Our guide to the 9 most common color types and approaches to complementing your clients natural tones.
Type 1
Pigmentation = light depth with warm tone
Hair color = light red to golden blonde
Eye color = light blue, turquoise, green or brown
Skin color = light beige or rosy with warm freckles
Wear shades with pea green, gold and copper tones to add intensity to this light, warm color type; brown shades should have a light, warm red tone. Avoid white hair or black as these counteract natural warmth, giving a pale appearance, which is far less expressive.
Type 2
Pigmentation = light depth with neutral tone
People with this color type can possess opposing pigment qualities. There are two possible color orientations:
- When analyzing the hair, eyes and skin, the overriding majority have a light color level with neutral tones
- Predominant features are exact opposites, for example warm eye color and cool, ashy hair, both with a light color level. These combine to produce a neutral color type
- In both examples, wear light colors in order to enhance natural pigmentation, for example salmon and apricot shades are extremely flattering
Type 3
Pigmentation = light depth with cool tones
Hair color = light ash blonde
Eye color = all light eye colors with a noticeable amount of white hair
Skin color = light beige or rosy
Wear subdued, cool shades in order to complement this delicate pigment type; strong colors will overpower.
Type 4
Pigmentation = medium depth with warm tones
Hair color = red blonde through to light copper brown
Eye color = petrol, olive green, brown/green, light and medium brown
Skin color = beige, olive beige, or rosy with warm freckles
Warm colors enhance and emphasize this color type. For maximum effect use beige browns, yellows and coppers. Avoid cool colors, as these will counteract the natural warmth.
Type 5
Pigmentation = medium depth with neutral tones
People with this color type can possess opposing pigment qualities.
- When analyzing the hair, eyes and skin, the overriding majority is a medium color level with neutral tones
Individuals with these pigmentation features have the greatest number of options for color accentuation. Just about anything goes, lighter or darker, warm or cool!
Type 6
Pigmentation = medium depth with cool tones
Hair color = medium ash to dark blonde or brown
Eye color = all eye colors have a noticeable amount of white hair
Skin color = beige or rosy beige
Complementary shades are in the blue to cool red spectrum; warm golden tones are not advised.
Type 7
Pigmentation = dark depth with warm tones
Hair color = medium to dark brown and golden brown
Eye color = olive green, green/brown or medium to dark brown
Skin color = beige and bronze
This dark, warm type perfectly suits golden autumnal colors and warm, earthy shades, however any warm color shade should work. Avoid sharp, bright colors as these will clash with natural pigmentation.
Type 8
People with this color type can possess opposing pigment qualities. There are two possible color orientations:
- When analyzing the hair, eyes and skin, the overriding majority have a dark color level with neutral tones
- Predominant features are exact opposites, for example warm eye color and cool, ashy hair, both with a dark color level. These combine to produce a neutral color type
Bright, intense colors suit this type perfectly, as the contrasts in natural pigmentation are enhanced by strong, vivid color without creating a clash.
Type 9
Pigmentation = dark depth with cool tones
Hair color = medium/dark brown to black
Eye color = dark blue, white hair, green, or black/brown
Skin color = beige, rosy or olive
This type is characterized by the strong pigmentation contrast between dark and cool. Frosty, intensely cool colors create the perfect result. Avoid warm colors as these compete with the cool natural colors.