20 Expert Tips on How to Color Match Hair Extensions Effortlessly

How to color match hair extensions? If you’re an extensionist or a salon owner, I bet you’ve lost count of how many times you’ve heard this question. Fret not! This post is here to help you nail that perfect shade for your client, and we’re keeping it fun and easy. Trust me, there’s nothing else you need to know apart from this post. Ready to dive in? Let’s go!

1. Do Virtual Hair Color Match Tools Actually Work for Hair Extensions Color Match?

With AI apps taking over the world, it’s no surprise that hair extension vendors are jumping on the bandwagon. You enter a photo, and it outputs a color code for you. Voilà—instant color match! Mind it, it’s just a virtual hair color try on free for you. Is the virtual hair color try on really going to work for you?

Tip: Beware of Website Photos. Look, those product photos look amazing, but they’ve probably been edited within an inch of their life. The online tool use hair color filter to add or minus layers of shades pre-programmed in their database, and get the closest one to your shade. The lighting and filters can change the way colors appear. Your safest bet? Swatches and real-life customer photos—these show the extensions in a more realistic light (literally).

2. Dos and Don’ts When Online-Matching Is the Only Option

If you really can’t wait and must do an online color match, you need to remember these dos and don’ts:

Do’s:

• Send at least three clear photos of your hair.
• Show your hair down from roots to ends—the mid-lengths and ends are the stars here.
• Make sure your hair is clean, dry, and smooth if you can.
• Snap at least one pic from the back so we get the full view.
• Take photos in good lighting—dim or dark photos make color matching tricky!

Don’ts:

• Skip the flash! Flash can make your hair look way lighter than it is.
• No filters, please! We know filters are fun, but they throw off the color accuracy. Our experts don’t care about airbrushed makeup; they just want to see your real color.
• Avoid direct sunlight—it can make your hair look lighter or redder, which might steer us in the wrong direction.

If the vendor can cooperate with you on all these points, go for it, or there’s a big chance the colors will be miles away from your target.

3. Check Your Hair’s Color in Natural Light (Trust Me, It’s Key)

Your bathroom lighting may be cozy, but it’s far from accurate when it comes to showing your true hair color. Always, always check your hair in natural light before choosing your extensions for your hair color match.

Indoor lighting radiates different tones and spectrum, which can distort your perception—making cool blondes appear warm and deep browns seem lighter. Natural light, on the other hand, reveals the truth—step outside and see what your hair really looks like.

4. Focus on Your Ends and Middle of Your Hair, Not Roots

Your ends are where the magic (or chaos) happens. Over time, they lighten up thanks to the sun. So, matching your extensions to your ends (rather than your roots) is the way to go. The ends are usually lighter than the roots.

Also, don’t ignore the midsection of your hair shaft! Sometimes the middle part of your hair is a different shade from the roots and ends, especially if you’ve had a mix of highlights and lowlights or if it’s been a while since your last color touch-up.

5. Hair Extension Color Charts and Rings: Your Best Friends

Don’t skimp on hair extensions color charts or color rings! If you’re shopping online, order a color ring or some sample swatches to compare directly to your or your client’s hair. To avoid color variation, color rings are the ultimate choice, especially if your client is serious about permanent hair extensions.

At Newtimes Hair, all our hair extensions are upgraded, and in 20 of today’s trendiest shades. The perfect match will be impossible to detect, and that’s exactly what you want. This is what we ultimately recommend to our clients. Hold them up in different lighting—natural light, bathroom light, office light, and you can’t be wrong!

6. When in Doubt, Go Lighter

Stuck between two shades while looking for your hair color match? Go for the lighter one. Lighter extensions can be toned down to match your natural color while darkening lighter ones is a breeze. But dark extensions? Trying to lighten them can lead to disaster (and no one wants that).

Why? Because lighter hair requires bleaching, bleached hair is usually brittle and prone to breakage. So, play it safe—lighter is more flexible and much easier to work with.

7. Match Color to Highlights?

Rocking sun-kissed highlights? You can still enjoy a seamless look with The Halo extensions—it’ll blend right in!

For the most natural results, choose a shade that matches the lightest tones in your highlights. Two-toned options are ideal for a multi-dimensional effect! Try these blends:

• Beige Blonde + Dark Blonde Blend (613/10)
• Ash Blonde + Light Brown Blend (18/6)
• Dark Blonde + Light Brown Blend (10/6)

Or, ask your stylist to add a few lowlights to your Halo extensions to match your natural hair’s depth and warmth. It’s a surefire way to get that effortlessly blended look!

8. Texture, Baby! Don’t Forget It

It’s not just about color, folks. If you have curly or wavy hair, make sure your extensions match the texture. Pairing straight extensions with naturally curly hair is like wearing heels with a tracksuit—it just doesn’t go. Texture match is crucial if you want your extensions to blend and move naturally with your hair.

9. Online Shopping? Do Your Homework First

If you are a hair extension wearer, buying hair extensions online can be tricky because photos lie. Lighting, editing, and filters can make shades look different.

For hair vendors, getting the correct shades and tones for your color range is especially essential when you are investing big in hair extensions. Be sure to check customer reviews and real-life photos for your hair color match. These are your best bet for seeing how the extensions look outside the polished product shots.

10. Ask the Experts (They Know Best)

Feeling unsure? Your stylists and extensionists can save you from hair heartbreak. They know how to analyze your hair and choose the right color. Use these services—they’re here to make your life (and hair) easier!

11. Curly Hair? Match the Curl Pattern Too

Curly-haired queens, listen up: it’s not just about color. Your extensions need to match your curl pattern, too. Mixing loose waves with tight curls will give you a mismatched look that screams “bad hair day.” Make sure your extensions mimic your natural texture for a smooth, seamless blend, before going for color matching.

12. Bought the Wrong Color? Here’s What to Do

How about your hair extensions don’t match hair color? Well, mistakes happen! If you’ve bought the wrong shade, don’t panic. Most companies offer returns or exchanges. Check their return and exchange policies first. If you can’t exchange, take them to a professional stylist who can adjust the color for you. Just don’t DIY it at home unless you’re ready for a potential hair disaster.

However, if the hair is one or two shades up or down from your desired color, you can tone it at home using purple shampoo. Anything more complex than this, see your stylist.

In this video, you’ll learn how to tone extensions at home:

Got it? Give it a try at home. If you are a stylist, you can also introduce this color-matching technique to your client. This is how they color match hair extensions by toining it with purple shampoo. Pretty simple stuff.

13. Can I Dye or Bleach My Hair Extensions?

How to color match hair extensions with dyeing the hair? First, your extensions must be made from real human hair. Synthetic hair extensions? Don’t even think about it. It’s gonna be a one-way ticket to disaster town.

Real human hair extensions can be dyed, toned, or even highlighted, just like your natural hair—but here’s the catch: if they’ve been processed too much, the results may not be ideal.

Also, if you’re thinking about going lighter, hit the pause button. Lightening hair extensions with bleach can fry them quicker than a bad breakup. It’s always easier to go darker, so if you need to dye them, choose richer shades for them to come together.

14. Consider Highlighting Your Extensions

If you’ve got darker hair and plan on rocking your extensions daily, think about adding a touch of lighter color or highlights to them. This simple tweak will brighten up your look, and the lighter tones in the extensions will blend smoothly with your natural hair, especially through the ends. It’s a subtle but effective way to create dimension and achieve that perfectly blended, natural finish!

15. Can I Color Match My Hair Extensions Before Dyeing My Hair?

Here’s a tip: don’t go splurging on hair extensions before you’ve nailed down your new hair color! If you’re planning to tweak the color of the extensions, too, it’s much smarter (and wallet-friendly) to color your natural hair first and then pick extensions to match the final look. That way, you’re sparing yourself—and your extensions—a lot of unnecessary processing.

Watch out for shade names and numbers on hair dye boxes. Just because one brand labels a shade “5” or “Medium Brown” doesn’t mean it’ll look the same from another brand, let alone an extensions company. Every brand has its own take on those numbers, so trust your eyes, not the label!

16. Add Some Dimension with Multiple Colors

You or your client can also color match hair extensions by adding multiple tones or shades, such as pink, teal, or piano. Play with multiple shades. Adding highlights, lowlights, or even just a few streaks of a different tone can create depth and make your extensions blend even better with your natural hair. Plus, it’s a fun way to add some flair!

17. Choosing the Right Shade for Your Base Color

Now, let’s talk shades. Here’s a quick guide to how to match hair extensions to your natural hair color:

• Blonde Hair: Stick to ashy tones if you’re cooler, or go for honey and caramel if you’re rocking warmer tones.
• Red Hair: Red is tricky—it fades fast. Opt for auburn or strawberry blonde for a subtle but stunning look.
• Brown Hair: Match undertones! Golden browns for warm tones, ash browns for cooler tones.
• Black Hair: Jet black, off-black, or soft black—you’ve got options. Add subtle highlights if you want some depth.
• Silver/Grey Hair: Keep it cool-toned, and don’t forget your purple shampoo to avoid brassiness.

18. Match Color to Your Skin Tone

Your skin tone matters! Cool skin tones look great with ashy or neutral shades. Warm tones? Go for golden, honey, or caramel. Neutral tones? Lucky you—you can rock both cool and warm hues. Choosing a shade that flatters your skin tone is key to looking your best.

19. Match the Shade to Your Eye Color (Trust Me, It Works)

Match your hair to your eye color for an extra pop. It’s essential to know how to color match hair extensions based on eye colors. Cool-toned blondes and browns make blue eyes stand out, while warm shades enhance green and hazel eyes. For brown eyes, you’ve got tons of flexibility—both warm and cool tones look amazing. It’s all about enhancing those natural features.

20. How Do I Protect Hair Extension Colors?

So, you know how to color match hair extensions, and you’ve picked the perfect color, and done the perfect hair extension color match, but how long will the color stay fabulous? Just like with your natural hair, the color on extensions will fade over time, especially if you’re regularly washing, styling, or spending too much time in the sun. Darker shades tend to hold on longer, while lighter or pastel tones might start to fade quicker.

If you’re going to be rocking your extensions for a few months, you might need to tone or refresh the color now and then, especially if you chose a lighter blonde or bright fashion color. Keep in mind, that the more you wash and style them, the faster the color will fade, so handle those locks with care if you want the hue to last!

For more hair extensions tips, read:

• Can You Swim With Hair Extensions?

• 11 Hair Extension Care Tips Making Extensions Last

Shop top-notch 7-Star cuticle-aligned hair extensions with the trendiest colors on the market:

Wrapping UP

And there you have it—everything you need to know to color match hair extensions, keep it looking fabulous, and even adjust it when needed. Follow these steps, and you’ll be strutting your new, flawless locks in no time. Just remember: blending, texture, and a bit of cheeky flair will make your extensions look like they were always meant to be there. Now go forth and slay with confidence!

About Newtimes Hair

At Newtimes Hair, we’re not just making waves—we’re setting the bar. We’ve teamed up with some of the industry’s top stylists to bring you styles and shades that don’t just turn heads; they steal the show, knowing everything about how to color match hair extensions and how to choose the top hair extensions. With their expert touch and our commitment to quality, our extensions go beyond amazing—they’re crafted to be your go-to for delivering that luxury look and feel.

Our hair extensions? Pure luxury, through and through. With 100% aligned cuticles, zero tangling. And we don’t leave quality to chance: every extension goes through a meticulous six-stage quality-control process, ensuring that each piece lives up to our high standards. So, if you’re ready to wow your clients with premium styles that make an impression, you’re in the right place!

Contact us today!