How to Choose the Right Hair Colour for You
Choosing a new hair colour can feel surprisingly complicated.
You might have saved dozens of photographs.
You might know you want to be blonde but have no idea which blonde.
Perhaps you're naturally brunette and want something lighter.
Maybe you're thinking about going copper.
Or perhaps you simply want to refresh your existing colour and make your hair look richer, shinier and more dimensional.
The problem is that choosing a hair colour isn't as simple as picking a shade from a photograph.
Your natural hair colour, skin tone, eye colour, existing colour, hair condition and lifestyle can all influence the final result.
And then there's the question of maintenance.
Because the perfect hair colour isn't necessarily the one that looks amazing on the day you leave the salon.
It's the one that continues to work for you weeks and months later.
At House of Kingshott Hair Studio, near Preston Park in Brighton, we believe choosing your colour should be a conversation rather than a decision you have to make on your own.
House of Kingshott Colouring Services
Start With the Result You Want
Before thinking about specific colour names, start by thinking about the overall result you're looking for.
Do you want to look:
Brighter?
Softer?
Warmer?
Cooler?
More natural?
More dramatic?
More dimensional?
More polished?
Sometimes you don't actually want a completely different colour.
You may simply want your existing colour to look better.
For example, a brunette might want more richness and dimension rather than becoming blonde.
A blonde might want to feel brighter without going significantly lighter.
Someone with grey hair might want to blend it rather than completely cover it.
Understanding the result you want is often more useful than choosing a specific colour name.
Consider Your Natural Hair Colour
Your natural hair colour is one of the most important starting points when planning a colour change.
It influences how light or dark you can go and what tones may work best with your hair.
For example, someone with naturally dark hair may need a different approach to someone who is naturally light blonde.
This doesn't mean you can't change your colour dramatically.
It simply means the journey may be different.
If you're considering a significant change, your stylist will assess your starting point and discuss what is realistically achievable.
The aim is always to create a colour plan that works with your hair rather than against it.
Think About Your Skin Tone
Your skin tone can be a useful consideration when choosing your hair colour.
Some people suit warmer tones.
Others look beautiful with cooler shades.
Many people can wear a range of tones depending on the exact shade and depth.
You might find that:
Warm tones
Can include colours such as:
Golden blonde
Honey
Caramel
Warm brunette
Copper
Rich golden brown
Cooler tones
Can include:
Ash blonde
Beige blonde
Cool brunette
Mushroom brown
Soft neutral shades
Neutral tones
Can often work with a broader range of colours.
However, this isn't a strict set of rules.
Your hair colour doesn't have to perfectly match your skin's undertone.
Sometimes contrast can be incredibly beautiful.
This is why a professional colour consultation can be so useful.
Rather than following a generic rule about what you "should" wear, you can explore what actually makes you feel your best.
Consider Your Eye Colour
Your eye colour can also influence how different hair shades look against your features.
A carefully chosen hair colour can sometimes make your eyes appear more noticeable or create a beautiful contrast.
For example, warmer hair tones can complement certain eye colours, while cooler shades can create a different overall effect.
However, eye colour should be considered alongside your skin tone and natural hair colour.
The aim isn't to find one shade that matches one feature.
It's about creating harmony between your overall appearance.
Do You Want to Go Lighter or Darker?
This is one of the first questions to consider when planning a colour change.
Going lighter can create:
Brightness
Softness
Dimension
A more summery appearance
A lighter overall look
Going darker can create:
Richness
Depth
Shine
A more dramatic appearance
A more polished overall colour
You don't necessarily need to make a dramatic change.
Sometimes moving just a few shades lighter or darker can make a surprisingly noticeable difference.
Choosing the Right Blonde
Blonde isn't one colour.
There are countless variations, from soft natural blondes to brighter, lighter shades.
You might prefer:
Creamy blonde
Beige blonde
Golden blonde
Honey blonde
Soft natural blonde
Bright blonde
The right blonde will depend on your natural starting colour, the condition of your hair and the overall look you're hoping to achieve.
If you're considering becoming blonde, it's worth thinking about how bright you actually want to be.
Do you want to look naturally sun-kissed?
Would you prefer a soft beige blonde?
Or are you looking for a much brighter transformation?
🔗 LINK TO: Blonde Hair in Brighton — How to Choose Your Perfect Shade
Choosing the Right Brunette
Brunette hair can be incredibly versatile.
It doesn't have to mean one flat, dark colour.
Beautiful brunette hair can include multiple tones and subtle variations that create depth and movement.
You might prefer:
Rich chocolate
Soft natural brown
Caramel
Honey brunette
Warm brown
Cool brunette
Dimensional brunette
Sometimes adding subtle lighter pieces can completely change the appearance of brunette hair.
This could be achieved through balayage, highlights or babylights, depending on the result you're looking for.
Is Copper Hair Right for You?
Copper has become an incredibly popular hair colour, but it's also one of the shades that requires careful consideration.
Copper can range from soft and subtle to bright and fiery.
You might prefer:
Soft copper
Golden copper
Strawberry tones
Rich auburn
Warm copper
Deep red-brown
The right copper depends on the overall look you're trying to achieve.
It's also worth considering maintenance.
Some copper shades may require more regular colour refreshes to keep the tone looking vibrant.
If you're thinking about going copper, a consultation can help you understand what the colour change would involve.
Think About Your Lifestyle
This is one of the most important parts of choosing your colour.
A colour that looks beautiful isn't necessarily the right colour for your lifestyle.
Ask yourself:
How often do I want to visit the salon?
How much maintenance am I comfortable with?
Do I want to see my natural root?
Do I want my colour to grow out softly?
Am I happy to invest time in maintaining the colour at home?
These questions can help determine which colour technique is most suitable.
For example, a softer balayage may suit someone who wants a more relaxed grow-out.
A root tint may be better for someone who wants to maintain a consistent colour from root to ends.
Highlights may be ideal if you're looking for more consistent brightness.
The colour should fit into your life.
Not the other way around.
How Much Maintenance Do You Want?
Maintenance is often overlooked when people choose a new hair colour.
It's easy to focus on how the colour will look immediately after your appointment.
But what happens six weeks later?
Or three months later?
If you want a colour that grows out softly, techniques such as balayage or carefully placed highlights may be worth considering.
If you prefer a consistent colour from the roots through the lengths, you may need a more regular maintenance routine.
There's nothing wrong with either approach.
The important thing is choosing a colour that matches the amount of maintenance you're realistically prepared to commit to.
Consider Your Hair Condition
The condition of your hair should always be part of the colour conversation.
If you're considering going significantly lighter, your stylist will need to assess your hair before deciding on the best approach.
Previous colour can also influence what's possible.
Hair that has been coloured before may behave differently from natural hair.
If you've had box dye, previous highlights, balayage or other colour services, it's important to be honest about your colour history.
This information helps your stylist make better decisions about your hair.
Sometimes the best approach is to work towards your goal gradually.
A beautiful colour journey doesn't have to happen all at once.
Don't Choose Your Colour From One Photograph
Inspiration photographs are incredibly useful.
They can help you explain the overall look you're drawn to.
However, it's important to remember that the colour in a photograph may look different depending on:
Lighting
Camera settings
Filters
Hair texture
Natural hair colour
Previous colour
Styling
A photograph should be a starting point rather than a guarantee.
Instead of saying:
"I want exactly this."
It can be more useful to explain:
"I love how soft this colour looks."
Or:
"I like the brightness around the face."
Or:
"I love the contrast between the darker roots and lighter ends."
This gives your stylist a better understanding of what you actually like about the image.
Think About Your Haircut
Your haircut and your colour should work together.
Colour can be used to emphasise movement, texture and shape.
For example, lighter pieces can highlight layers.
Face-framing colour can draw attention towards the front of the haircut.
Dimensional colour can help create the appearance of movement through longer hair.
This is why your colour shouldn't be considered completely separately from your cut.
At House of Kingshott, we believe your hair should work as a whole.
Do You Want a Complete Colour Change?
Sometimes you know exactly what you want.
Other times, you're simply bored with your current hair.
If you're considering a significant change, it can be useful to think about whether you want to change:
Your depth
Do you want to be lighter or darker?
Your tone
Do you want warmer or cooler tones?
Your dimension
Do you want highlights, balayage or a more uniform colour?
Your maintenance
Do you want something easy to grow out or are you happy with regular appointments?
Breaking the change down into these areas can make the decision much easier.
Root Tint, Full Head Colour, Balayage or Highlights?
The colour service you choose will depend on the result you're trying to achieve.
Root Tint
A root tint can be ideal if you're looking to refresh your roots or maintain a consistent colour.
Full Head Colour
Balayage
Balayage can be ideal for clients looking for softer, dimensional and more lived-in colour.
Highlights
Highlights can create brighter, lighter pieces throughout the hair and can be adapted to create different levels of brightness.
Babylights
Babylights create very fine, delicate highlights for subtle brightness and dimension.
The right choice isn't always obvious from the name of the service.
That's why consultation is so important.
Why a Colour Consultation Matters
You don't need to arrive at your appointment knowing exactly what service you want.
That's what your consultation is for.
Your stylist can help you consider:
Your current colour
Your natural hair
Your previous colour history
Your desired result
Your skin tone
Your lifestyle
Your maintenance preferences
The condition of your hair
Together, you can create a colour plan that's realistic and personalised.
Sometimes the colour you initially thought you wanted isn't the best option for your hair.
And that's okay.
The consultation gives you the opportunity to explore alternatives and understand what's possible.
How to Find Your Perfect Hair Colour
If you're still unsure, start by asking yourself three simple questions.
1. How do I want my hair to look?
Think about the overall feeling.
Natural?
Bright?
Rich?
Soft?
Dramatic?
2. How much maintenance am I comfortable with?
Be realistic.
How often do you actually want to visit the salon?
3. What is the condition of my hair?
Think about your previous colour and how healthy your hair feels.
These three questions can help guide the conversation with your stylist.
The Best Hair Colour Is One That Feels Like You
The perfect hair colour doesn't have to be the most dramatic.
It doesn't have to follow the latest trend.
And it doesn't have to look exactly like someone else's hair.
The best colour is the one that makes you feel like the best version of yourself.
It should complement your features.
Work with your lifestyle.
Suit your maintenance preferences.
And, most importantly, make you feel confident when you look in the mirror.
That's why we believe colour should always be personal.
Looking for Hair Colour in Brighton?
If you're looking for professional hair colouring in Brighton but aren't sure which service or shade is right for you, House of Kingshott Hair Studio can help.
From root tints and full-head colour to balayage, highlights and babylights, we'll take the time to understand your hair and the result you're hoping to achieve.
Located near Preston Park in Brighton, our approach to colour is personal, considered and designed around you.
You don't need to know exactly what you want before you book.
Sometimes the best place to start is simply with a conversation.
House of Kingshott Colouring Services
Ready to explore your colour options?