There are two classifications for undertones: Cool and warm. If you have warm undertones, your skin will lean towards peachy, yellow, or golden. If you have cool undertones, your skin will lean towards pink, red, or blue. You may ask…Do I have cool or warm undertones?Check out your veins for example, if your veins look greenish, then you may have warm undertones. People with blue or purplish-looking veins usually have cooler undertones.

Hair is so very important that we get the cool and warm correct for YOU, because let us face it we all want to look great and feel wonderful. The only way that you will look good when not having your correct reflect on is

• If you are Avant Garde and a statement maker, out there colours dress and designs, plus extreme make up. If this is your style you most probably will be in a dramatic full face of make up most of the time and really work to co ordinate any look you go for.

Most of us though want to look great if going out at night, or casual day wear right through to work and social times. One topic that aligns with Cool and Warm undertones that is very topical now is embracing the natural silver greys as they come through. While we are a salon that has clients come from all over New Zealand for our “Expertise in Silver hair” The question you should ask yourself is…

Does everyone suit grey/silver hair? That answer is NO, never have and never will. I advise my clients that if you are warm toned and going grey, silver grey will not be your best hair colour look. If budget and investment is not an issue when colouring your hair then I advise for the warmer toned DO NOT GO GREY, have a fabulous warm colour that suits you, that is uplifting and makes you look and feel amazing.

What colour looks best on cool skin tones?Colours for cool skin tones includeBright blues, emeralds, and deep purples will look great, along with frosty shades of lavender, ice blue, or pink. If you have this undertone you are either Winter or summer colour palette.

What colours are best for warm skin tones?The best colours to dress warm skin tones richly reflect nature. Go for brown, ivory, and yellow green. Reds, corals, ambers, and golds also look stunning. If you are going for a cool-toned look, try warmer versions of cool colours like olive, orchid and violet-red. If you have a warm undertone you are either a Spring or Autumn colour palette.

Does white look good on warm skin tones?True white tends to favour cooler undertones, while warm undertones look better in off-white. Warm undertones also tend to complement brown hues, while cooler tones look better in black.

In general, vibrant, pure, deep, warm, bold, golden colours are fantastic on you. Black can look quite good on you, but it is not your best colour. Your natural colouring is deep, dark, earthy, golden, and warm. The colour of your eyes and hair, and at least the undertone of your skin, is rich and warm.

Does black look great on everyone?Black can really make everyone look amazing. ... Black is elegant and chic; black is slimming; black looks good on all skin tones; black looks good with all hair colours; black looks as good on men as it does on women. BUT here are some golden rules of wearing black.

• Black is best suited to Cool toned people and most of all WINTERS

• Other seasons can wear black, but you need to dress it up and accessories so that the black is not reflecting on your face as this can make some people look dull, grey, and sluggish.

• Black is slimming and can give the appearance of taking kilos off you.

• When wearing blacks, it is important that they flow e.g. the same fabric in a dress and jacket, unless mixing it up with a pattern.

At V for hair and beauty Merivale we pride ourselves on giving through consultations to our clients. You do not have to be a salon client to come in for an initial consultation, we would just love to help. We also invite you to book for a colour consultation to discover your natural undertone and seasonal palette. You will leave with a colour fan for your colour season and knowing where to from here to always have colours that compliment and suit you. This service is available with Master Stylist Vicki and Stylist director Kumar.

The secret to no more hair colour or wardrobe malfunctions…know YOUR undertone and colour palette. You will wish you had done this years ago, Master stylist Vicki Ogden-O’Fee