does new hair color equal new colors?
September 1, 2009 
6 Comments
Reader Question of the Week
I hope you can help me! Once DC is in the full swing of autumn, I plan to make a drastic change: I am going to change my champagne-blonde hair to a dark, rich brunette. Does this mean I will also need to make drastic changes in the colors I wear? I mostly find myself in jewel tones like emerald green, lemon yellow, and Greek isle blue. My skin tone is fair with pink undertones and I have natural blue eyes. What do you think?
Wardrobe 911′s Style Prescription
Wow! Typically when a woman undergoes a big change with her hair, there is a big change happening for them personally or they just want to rev it up a bit and move forward. It sounds like some exciting times are ahead!
From what you’ve told me, your personal coloring (blue eyes, fair/pinky skin/blonde hair) has dominantly cool color temperatures. That is probably why you enjoy the cool emerald greens and Mediterranean blues. Surprisingly, it’s a very intuitive yet personal thing as Johannes Itten has pointed out in his book, The Art of Color. And personal is the operative word. Typically, we are attracted to colors that are in or harmonize with our own personal coloring. However, sometimes we can get misled with color because although a color may be cool (like emerald), the value may not be right for you.
Color is made up of three attributes: hue, saturation and value (HSV.) Hue loosely means color (temperature being a part of that), value is about light and dark, and saturation is about intensity. So a lighter cool green would look better for where you are now (as shown.) When you say you’re going for a dark, rich brunette, you are doing two things to your personal coloring.
- You are changing your overall color temperature to cool/warm. “Rich” brunette typically has warm highlights. Our hair tends to be the dominant temperature when our skin and eyes are light although this is not always the case.
- You are changing your personal color contrast values. From light hair, light eyes and light skin to more high contrast which is dark hair and light skin.
So the big question is, do you have to change the colors you wear? Yes and no. First off, those deep emeralds and blues look better on higher contrast coloring (they probably currently are too bold for you now) so you’re good there IF you color your hair to a more COOL, ash brown (think Snow White.) Your colorist can best help advise you in this area. If you go do go warm brown (which I don’t recommend), then you are changing to a dominantly warm temperature palette and you will need new colors but you won’t like them.
The yellows and lighter colors will more than likely not work as you will need more vibrant colors and navys and blacks to pull it off. The easiest and savviest way to find your best colors is to get a personal color analysis – and, we have stylists in DC that can help you.
About the Author
I think that my problem with figuring out what colors look good on me is with what I read. I have brown hair (with auburn highlights) and brown eyes and fair skin. I think that I fit into the warm coloring categories. Some things I read say no navy or no black. I really like navy. Are there really such things as absolutes when it comes to colors?
No, there are NO absolutes! As color consultants, we try and make it as easy as possible for the general masses but every individual is different – I strongly feel it’s important to have your own coloring analyzed to determine once and for all. Your eyes have more than one color in them and your skin does too. Your undertones, highlights, everything plays into what works best for you. And I didn’t even touch on saturation + intensity since it is too complicated for here.
Having said that, I have discovered when working with men and women that you are either a navy-wearer or an olive-wearer — most people can’t wear both, although I’ve met a few!
Is there a way to do a color analysis on yourself to determine if you are a navy wearer or an olive wearer? I live in North Carolina and don’t know if there is anyone who does color analysis.
Teresa, thank you so much for taking my question! I’m really encouraged that I won’t have to do a total overhaul of my closet and I’m even more excited for the big change!
Shana — yes, you can do a couple of things. One, go to a store and find a navy and an olive item. Hold them up to your face one at a time and look in the mirror – the right colors will support your coloring and look natural. The wrong colors will drain you.
The second option is to check out our core wardrobe planning form available in our store: http://www.wardrobe911.com/style-shop/shop-forms/ — it includes a color printout to help guide you in determining your color temperature. You need a color printer though!
You’re welcome Elizabeth! Look forward to hearing an update from you.