How to Find Your Client’s Best Hair Colors Using Color Analysis in 2026
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Table of Contents:
- What is Color Analysis?
- Where Do I Start with Color Analysis?
- Techniques for Color Analysis and Understanding Undertones
- What Shades are Available with Matrix?
- How Can I Find Out More Information on Color Analysis?
- Summary:
- Color Analysis can help you understand your client's skin undertone which is essential for choosing the most flattering hair color
- The vein test and the gold/silver test are techniques to figure out whether your client’s undertones are warm, cool or neutral
- With Matrix, you can choose from demi permanent color Super Sync & Tonal Control, or permanent color with SoColor
There are lots of beautiful hair color options that work for every skin undertone, and when you understand your client's color type, you can help them choose a shade that makes them look and feel their best.
The right hair color can brighten your client's complexion and accentuate their unique features, while the wrong one may make their skin tone appear dull or washed out. We can make choosing much simpler when we accurately identify a client’s skin undertones through color analysis.
What is Color Analysis?
Color analysis is a systematic way to understand which hues best complement an individual’s natural complexion, as well as their eye color and existing hair color. This approach allows hairstylists to go beyond simply asking, “What color are you looking for?” and opens up the opportunity for a more personalized, informed discussion.
By taking these factors into account, professionals can offer tailored recommendations that enhance a client’s features and boost their confidence. Ultimately, using color analysis ensures every color choice feels custom-made, making the overall experience more satisfying for both the client and the stylist.
Where do I Start with Color Analysis?
Looking at undertones is crucial when considering the best shade for a client. The undertones range from cool, warm to neutral. To ensure you're clearly seeing the correct undertones, ensure the client is under a natural light source. Artificial lighting can distort colors and make the assessment difficult.
Techniques for Color Analysis and Understanding Undertones
The vein test is a technique to find your client's best undertone. Blue/Purple veins means your client has cool undertones, green veins means your client has warm undertones and a mix of both colors means your client's undertones lean neutral.
Another great way to find the correct undertone of your client is to compare whether a gold or a silver swatch makes your client's complexion brighter. Suiting gold will mean the client's undertone leans more warm or neutral, while suiting silver means the client's undertone leans more cool or neutral. If the client's complexion looks bright with both, then the client's undertones are neutral.
What Shades are Available with Matrix?
Once you find your client's undertone, you can then decide which is the best shade match. With Matrix, you can choose from demi permanent color Super Sync & Tonal Control, or permanent color with SoColor.
And with SoColor Extra’s 7 new rich, chocolatey extra coverage shades and 33 shades altogether, there are more shade matches for your client’s looking for gray coverage, than ever before.
Based on the color analysis, cool toned clients should embrace ashy tones, cool browns, true reds (RR, RV, VR), platinum blondes, and cool-toned blacks. For SoColor chocolates, clients can try Ash, Ash Ash, Violet sh, Ash Violet, Pearl, Neutral Jade, Neutral Ash, Neutral Violet, Red Violet, Violet Red.
Warm toned clients should embrace colors that complement their skin's natural golden, peachy or yellow hues. Complementary SoColor chocolates reflects here include Neutral Warm, Warm, Mocha, Brown Red, Brown Copper, Red Brown, Gold, Copper Gold, Red Red, Red Copper, Copper Copper.
How Can I Find Out More Information on Color Analysis?
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