Cool Tone Hair Colour Chart
Cool-toned hair colour has become the go-to way to look effortlessly polished, edgy and expensive all at once. Using this futuristic cool tone hair colour chart as inspiration, here is how to choose and care for your perfect icy shade.
Why everyone loves cool tones
Scroll through Instagram or TikTok and you will see a shift away from warm coppers towards neutrals, ash shades and smoky pastels. Cool tones tend to reflect the light in a very refined way, giving hair that glossy, “camera-ready” finish that looks chic in any season.
Cool colours are also brilliant for cancelling out unwanted warmth, whether that is brassy blondes, orangey highlights or faded red box dye. Because they sit opposite warm pigments on the colour wheel, they create a softer, more balanced result that flatters a wide range of skin tones when applied thoughtfully.
Platinum and ice blonde
At the brightest end of the chart are platinum and ice blondes – those clean, almost pearly shades with a hint of silver. These looks require lifting the hair very light, then toning away yellow with violet-based toners or glosses to achieve that crisp finish.
To keep platinum from turning brassy, work a purple shampoo or mask into your routine once or twice a week, and always follow with a nourishing conditioner to replenish moisture after the toning step. Salon-strength bond builders during lightening are essential to minimise breakage and keep the cuticle smooth enough to reflect that icy shine.
Cool ash and silver brown
If you prefer something softer than full platinum, cool ash and silver brown tones offer a chic, wearable alternative. These shades sit in that “mushroom” family of colours that have been trending for several seasons, mixing beige, taupe and grey for a lived-in, expensive feel.
Ask for multi-dimensional foils or balayage using ash and neutral toners, rather than one flat brown, so the result looks natural rather than sludgy. At home, choose sulphate-free shampoos and heat protection every time you style, as ash pigments fade quickly with harsh cleansing and high temperatures.
Metallic and charcoal
Metallic and charcoal shades are where things get really futuristic – think anthracite grey, graphite and steel, sometimes with a whisper of blue. This trend is especially flattering on naturally darker hair because it builds on existing depth while adding cool, reflective sheen.
Achieving this look usually involves pre-lightening sections to a medium blonde, then overlaying charcoal or metallic toners to create subtle shifts in tone rather than block colour. Maintenance is all about preserving that matte, smoky effect with colour-safe products and regular salon glosses to top up the cool pigments before they fade to flat brown.
Blue-black and violet
Blue-black and violet hues from the chart deliver drama with a glossy, inky finish that still feels sophisticated. Deep shades like these are having a moment in 2025, especially when paired with sleek cuts or soft waves for contrast.
For the most impact, ask for a blue-black base with violet lowlights or a shadow root that melts into deeper purple through the lengths. Dark fashion colours can stain and fade unevenly, so use lukewarm water when washing, avoid daily shampooing and incorporate a weekly colour-depositing mask recommended by a professional.
Smoky pastels: lavender and mint
Smoky pastels take traditional candy shades and mute them with grey undertones for a dreamy yet grown-up feel. Lavender and mint in particular work beautifully over a cool blonde base, giving an ethereal wash of colour rather than full-on neon.
Because pastel molecules are very small, they rinse out faster than deeper tones, so think of these looks as semi-regular “wardrobe updates” rather than set-and-forget colour. Using colour-safe shampoo, washing less frequently, and masking with hydrating treatments will help keep the hair healthy enough to cope with the more regular refreshes.
Choosing your cool shade
When deciding which bar on the chart suits you best, consider three things: your current base, your skin undertone and how much maintenance you are happy with. Extremely light shades like platinum or smoky mint require frequent root touch-ups, while metallic brown or blue-black can be lower maintenance if applied in a balayage or root-stretch technique.
Cool tones often flatter skin with pink or neutral undertones, whereas very olive complexions may prefer slightly softer, neutral-cool versions to avoid looking washed out. A professional colour consultation will usually involve draping swatches against your skin and discussing lifestyle, budget and hair history before settling on a bespoke blend rather than a single swatch.
Cool colour options at a glance
| Chart family | Vibe and depth | Best for maintenance level |
|---|---|---|
| Platinum & ice blonde | High-impact, ultra-light, editorial. | High maintenance |
| Cool ash & silver brown | Subtle, expensive-looking neutrals. | Medium |
| Metallic & charcoal | Futuristic, glossy, smoky brunettes. | Medium |
| Blue-black & violet | Bold, inky and statement-making. | Medium–high |
| Smoky pastel (lavender, mint) | Soft, playful yet grown-up fashion shades. | High but flexible |
Pro tips to keep cool colour fresh
Always use a heat protectant before blow-drying or straightening to prevent warmth creeping back in through damage.
Alternate your regular shampoo with a gentle, pigment-infused product tailored to your shade, such as violet, blue or charcoal toners.
Schedule glossing or toning appointments every 6–8 weeks to refresh the cool nuance without repeatedly re-lightening.
Cool tones look their best when applied with precision and supported by the right aftercare plan. For many people, the difference between “flat greyish” and “dimensional smoky chic” comes down to the colourist’s eye and product choice. Ready to find your perfect shade from this cool tone chart? The award-winning stylists at Gusto Hairdressing specialise in bespoke cool colours and pastel transformations – book your consultation today to bring your dream hue to life.