High-quality Virgin hair extensions, like those from Phoenix Crown, retain their colour exceptionally well. Because the cuticle is intact, the strands behave just like your own natural hair - without the fading or colour “bleed” seen in acid-treated extensions. The pigment is sealed within the natural keratin layer, meaning the tone stays rich and true, even after repeated washing and styling.

Over time, the only changes you might notice are the same gentle shifts that occur in natural hair exposed to sunlight or heat - never the patchy fade or colour run that processed hair experiences. With proper care, your extensions can maintain their depth and shine for well over a year, blending seamlessly with your natural hair.

Not at all. In fact, an exact match can sometimes look too flat or one-dimensional. Real hair naturally contains multiple tones, so the most natural blends usually combine slightly different but complementary shades. That’s why Phoenix Crown offers Blended and Ombré collections alongside 20+ natural shades - designed to mimic these soft variations in tone and light.

If your hair sits between shades, choose the one that harmonises with your mid-lengths and ends rather than the roots. A touch lighter or darker across different sections can actually help extensions blend into your hair, creating a seamless, dimensional finish.

In most cases, slightly darker extensions blend more naturally than lighter ones. A deeper tone sits underneath your own hair and adds natural shadow, while lighter shades can stand out at the join. Because Virgin hair holds colour beautifully, our extensions keep their richness over time without washing out or losing tone.

If you’d like to add lightness, the key is placement rather than a full shade jump. Choosing a subtle ombré or highlighted blend creates dimension and lift without compromising the natural match. This kind of variation mirrors the way sunlight touches real hair and produces a softer, realistic transition.

Brown hair is beautifully varied, and the right match depends on your undertone as much as depth.

Cool-toned brunettes suit ash or neutral browns with soft, smoky undertones (try our Truffle Ash or Dark Baroness range), while warmer complexions look best with golden, caramel or chestnut shades that bring out natural warmth (like our Autumn Gold or Caramel Queen). Always assess your hair in daylight, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends rather than the roots, which are often darker.

If you’re unsure between two shades, choose the slightly darker one or explore a Blend that sits between them. These mixed-tone colours layer subtle highlights and lowlights through the lengths, recreating the natural variation of real brunette hair. The result is a multi-dimensional finish that moves and reflects light beautifully - just like your own.