Accessory and Clothing Mistakes That Impact Color Choice

Yesterday, I tore apart my room looking for rose gold hoops—ended up with silver by accident. Total clash with my coral sweater, and not in a good way. Accessories and neutrals trip people up constantly. No one wants to admit it, but color preference means nothing if your jewelry, shoes, or extensions are fighting each other.

Matching Hair Color With Wardrobe Neutrals

Let’s just start with this: I went ashy blonde and my camel trench coat instantly betrayed me. I mean, I used to think neutrals were foolproof—like, isn’t taupe supposed to work on everyone? Nope. After the dye, it made me look like I’d been sick for a week. Happens to so many people. They change their hair but keep wearing the same “safe” beige or olive, and then wonder why their reflection suddenly screams “exhausted.” I know, I know, in theory you’re supposed to use a color wheel, but who actually has one of those in their bag? Not me. Here’s the only bit I remember: if your hair’s warm (think copper, gold, honey), wearing cool neutrals like slate or icy gray just makes your hair look weirdly brassy. Flip it for cool-toned hair—those warm beiges? Yeah, not your friend. And no, a statement bag doesn’t save it.

A stylist once told me neutrals are total tricksters—they latch onto undertones you didn’t even know existed. I have a dermatologist friend who, I swear, actually measured undertone reflectivity (not making this up—Google it if you’re bored) and warned me that nearly half her clients get this wrong after a color change. Store lighting lies. Just snap a photo outside, against a wall, and brace yourself. True story: I wore greige for a week and people kept asking if I needed a nap.

Choosing Accessories for Your New Shade

Why does everyone forget about jewelry? It’s not just “gold or silver,” it’s the undertone landmine. When I went copper, suddenly all my silver jewelry looked like I’d raided a cheap costume bin. Gold, rose gold, pewter—every metal bounces a different temperature at your face. I read on clothescolorguide.com (and yes, I tested it myself, because I’m obsessive) that silver works for cool tones and gold’s better for reds, oranges, and yellows. Makes sense, but also, kind of a pain.

And scarves? Don’t even get me started. If you change your hair, just swap out your regular accessories for a week and see what looks off. I actually made a paper table (nerd alert) with my main clothing colors and metals, and started circling the combos that made me look like I’d lost a bet. Stylists keep color swatch cards for a reason. I’m not saying you need a 35-color kit, but guessing is a waste of time and money. Ever tried to “warm up” your look with gold jewelry and ended up looking sunburned? I have. There are photos. They’re not coming out.

Ignoring Expert Advice and Aftercare

You’d think after dropping a small fortune on color, people would actually follow instructions. Hilarious. Nobody listens. They skip the first 72 hours, use whatever half-empty shampoo is in the shower, and then act shocked when their hair turns to straw. Most of this drama could be avoided if people just, you know, read the aftercare card or listened for five seconds.

Not Following Stylist Guidance

Whenever I mention a custom toner, I get that look—people half-listening, already planning to grab whatever’s on sale at the drugstore. Colorists are specific for a reason. Boxed color? Ammonia bombs, mystery oxidizers, and regret. My friend Carly thought she could “maintain” her silver beige with purple shampoo. She ended up with orange stripes. Not cute.

Biggest mistakes after salon color aren’t just about skipping touch-ups. It’s about ignoring basic routine—don’t touch up roots too soon, don’t rinse with boiling water, and please, for the love of hair, avoid chlorine. I always say, write down what I tell you or you’ll forget and regret it.

It’s not just hair pros warning you. I once tried to go rogue myself—ended up in a panic, booking a color correction, and hating myself for wasting the cash. Even tiny things like skipping sulfate-free shampoo? Weeks of weird brassiness. Pinterest isn’t saving you.

Neglecting At-Home Hair Care

If you think hair only matters on salon days, you’re doomed. Twice this winter, clients were shocked their color faded. Turns out, they used dish soap (seriously), skipped leave-in, and flat ironed their hair to death. That’s basically a recipe for disaster. Stylists complain about this constantly online—people just don’t get aftercare.

I get it, most people aren’t ingredient nerds. Chloride, parabens, harsh alcohols—those cheap conditioners will strip your color and your soul. Skipping at-home steps? It’s like watering plants with bleach. I’m not kidding, there should be a “do’s and don’ts” taped to every bathroom mirror.

Most of the time, people make their own messes. They just won’t admit it. My phone is full of late-night texts: “Why isn’t my ash blonde holding???” At this point, I just say: treat your hair like the $200 investment it is, not an afterthought.