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How to Get a Perfect Color Match Every Time

Wondering how to pick a hair color? Here are six questions to ask yourself before you color

by Katie McCarthy | COMMENT

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What Is Your Skin Undertone? Figuring out your skin's undertone may not be simple, but it's a must-do before you settle on a hair color. "To pick a flattering hair color, first decode whether your skin tone is cool or warm," says AJ Lordet, master colorist at Pierre Michel Salon in New York City. "If your skin tone is cool, you have pink, olive-y tones. If warm, you have yellow/gold tones."

Experts traditionally advise choosing a hair-color undertone that matches your skin's undertone. "If someone's hair color is naturally ashy and they have a lot of red in their skin, they may want to keep hair on the more natural or cool side," says Berry. "If they have a lot of yellow in their skin, something ashier or too light may wash them out."

To figure out your skin's undertone, Lordet recommends the vein test: "Blue, purply veins mean cool skin tone; green veins, warm," she says. Next, think about what clothing and jewelry colors suit you: Cool-toned skin looks great against white and silver tones, while warm complexions are flattered by off-white and yellow-gold. Your makeup can offer clues, too. If the name of your shade of foundation, powder or BB cream contains words like "golden" or "peach," you're probably warm; "pink" or "porcelain" might indicate a cool complexion.

Still can't make up your mind? Your skin might have a neutral undertone, which means you'd look great with a cool or warm hair color.

SEE NEXT PAGE: What Is Your Eye Color?