade for your skin tone, and you should trust them enough to take their advice.” You’ll also want to set some realistic expectations. “Ask your colorist, ‘does this work for me, or is there something better for my skin tone?’” Dean suggests. Of course, that’s not to say you need an MFA to get the best red. “A cool-toned red, for example, will complement someone with pink undertones, while a copper-toned red can make blue eyes stand out.”

“With reds, it’s always good to think of how it will contrast with your skin tone and eye color,” says O’Connor. “The brighter, the better, like a red-velvet crimson.” Unlike red-velvet cake, though - which is just chocolate with some food coloring (sorry) - red-velvet hair is an expert-level art form. “ Reds will continue to have their moment in 2024,” says O’Connor. Toasted pecan redĪ bold, in-your-face color? For 2024? Told you this year wouldn’t be boring. If you’re hoping for a realistic mushroom hue that lasts, you may want to test this color out in early spring, fall, or winter.

Just note that a true neutral bronde tone is tricky to maintain in summer months due to sunlight oxidation, says Richards. Because the shade toes the line between warm and cool, it can work with virtually all skin tones and undertones, whether you go for a single-process shade or mushroom-brown highlights. “The beauty and popularity of true mushroom brown is that it’s inspired by the range of browns we’re naturally born with,” says Richards. “We’re nearing the end of the super-cold and smoky gray, and we’re seeing it be replaced with a softer and more realistic mushroom brown.” Which, in case you don’t have your carton of porcinis on hand, looks like a neutral taupe with golden tones. “ Mushroom hair started out as drastic and bold, but it’s landing in a much more wearable place for 2024,” says Dean. Cold, ashy, gray, and washed-out - which, might we remind you, bears little resemblance to the true bronzy tones of an actual mushroom. In years past, mushroom brown has been synonymous with…cold.

Hair color ideas for highlights