Wig Colour Guide

Find Your Colour. Find Your Look.

Colour can completely transform a wig.

Whether you prefer a timeless Natural Black, rich brown, warm highlights, blonde, burgundy or a dimensional balayage, understanding wig colours makes it easier to choose confidently.

HairCity’s Wig Colour Guide explains the most common wig colours and colour terminology so you know what to look for when shopping or renting.

Start with the Look You Want

Before worrying about colour codes, ask yourself:

Do I want a natural everyday colour?

Consider Natural Black, Off Black or Brown.

Do I want something warmer?

Consider Chocolate Brown, Chestnut, Honey Brown or warm highlights.

Do I want a lighter statement look?

Consider blonde, highlighted or balayage styles.

Do I want something bold?

Consider Burgundy, Copper, Ginger or other fashion colours.

There is no single “best” wig colour.

The right colour is the one that works for your style, wardrobe, occasion and personal preference.

Understanding Wig Colour Numbers

The wig and hair industry commonly uses numbers to describe colours.

You may see product descriptions such as:

• 1
• 1B
• 2
• 4
• 27
• 30
• 33
• 99J
• 613

These codes are useful shorthand, but colour can vary between manufacturers.

For this reason, HairCity treats colour codes as a colour family or reference, rather than a guarantee that every supplier’s version will be visually identical.

Always check the individual product photographs and colour description.

HairCity Colour Reference

Here are some of the most common colour families you may encounter:

#1 – Jet Black

A deep, intense black.

Best for:
A bold, polished black finish.

Look:
Darker and more intense than Natural Black.

#1B – Natural Black / Off Black

One of the most popular human hair colours.

Best for:
Everyday wear, work, natural-looking styles and customers who want a versatile dark colour.

Look:
Black with a softer, more natural appearance than Jet Black.

#2 – Dark Brown

A very deep brown.

Best for:
Customers who want something slightly softer than black while remaining dark and natural-looking.

Look:
Deep brunette.

#4 – Medium Brown

A noticeable medium brunette shade.

Best for:
Warm everyday looks and customers who want a visible brown tone.

Look:
Lighter and warmer than #2.

#27 – Honey Blonde

A warm golden blonde.

Best for:
Warm highlighted styles, blonde looks and dimensional colour combinations.

Look:
Golden, warm and bright.

#30 – Auburn / Light Auburn

A warm brown with noticeable copper or reddish undertones.

Best for:
Warm, vibrant looks without moving into very bright red.

Look:
Rich warm brown with copper character.

#33 – Dark Auburn

A deeper reddish-brown shade.

Best for:
Customers who want a rich red-brown look.

Look:
Deeper and more subdued than brighter auburn shades.

#99J – Burgundy / Wine

A deep burgundy or wine-inspired colour.

Best for:
Bold but sophisticated colour.

Look:
Deep red, burgundy and wine tones.

#613 – Blonde

A very light blonde frequently used in human hair wigs.

Best for:
Bright blonde looks, custom colouring and statement styles.

Look:
Light blonde.

Because #613 hair has generally undergone significant processing to reach its light colour, it may require more careful maintenance than darker hair.

Quick Colour Reference

Important: Colour codes can vary between manufacturers. Always use the individual HairCity product photographs and description as your primary reference.

Natural Black vs Jet Black

These two colours are often confused.

Natural Black / 1B

Natural Black is generally softer and less intense.

It often resembles naturally very dark hair rather than artificially coloured black hair.

Jet Black / #1

Jet Black is generally deeper and more intense.

It creates a stronger, polished black appearance.

Which should I choose?

Choose Natural Black / 1B if you want a softer, versatile everyday look.

Choose Jet Black / #1 if you want a deeper, more dramatic black.

Black vs Dark Brown

Dark Brown can sometimes appear almost black indoors.

The difference becomes more noticeable under bright or natural light.

If you want a dark colour with a softer brunette appearance, Dark Brown may be a good alternative to Natural Black.

Understanding Highlighted Wigs

A highlighted wig combines lighter sections with a darker base.

Highlights can be:

• Fine and subtle
• Bold and chunky
• Face-framing
• Evenly distributed
• Concentrated around selected areas

Highlighted wigs can add:

• Dimension
• Movement
• Contrast
• Visual texture

The final effect depends on both the colours used and how the highlights are placed.

What Does P4/27 Mean?

You may see colour descriptions containing two or more codes.

For example:

P4/27

This generally indicates a colour combination involving shades from the #4 and #27 colour families.

The exact placement and proportion can vary by manufacturer.

That is why product photographs are especially important when buying multi-tone wigs.

What Does FB30 Mean?

Terms such as FB30 are commonly used for wigs featuring blended or highlighted warm #30-inspired tones.

The exact colour blend varies between manufacturers.

Do not assume that every product labelled FB30 will have exactly the same highlight placement or colour intensity.

What Is Ombré?

Ombré describes a colour transition from one shade into another.

A typical ombré wig may have:

Darker roots → medium tones → lighter ends

The transition can be:

• Subtle
• Dramatic
• Warm
• Cool
• Natural
• Bold

Ombré can provide noticeable colour without having the lightest shade directly against the roots.

What Is Balayage?

Balayage creates a blended, dimensional highlighted effect.

Rather than having one uniform colour from root to tip, balayage usually combines several tones in a more graduated pattern.

It can create:

• Depth
• Dimension
• Face-framing brightness
• Natural-looking colour transitions

Balayage wigs can vary significantly, so always review the individual product images.

Ombré vs Balayage

Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they generally describe different effects.

Ombré

Usually emphasizes a noticeable transition from darker roots to lighter ends.

Balayage

Usually emphasizes blended highlights and dimensional colour distributed through the hair.

In simple terms:

Ombré = colour transition

Balayage = dimensional highlighting

What Are Dark Roots?

A dark-root wig has a lighter overall colour while maintaining darker colour around the root area.

For example:

Dark roots + Blonde lengths

Dark roots can:

• Create visual depth
• Make blonde colours look more dimensional
• Produce a softer transition from the hairline
• Reduce the appearance of a single flat colour

What Is a Rooted Blonde?

A rooted blonde wig combines blonde hair with darker roots.

This can produce a more dimensional look than uniform blonde from root to tip.

Rooted blondes may use:

• Black roots
• Dark brown roots
• Medium brown roots

depending on the design.

What Is a Money Piece?

A money piece is a brighter or contrasting section positioned around the front of the face.

It is often used with:

• Blonde highlights
• Balayage
• Brown-and-blonde combinations
• Face-framing colour

A money piece can create a more dramatic face-framing effect without colouring the entire wig the same shade.

What Is Piano Colour?

Piano colour generally describes alternating contrasting strands or sections, often combining darker and lighter shades throughout the hair.

This creates a more visibly striped or dimensional highlight pattern.

The exact appearance varies by manufacturer.

Solid Colour vs Dimensional Colour

Solid Colour

The wig is predominantly one colour.

Examples:

• Natural Black
• Jet Black
• Burgundy
• Blonde

Solid colours can create a clean, consistent appearance.

Dimensional Colour

The wig combines multiple shades.

Examples:

• Highlights
• Balayage
• Ombré
• Rooted blonde
• Piano colour

Dimensional colours can create greater visual depth and movement.

How Texture Changes the Appearance of Colour

The same colour can look different depending on hair texture.

Straight Hair

Colour placement is usually easier to see clearly.

Highlights may appear more defined.

Body Wave

Waves create movement that can make highlighted and balayage colours appear more dimensional.

Curly Hair

Curls distribute colour visually across different sections of the hair, which can make multi-tone colours appear fuller and more blended.

So two wigs with the same stated colour may look noticeably different when their textures differ.

How Length Affects Colour

Longer wigs provide more space for colour transitions.

This is particularly noticeable with:

• Ombré
• Balayage
• Highlights
• Rooted colours

A colour transition on a 24" wig may therefore look different from the same colour concept on a 10" Bob.

Lighting Changes How Wig Colour Looks

Colour does not look identical in every environment.

The same wig may appear different under:

• Natural daylight
• Indoor lighting
• Warm lighting
• Cool lighting
• Photography lights
• Camera flash

This is particularly noticeable with:

• Browns
• Burgundy
• Blonde
• Copper
• Highlighted wigs

Where possible, examine product photographs taken under more than one lighting condition.

Your Screen Can Also Change Colour

Phone, tablet and computer screens display colour differently.

Factors include:

• Screen brightness
• Display settings
• Colour calibration
• Night mode
• Device type

HairCity aims to represent product colours accurately, but minor differences between the displayed image and the physical wig may occur.

Colour & Human Hair Processing

The colour of a human hair wig can tell you something about how much processing the hair may have undergone.

Very dark virgin hair may require little or no colour processing.

Very light colours—particularly shades such as #613—usually require significantly more processing.

Greater chemical processing can affect:

• Moisture retention
• Strength
• Elasticity
• Tangling
• Maintenance requirements

This means a very light blonde wig may require more careful maintenance than a comparable Natural Black wig.

Which Colours Are Easiest to Maintain?

Generally, darker and less chemically processed colours can be easier to maintain.

Beginner-friendly options often include:

• Natural Black
• Off Black
• Dark Brown
• Medium Brown

Highly processed blonde and fashion-coloured wigs may require more careful maintenance.

Beginner-Friendly Colours

If this is your first human hair wig, consider starting with:

Natural Black

Versatile, classic and easy to coordinate.

Dark Brown

A softer alternative to black.

Medium Brown

A noticeable colour change without moving into very light shades.

Once you are comfortable maintaining wigs, you can explore:

• Highlights
• Balayage
• Blonde
• Burgundy
• Copper
• Other statement colours

Choosing Colour for Everyday Wear

For work, university, daily wear or a versatile first wig, consider colours that work easily with different clothing and occasions.

Popular options include:

• Natural Black
• Off Black
• Dark Brown
• Medium Brown

These colours can transition easily between casual and formal settings.

Choosing Colour for an Event

An event can be an excellent opportunity to experiment.

Consider:

• Highlights
• Honey Blonde
• Burgundy
• Balayage
• Rooted Blonde
• Copper
• Dimensional Brown

If you only want the colour temporarily, consider browsing HairCity’s Rental Wigs.

Try a Colour by Renting

Not sure whether you want to commit to blonde, burgundy, highlights or another bold colour?

Renting can be a practical way to experience the look before buying a similar wig.

This can be particularly useful for:

• Weddings
• Birthdays
• Graduations
• Photoshoots
• Holidays
• Special events
• Trying a completely different look

Can I Colour a Human Hair Wig?

Many human hair wigs can be coloured, but the result depends on the hair.

Important factors include:

• Original colour
• Previous processing
• Hair quality
• Hair condition
• Desired final shade
• Colouring method

Colouring always introduces some degree of chemical stress to the hair.

Can I Colour Natural Black Hair?

Depending on the hair and its previous processing history, Natural Black human hair may be suitable for colouring.

However, moving from very dark hair to a significantly lighter shade may require bleaching.

Bleaching should be approached carefully because excessive processing can permanently damage the hair.

Can I Colour a #613 Wig?

Light #613 human hair is often selected for custom colouring because it already has a light base.

However, the hair has generally undergone substantial processing to reach that light shade.

Additional chemical processing should therefore be performed carefully.

Can I Colour a Rental Wig?

No, unless HairCity has specifically authorized it.

HairCity rental wigs remain HairCity property.

Do not:

• Dye
• Bleach
• Tint
• Highlight
• Chemically colour

a rental wig without express authorization.

If you need a particular colour for an event, choose a rental wig that already provides the look you want.

Colouring Can Affect Returns

Before colouring, bleaching or otherwise chemically altering a purchased wig, make sure you are satisfied with the product.

Colouring is a permanent alteration and may affect return eligibility.

Always inspect your new wig first.

Check:

• Product
• Length
• Texture
• Colour
• Lace
• Construction
• Overall condition

before making permanent changes.

Colour Care

Coloured wigs may benefit from:

• Gentle cleansing
• Appropriate conditioning
• Reduced heat exposure
• Careful detangling
• Proper storage
• Avoiding excessive chemical processing

Highly processed colours may need more conditioning and gentler handling.

Blonde Wig Care

Blonde human hair deserves particular care because it has often undergone significant processing.

To help maintain it:

• Avoid excessive heat.
• Condition appropriately.
• Detangle gently.
• Avoid unnecessary chemical processing.
• Use suitable products.
• Seek professional help for major colour changes.

Burgundy, Red & Copper Care

Red-family pigments can sometimes change or fade more noticeably over time than very dark colours.

To help maintain the appearance:

• Avoid unnecessary washing.
• Use gentle products.
• Limit excessive heat.
• Protect the hair from unnecessary environmental exposure.

Can Colour Fade?

Yes.

Human hair colour may change gradually because of:

• Washing
• Heat
• Sun exposure
• Styling
• Chemical processing
• Product use

The degree of change depends on how the hair was coloured and how it is maintained.

How Do I Choose Between Two Similar Colours?

If you are deciding between two shades, consider:

1. Whether you want a subtle or noticeable change.
2. Whether you prefer warm or cooler tones.
3. Your usual wardrobe.
4. Whether the wig is for everyday wear or an event.
5. The texture of the wig.
6. How much maintenance you want.
7. Whether you want a solid or dimensional colour.

If you are still unsure, ask HairCity.

Send HairCity Your Inspiration Photo

Have a colour in mind but do not know what it is called?

Send a reference photograph to HairCity WhatsApp Support.

We can help identify whether the look is closer to:

• Natural Black
• Brown
• Honey Blonde
• Auburn
• Burgundy
• Blonde
• Highlights
• Ombré
• Balayage
• Another available colour family

Reference photographs help us understand the look you want but cannot guarantee an exact colour match.

HairCity Colour Families

For easier shopping, HairCity wigs may be grouped into broader colour families such as:

Black

Brown

Blonde

Burgundy & Red

Copper & Ginger

Highlighted

Balayage

Ombré

Multi-Tone

These broader families can make browsing easier than relying entirely on technical colour codes.

Quick Colour Guide

Want the most versatile option?

Choose Natural Black / 1B.

Want a deeper black?

Choose Jet Black / #1.

Want something softer than black?

Choose Dark Brown / #2.

Want a warmer brunette?

Consider Medium Brown / #4.

Want warm blonde?

Consider Honey Blonde / #27.

Want warm auburn?

Consider #30.

Want deep red-brown?

Consider #33.

Want burgundy?

Consider #99J.

Want very light blonde?

Consider #613.

Want more dimension?

Choose Highlights, Balayage or Ombré.

Want to experiment without committing?

Rent the colour first.

A Note About Colour Codes

Wig colour codes are useful, but they are not a perfect universal colour standard.

A #27 from one manufacturer may not look exactly the same as a #27 from another.

The same applies to:

• #1B
• #4
• #30
• #99J
• #613
• Highlight combinations
• Balayage blends
• Ombré colours

For this reason, HairCity recommends considering the colour name, code, product photographs and written description together.

Choose Colour with Confidence

Colour should be one of the most enjoyable parts of choosing your wig.

Start with what makes you comfortable.

Stay classic with Natural Black.

Go softer with Brown.

Add dimension with Highlights.

Go brighter with Blonde.

Make a statement with Burgundy, Copper or another bold shade.

And when you're ready for something completely different, explore.

Need Help Choosing Your Colour?

Contact HairCity WhatsApp Support.

Send us:

• The wig you are considering
• Your preferred colour
• A reference photograph if you have one
• Whether you want to buy or rent
• Your occasion, if relevant

We can help you narrow down the available options.

HairCity
Premium Human Hair. Beautifully You.

Colours shown on the HairCity website are intended to represent products as accurately as reasonably possible. Actual appearance may vary slightly because of lighting, screen settings, natural hair variation, processing and manufacturer colour differences. Wig-industry colour codes should be treated as useful references rather than perfectly universal colour standards.