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

As a Soft Summer, you’re close to Soft Autumn in the color palette. This means your natural color harmony is cool and muted, but with a certain proximity to warmer shades. That’s why it’s not uncommon for completely ashy hair colors 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 the skin tone look flat and the overall impression becomes dull.
• Proximity to Soft Autumn – This season sits close to Soft Summer and offers warmer, muted tones. Therefore, a hair color with a hint of warmth can create more balance and make you look fresher.

How to find the right hair color

1. Add a touch of warmth – Try a brown shade with subtle gold or caramel tones. An example is how Sarah Jessica Parker combines her blonde highlights with a warm base color.
2. Avoid extreme ashiness – If the color pulls too much toward gray, the overall impression stays too cool. A bit of warmth softens without feeling red or orange.
3. Think about the whole picture – Your hair color should harmonize with your personal color palette. Test different shades near your face and see what enhances your eyes and skin tone best.

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

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