How to Choose the Right Shade of Hair Extensions

Have you been toying with the idea of trying your hand at extensions but feel intimidated by the thought of them not blending seamlessly with your natural strands? If the concern of extensions looking fake or the challenge of finding the right match has been holding you back. 

 
The First Step to the perfect set of extensions 

Understanding your natural color is the first step in mastering how to match hair extensions to your hair color. It's not just about knowing if you're a brunette, blonde, or redhead. You should also take into consideration if you have natural highlights, salon highlights, or even a balayage. 

These variations in your strands add depth and dimension, and they play an important role in selecting an extension shade that complements the full range of tones in your hair. 

Stylist Tip: We all know how bright salon lights can be, but your home may not have the same level of lighting. A great way to see your true tone is by observing your hair in natural daylight. This light is essential as it reveals the true colors and tones of your strands, which can be distorted by indoor lighting.

 

Understanding the Impact of Lighting

When selecting extensions, it’s important to remember that lighting can significantly affect how hair colors appear. The same hair color can look different under various types of light, such as the warm glow of indoor lighting versus the clear, bright light of the sun. What might seem like a perfect match in the artificial light of your home could appear quite different in the natural light of day. Ensuring your extensions look fabulous in all lighting conditions is key to achieving a natural, cohesive look.

Did you know: If you want to guarantee a perfect match, we suggest trying a sample set. These little wefts are usually a small, short 1-clip weft with the hair color of your choosing. You can then compare these hair extension samples in both indoor and outdoor settings to see how they blend with your natural strands. This is an excellent strategy for how to find extensions that match your hair, ensuring the most natural and harmonious look. Try Atelier Hair Extensions for a variety of sample sets - they’re an excellent way to find your ideal match.

Simple Steps to Determine Your Hair's Undertone: Warm or Cool?

Understanding your hair's undertone, whether it's warm or cool, is a crucial step in selecting hair extensions that look natural and appealing. Here are some beginner-friendly tips to help you figure it out on your own:

Look for Specific Colors:

Examine closely. If you notice hues of gold, red, orange, or yellow, these are signs of warm undertones. If you see hints of ash, blue, or green, these indicate cool undertones.

Compare with Friends:

Sometimes, comparing your hair with someone else's can help. If your hair looks more golden or reddish next to a friend with ash blonde or brown hair, your hair likely has warm undertones. If it appears ashier compared to a friend with golden brown or auburn hair, you have cool undertones.

Contrast with a White Towel:

Drape a white towel around your shoulders and let your hair fall over it. The white background can help make the undertones in your hair more noticeable.

Remember, these are just guidelines to give you a general idea. If you're still unsure, don't hesitate to seek advice from a hair professional. They can provide expert insight into how to find hair extensions that match your hair in terms of both color and undertone.

Color Coordination: Matching Hair Extensions to Your hair

When it comes to finding the right shade for your extensions, a good starting point is to look at the color of your roots. This approach works exceptionally well if you have solid-colored hair. Matching the extensions to your roots ensures a consistent and natural look as they grow out with your mane.

However, if your hair isn't a single solid color - maybe you have highlights, balayage, or other color treatments - focusing solely on the roots might not give you the best match. In these cases, you'll want to consider how to blend the extensions with the color at the ends of your hair, where various tones come into play.

When your hair features highlights, ombre, or balayage, the ends of your hair become a crucial factor in selecting the right hair extensions. Unlike solid-colored hair, where matching to the roots often suffices, multi-tonal hair requires a more nuanced approach to ensure a seamless blend.

 

See The Difference: 

Why Ends Matter:

The ends of your hair often carry the most color variation, especially in styles like ombre or balayage. Matching extensions to these tones ensures that the transition from your natural hair to the extensions is undetectable. Look for extensions that replicate the color play seen in your ends – whether it’s a gradient effect, lighter tips, or a mix of hues.

By focusing on the ends of your hair, you can achieve a harmonious and natural-looking result that enhances your existing hairstyle, especially when it features unique color treatments like highlights or balayage.

Note: Seasonal changes in Hair Color

When choosing extensions, it's important to remember that your strands may undergo subtle changes with the seasons. Just like the leaves turn in autumn, your hair too can shift in tone throughout the year. In the brighter, sunnier months, your strands might naturally lighten, gaining softer, golden hues or even sun-kissed highlights, particularly noticeable in lighter hair colors.

As the seasons transition to cooler times, your strands can often revert to a deeper, more subdued tone, losing some of its summer shine. Ideally, your extensions should complement not only your current hair color but also be versatile enough to blend well as your hair naturally adapts to the changing seasons, ensuring a consistently natural and cohesive appearance all year round. 

 

 
Choosing the right color for your hair extensions might seem tricky, but with the right approach, it can be straightforward and even enjoyable. Remember, it's all about how to find your hair color for extensions. Take a good look at your hair in natural light, observe the shades at the roots and the ends, and think about how your hair color shifts with the seasons. These simple steps are key in how to get extensions to match your hair. You have the ability to make a great choice!

Of course, if you're looking for extra assurance or guidance, Atelier Extensions is here to help. Our hair extensions color match service is designed to answer your question: "How do you match the shade of hair extensions?". We offer expert advice to ensure your extensions are a perfect match, adding confidence to your style. Whether you choose the color on your own or use our professional service, we're here to make sure you feel fantastic about your new look.