Hair Colour for Women: Trending Shades for Every Skin Tone & Maintenance Tips

The "best" hair colour is not a single, universal shade, but rather a personalised tone that harmonises with your individual attributes. It's a dynamic choice influenced by several key factors:

• Skin Tone: This refers to the surface colour of your skin (fair, medium, wheatish, dusky/deep).
• Undertone: This is the subtle hue beneath the surface of your skin, which can be warm (golden, peachy, yellow), cool (pink, blue, red), or neutral (a mix of both). Matching your hair colour shades to your undertone is crucial for a flattering result.
• Hair Type and Base Colour: Your natural hair colour and texture affect how a dye absorbs and how much lift (lightening) is achievable, especially for certain hair colour for Indian skin tone where the base is often deep brown or black.
• Personal Style: Ultimately, your chosen shade must reflect your personality, lifestyle, and willingness to maintain the colour.

Selecting a shade that perfectly complements your skin tone and style offers remarkable advantages:

• Enhances Features: The correct tone can make your eye colour pop and accentuate your bone structure.
• Youthful Appearance: Warmer, well-placed highlights or a rich, glossy all-over colour can give the illusion of youth and radiance.
• Boosts Confidence: A colour that makes you feel fabulous naturally translates into greater self-assurance.
• Adds Dimension and Shine: Multi-tonal shades create depth, making your hair look thicker and healthier.
• Personalised Expression: It allows you to showcase your individual flair and stay current with trending hair colour shades.

Here is a selection of the most coveted shades today, and who they best suit:

1. Mushroom Brown:

A cool-toned, smoky brown with ashy undertones. Best for: Fair to medium skin with cool or neutral undertones.

2. Copper Glaze:

A vibrant, dimensional red with golden-orange notes. Best for: Fair to medium skin with warm or neutral undertones, adding a fiery radiance.

3. Honey Blonde Balayage:

Sun-kissed, hand-painted highlights in a warm, golden blonde. Best for: Medium to wheatish skin with warm undertones; it softens features beautifully.

4. Cherry Cola:

A deep, rich burgundy or reddish-brown that looks almost black indoors. Best for: Dusky/Deep skin with cool undertones; this colour creates a stunning contrast.

5. Mocha Espresso:

A dark, cool-toned brown that offers immense depth and shine. Best for: All skin tones, especially medium to deep with cool or neutral undertones.

6. Caramel Ribbons:

Warm, ribbon-like highlights that add a touch of sweetness to a brown base. Best for: Wheatish to dusky skin with warm undertones; a perfect hair colour for Indian skin tone.

7. Ash Blonde:

An icy, silvery blonde free of golden tones. Best for: Fair skin with cool undertones, providing a sophisticated, almost metallic finish.

8. Mahogany:

A rich, deep brown with noticeable red and violet undertones. Best for: Medium to dusky skin with neutral or warm undertones; it adds richness and glow.

9. Golden Brown:

A classic, universally flattering brown with subtle golden reflections. Best for: Fair to medium skin with warm or neutral undertones.

10. Plum/Violet:

A bold, deep purple that pops beautifully against darker complexions. Best for: Dusky/Deep skin with cool undertones, creating a high-fashion, jewel-toned look.

The first step is determining your skin's undertone, as this dictates the temperature of the shades that will truly flatter you.

Actionable Steps to Find Your Undertone:

1. The Vein Test: Look at the veins on your wrist in natural light. If they appear blue or purple, you have a cool undertone. If they appear greenish, you have a warm undertone. If you see a mix or can't tell, you are likely neutral.
2. The Jewellery Test: Which metal looks better on you? Silver typically flatters cool tones, while gold suits warm tones. Both? You're neutral.

Once you know your undertone, match it with a corresponding hair colour—cool shades for cool undertones, and warm shades for warm undertones. Neutral undertones have the versatility to wear almost any shade!

Fair skin often has pink or blue-ish (cool) undertones, but can also be peachy (warm). Cool shades prevent a flushed appearance, while warm shades add a rosy glow.

• Ash Blonde:

A stunning icy shade that contrasts beautifully with cool fair skin.

• Auburn:

A brown base with warm red undertones, perfect for fair skin with a warm undertone.

• Platinum:

An ultra-cool, striking colour that works best on fair skin with a cool undertone.

Medium skin tones are incredibly versatile, ranging from a soft tan to olive. They typically suit warmer tones that prevent the skin from looking sallow.

• Golden Brown:

A balanced shade that adds warmth and dimension without being too bright.

• Honey Blonde:

Warm, luminous highlights or balayage to bring a sun-kissed effect to warm-toned medium skin.

• Chestnut Brown:

A classic, rich brown with subtle red-gold highlights that complements neutral undertones beautifully.

Wheatish skin, often associated with a natural tan or golden hue, usually has warm or neutral undertones. It's the quintessential hair colour for Indian skin tone.

• Caramel Balayage:

The golden-brown hues melt seamlessly into a dark base, enhancing warm undertones for a natural, glowing look.

• Mahogany:

The red-violet notes complement the golden warmth of the skin, offering a sophisticated colour lift.

• Mocha Brown:

A deep, rich colour that provides an intense gloss and depth, flattering neutral to warm wheatish tones.

Deep skin tones are incredibly rich and can carry off bold, intense colours as well as glossy, dark shades. They often have cool undertones, making jewel tones a perfect match.

• Jet Black with Blue Tint:

A dramatic, cool-toned black that gives an unparalleled shine.

• Burgundy/Deep Wine:

The purplish-red undertones work beautifully with cool-toned deep skin, creating a vibrant, yet elegant statement.

• Copper Accents:

Warm streaks, such as copper or auburn, around the face can brighten up the complexion beautifully.

Maintaining the vibrancy and health of your new hair colour is essential. Colouring is an investment, and proper care ensures longevity and shine.

• Wash Less Frequently: Aim to wash your hair every 2-3 days to reduce colour fade. Dry shampoo is your best friend on non-wash days.
• Use Colour-Safe Products: Always opt for a shampoo and conditioner specifically formulated for coloured hair, as they are free from harsh sulphates. Consider using Tresemme Keratin Smooth Shampoo to keep the cuticle sealed and the colour locked in.
• Wash with Cool Water: Hot water strips colour faster. Rinse your hair with cool or lukewarm water to help seal the hair cuticle.
• Deep Conditioning Masks: Coloured hair can become porous. Incorporate a weekly hydrating mask like the LBP Argan Oil & Lavender Hair Mask or the Tresemme Keratin Smooth Deep Smoothing Mask to replenish moisture and keep strands soft and shiny.
• Apply Heat Protection: Before using any heated styling tools (straighteners, curling irons), always spritz your hair with a heat protectant spray to shield the colour and prevent damage.
• UV Care: The sun can fade your hair colour quickly. Wear a hat or use a UV-protection spray when spending prolonged time outdoors.
• Schedule Touch-Ups: Root touch-ups are typically needed every 4-6 weeks for permanent colour, while balayage or highlights can last 8-12 weeks.

A beautiful hair colour starts with avoiding common pitfalls:

• Ignoring Your Undertone: Choosing a cool colour on warm skin (e.g., ash blonde) can make you look sallow or washed out.
• Over-Processing: Drastically lightening very dark hair too quickly can lead to severe damage and an undesirable brassy tone. Go slow and use quality products.
• Skipping a Strand Test: Always test the colour on a small, hidden section of hair first to ensure you achieve the desired shade.
• Not Using Colour-Safe Products: Using non-colour-safe shampoos is the quickest way to strip your vibrant new hue.
• Uneven Application: For at-home colouring, ensure the product is distributed evenly, particularly in hard-to-reach areas like the back of the head.

Embarking on a new hair colour for women journey is an exciting way to reinvent your look. By understanding the beautiful interplay between hair colour shades and your unique complexion—especially when selecting a flattering hair colour for Indian skin tone — you are equipped to make a choice that is both modern and deeply personal. Remember, the maintenance routine, featuring products like the strengthening Keratin range from Tresemme or a luxurious hydrating treatment like the LBP Argan Oil & Lavender Hair Mask, is just as crucial as the colour itself. Choose wisely, care diligently, and wear your new shade with stunning confidence!

A: It is strongly advised against. Such a drastic change requires multiple sessions with a professional colourist to lift the colour gradually and preserve the integrity and health of your hair.

A: Brassiness occurs when dark hair is lightened, and the natural warm undertones (red and gold) are exposed but not fully neutralised. Using a blue or purple-toning shampoo once a week can counteract this.

A: For permanent grey coverage, use a neutral or natural base shade mixed with your desired fashion colour. This ensures the stubborn grey hairs are fully saturated and covered with pigment.