News

Pick the Perfect Hair Colour for Indian Skin Tones: A Complete Guide

Post by Manish Kumar

Mar 17 2025

Indian skin tones are like sunshine in different moods - from morning gold to sunset amber. When choosing hair colour for Indian skin tones, think of your hair as your best friend, not just a style statement. After all, the magic happens when your hair colour feels like it’s always been part of you - that sweet spot where people say “your hair looks amazing” instead of “I love your hair”. But if you’re not ready for a permanent change, coloured hair extensions, coloured streaks and highlights offer a fun, commitment-free way to experiment with different shades before making the leap. This guide will help you choose the best hair colours for Indian skin tones.

Understanding Indian Skin Tones & Undertones

Source: Instagram

Choosing the right colour starts with knowing your skin tone and undertone. To make it easier, here’s a quick reference table mapping skin tones and undertones to the most flattering hair colours:

Skin Tone	Undertone	What Colour Should You Try
Fair	Cool	Ash brown, burgundy, mocha
	Warm	Caramel brown, honey blonde, auburn
Wheatish	Cool	Deep wine burgundy, soft brown
	Warm	Chocolate brown, golden blonde, caramel
Medium/Dusky	Cool	Mahogany, espresso, deep red
	Warm	Chestnut brown, rich caramel, honey brown
Dark	Cool	Cool mocha, deep auburn, plum shades
	Warm	Warm black, mahogany, golden brown

Broad Skin Tone Categories

Source: Instagram | Instagram | Instagram

Fair – If you have light skin with pink or yellow undertones. You can experiment with both warm and cool colours. Soft browns, ash blondes, and rich auburn create a beautiful contrast.
Wheatish – If you have wheatish complexion, you have a perfect mix of fair and medium with warm undertones. Golden hues, warm browns, and rich caramel tones bring out the best in this complexion.
Medium/Dusky – If you have a gorgeous deeper tan that’s common in India, go for shades like espresso, deep mahogany, and warm chestnut blend beautifully with this skin tone.
Dark – If you have a rich brown or deep brown skin tone, go for deep auburn, mocha, and warm black shades that add depth and vibrance.

Undertones & Their Impact on Hair Colour

Your undertone is the slight colour beneath your skin that helps you decide if warm or cool shades suit you best.Here’s how to find yours -

Cool Undertone (pink, blue, or red hints) – Looks best with ash brown, burgundy, and cool mocha shades.
Warm Undertone (yellow, golden, or olive hues) – Pairs well with caramel, honey brown, chocolate brown, or bold red-orange hair colour.
Neutral Undertone (A mix of warm and cool) – Can rock anything from soft browns to vibrant reds.

Quick Tip: Look at the veins on your wrist–bluish veins mean a cool undertone, greenish veins suggest warm, and a mix of both means neutral.

Choosing the Best Hair Colour for Indian Skin

Indian skin tones come in a vast range, from fair to deep, and the right hair colour can make all the difference in enhancing your features. But let’s be real: picking the right shade is not always easy. Some colours make your glow while others might not do you any favors. So, how do you choose? Let’s break it down -

Hair Colours for Fair Skin

Best Options: Warm shades like caramel brown, auburn, and honey blonde create a beautiful contrast, making your complexion pop. On the other hand, cooler tones like ash brown work better if your skin leans towards pink or blue undertones.

Avoid: Very light platinum blonde shades as they may wash out the complexion.

Pro tip: Soft balayage or ombré works well for added dimension.

Hair Colours for Wheatish Skin

Best Options: Earthy tones like golden brown and chestnut bring out a natural glow. If you want a little more richness, mocha and mahogany can do the trick. Avoid: Ashy or extremely light shades can make your skin dull.

Pro Tip: Chocolate brown global hair colour for Indian skin is a foolproof choice that flatters almost everyone!