Which L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Hair Colors Are Right For You?

Changing your hair color is one of the easiest and most exciting ways to refresh your look. But with so many shades to choose from, deciding which color to commit to can feel a bit daunting. You may have an idea of what hue you want to try, but for a cohesive look, you’ll want to pick a shade with the right undertone, too. Fortunately, you don’t need to look far or hit the salon—there are more than 50 L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference hair colors to choose from, with options to flatter every skin tone and undertone. Whether you’re looking for golden blonde, a rich auburn, or an edgy blue-black, there’s a L’Oréal Preference hair color for you—and we’ll help you find your perfect match, ahead.

How To Find The Best L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Hair Color for Your Features

When choosing a new hair color, it’s important to consider your skin tone (how light or dark your skin is) and undertones (how warm or cool your skin is). These two characteristics play a huge role in determining which hair colors will be most flattering on you.

You can likely describe your skin tone without even peering in the mirror—usually, it’s characterized as fair, medium, or deep. Your skin tone can also change with the seasons, particularly if you’re sporting a tan (faux or otherwise).

Undertones, meanwhile, refer to the underlying tint or temperature of your skin. To identify yours, take a look at the veins on the inside of your wrist. If they appear blue or purple, your undertones are likely cool. Those with greenish-looking veins, meanwhile, typically have a warm undertone. If your veins appear bluish-green, or you see a mix of both colors, you probably have a neutral undertone.

Once you identify your undertones, finding a flattering hair color becomes pretty simple. As a general rule, it’s best to select a hue with undertones that match your skin’s undertones (i.e., warm with warm and cool with cool) for the most natural-looking result. Those with neutral undertones, meanwhile, look great in both cool and warm-toned hair colors. The L’Oréal Paris Preference hair dye chart below showcases all of the hues in our Preference line, sorted by color family:

Keep in mind that playing with hair color is all about having fun and choosing a color that makes you feel confident. These recommendations are meant to be a guide for choosing hues that complement you best, but you should always feel free to rock any color that speaks to you. 

Choosing the right shade by hair level

Oftentimes, when coloring your hair, you’ll hear the word “level” used. This term is typically used to describe how light or dark your hair is. In traditional hair level charts, a level one refers to dark brown or black hair, while the highest level (level 10) describes platinum blonde hair. Usually, it’s best to select a color within two levels of your starting shade to ensure a seamless result. You can, of course, go lighter or darker—but you may need to bleach your hair or dye it more than once to achieve your desired outcome.

The Best Blonde L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Hair Colors

Compared to other hair colors, blonde can be tricky to nail. Finding a shade that complements both your skin tone and undertone is imperative for natural-looking results. Below, we’ll show you how to find the best blonde L’Oréal Paris Preference hair dye for your complexion.

For fair skin

Light blonde hair is a great choice for those with fairer skin, as the soft, bright hue can help illuminate your features while still looking natural. If you have cool skin, try an ashy blonde shade, such as the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Light Ash Blonde. If you lean warmer, consider opting for a neutral hue, such as L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Natural Blonde, instead.

For medium skin

Medium skin often appears naturally tanned, and bright, sunny blondes complement that quality beautifully. Try a medium, neutral-toned blonde like the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Medium Blonde if you have cool or neutral skin. Those with warm skin tones can go a bit warmer with their color. A dimensional honey blonde, such as the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Light Golden Blonde, will help accentuate your skin’s natural golden undertones. 

For deep skin

Go for a wow-factor moment with an extra-light platinum blonde hue. This cool, icy blonde will contrast beautifully against your deep skin tone and make you stand out in the best way. Grab the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Ultra Natural Blonde for your superstar hair transformation. Keep in mind that depending on your starting shade, you may need to pre-bleach your hair to get it this light.

The Best Red L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Hair Colors

Whether you prefer a subtle reddish-brown or are up for trying a vivid crimson, there is no shortage of red L’Oréal hair colors to try. Keep scrolling to discover which variation will suit your skin best. 

For fair skin

Fair skin and red hair were practically made for each other, and there are plenty of crimson shades—both subtle and bold—that work well with a lighter complexion. The L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Lightest Auburn is among our top picks, as the bold, coppery hue helps brighten fair skin without overpowering it. If you’re going red for the first time and want something subtler, try a dirty strawberry blonde or light amber brown instead.

For medium skin

Those with medium skin tones can easily rock most red hues, but to add a little spice to your beauty look, we recommend a deep red shade to create a beautiful contrast with your skin. We love the way the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Intense Dark Red pops against tanned-looking skin. For a subtler look, try a rich mahogany shade, such as the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Dark Soft Mahogany Brown.

For deep skin

A rich, sultry hue with a mix of brown and red tones looks more natural on deeper complexions (and is often more flattering than a monotone crimson hue). Selecting a multi-dimensional color, like L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Medium Auburn Brown, will complement your rich skin tone wonderfully. While the shade has an overall red tinge, it’s more muted until you step into the light—then your hair will look as if it’s ablaze (in the best way possible).

The Best Brown L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Hair Colors

Brown is one of the most versatile hair colors because there’s plenty of variety, from cool ash browns with silvery undertones to rich, warm browns with hints of gold or red. Brunette hues are also an excellent choice for those looking to cover grays, as brown hair dye tends to cover grays well and looks natural on a wide range of skin tones. Ahead, we’ll share a look at the best brunette L’Oréal Paris Preference hair dyes for fair, medium, and deep skin.

For fair skin

Ultra-dark browns can sometimes look harsh when contrasted against fair skin. If you’re on the lighter side and want to go brunette, try a light-to-medium brown, like the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Light Brown, instead. This classic hue features an equal mix of cool and warm undertones, so it’s flattering for just about everybody. If you’d prefer something warmer to give your mane a sun-kissed feel, try the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Lightest Golden Brown.

For medium skin

Those with medium skin can rock light, medium, and dark browns equally well, so we recommend selecting a shade that aligns with your undertones. For a cool-toned take on brown, try the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Medium Ash Brown. If you’re looking for something to accentuate your skin’s natural warmth, the gold-toned L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Medium Golden Brown is an excellent choice.

For deep skin

Complement the richness of your skin tone with a dimensional, dark brunette hue. A color like L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Dark Brown mimics the appearance of silky melted chocolate and, since it’s neutral-toned, looks incredibly natural against both cool and warm-toned deep skin.

The Best Black L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Hair Colors

Contrary to popular belief, there’s not just one black hue in the hair world. The richness of black intensifies depending on the undertone, so along with classic cool jet-black hues, you can also find softer, warmer variations with brown, red, or even golden undertones. While they’re all dark, each boasts its own qualities and accentuates the skin in different ways. 

For fair skin

Pure ink-black hair can be too harsh on fair skin tones, and the high level of contrast can wash you out. Instead, consider opting for a deep, cool brown tone, such as the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Dark Ash Brown. The deep shade appears black in lower lighting, but won’t contrast your skin as starkly as a true jet-black hue might. 

For medium skin

Much like with light skin tones, those with medium skin look best with a brownish-black hue—it’s dark and inky, but super versatile, too. Opt for L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Cool Darkest Brown for a seamless, eye-catching refresh. 

For deep skin

Classic black shades look gorgeous and natural on those with deeper skin tones. For a slightly more subtle take on black, try a muted onyx shade, such as the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Soft Black. If an edgy, high-intensity look is more your speed, give L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Blue Black a try. The rich, inky hue reads as a classic black in low lighting but displays its navy cast in the sunlight. 

Does L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Hair Color Cover Grays?

Every shade in the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Hair Color line is designed to cover up to 100% of grays, even on stubborn areas (such as the temples and hairline). The permanent hair color system completely covers grays and delivers rich, fade-resistant color that remains vibrant for up to nine weeks, no matter which hue you choose. 

If you’re looking for a hair color specifically to cover gray roots, it’s generally best to opt for a cooler shade, as these tend to blend more seamlessly with grays. Ashy blondes, mushroom brown, and medium brunettes all work beautifully. If you’re stuck between two shades, opt for the lighter of the two to ensure a seamless result. You’ll also want to aim to touch up your roots every six to eight weeks to cover regrowth. If you spot errant grays between coloring sessions, you can use a temporary root touch-up spray to tide you over until you’re ready to color your hair again. 

How Long Does L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Hair Color Last?

L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference hair color is a permanent hair dye, and each shade maintains its vibrancy for up to nine weeks. Most at-home dyes only last about six to eight weeks, but Superior Preference goes the extra mile so you get the most out of your color. However, to get the most out of your color, it’s important to follow a color-safe haircare routine—certain habits, such as over-washing your hair or bathing in hot water, can cause your color to fade sooner than it should. 

To start, swap out your existing shampoo and conditioner for a sulfate-free, color-safe system, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner. You can also deep condition weekly with the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Shine Protect Ultra Care Conditioner, which is designed to help extend the lifespan of your L’Oréal Paris Preference hair dye.

It’s also a good idea to use hot tools sparingly, as excessive heat can result in faster color fading. When you do heat style your hair, always prep your mane with a heat protectant to help shield against damage. 

Finally, remember that all good things—even permanent hair color—come to an end eventually. Aim to touch up your roots once every two months or so to maintain a seamless-looking color. 

Next Up: How To Use Permanent Hair Dye for Long-Lasting Color

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris