I’m wondering why I feel I disappear in ashy hair colour? It should suit me, I think.

As a Soft Summer, you’re close to Soft Autumn in the colour palette. This means your natural colour harmony is cool and muted but sits close to warmer shades. That’s why it’s not uncommon for completely ashy hair colours to feel too stark or lifeless.

Why does ashy feel too harsh?

• Soft Summer vs. True Summer – True Summer is clearly ashy. Soft Summer, however, has a softer appearance and can carry a bit more warmth. Too much ashiness can make your skin tone look flat and your overall appearance dull.
• Proximity to Soft Autumn – This season sits close to Soft Summer and offers warmer, muted tones. A hair colour with a hint of warmth can therefore create more balance and make you look fresher.

How to find the right hair colour

1. Add a touch of warmth – Try a brown shade with subtle gold or caramel tones. Sarah Jessica Parker, for example, combines her blonde highlights with a warm base colour.
2. Avoid extreme ashiness – If the colour pulls too much towards grey, the overall look remains too cool. A bit of warmth softens it without reading as red or orange.
3. Think about the whole picture – Your hair colour should harmonise with your personal colour palette. Test different shades near your face and see what enhances your eyes and skin tone best.

By using colour analysis as a guide, you can achieve a more vibrant, cohesive look. A softer, slightly warmer hair colour is often more flattering for you as a Soft Summer than a completely ashy shade.

Also consider how the palette changes when hair goes grey in How should I think about colours when going grey?. When you want personal advice, book a Bespoke Analysis.