Start with what feels familiar
If you're new to wearing wigs, choosing a colour can feel surprisingly daunting. You might be wondering whether to stay close to your natural hair colour or take the opportunity to try something new.
If you want a reassuring place to start, look at the colours you've enjoyed wearing in the past. Think about your natural hair colour, the shades you've had at the hairdresser, and the colours that make you feel most like yourself.
Choosing a familiar shade can make your first wig feel more comfortable. But there's no need to match your previous hair colour exactly. A slightly warmer brown, a softer blonde or a more dimensional shade might give you the look you're hoping for.
Think about your skin tone and natural colouring
Your skin tone, eye colour and eyebrows can all influence how a wig colour looks on you.
Some people feel particularly comfortable in warmer shades, such as golden blonde, caramel or chestnut brown. Others prefer cooler colours, including ash blonde, cool brown or silver. Neutral shades can offer a lovely middle ground.
These are useful starting points rather than rules. You don't have to identify yourself as having a particular undertone before choosing a wig, and a colour that isn't traditionally recommended for your colouring might still be the one you love most.
Look at the colour as a whole
Wig colours are often more complex than a single shade. A blonde wig, for example, might combine several tones to create depth and movement. A softly rooted colour can have a darker appearance around the parting and crown, blending into lighter lengths.
These subtle variations can make a big difference to the overall effect.
If you usually colour your hair, think about whether you prefer an all-over shade or the dimension created by highlights, lowlights or darker roots. Looking at the colour description and photographs together can help you understand the overall effect.
Use photographs as a guide, not a guarantee
Product photographs are helpful, but colours can look different depending on lighting, screens and the surrounding colours in an image.
If you're comparing shades, try to look at several photographs where available. Notice the colour around the face, the roots and the lengths, rather than relying on the product name alone.
Roen London's colour selector can also help you explore the available shades. Use it as a starting point to narrow down your options, rather than feeling that you must choose a particular colour because it has been recommended to you.
Is it a good opportunity to try something different?
One of the pleasures of wearing wigs is being able to explore different looks without committing to a permanent hair colour.
You might choose a shade close to your own for everyday wear and experiment with a warmer blonde or a richer brunette for a change. You may even discover that a colour you would never have considered before feels surprisingly right.
You don't have to make a dramatic change to enjoy this freedom. Sometimes a subtle shift in tone is all you need.
Trust your own preferences
It's easy to become caught up in questions about which colours suit which skin tones, ages or styles. These guidelines can be useful, but they should never become restrictions.
You are choosing a wig for yourself. If you feel drawn to a particular shade, give yourself permission to explore it.
And remember that your first choice doesn't have to define every wig you wear. As you become more familiar with different colours and styles, you may find your preferences evolve.
The most important thing is not to find a colour that follows every rule. It's to find one that helps you feel comfortable, confident and happy when you look in the mirror.