Why Warm Hair Color Tones Can Make Your Skin Glow
Why Warm Hair Color Tones Can Make Your Skin Glow
by Trent Matthews, Redken Artist & Educator
Hey friends, it’s Trent here — if we haven’t met yet, I’m a Redken Artist and Educator who splits time between NYC and Los Angeles, helping clients and stylists create hair color that looks effortless, dimensional, and skin-flattering.
I’ve spent years watching how different tones play off the skin — in natural sunlight, in studio light, and in the ever-unforgiving city lighting of New York and LA. And one thing I’ve learned? When done right, warm tones in your hair can make your skin look like it’s glowing from the inside out.
This isn’t about turning your hair orange or going brassy (nobody wants that). It’s about finding that perfect touch of golden, honeyed, caramel, or copper warmth that brings your complexion to life. Let’s break it down.
Why Warm Tones Work So Well With Skin
Think of warm hair color like your skin’s best lighting filter. You know how great light makes every selfie better? Warm tones basically do that all day long.
When you add warmth — those buttery, sun-kissed hues like honey blond, caramel brunette, or soft copper — they reflect light differently than cool or ashy tones. That reflection bounces warmth back onto your skin, giving you a soft, healthy glow.
Here’s the thing:
If your skin sometimes looks dull or washed out, a bit of golden warmth in your hair instantly adds dimension to your face.
Warm tones soften the look of redness or uneven tone.
They also photograph beautifully, which matters whether you’re under bright LA sunlight or fluorescent Manhattan lights.
I like to call it built-in radiance — it’s not makeup, it’s not highlighter, it’s the light your hair creates for your skin.
Warm Doesn’t Mean “Brassy”
When people hear “warm,” they sometimes panic — like we’re talking about brassy yellow hair from 2003. Nope.
Modern warmth is refined, dimensional, and balanced. The goal is that rich, buttery warmth that looks expensive, not artificial. In a feature at POPSUGAR about butterscotch blond, that’s exactly what I talk about.
In that article, I described butterscotch blond as “notes of warm brown sugar and buttery blond.” It’s the middle ground between light golden tones and richer caramel or copper-caramel hues — soft, delicious, and universally flattering.
That tone in particular is great because it works across so many skin tones. In New York, I might keep it slightly deeper and more caramel; in LA, I might go brighter and sun-drenched. Either way, it makes skin look vibrant — never flat.
The Secret: Using Redken Shades EQ
Here’s where my color nerd side comes out. As a Redken Artist and Educator, I use Redken Shades EQ to craft these warm tones because it gives me control and precision.
If you’re not familiar, Shades EQ is a demi-permanent gloss — meaning it deposits tone and shine without damaging your hair. It’s not about completely changing your color; it’s about refining it.
For warm tones, that’s everything.
I can use Shades EQ to:
Add a soft golden glaze over highlights for a creamy finish.
Gloss an existing brunette with caramel dimension for warmth without brass.
Layer butterscotch or copper hues for clients who want richness and depth.
Keep color reflective and healthy — because glossy hair automatically looks more radiant.
The best part? It fades gracefully. You don’t wake up one morning with dull color; it simply softens between touch-ups, keeping that glow consistent.
When I’m teaching other stylists, I always say: warmth isn’t about “painting gold on top.” It’s about balancing undertones and choosing the right mix of pigments. That’s what Shades EQ lets us do — sculpt warmth like light itself.
My Go-To Warm Looks (That Flatter Real Skin)
Here are a few warm-tone color concepts I love recommending to clients — all built around what flatters you, not just what’s trending on Instagram.
1. Butterscotch/Buttercream Blonde
This one’s all over my chair lately. Think warm brown sugar blended into buttery blond. It’s not too golden, not too coppery — just perfectly toasty.
It looks incredible on medium and warm skin tones, and it photographs like a dream in natural light. I love using Redken EQ to layer Level 8–9 warm tones with a soft caramel glaze for dimension.
2. Honeyed Caramel Balayage
Perfect for brunettes who want warmth without going full blond. The idea is to add ribbons of honey and caramel throughout the hair, focusing on mid-lengths and ends.
It brightens your face instantly — especially if your skin has olive or neutral undertones.
3. Copper-Gold Gloss
This one’s for clients who love a little edge. We’re talking modern copper with just enough gold to keep it wearable. It’s warm, but refined.
I use Redken EQ shades around Level 6–7 for a soft, amber-like tone that makes brown eyes pop.
4. Warm Brunette with Honey Shine
Deep brunettes can absolutely glow, too. I’ll often gloss a darker base with warm honey or mocha to bring light back into the hair without lightening. It’s a subtle shift that makes a big difference in photos and real life.
Tailoring Warmth to Your Skin Tone
Warm tones are not “one size fits all.” The secret is finding your version of warmth.
Here’s how I like to think about it:
Fair skin with cool undertones: Stick to champagne or soft butter hues — warmth, but gentle.
Neutral undertones: You’re lucky — almost every warm tone works. Butterscotch, caramel, golden beige — go for it.
Golden or warm undertones: You can handle deeper warmth like honey, amber, or copper-caramel. It enhances what’s already there.
Olive or deeper skin tones: Rich, golden, or coppery warmth adds incredible radiance. Think butterscotch or maple, not pale gold.
When clients sit in my chair in LA or NYC, we always look at skin undertone, eye color, and even how you like to do your makeup — because warmth should complement your whole vibe.
Why Warm Tones Work So Well in NYC and LA
Both coasts demand something different from your hair color.
In New York City, the lighting can be cold and harsh — fluorescent subway lights, cloudy winters, studio lighting. Cool tones often look flat or washed out. Warmth brings life back, making your skin appear softer and healthier, even under gray skies.
In Los Angeles, it’s the opposite: the sun is bright and constant. Warm hair tones actually protect your look visually. If you go too cool or ashy, that sunlight can make your color look overly pale or faded fast. But with warmth? It reads rich, beachy, and sun-kissed.
Basically, warm color is city-proof — it adapts beautifully whether you’re catching the L train or cruising down Sunset.
Keeping Warm Color Gorgeous
A few tips I always share with my clients (and with stylists I teach):
Gloss every 6–8 weeks: A quick Shades EQ glaze keeps your tone shiny and fresh.
Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner: It helps preserve warmth and prevents color from dulling out.
Protect from heat and UV: The LA sun and NYC heat tools can fade warm tones quickly — a good leave-in is key.
Avoid overusing purple shampoo: It’s meant for toning cool blondes. Too much can neutralize your beautiful warmth.
Color is chemistry, but maintaining it is lifestyle — and I want your color to look good long after you leave my chair.
Why My Redken Educator Experience Matters
Here’s the difference between any warm color and a custom warm tone: formulation.
Because I’m part of the Redken Artist Network, I get to teach and test advanced color formulations — meaning I don’t just choose “warm blond.” I design a mix for your base, undertone, lighting, and maintenance level.
That’s the artistry behind hair color. Anyone can apply dye — but creating warmth that enhances your complexion without overwhelming it takes understanding pigment science and balance.
When I’m on the salon floor or teaching a class, my favorite thing to show is how a tiny tweak in tone — say, adding a hint of copper-gold to a neutral formula — can make someone’s entire face light up. It’s subtle but transformative.
Ready to Find Your Warm Tone?
If you’ve ever felt like your hair color washes you out, or your skin looks tired no matter what makeup you wear, chances are you’re missing warmth.
I’d love to help you find the right tone for your skin — something that makes your features stand out and feels easy to maintain. Whether you’re in New York City or Los Angeles, I’m booking consultations and sessions to craft custom warm color using Redken Shades EQ and other Redken systems.
So bring your inspo pics — maybe that butterscotch blond you saw trending — and let’s talk about how to make it yours. Warmth doesn’t have to be loud or obvious; it just has to belong to you.
Warm tones aren’t just a trend; they’re a glow strategy. And trust me — when your hair and skin are speaking the same warm language, everyone notices.
🎨 Clients:
Looking for a hair color specialist who gets it?
Ready to go blonde (or brunette, or copper) the right way?
📍 Book your appointment in NYC or LA.
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🧑🏫 Salon Owners + Stylists:
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Need help booking a class? Email me at trentmatthews.redken@gmail.com or text me on my business line (929) 799-1902