Having pale skin may be beautiful but it isn’t always easy. You have to remember to constantly protect your skin from the sun, and more importantly, find the right colors and shades to complement your fair skin tone.
When it comes to choosing the right hair for your skin tone, there are several factors you need to keep in mind. Fortunately, there are dozens of hair colors for pale skin to choose from so making the choice for your next hair appointment shouldn’t be stressful but rather fun and exciting!
Find Your Skin Tone Undertones
To choose the best hair color for pale skin, start by figuring out your skin’s undertone to complement it appropriately. If your skin is cool-toned, you’ve got pink and olive undertones. If it’s warm, then you’ll find yellow and golden undertones.
There are a few tricks to be sure you’re choosing the right hair colors for your skin tone. First, your eyes are a great indication of your skin tone. If they are blue or green, chances are your skin tone is cool. If you find flecks of gold, then your skin tone is warm. Still not sure? Check your wrist: veins that appear blue or purple speak of cool undertones; if they appear green, then you most likely have warm undertones.
Now that you’ve identified your skin’s undertones, it’s easy to choose from a multitude of hair color ideas.
1. Ashy Brown
For fair skin with either hazel or blue eyes, try a medium ashy brown color. The ash color carries the same properties as platinum or ash blonde, and it’s a perfect complement to a base of cool skin tones with pink or red undertones. If you’re looking for a way to achieve an ashy brown, make sure you or your stylist puts on a toner to lighten the rich tones of the brown color. Ashy brown is very popular now but looks the best on people with fair skin.
Instagram / @modernsalon
2. Warm Blonde
Fair-skinned beauties often choose blonde when it comes to hair color for skin tone. If you’ve got yellow or even olive undertones choose a warm blonde color such as caramel, amber or butterscotch. Ashy blonde can wash olive skin out easily so choose something warm. Chances are, if you have light-colored eyes such as light blue, green, light hazel, or golden brown, then a warm blonde is for you.
Instagram / @rodolffocarvalho
3. Dark Copper
Natural redheads are born with fair skin, so it’s no surprise that coppery tresses pair with pale complexion exceptionally well. This charming lady has gone even further than just dying her hair red – she rocks gorgeous copper balayage.
Instagram / @topknotbalayage
4. Chocolate Brown
If you’re into darker shades, consider stealing this idea for your next trip to the hair salon. Dark chocolate with subtle sunkissed highlights can be your best choice if you have skin with warm undertones and gray or blue eyes. The soft hints of blonde make this hair look flattering and natural, and add an incredible glow to the face.
Instagram / @chrisweberhair
5. Honey Highlights
If you’re looking for a shade of blonde to match your pale skin with warm undertones, scroll no further. Without any doubt, honey blonde hits the mark as its warm hues perfectly pair with the warmth of the skin. You can go all-in and get your hair dyed into vibrant honey blonde or opt for shining honey highlights on a dirty blonde base like this lady.
Instagram / @chrisweberhair
6. Copper Brown
Girls with cool undertones need to add some warmth to their hair, and they’ll never go wrong with copper shades. The copper palette is so rich there are no chances that you won’t find your perfect match among the amazing coppers. Don’t shy away from experimenting with highlights and texture to achieve the best results.
Instagram / @justblo
7. Dark Red Brown
The exciting palette of reds could be the best choice for ladies that strive to stand out from the crowd. It’s safe to say that wine red, mahogany or rosewood are created to turn heads, especially if you can boast lush long locks. However, you need to be careful with bold red hues: they are likely to produce an adverse effect if coupled with fair skin that has red undertones.
Instagram / @_danielledoeshair
8. Creamy Blonde Balayage
Creamy blonde is famous for flattering any skin tone. However, it looks absolutely awesome on ladies with fair complexion. By the way, for the creamy blonde, your skin undertones don’t even matter – it works equally well with both cool and warm ones. Steal this awesome look to ooze sunny vibes all year round.
Instagram / @kainandecanine
9. Purple
Embrace one of the hottest trends of now with this gorgeous purple hair color. The daring purple goes best with cool skin undertones and blue eyes. Still, be careful with the purple hues if your skin has red undertones – opt for cooler shades, for instance, smoky lavender.
Instagram / @pamela_cabelos
10. Auburn
Bright auburn and neutral pale skin look like a couple made in heaven. The secret is simple: auburn features a perfect balance of warm and cool tones that add a magnificent glow to a neutral fair complexion. If you have pale skin with cool undertones but are dying to try on vibrant auburn, consider getting copper or strawberry highlights to balance the look.
Instagram / @tesseghair
11. Strawberry Blonde
Strawberry blonde can be your best choice if you’re hesitating between staying blonde or transforming into a redhead. It might sound surprising, but strawberry blonde is supposed to be a neutral tone, which means that it flatters any complexion, fair skin being not an exception.
Instagram / @hair.by.jessv
12. Dirty Blonde
Bronde is a perfect low-commitment solution for brunettes who are skeptical about jumping into blonde with both feet. Dirty blonde beautifully complements pale skin with warm undertones and accentuates facial features. It can also be your best choice if your skin features red undertones: dirty blonde does a perfect job in neutralizing unwanted redness.
Instagram / @pamela_cabelos
13. Platinum Blonde
Ashy, white, silver or platinum blonde hair are a great complement to pale skin that contains red undertones. When it comes to color, remember that opposites attract. Any light cool blonde will neutralize pink skin so it’s an ideal hair color for pale skin and blue eyes. If your hair was white blonde as a child, then this color will suit your fair skin the best. Pale beauties like Gwen Stefani are famous for their platinum locks.
Instagram / @lighterwithlexi
14. Dark Brown
If you want hair colors for light skin that aren’t in the blonde family, try taking your look to the other end of the color spectrum with a rich espresso shade. Dark brown hair may be too intense for cool-toned skin but it’s ideal for those with warmer or more olive-toned skin. The contrast makes skin appear porcelain-like and suits green eyes beautifully.
Instagram / @bora_kalaj
15. Cool Brown
You’ll want something in the chocolate or mocha family if you’re going to go with a rich brown. If your skin is warm, then a rich brown in cooler tones will give your yellow skin a beautiful, creamy look (think Miranda Kerr). It’s especially stunning if your eyes are blue. Luckily, cool brown is universally flattering on nearly everyone.
Instagram / @mila_kryshchykhina
16. Warm Ginger Red
Pale babes know that strawberry, amber and rust are some of the best hair colors for light skin. Stars like Jessica Chastain and Emma Stone know how well their cool undertones are complemented by a warm red-like copper shade. You’ll want to mix cool and warm tones in your dye to achieve a creamy color with hints of copper.
Instagram / @myreissalon
17. Rose Gold
This color falls in the red family but it’s unique in its flexibility on skin tone. Rose gold is exceptionally hot right now and a true match for pale skin. From desert rose to peach and coral, the entire spectrum is gorgeous for pale girls. You can choose to balance out your skin tone with opposing undertones in your hair or embrace your tone and go a little monochromatic. The rose gold can bring the pink out in cheeks in a striking way.
Instagram / @jutahmeucci
18. Pastel
Not everyone wants to keep their hair within the natural shades most people are born with. If you’re looking for a playful color but have pale skin, avoid deep jewel tones that will look too harsh on pale skin. Unicorn colors in pastels will suit fair skin best. Lavender tones are ideal for warm skin tones and light rose complement cool skin tones in a beautiful, dramatic way.
Instagram / @modernsalon
19. Burgundy
Just as a rich espresso can contrast beautifully with pale skin, so can a deep burgundy hair color. If your skin is olive and especially if your eye color is green, a burgundy plum is a lovely pale skin hair option. As with any dye job, there is some upkeep required to prevent any brassy fade but it’s worth it if you’re willing to keep up with your burgundy hair!
Instagram / @stephanysmithhair
20. Orange Copper
This eye-popping tangerine hue seems to have been specially created for girls who have green eyes and pale skin with neutral undertones. Vibrant and fresh, this color doesn’t outpower the skin color, creating a perfect balance. However, if your skin is more about coolness, opt for darker shades from the red palette, such as cherry or apple.
Instagram / @bleachedandblown
Fortunately, there are plenty of options in hair color for pale skin. Fair skin can often act as a neutral background for a variety of colors and any color can be adapted to pale skin as long as the undertones are complemented. There are more trendy color choices than there have ever been before, and you can choose shades ranging from platinum blonde to red, ashy brown and espresso, the variety is endless!
