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The Art of Choosing a Hair
Color That Works For You

Okay so maybe it's not an art exactly. Still choosing a different hair color comes down to matching skin tone, eye color and so forth to the proposed color of your hair. That's how you end up with a fresh, vibrant, flattering hue.

Pick right you can look stunning.

Pick wrong, and well, you know what that means.

Doesn't matter whether you are looking to switch to a stunning brunette, blonde bombshell or a red head either. You won't want to dump out the contents of any coloring product box until you're read these proven shade selection ideas.

For example first time colorists looking to go lighter would do well to stick with a color labeled as cool or neutral. Trying a warm formula leaves you open to brassiness.

Besides it's all too easy to end up with a brassy look anyway. Especially if you don't leave the coloring agent on long enough to lift out the color because you get scared or something silly like that. Or you're trying to lighten to far too fast.

Brassy defined: Any less-than-desirable orange cast to your hair.

Which reminds me. Don't expect more from the coloring than it can deliver either. Like if you're trying to go too light too fast, which generally means going more than two shades lighter, your tresses may get caught up in the dreaded orange range again. Put another way the bigger the new color change the bigger the risk you'll end up with a color you're not happy with.

Don't skimp on the dye. You want to have enough color on hand for the amount of hair you're coloring. Shoulder length is about all you can expect one box to cover. If your hair is longer or especially thick make sure you've to an ample supply. Or if you don't you may end up with a head full of uneven colors as you try to stretch whatever dye you have left.

Most home coloring kits supply application tools that aren't sturdy enough. To fix that hit the local Sally's Beauty supply store and pick yourself up some decent ones.

But on the plus side it would be correct to say that most home coloring kits, while not idiot proof, are designed to keep you from overdeveloping your hair. At least most of the time.

Don't forget the strand test. Especially if you are going more permanent than not. It can save you from "post coloring remorse". And be sure to check the color results in natural light. Sure it may look great in your bathroom's forgiving lighting - just not so great in full sun.

Whatever color you choose if you're working with curly locks you might be better off to replace about 25% of the activator with distilled water. That's because curly hair, being naturally more dry and porous anyway, is prone to absorbing color quicker making it easier to damage with peroxide and such.

For near perfect results don't shampoo your freshly colored locks for like 48 hours. You want to give the pigment time to soak in good.

Now if you're really stuck on the color decision don't be afraid to ask for help. I'll bet your stylist will offer, if not a full blow color consultation, at least some free advice about which color would work best for you.

Whether you're coloring your hair for the first time or just want a happier outcome you really can get salon quality results at home. And know what? Just remembering to be patient and take color changes a step at a time can go a long way to getting you there.

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The Art of Choosing a Hair
Color That Works For You