What Do We Really Mean? - “Warm” or “Cool” Color

As hairstylists, we throw around words like warm, cool, and neutral all the time, but often our clients aren’t totally sure what we mean by these. So let’s break it down.
Warm Tones:
When we say warm, we’re talking about golden, caramel, or honey-based hues. Think honey blondes, rich brunettes, and golden bronzes. These shades reflect light beautifully and give the hair a naturally sunlit effect—perfect for adding brightness to your complexion! Warm does not mean brassy so don’t get confused on this.
Cool & Neutral Tones:
Cool means ashy, icy, or blue-based tones—like an espresso brunette or a platinum blonde. These shades absorb light rather than reflect it, giving a softer, smokier effect. Neutral tones, on the other hand, have a mix of warm and cool pigments, making them more adaptable to different skin tones. Neutral is a great option when you want something in the middle of warm and cool.
Warm-Leaning Copper:
This is where it gets fun! Some colors sit in between warm and copper—like a glowy bronze. It’s still warm, but it’s enhanced with copper elements, making it more wearable for a range of undertones without just reading as copper or red. As stylists we can use small amounts of copper or red in our formulas to help enhance an overall warm look.
Coppers and Reds:
This is peak warmth! bold, unapologetically fiery tonal families that ranges from strawberry blonde to cherry cola red. Make sure to select the right shade for your skin tone to have the whole look feel radiant and glowing.
Why Does This Matter?
Choosing the right tone can make or break a look! The right warmth or coolness enhances your skin tone, while the wrong one can make you look washed out or overly flushed.
TRUST your stylist to guide you on the best color pallets for you. I know it’s easy to want your hair to look a certain way but you will love the results that much more when it compliments your tonality!