Color recommendations?

[Stefanie]

I have been trying to find recommendations for the right hair color for me, but either nobody has my skin tone combinations, or anybody that does already has the perfect hair color.

My skin is very pale with yellow undertones. Think like the red haired, freckle faced Irish people, but with yellow undertones instead of pink (which I think is what makes it so hard). I'm actually so pale that when I don't get any sun, my skin gets pasty looking and dry. I do have freckles, and my natural hair color is a mousy brown, which doesn't seem to help the pale problem.

Would anyone know what might be a good color for me? I want to make my face look not necessarily less pale, but more... alive.

[Toni]

Hi Stefanie,

You wrote that you'd like some advice on hair color that would compliment your skin tone.

Not to answer your question with a question, yet I'd love to know your eye color to get a better overall picture to be sure to include the all important focal point of your face in the presentation.

First thing we need to assess when we are considering our best selections is whether we are better suited to warm or cool colors where hair color is concerned. Natural hair color is going to coincide with your skin tone so this is always the best starting point no matter what point we are at with current hair color, etc.

Your brown hair accompanied by your yellow skin undertone tells me that you are definitely a "warm" color person. You have more of a golden glow when you do get some sun. Short of sunbathing, there are definitely some steps to take to make your face more alive.

Warm colors would include golden blondes, all shades of brown, and some shades of red. Red can go cool or warm depending on which side of the red spectrum you go. From true red-red, which is neutral, through all the brown to orange-reds are the warm tones. From red-red through all those colors with purple tones are the cool reds you must stay away from should you even consider reds at all. So I'm afraid a funky cranberry rinse is out.

However, highlights of auburn or sun yellow blonde accompanied by lowlights of darker than your shade of brown all throughout your style would bring your hair and your whole being to life. You didn't mention your gender, age or opinions on make-up, however, any proper avenue to bring your eyes out would also brighten up your entire appearance.

Have fun, try different temporary rinses until you find what you truly like and especially receive the most compliments on. Just remember to stick with warm colors and good luck!

[brunette]

What kind of makeup are you willing to do? I have aways beena cool but y mom always went the warm way. She always does eyeliner, shadow, eyebrows, the whole nine yards.
I am blond while she is much redder, and take completely dialed down approach. Bigger brows are coming back, think about what you can keep up.

I think darker means mor eye emphasis and always lipcolor and cheecks. But I am fair and skip a lot unless for a real special deal.

If the hair is the focus, can your clothes live up to it?

[Stefanie]

My eyes are brown... a reddish dark brown with no flecks of any other color, really.

As for makeup... I really hate doing it, because I have no idea what looks good on me, honestly. Everything I try seems to wash me out and make my eyes look small.

[Stefanie]

Oh yeah, I forgot to answer some of Toni's questions.

I am female, 22, but I look younger, unfortunately. Like I said about makeup... I have a hard time with it. I want to make my eyes look bigger, but I've tried all the tips I've seen and can't seem to get it right. One of the problems is my light eyelashes

[Toni]

Hey girl,

I totally understand your desire to make your eyes stand out more.

Let's start simple.
Buy pencil eyeliner and sharpen it real sharp. Draw lines across the top of your top eyelashes from inside corner out ending with a little turn out on outside corners. It will take practice but a pencil is more forgiving than the liquid liner. We will save the liquid for later when you're more comfortable with lining your eyes.

It will feel weird, like many other new things but you need to convince yourself to get used to it, and you will. Pick a moment when you have LOTS of time so you won't feel rushed!

Next, invest in a good mascara. The kind that lengthens and strengthens your lashes. Make sure it's Black! Apply to bottom lashes first. Let dry. Go back and apply to top lashes 2-3 layers.

You are definitely a warm color, no doubts. Get a blush stick (I'd say a coral color) and apply a little on your cheek bones from outside eye corners down to area just to the middle of your eye. Blot with cotton ball so you don't have too much. I say the stick cause the shiny blush would brighten you up more while reflecting and contrasting. Something to try!

Blush is a very important contrast to help bring eyes out. It's not always about eye shadows of which we will skip for now. We are keeping things simple, remember? A little lip gloss to match blush.

Now I don't know your currrent hair color but I would love to try black on you with this color combination. Take (username) brunette's suggestion to try a wig and wear it out amongst your friends. I'm going to guess you like the straight look, though whatever you like.

A better idea is for you to visit Hairstyles Watch and click on the "Try on Virtual Hairstyling" in the upper right corner. I am a member of all of them and I LOVE IT. Especially the 3D Hairstyler Makeover. It is worth the membership cause you can try all the hairstyles you want on a 3D YOU and in every color you want to check out just by the click of your mouse! Click, you're a blonde, click, you're a redhead, etc., etc.

[Stefanie]

Wow, thanks for all the tips, Toni!

Believe it or not, I USED to be able to apply makeup in a way that I liked... I guess I stopped for too long, and I can't figure it out again! I will definitely try the tips you mentioned.

Black hair? Wow, I have never been suggested that. It wouldn't make me look more pale?

I'm definitely going to consider trying out that virtual hairstyles thing. I've seen others before, but none look as nice as this one!

[Toni]

You are so welcome!

It's difficult without seeing you in person to make suggestions. However, I wondered if the "contrast" with your skin tone to a dark hair color wouldn't force your eyes to stand out more. You would have to keep mascara on though or you would look lost.

That 3D Virtual Hairstyling is the best. I love it! I could see myself in any hairstyle and especially color. You'll love it too.

Good luck!

[looneytoons]

Ooh, black might look really good with what you described. I'm thinking like Rose McGowan. When her makeup is done well, with her black hair, her skin just seems to glow.

[Stefanie]

Honestly, I usually think that Rose McGowan is ugly, but I have seen her a few times when it makes me think, "Why can't they do her up like this ALL of the time?" and it's usually when she has much less makeup on. It DOES make her skin radiant, and the pale skin and black hair go together nicely at those times. Does make me wonder if I could pull off the black hair... heh. I told my fiance about Toni's black hair suggestion, and first he gave me a funny look, then he said, "Well, you do look good in dark hair..."