How reliable are virtual hair-colour previews?

[JimmyNot]

I am due for a haircut and colour shortly, and I am considering a change from my natural dark blonde. I would like something slightly softer around my face, not a dramatic transformation that needs constant maintenance. The reference pictures I saved move between soft-summer beige blonde, and each one seems convincing under different lighting. I tried a few camera-based tools, but the screen often smooths away redness. That makes every option look more successful than it might be outside the app. My biggest concern is picking a shade that clashes with my eyebrows. I took one set of pictures beside a window and kept my hair, clothes, and camera settings unchanged. To separate colour from camera effects, I checked hair colour analysis as a neutral comparison page. I am now leaning toward a muted dark-blonde blend, provided the stylist agrees after seeing my hair in person. I will also ask for an explanation of the undertone. Would a strand test answer more than another set of virtual images?