Just as proper hair care isn't a science, neither is getting your hair color right. It's actually quite simple: Stick to colors that compliment your skin tone, figure out if you're better off with single-process color or highlights, and then decide if you're going to pay someone else to do it or do it yourself. It also helps to know what colors you're naturally drawn to. Here, I share 11 hair color tips only your stylist knows, but first, peruse this gallery of My All-Time Favorite Hair Colors to figure out what colors you love.
Can You Go Blonde?
Some women look good in any color (remember Linda Evangelista?) but most women don't. If you had blonde hair as a kid, you'll likely look good as a blonde adult. Find out more in My Best Blonde Hair Tips and Tricks and in Hair Color Mistakes Women Make.Galleries to inspire you:
Note: if you are going the bottle route, never color your hair more than 2 shades lighter than your natural shade. Learn more about DIY-coloring in How to Color Your Hair at Home.The Right Way to Go (or Stay) Brown
If you have super pale skin and brown hair, consider going lighter. Super dark shades can wash you out and even make you appear older. I love the uber-trendy "bronde hairstyles" for brunettes for the perfect sun-kissed look. (See bronde hairstyles photo gallery).More for brunettes:
- Protect your investment with 8 best products for colored hair.
- Photos of famous brunettes
- My favorite dark, short haircuts.
Can I Go Red?
Almost everyone can go red, what's most important is finding the right shade of red. If you want to go red, I suggest not trying it on your own. Get a professional consultation. You won't believe the number of emails I get from women whose hair turned out orange when they went the box route.More for redheads:
To Color or to Highlight, That's the Question
If you have a great base hair tone, you're better off with highlights. You don't want to mess with nature; what you want to do is enhance it. If your base color washes out your skin tone or is "blah," consider single-process color. Single-process color is cheaper than highlights.Highlights look best when the stylist uses at least two different shades. Ask for more around your face, they can brighten your complexion.
Keep in mind that due to root growth, all-over coloring will need to be touched up every four to eight weeks, while highlights can last up to two or three months. Ask your stylist about a gloss treatment following your color. Gloss boosts color and makes hair shinier.
You're Going for Highlights, But Which Kind?
There are basically 4 types of highlights: basic foil highlights, baliage or "hair painting," chunking or "piecing" and lowlighting.Foil highlights add strands of color to hair. You can get up to 5 different shades in hair for a more natural look.
Baliage, or "hair painting," allows the stylist to add natural stripes of color to hair in large or smaller swaths. This is best for women with a great base color who want to go just a couple shades lighter. You won't need to get roots touched up as much with baliage as you do foils.
Lowlighting allows the stylist to add darker shades to hair. This gives color more contrast.
Should You Do It Yourself?
Home-color kits have come a long way in the past few years. They are perfect for busy people and those who want cut the cost of professional colorings. (We know of a couple top fashion editors who color their hair themselves).Some great hair coloring kits include:
L'Oreal Natural Match Hair Color 
and Clairol Nice and Easy .
for 12 tips on do-it-yourself coloring, see Should You Color Your Own Hair?
If You're Going With a Box, Stick With Semi-permanent Color
Semi-permanent colors wash out after a few washes, whereas permanent colors have to grow out.Some home hair coloring tips: rub Vaseline around your hairline as a protective measure before applying color. To remove after coloring, rub a small amount of cream cleanser and wipe off with cotton balls. Always wear gloves.
Gray, Gray, Go Away, Don't Come Again Another Day
Gray hair can be resilient to hair dye because of its coarse texture. If your hair is less than 15 percent gray, opt for a semi-permanent color that's a shade lighter than your natural color (or matches your color).Many women who are more than half gray opt to dye their hair blonde. For more information on coloring gray hair, check out this Q&A with NYC stylist Antonio Gonzales.
So You Hate Your Color? Don't Strangle the Stylist!
Don't be afraid to go back to the salon and talk to your stylist if you are not pleased with the results. There are all sorts of ways to fix color that's just not right. If you did it yourself with a semi-permanent color, look for a shampoo with "ammonium laurel sulfate" to wash away the color faster.Get more tips on a bad dye job and how to fix it.
Your Color is Gorgeous, Now What?
You invested money for hair color, now protect your investment with color-enhancing shampoo and conditioner once a week. These products deposit miniscule amounts of color into hair. See 8 best hair products for color-treated hair.Uh-Oh. Your Roots Are Growing In
You can expect your color to last about 6 to 8 weeks before roots begin to show. If your hair is colored, get your roots touched up or do them yourself with a store-bought kit. I like Clairol Nice and Easy Root Touch Ups.If you have highlights or lowlights, avoid having your whole head colored by asking your stylist to do your hairline, crown and part. A word of warning: Foil highlights require precise application and fixing dark roots is nearly impossible. Consider baliage, which looks more natural.
More on root touch-ups here.
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