Determining Your Natural Hair Color

Understanding your natural hair color can help you make better decisions when it comes to dyeing your hair, choosing colors for your makeup, and even selecting clothes that best complement your look. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to accurately identify your hair color.

1. Observe Your Hair in Natural Light

The first step to determining your hair color is to look at your hair in natural light. Indoor lighting can distort the appearance of your hair color. Go outside on a sunny day, or look at your hair near a window that lets in plenty of natural sunlight. This will give you the most accurate representation of your hair color.

2. Compare Your Hair to a Color Chart

Visiting a professional hair salon can be helpful as they have hair color charts. These charts can provide you with a visual reference to compare your hair against various shades. If you prefer a do-it-yourself method, you can find hair color charts online and print them out. Try to match your hair to the closest shade on the chart.

3. Consider Your Hair's Dimension

Hair color isn't flat; many people have multiple shades and tones throughout their hair. Sun exposure, lifestyle habits, and hair care routines can all influence the visible colors in your hair. Take note of differing shades and highlights, particularly those you see in the sunlight. This will help you identify the complexity and depth of your natural hair color.

4. Look at the Roots

If you've dyed your hair before, your roots can tell you a lot about your natural hair color. Since the roots are the newest hair to grow, they are generally closest to your true color, unaffected by sun bleaching or hair dyes. Compare the root color with the rest of your hair to see if there's a significant difference.

5. Ask Others

Sometimes it's hard to judge your own hair color from a subjective point of view. Asking friends or family, or even your hairdresser, can provide you with an outsider’s perspective. They can help you pinpoint the color more accurately, especially in terms of identifying undertones that you might not easily recognize yourself.

6. Assess Your Hair Under Different Lighting

To get a full spectrum analysis of your hair color, check it under various lighting conditions such as indoor fluorescent lighting, incandescent lighting, and on cloudy days. Different types of light can emphasize different tones in your hair, bringing out golden highlights, ash tones, or reddish hues that you might not notice otherwise.

In conclusion, determining your true hair color can involve a little bit of investigation and observation. By using these tips, you can gain a better understanding of your hair's natural shades and how to enhance or change it with confidence.