Photo: Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images
Getting golden, sun-kissed tans and strands may be an easy feat for California girls, but not every woman needs to be bronzed and blonde. If you have a cool complexion and want to honor your natural skin tone with a complementary hair color, you have plenty of options. Cool-skinned girls normally have ash blond, medium brown, dark brown or bluish-black hair and flesh undertones of pink or blue. If you want to switch your natural shade of tresses for a flattering brown or red, study your color chemistry first.
Espresso Brown
For pink undertones, a shiny tint of espresso can neutralize redness. Because espresso has its own cool undertones, it accentuates your complexion and looks especially stunning against olive, brown and pale skin. To avoid looking washed out, ask your colorist for golden highlights. While an entire head of warmer strands would work against your natural skin tone, a few highlights mixed with a darker, cooler shade will play up your features and bring life to your face. For celebrity inspiration, take cues from Megan Fox, who sports a sultry dark brunette ‘do.
Medium Golden Brown
If as a child you had ash blond or ash brown hair, medium golden brown can be an intriguing switch up. You will want to stick to a wheat colored cast as opposed to a yellow tint: the addition of a slightly warm tone to brunette locks will energize blue skin without looking too different from your childhood shade. Actress America Ferrera is a famous wearer of this color combination: her light olive skin looks healthy and radiant against her hazelnut hair.
Ruby Red
While not the most traditional of hues, ruby red is a fun and chic option for cool complexions. Think of ruby as the modern platinum. Bold and glamorous, this shade is made for rebellious and trend-setting personalities. Past ruby haired fans include Rihanna, who wore her mane short and tousled to show off the dazzling red. Take note if you think ruby is the color for you: the intense pigmentation requires careful upkeep and frequent color jobs to keep dark roots at bay.
Bordeaux
This rich, wine-inspired hue warms up cooler skin tones without looking brassy or yellow. Best for complexions with blue undertones and universally flattering on dark, olive, rosy and pale skin, bordeaux is favorable to auburn, a more orange-tinged shade that is best for warm skin. If you’re worried about your new red shade looking too dramatic, don’t be: bordeaux operates with the same intensity as dark brown shades, making it a safe option for experimentation.
