12 Gorgeous Hair Color Ideas to Complement Pale Skin

If you’re looking to change up your hair color, understand that selecting a shade that will be especially flattering on your skin tone takes some consideration. The reality is that not all hair colors look the same on everyone 一 your unique skin tone and undertones will impact which shades look best on you. 

While those with pale skin can wear a number of different hair colors and look great, some shades just stand out for all the wrong reasons. 

So, if you have porcelain skin and you’re looking to experiment with your hair color, we’re sharing the top hair colors that will best complement your pale skin tone, plus tips on what to consider before choosing a new shade.

What to Consider When Choosing a Hair Color for Pale Skin

Before selecting your shade, think about whether you prefer a hair color that will bode well with your skin tone, or something that will create a contrast. If you’re going for the subtler option, assess whether you have warm or cool undertones and then select a light or medium shade with the same undertones as your skin. 

For something more dramatic, choose a shade with the opposite undertones or opt for a deep or richly pigmented shade. The good thing is that experimenting with hair color is (and should be) fun, and in the end it’s whether you love your new look that matters most.  

The Best Hair Colors for Pale Skin 

Once you have a clear idea of what you’re looking for and what undertones or depth level will suit your preferences, it’s time to choose your color. To help get you started, here are 12 hair colors that are ultra-flattering on pale skin tones  

1. Ash Blonde 

For very pale skin with cool undertones, ash blonde hair is a great pick. The cool tone of this hue won’t create a harsh contrast against your complexion, rather it will add brightness. To get the look at home, use the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Ash Blonde.

2. Warm Blonde 

If you have cool or neutral fair skin, opting for a sunny, warm blonde shade will add a beautiful contrast to your look without washing you out. It’s a great way to add brightness to your complexion without having to go bold with your color. Get warm blonde hair at home with the L’Oréal Paris Féria in Ultra Pearl Blonde. 

3. Strawberry Blonde 

Strawberry blonde hair is a gorgeous mix of red and blonde hair color and pale skin tones pull it off exceptionally well. With ribbons of warm blonde, copper and rose, this light-to-medium hue offers brightness and dimension without creating a harsh contrast. To DIY strawberry blonde tresses, pick up the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Créme Permanent Triple Care Hair Color in Medium Reddish Blonde. 

4. Platinum Blonde 

If you’re considering going blonde and you’re unsure about which tone will suit you, know that platinum is a flattering shade for pale skin tones. While the undertones of platinum blonde hair can be manipulated to fall warmer or cooler, classic platinum blonde is neutral and extremely bright, which makes it a great choice against your pale skin.

To go platinum blonde at home, use the L’Oréal Paris Féria Hyper Platinum Advanced Lightening System Bleach in Hyper Platinum. 

Editor’s tip: Bleach can be especially drying and damaging to the hair. To repair signs of bleach damage, incorporate a reparative system, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Color Care Bond Strengthening Shampoo and the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Strengthening Conditioner, into your wash day routine This shampoo and conditioner works to strengthen color-treated hair inside and out by reinforcing weak hair bonds. 

5. Mushroom Brown 

If you’re in search of another ashy shade, mushroom brown hair is a trend that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. The good news is that this neutral brunette hue won’t wash you out because the ashy tones are flattering on fair skin while the medium brown base creates a gorgeous pop against your complexion. 

Get the mushroom brown strands at home with the help of the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Light Brown. 

6. Bronde 

If you’re torn between blonde and brown hair, you’ll love this hybrid shade. Get the best of both worlds with a bronde hair color, which, as you may have guessed, is equal parts brunette and blonde. The hue is totally customizable which means you (and your colorist) can find a shade that will perfectly suit your pale complexion.

If you’re up to trying bronde hair at home, head to the drugstore and pick up the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Dark Blonde. 

7. Auburn 

If you have pale skin, you can’t go wrong by opting for an auburn hair color. Because many natural redheads have fair skin, auburn shades look excellent on pale complexions. 

DIY this rich, red hair color with the L’Oréal Paris Féria in Auburn Brown. For a lighter auburn hue, try the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Créme Permanent Triple Care Hair Color in Light Auburn.

Editor’s Tip: If you notice your auburn color fading after a few weeks, use the L’Oréal Paris Le Color Gloss One Step In-Shower Toning Gloss in Auburn to help tone and brighten your hair color in just 15 minutes.  

8. Dark Chocolate 

If a high contrast look is what you’re after, you can’t go wrong with a rich, dark chocolate hair color. This neutral shade flatters warm and cool skin tones, and the depth adds a striking element to your look without appearing harsh. Try it out with the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Deeply Brown.

9. Silver

Silver, like platinum blonde, is ultra-flattering on pale skin tones because it gives the hair a luminous vibrance without creating a stark contrast against your skin tone. To sport silver tresses, pick up the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Silver. 

Editor’s tip: Platinum, silver and highlighted blonde hair can succumb to unwanted brassy tones. Keep them at bay with a purple shampoo and conditioner like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Brass Toning Purple Shampoo and the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Brass Toning Purple Conditioner. Use it once a week to keep your silver or platinum hair color looking vibrant and cool in tone.

10. Pastel Pink

If you want to have some fun and play with vibrant hair color, pastel hues look stunning on fair skin tones. Pink hair has been trending for a while now and pastel pink is the perfect shade of the rosy hue to rock if you have fair skin. Try it out with the  L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Smokey Pink. 

11. Pastel Blue 

Speaking of pastels, pastel blue also looks gorgeous on fair skin. The icy, cool undertones complement pale skin beautifully and a light shade of blue is a great way to play with color without being too vibrant. Get the look using L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Smokey Blue.

12. Wheat Blonde

Wheat blonde is a gorgeous mix of golden and ashy tones that gives your hair sparkling dimension and vivid color. Thanks to the mix of tones, it’s ultra-flattering for pale skin because it won’t wash you out or appear too warm in tone. To sport wheat blonde tresses, use the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Medium Blonde. 

Next: How to Use Excellence Creme Permanent Hair Color for a Gorgeous Hair Transformation

Edited by: Reece Andavolgyi, Photo Credit: Ariel Wodarcyk