How to Determine Your Hair Color

Determining your natural hair color can be useful for various reasons, including choosing the right hair products, deciding on a new hair color, and understanding how your hair might interact with different treatments. Below is a guide to help you accurately identify your hair color.

Understanding Hair Color Levels

Professional hair colorists often use a numbering system to denote hair color levels. This system measures the depth of your hair color, ranging from 1 (black) to 10 (lightest blonde). Here's a step-by-step guide on how to find out your exact hair color level:

1. Check in Natural Light: View your hair in natural daylight. Artificial lighting can distort the color perception.
2. Use a Hair Color Chart: Compare your hair against a professional hair color level chart which you can easily find online or in a salon.
3. Consult with a Professional: For the most accurate assessment, consult with a professional hairstylist or colorist.

Analyzing Hair Color

It's not just the level of your hair color that's important, but its tone as well. Hair tones can be categorized into warm, neutral, and cool. Here’s how you can figure out which one applies to you:

• Warm tones have red, orange, or yellow undertones.
• Cool tones display undertones of blue, purple, or green.
• Neutral tones are a combination or neither overtly warm nor cool.

To determine your hair's tone:

1. Observe Under Natural Light: Again, natural light will give you the truest reflection of your hair's undertones.
2. Silver vs. Gold Jewelry Test: If silver jewelry complements your skin and hair better, you likely have cool tones. If gold jewelry looks better, you likely have warm tones.

Considering Other Hair Color Factors

In addition to depth and tone, keep in mind that hair color can change naturally over time due to aging, exposure to sun, or usage of certain hair products. Here are a few pointers to consider:

• Age: Hair typically darkens during childhood and may lighten again after adolescence.
• Sun Exposure: Sun can naturally lighten your hair color, especially during the summer months.
• Hair Dyes and Treatments: Chemical treatments such as bleaching or coloring can alter the natural state of your hair.

Conclusion

Understanding your hair color can be crucial for maintaining and enhancing your natural beauty. By knowing the depth, tone, and changes in your hair color, you can make more informed decisions regarding hair treatments and styling products. For bespoke advice, a consultation with a hair professional can provide tailored insights specifically for your hair type and color.

Fig.1 - A standard hair color level chart.