You know that moment when you try on a lipstick, look in the mirror, and instantly feel like a new person? Well, the right hair color can have the same transformative effect—and trust me, I’ve been on quite the journey to find mine.
With warm skin tones (think golden, peachy, or olive undertones), it’s all about embracing hues that make your complexion glow like you’ve just stepped off a tropical beach.
After spending more time (and money) on hair dye than I care to admit, I’ve gathered the best colors for warm skin tones, according to experts and a few trial-and-error moments of my own.
Get ready for some color inspo that might just leave you feeling like a sun-kissed goddess. And yes, I’m still trying to recover from that one time I thought bleach blonde was a good idea—spoiler: it wasn’t.
The Best Hair Colors For Warm Skin Tones.
#1 Auburn Red
Auburn hair is a beautiful, richly-hued hair color that can range from light coppery brown to dark reddish brown.
Auburn is the hair equivalent of wrapping yourself in your favorite cozy sweater—it’s warm, it’s rich, and it’s always in style. This red-brown hue adds an earthy, sophisticated vibe that just works with warm skin tones.
Expert Insights
“Auburn’s subtle red tones enhance your skin’s natural warmth,” says colorist Tracey Cunningham, who has worked with celebs like Emma Stone. “It brings out that healthy, radiant glow.”
DIY tip: To maintain that vibrant red, try using a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to keep the color from fading too quickly.
#2 Caramel Blonde
Caramel blonde hair color is a beautiful, rich shade that combines blonde and light brown tones.
It’s perfect for those who want to add a little warmth to their look without going too dark. And, it’s a great way to ease into the world of highlights and lowlights! The result is a gorgeous, multi-dimensional color that looks shiny and healthy.
Celebrity inspo: Jennifer Lopez. Enough said.
Expert Insights
“Caramel blonde is perfect for adding dimension without overpowering warm undertones,” says Riawna Capri, hairstylist to stars like Julianne Hough.
Pro tip: Add some face-framing caramel highlights if you want to dip your toes into blonde without fully committing.
#3 Chestnut Brown
Chestnut brown hair color is a deep, rich brown with strong red tones. It is a beautiful, classic hair color that works well with all skin tones.
As a brunette shade, it’s also very versatile. It can be worn as-is or can be lightened or darkened to create different effects.
For example, adding light brown highlights to chestnut brown hair can give it a sun-kissed look, while deepening the color with chocolate or espresso lowlights can give it a more dramatic, sultry appearance.
Expert Insights
“This shade complements golden undertones beautifully,” says Justin Anderson, the mastermind behind Margot Robbie’s enviable locks. “It’s a timeless color that adds subtle vibrancy.”
#4 Honey Blonde
Honey blonde hair color is a lovely, warm shade that looks great on a variety of skin tones.
It’s like liquid sunshine for your hair—warm, golden, and brightening. It’s the color that screams “I woke up like this,” even when you definitely did not.
Honey blonde is also surprisingly low maintenance, so you can enjoy your new look without having to worry about frequent trips to the salon.
Expert Insights
“Honey blonde works like a highlighter for your face,” says celeb stylist Jen Atkin. “It adds warmth to the skin and creates a sun-kissed effect that’s hard to beat.”
#5 Strawberry Blonde
Strawberry blonde hair is a beautiful and unique color that can range from a pale pink to a rich golden hue.
While the exact shade may vary depending on your natural hair color, strawberry blonde hair typically has a warm undertone. If you’re thinking of dyeing your hair this shade, and your natural hair color is on the darker side, you’ll need to use bleach to get the look.
Strawberry blonde also tends to fade quickly, so you may need to touch up your color more often than other shades.
Celebrity inspo: Amy Adams—her strawberry blonde waves are the stuff of hair dreams.
#6 Bronde
Why choose between blonde and brunette when you can have both? Bronde is the perfect mix, offering depth and brightness for those with warm skin.
Celebrity inspo: Gisele Bündchen—do I even need to say more?
#7 Rich Reds
Rich red hair color is a highly saturated shade with deep, vibrant tones. It ranges from light copper to deep auburn, and it can be enhanced with highlights or lowlights.
Red hair fades fast! So to keep your red hair looking its best, use shampoo and conditioner formulated for color-treated hair.
These shades are perfect for the daring souls who want to embrace their inner fire.
Expert Insights
“Rich reds enhance golden undertones and make warm skin glow beautifully,” says Tracey Cunningham, celebrity colorist.
#8 Bright Copper
Copper hair is a beautiful and unique hair color that can range from a light peach to a deep auburn.
While it is often associated with fiery redheads, copper hair can actually be worn by anyone.
Whether you are looking to add some dimension to your natural hair color or want to experiment with a new shade, copper or ginger hair color is definitely worth considering.
Expert Insights
“Copper works wonders on warm complexions by enhancing golden undertones,” says Nikki Lee, hair color expert.
Insider tip: Make sure to invest in color-safe shampoos to keep this vibrant shade from fading into oblivion.
#9 Chocolate Brown
Chocolate brown hair color is a rich, deep brown that often has reddish or golden undertones. It can be worn by anyone, but it looks especially flattering on those with warm skin tones and brown eyes.
The best way to achieve this hue is with a permanent hair color, as it can be difficult to replicate with semi-permanent or temporary colors.
Chocolate brown hair color is also relatively low-maintenance, as it doesn’t require frequent touch-ups like some lighter shades. And while it may not be as trendy as some of the other colors out there, chocolate brown is timeless and classic.
Celebrity inspo: Priyanka Chopra, aka the queen of chocolate brown hair.
#10 Burgundy
Burgundy hair color is a beautiful, rich shade that can range from deep purple to reddish brown.
It’s a popular choice for those looking to add a touch of luxury to their look, and it’s also perfect for updating your style for the fall season.
This rich, wine-inspired shade oozes sophistication while adding a striking contrast to your warm undertones.
Expert Insights
“Burgundy looks stunning against warm skin, adding a luxurious feel,” says Kristin Ess, stylist to celebs like Lauren Conrad.
What Are Skin Tones Anyway?
Skin tones are often confused with undertones, but really they’re two different things. When it comes to choosing the best hair color for warm skin tones, they’re both important.
Your skin tone – is the surface hue of your skin. This can which can change with things like sun exposure, reactions to medication, or even certain medical conditions.
Your undertones – are your complexion. This is the colour from underneath the surface of your skin that affects your overall hue.
There are three undertones – warm, neutral and cool.
Finding out which one you are is the secret to understanding the right make-up and the right hair colors to suit you.
Need help figuring out your undertone? Take our What Color Are Your Skin Undertones? Quiz to find out if you’ve got warm, cool, or neutral undertones before getting into your next color adventure!
What Hair Colors Won’t Suit Warm Skin Tones?
While warm skin tones thrive with golden, copper, and rich hues, certain shades can make your complexion look washed out. Stay away from:
- Ash blonde: The cool undertones of this color can make your skin appear dull.
- Platinum blonde: While gorgeous on some, it tends to clash with the warmth in your skin.
- Jet black: It can create too harsh a contrast, draining the natural warmth from your complexion.
Parting words
So there you have it, my warm-skinned beauties—a whole palette of hair colors just waiting to bring out your inner glow!
Whether you’re ready to embrace a bold copper or test the waters with a subtle caramel blonde, remember: your hair is your canvas. Play with it, have fun, and most importantly, choose a color that makes you feel like the absolute goddess you are.
Now, grab that dye, or book a salon appointment, and let’s get glowing! Your next hair transformation is just a shade away.
Found your perfect shade? We’d love to see it! Tag us on Instagram @coloredhaircare or Facebook and share your hair dye success stories. Looking for more hair care tips? Check out How to Look After Colored Hair: 11 Expert Secrets For Long-Lasting Color.
Our Research & Review Process
To ensure our recommendations are as comprehensive and reliable as possible, we’ve undertaken an extensive research effort.
We cite scientific evidence and journals, collect real user reviews and gather impartial perspectives from hair stylists, users, and experts in the field.
Additionally, we conduct hands-on testing by using products and applying hair dyes not only on our own locks but also on real human hair extensions and hair pieces of different hair type, textures and lengths.
This rigorous approach allows us to provide you with insights into which products genuinely live up to their promises.
As always – please consult with a professional hair colorist or stylist for advice on how to color your own hair at home. It’s different for everyone!
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