Good hair colors for light brown skin

From every foundation looking just a little too dark to slathering on SPF 50 every time I step into the sun, I know first-hand that being a pale girl can be a struggle. However, finding the right hair color for your skin tone doesn’t have to be difficult! The good news is that there are a ton of ways to try hair color for pale skin that complement your porcelain complexion.

We’re breaking down how to identify the best hue for your skin tone, as well as 32 of the best hair color ideas for pale skin that you can try now. Whether you’re looking to go blonde, brunette, or dive into fantasy shades, keep scrolling for everything you need to know.

Good hair day by @paolastk.

What is a fair skin tone?

Fair skin is the lightest range of complexions ranging from porcelain to light. Those with fair or pale complexions can have either warm or cool undertones.

Good hair day by @laurencoophair.

What color hair is best for pale skin?

Finding the best hair color for your pale skin all depends on identifying your undertones. If your skin has cool undertones, you’ll want to stick with ashy blonde, brown, and fantasy hues. If your complexion is on the warmer side, deeper hues such as honey blonde, copper, and caramel will go perfectly with your skin.

Good hair day by @lovexglamr.

(h2)Does pale skin look better with dark or light hair?

Wondering what a good hair color for pale skin? You’ll need to figure out your specific undertones. You can opt for shades on both sides of the spectrum, as long as they’re flattering and don’t wash you out. If you need help determining what hair color for pale skin is best for you, we always suggest consulting a professional colorist for guidance.

Good hair day by @hairby.vp.

What colors wash out pale skin?

If you have pale skin, going too light or too dark with your color can make your skin appear washed out. Be sure to consult with your colorist about the best options for you.

Good hair day by @rossimassimiliano.

Should I dye my hair black if I have pale skin?

Black hair is a statement-making color, and it stands out even more as a contrast against pale skin. In some cases, however, a shade as dark as black can make your complexion appear washed out. Instead, try a rich dark brown shade with tons of dimension.

What is the best hair color for pale skin?

Before you head to the salon, keep scrolling to see 32 of our favorite hair colors for pale skin.

The Best Blonde Hair Colors For Pale Skin

Good hair day by @leandrogabanno.

Honey Blonde

If you have a pale complexion with warm undertones, you’re going to want a blonde shade that pairs best with the warmth in your skin. We recommend trying a honey blonde hair color that will give your skin tone that instant sunkissed glow.

Good hair day by @stephc_1993hair.

Platinum Blonde

Platinum blonde and cool-toned fair skin is a match made in heaven. The icy blonde hue will perfectly complement your porcelain complexion—particularly if you have blue or green eyes.

If you decide to go platinum, be sure to invest in a quality anti-brass purple shampoo like the Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain Ultra-Violet Purple Shampoo. Since your colorist will need to use bleach to achieve platinum blonde, you’ll want to pick up a weekly hair mask to minimize the look and feel of damaged hair. We recommend Shu Uemura Art Of Hair’s Ultimate Reset Restorative Hair Mask. This intensive repair hair treatment fortifies the hair fiber from the roots to the tip to promote stronger, softer strands.

Good hair day by @danalynnhair.

White

Searching for a shade even lighter (and icier) than platinum? Opt for white hair color, the lightest shade on the blonde hair color chart.

Good hair day by @christinechavezhair.

Bronde

For those stuck somewhere between staying loyal to your brunette roots and wanting to go blonde, bronde hair is always a good idea. If you’re lightening your natural brunette hue to achieve bronde hair, you might deal with a bit of brassiness. We recommend adding a blue shampoo and conditioner system like Redken Color Extend Brownlights Shampoo and Conditioner. This progressive toning system is ideal for preventing and neutralizing brass on both highlighted and natural brown hair.

Good hair day by @eddy_thana.

Mushroom Blonde

If you’re looking to go lighter but keep your ash hair color, why not give mushroom blonde a shot? This multi-dimensional, cool-toned blonde can be worn lighter or darker, making it customizable to fit any shade of pale skin.

Good hair day by @olya_skiba.

Champagne Blonde

Where mushroom blonde is a moodier take on blonde, champagne blonde is the life of the party. When done right, the multidimensional, creamy blonde shines like a freshly opened bottle of bubbly—not to mention it works for just about any skin tone.

Cream Blonde

If you’re looking for a blonde hue that’s not too warm and not too ashy, cream blonde falls perfectly in between. Whether you’re working with cool or warm undertones, this buttery hue can be customized to complement your pale complexion.

Good hair day by @hairbykandirocks.

Strawberry Blonde

Strawberry blonde is the perfect balance if you’re torn between staying blonde or going red. Though strawberry blonde hair is unique, the hue is neutral enough to flatter just about any skin tone.

Good hair day by @makennayounghair.

Blonde Hair With Lowlights

If you feel your blonde is a bit too light for your skin tone, ask your colorist to tone it down with lowlights. This technique adds instant depth and dimension to your hue.

Good hair day by @hair_princess_steph.

Blonde With Copper Highlights

Add a pop of red throughout your blonde base with copper highlights. This is a great way to give your hue warmth and dimension. If you have green eyes, the copper shade will also help accentuate them.

Good hair day by @lenat.beauty.

Dirty Blonde

Dirty blonde is another way to tread the line between blonde and brunette, one that’s low-maintenance and stunning on all pale skin tones.

The Best Brunette Hair Colors For Pale Skin

Good hair day by @joehairartist00.

Mushroom Brown

This ashy brunette shade that incorporates notes of light gray and deep brown is the trend that started a wave of mushroom-inspired hues. Whether your skin has cool, warm, or neutral undertones, mushroom brown hair is sure to look stunning against your fair skin.

Good hair day by @avhair_.

Caramel Brown

Ladies with pale skin: If there’s one rule to coloring your hair, it’s that going too deep with your hue will make your skin look washed out. If you have a naturally dark base, ask your colorist to paint caramel highlights throughout your mane using a balayage technique. This will allow you to keep your dark brown hair color while notes of caramel frame your face, enhancing your skin tone.

Good hair day by @robbielonker.

Chocolate Brown

It’s true that going too deep with your brunette hue can sometimes wash you out, but we can make an exception for a shade as dimensional and delectable as chocolate brown. Ask your colorist to add hints of red, honey, or gold throughout your chocolate brown hue to complement your fair skin tone.

Good hair day by @Laura_latino.

Milk Chocolate

If you think chocolate brown hair is a bit too dark for you, opt for a milk chocolate hair color for a lighter shade that’s just as sweet!

Good hair day by @diana.bernal.blondes.

Brown Hair With Face-Framing Blonde Highlights

Stay true to your dark roots while instantly brightening your face with face-framing highlights. This on-trend placement is also low-maintenance, so you can go weeks without booking a touch-up.

Good hair day by @ashleypirrung.

Golden Brown

Ask your colorist for golden brown hair color to enhance the warm undertones in your skin.

Good hair day by @themaneartistry.

Espresso Brown With Subtle Highlights

Want to go dark (but not too dark)? Subtle highlights break up the darkness of espresso hair so that the shade isn’t too harsh for your skin tone.

The Best Red Hair Colors For Pale Skin

Good hair day by @hairbybritny.

Cinnamon

This spice-inspired shade is basically brunette with sprinkled notes of red throughout. No matter your skin’s undertone, cinnamon hair color is a great choice.

Good hair day by @coloredbyliz.

Light Auburn

For those with light brown hair, making a subtle transition to red hair is easy. Ask your colorist for light auburn hair, a neutral yet fiery shade that works for every skin tone.

Good hair day by @luxehairstudio_.

Dark Auburn

Looking to go a bit deeper with your auburn hair color? Show off your inner vixen and ask your colorist for a darker variation of this fiery shade.

Good hair day by @tina_does_hair.

Burgundy

If light auburn is just a bit too neutral for you, you might be looking to play on the deeper side of the red color spectrum. For a red hue that’s dark and bold, turn to burgundy. Burgundy hair colors complement every shade of fair skin, so you really can’t go wrong!

Since red hair colors are notoriously difficult to maintain, you’ll need to make a few changes to your hair care routine. Step one: Switch out your regular shampoo and conditioner for a system with a formula for color-treated strands like Matrix Total Results Color Obsessed Shampoo and Conditioner. This system cleanses and conditions to protect against fading and extend your color vibrancy.

Good hair day by @she_runs_withscissors.

Copper

Ladies with pale skin and blue eyes, listen up: No color will flatter both your skin and your eye color like copper. Since orange and blue are complementary colors on the color wheel, orange-toned hues and blue eyes are basically a match made in heaven.

Good hair day by @heatherpaints_hair.

Candy Apple Red

If you thought bright red shades were too severe for pale skin, think again! This candy apple shade is proof that they pair gorgeously with fair complexions.

Good hair day by @haircraftbysteph.

Bright Red And Orange

A red and orange blend is a fiery, bold choice, but one with a serious payoff for pale skin.

The Best Fantasy Hair Colors For Pale Skin

Good hair day by @hairlikeaboss.

Money Piece

While a full head of black hair can look overwhelming on your skin tone, getting creative with your placement can make all the difference. Ask your colorist to paint black money piece highlights onto a blonde base for a look that’s edgy and flattering for your complexion.

Good hair day by @megangepner1.

Charcoal

No fantasy hair color is more on-trend than gray. Not sure which shade of gray hair is right for pale skin? We vote for charcoal! Since the dark gray shade is so cool-toned, it works particularly well if you have cool undertones in your skin.

Smoky Lilac

Smoky hair color has been one of the hottest trends we’ve seen over the past few years Combined with a trending hair color like lilac, how could you go wrong? If you have pale skin with cool undertones, this one’s for you!

Good hair day by @saripaintscreativespace.

Pastel Blue

If we’re talking about pastel hues for cool-toned skin, pastel blue hair simply can’t be ignored. After all, the icy shade is on-trend and wearable for any time of the year!

Good hair day by @doug_theo.

Bubblegum Pink

Pale girls really can’t go wrong with pink hair, but the right shade for you depends on your undertones. Bubblegum pink is stunning on those with fair skin and cool undertones.

Good hair day by @artistrybyabby_.

Hot Pink

If you have a pale complexion with warm undertones, we recommend trying a bolder shade of pink. This is also a contender for the best hair color for pale skin and green eyes. If you’re committed to trying hot pink hair, we recommend the Matrix Total Results Keep Me Vivid Shampoo and Conditioner system to maintain the vibrancy of fast-fading hair colors.

Good hair day by @lauramaystevenshair.

Rainbow

When combining pale skin with wild hair colors, the sky’s the limit. If you’re dreaming of the ultimate fantasy color combo, go bold with a rainbow hair creation.

Looking for more hair color ideas for pale skin? Use our salon locator to book an appointment at a salon near you.

Shu Uemura

Ultimate Reset Restorative Hair Mask

A restorative deep repair hair mask for damaged hair.

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Redken

Color Extend Brownlights Conditioner

An essential color-depositing blue conditioner to help tone and get rid of brassiness in highlighted, balayaged, and natural brown hair.

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Redken

Color Extend Brownlights Shampoo

An essential color-depositing blue shampoo to tone and neutralize brassy orange tones in highlighted, balayaged, or natural brown hair.

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Which hair color suits light brown skin?

What colors look best on light brown skin?

What color hair looks best on light skin?