Looking to try a new hair color, but not sure what shade to pick? We get it! With 40+ oVertone shades to choose from, making a final decision can be tough (especially if you’re new to hair color). So to make it easier, we’ve put together a list of helpful tips.

STEP 1: Select A Color Based On Your Starting Shade

Unless you’re planning on bleaching your hair first, you’ll need to choose a hue that works with your current hair color. Here’s a quick list for easy reference.

Platinum Blonde:

The world is your oyster. Your white blonde hair is the perfect base for any Pastel, Vibrant or Extreme shade.

Light Blonde:

If you’re on the lighter end of light blonde, Pastels will work on your hair. If you’re closer to medium blonde than light blonde, stick with a Vibrant or Extreme shade. 

Dark Blonde to Light Brown:

Go for something that packs more of a pigmented punch. For bolder, brighter results, choose an Extreme shade. For subtle color, use one of our Vibrant shades.

Medium Brown:

Medium brown hair is the perfect canvas for our line of extremely pigmented For Brown Hair collection, formulated specifically to add color to brunette hair, without damage, pre-lightening or bleach. You can also use our Ginger Coloring Conditioner to give medium brown hair a gorgeous copper tinted boost.

Check out this post for a closer look at the best shades for brown hair!

Dark Brown or Black:

Because oVertone hair colors don’t contain chemicals, our coloring conditioners will only add a deep, subtle tint to dark brown strands. If you’re looking for an office-friendly color that comes to life outside and in the sunlight, try Red For Brown, Pink For Brown or Purple For Brown or any of our For Brown Hair colors to add a shiny, barely-there tint to your beautiful dark brown hair.

STEP 2: Identify Your Undertones

The next thing you need to do is figure out your hair’s current undertones. Not sure? Chances are you have warm undertones, unless you’ve colored your hair ash blonde, ash brown or currently have a cool-toned shade like blue or green in your strands.

Starting with a warm toned shade?

You have two options: 

1) Choose another warm hair color (Reds, Pinks, Oranges)

2) Tone your hair to create a neutral base before adding a cool-toned shade. Use Purple Toner to neutralize gold and yellow undertones or a Blue Toner to rid hair of orange and brassy undertones in your hair. Doing this will create a neutral base that allows you to play with cool, neutral and warm colors.

Rocking a cool shade RN?

If you want to transition from a cool to warm hue, any shade should work for you. But to avoid any muddiness, try toning your hair with our Pink Toning Conditioner to get rid of ash undertones, especially before adding a warm pastel color or using Vibrant or Extreme Yellow.

Not sure about undertones? Learn more right here