Changing your hair colour is one of the most exciting things you can do in a salon — but it can also be one of the most daunting. With so many shades, techniques, and maintenance considerations, it helps to understand the basics before you sit down in the chair. Here is our guide to choosing a colour that suits you, flatters your skin tone, and fits your lifestyle.
Start With Your Skin Tone
Your skin tone is the single most important factor in choosing a flattering hair colour. There are two key things to consider: your skin's undertone (warm, cool, or neutral) and the depth of your natural colouring.
A simple way to determine your undertone is to look at the veins on the inside of your wrist in natural light. If they appear more green, you likely have warm undertones. If they appear more blue or purple, you are likely cool-toned. If it is a mix of both, you are neutral — which means you can pull off a wider range of colours.
- Warm undertones: Golden blondes, caramel browns, copper reds, and rich chocolate shades tend to be most flattering.
- Cool undertones: Ash blondes, cool browns, burgundy reds, and blue-black shades work beautifully.
- Neutral undertones: You have the most flexibility. Both warm and cool shades will suit you.
Irish skin tones are incredibly varied — from very fair with pink undertones to olive and darker complexions. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, which is why a consultation with your stylist is so valuable.
Consider Your Lifestyle and Maintenance
Before committing to a colour, be honest with yourself about how much time and money you are willing to invest in maintenance. Different techniques require very different levels of upkeep:
- Full head colour: Requires touch-ups every 4-6 weeks as roots grow through. Higher maintenance but gives a uniform, bold result.
- Highlights / Lowlights: Can be refreshed every 8-12 weeks. More forgiving as they grow out because the placement is more diffused.
- Balayage: The lowest maintenance option. Because the colour is painted on freehand and concentrated at the ends, it grows out beautifully and can last 12-16 weeks between appointments.
- Toner / Gloss: A semi-permanent option that adds shine and subtle colour without commitment. Lasts 4-6 weeks and is a great way to test a shade before going permanent.
Balayage vs Highlights: What Is the Difference?
This is one of the most common questions we hear at Copper & Comb Hair Studio. Highlights use foils to create even, consistent lightening from root to tip. The result is brighter and more uniform. Balayage involves painting colour onto the hair freehand, creating a softer, more natural-looking gradient with lighter ends and a darker root area.
Both techniques have their place. Highlights suit people who want a more polished, defined look. Balayage is ideal for those who want a sun-kissed, low-maintenance effect. Many of our clients in Kilkenny opt for a combination of both — foils around the face for brightness and balayage through the rest for depth and dimension.
What to Tell Your Stylist
When you come in for a colour consultation at Copper & Comb Hair Studio, it helps to bring reference photos. Screenshots from Instagram or Pinterest give your stylist a clear idea of what you are envisioning. Keep in mind that the same shade can look very different on different hair types and skin tones, so your stylist may suggest adjustments to suit your colouring.
Be upfront about your hair history, particularly if you have previously used box dye or had any chemical treatments. This affects what is possible in a single session and helps your stylist plan the safest approach to achieve your desired result.
A Word About Box Dye
We understand the temptation — box dyes are cheap and convenient. However, they contain a one-size-fits-all formula that does not account for your hair's individual needs. They can also cause significant damage that makes professional colour correction much more complex and expensive. If you value the health and appearance of your hair, professional colour is always worth the investment.