Shopping for hair extensions online opens up a world of possibilities—access to diverse textures, endless color options, and the convenience of browsing from home.
And while we love the versatility, let’s be honest: color matching hair extensions to your hair color when shopping online can be intimidating when you can’t see (or touch) the hair in person.
But finding your perfect shade doesn’t mean playing a “will this one actually match” guessing game. At least, not on our watch. With the right preparation and guidance, you can confidently choose extensions that blend seamlessly with your natural hair color.
At Sleek by Hailey, we’re rooted in representation. We created this brand because we know firsthand the frustration of not finding quality extensions in diverse textures and shades. Our mission is simple: diversifying the hair game so every woman can find extensions that work for her hair—no compromises.
Now here’s how to match your hair color to your hair extensions online, step-by-step:
Before You Try to Color Match: Prep Your Hair!
Before you even think about browsing color swatches, you need to see your hair as it truly is. And that means prepping it the way you’ll actually wear it with your extensions.
Start by washing and styling your hair in its typical state. For example, if you wear your hair straight most days, straighten it. If you embrace your natural curls or waves nine times out of ten, let them shine. The goal here is to capture your everyday look—not the special occasion blowout or day-three-haven’t-washed-it hair.
Next (and this is non-negotiable): check your hair color in natural daylight. Bathroom lighting, overhead fixtures, and even ring lights will distort how your hair color really looks.
Natural light is your truth-teller. Stand near a window or step outside between 10am and 2pm when the sunlight is most neutral.
Make sure your hair is completely down with your mid-lengths and ends fully visible. Why? Because that's where your extensions will blend, and you want a clear, accurate view of this section.
The bottom line: Color accuracy starts with seeing your hair clearly. Skip this step, and you're setting yourself up for a "hmm, this isn't quite right" moment when your hair extensions arrive.
The 3-Step Process: Finding the Right Hair Extensions for Your Hair Color Online
Once your hair is prepped and you’re in good, natural lighting, it’s time to find the perfect match for your hair color:
Step #1: Identify Your Base Color & Undertones
First things first: what’s your base color family? Blonde, brunette, black, red, or somewhere in between? Nailing down your family color is step one.
Here’s where things get a little more nuanced—you also need to identify your undertones. Every hair color has underlying tones, and they fall into one of three categories:
-
Warm undertones bring golden, honey, or copper vibes. Think caramel browns, sun-kissed blondes, rich auburns.
-
Cool undertones lean ash, platinum, or have those subtle silver hints. Icy blonde or deep espresso brown with no red or gold in sight.
-
Neutral undertones sit right in the middle, appearing balanced without leaning too warm or too cool.
To figure out your undertones, look at the mid-lengths of your hair in natural light (not your roots—they're usually darker). Do you see warmth and gold? Or cooler, ashier tones? That's your answer.
Your roots are typically 1–2 shades darker than the rest of your hair. Always match your extensions to your mid-lengths and ends, not your roots.
Step #2: Take the Right Reference Photos
Planning to reach out for a color consultation? Or maybe you just want to compare your hair to product photos online? Either way, you need accurate reference photos.
Here's how to nail it:
-
Natural daylight only. Step outside or stand by a big window. Artificial lighting is not your friend here—it can throw off your color completely.
-
Show multiple angles. Get shots from the back and sides so you're capturing the full story of your hair's depth and dimension.
-
Make sure your mid-lengths and ends are visible. This is the most important part—it's where your extensions will sit and blend.
-
No filters, no editing. We know it's tempting, but filters mess with color accuracy. Keep it real and natural.
Step #3: Compare to Product Descriptions and Photos
Browse our full color range and take your time with the product descriptions. We break down each shade's undertones and give you the details you need to make an informed choice.
Use your reference photos to compare side-by-side with our product images. Look at the shade in different sections of the product photos—sometimes you'll see the color in different lighting or on different textures, which can help you visualize how it'll look with your hair.
One more thing: when you're stuck between two shades, go lighter. You can always tone extensions down a bit with the right products, but you can't lighten them without risking damage to the hair's integrity. Lighter = more flexibility.
Also, texture plays a huge role in how color shows up. Straight hair shows color pretty directly, while curly and coily textures can look deeper or richer because of how light bounces off the curls. If you're shopping for textured extensions, check out our texture guide to see how this works.
What About Highlights and Balayage?
Got highlights, lowlights, or balayage? Matching your hair color to hair extensions online is slightly different, but totally doable.
Match your extensions to your dominant mid-tone—not your lightest highlights or your darkest lowlights. Step back and look at your hair as a whole. When it's down and naturally blended, what's the overall vibe? That's your target shade.
If your hair has a lot of dimension (think bold highlights or a dramatic balayage), consider blending two extension shades together. Mixing a lighter and darker tone creates that natural depth and mimics the multi-dimensional look you've already got going. It keeps your extensions from looking flat.
What to Do If Your Extensions Color Match Isn’t Perfect
Your extensions arrived, and the color's... close, but not quite there. Don't panic. A slight mismatch in extensions doesn't mean game over.
Here's how to make it work:
-
Get strategic with placement. Extensions slightly lighter? Use them as face-framing pieces or layer them like natural highlights. Slightly darker? Place them underneath for added depth.
-
Let texture do the work. Curly, wavy, and textured styles blend colors way more naturally than straight styles. Not a perfect match? Wear your hair with texture and watch the difference disappear.
-
Consider toning. If you're close but not quite there, a toning treatment (on your natural hair or the extensions) can bridge the gap. Just make sure you're using sulfate-free, extension-safe products so you don't compromise the hair's quality.
-
Reach out to us. If the color is way off, we've got you covered. Luxury extensions are an investment, and we stand behind the quality of our hair 100%—which is why we offer an exchange-only policy.
Extensions aren't supposed to be identical clones of your hair, and you’ll naturally have slight variations in color. The key is that it blends well with your natural hair and creates soft variation vs. harsh contrast!
Find Your Perfect Hair Extensions at Sleek By Hailey—The Brand That Represents All Hair Textures
Matching your hair extensions to your hair color online is totally doable when you've got the right prep, accurate photos, and a little guidance. Follow these steps, and you'll be able to confidently pick a shade that enhances your natural beauty and blends seamlessly.
At Sleek by Hailey, we're all about diversifying the hair game and making sure every woman has access to quality, inclusive options.
We get the frustration of not finding what you need—we've been there.