Your Best-Ever Hair Color

Which Shade?
Stuck at the first hurdle and not sure what color to pick? Take some tips:

Blonde Bombshells
Natural redheads can have problems going blonde; the red pigment can result in a brassy effect, especially if you try to go too light. Assess your skin tone. It's probably pale, so softer honey blondes will suit you.

You can't temporarily go blonde. Anything that lightens hair involves chemicals and will be permanent.

For lower-maintenance color, go for finer lights through the top and bolder pieces underneath.

If you have finer hair, highlights will give an impression of volume.

On Red Alert
Anyone can go red, providing you team the right shade with your skin tone. A good hairdresser will give you a free color consultation to see what's best for you.

Red fades far quicker than any other hair color, so color refreshers and lots of conditioning are essential.

Red suits white or sallow skin coloring and blue, green or grey eyes. Avoid red if you have a pink-based skin tone or dark features such as eyebrows or eyes.

If you're unsure about taking the plunge, try infusing your style with some copper or red lowlights.

Beautiful Brown
If you're going from blonde to brown, do it gradually. Try on a few wigs first, so you know what to expect.If you're just starting out with color, lowlights, as opposed to all-over color, is the best subtle approach.

If you want to go darker from blonde, use an auburn-brown with red in it. Flat browns will give a khaki tone.

When using a brunette home color, check the shade guide on the side of the box. Your current shade must be within three shades of what you want to achieve.

Always match your hair color to your natural skin tone:

• White/ivory skin: Depends on how daring you are. You could try ash blonde, auburn or even dark brown hair color if you're brave.
• Pink skin tones: Ash brown or dark brown, or ash blonde. Avoid red or a yellow-toned blonde.
• Yellow skin: Darker rich tones with blue tones like burgundy or deep auburn to balance out the sallow tones of your skin.
• Olive skin: Stay dark, and you've got the perfect combination. You could always add a few burgundy lowlights if you like. ...

How You Can Do It

• Color-enhancing shampoos: Give a hint of a tint, but [they are] great for boosting your natural shade or for color maintenance.
• Temporary colors: Products like mousses normally last up to about three washes on noncolored hair. Don't attempt to use on permed, colored or chemically straightened hair.
• Henna: A permanent stain that will fade and/or grow out. Not a wise choice if it's your first time. You can't lift it out, color over it, perm or chemically straighten henna-ed hair.
• Chemical dyes: These vary. Progressive ones will gradually darken your hair, temporary dyes wash out at the next shampoo, semi-permanent dyes can last up to 20 washes, and permanent ones will last about three months -- but root touch-ups every six weeks are vital.

Home Hair-Color Tips
DIY color can be a hidden recipe for disaster. So, whether you're going for a permanent or semi-permanent version, these tips should help you:

• A week before coloring, treat your hair with an intensive conditioner to strengthen.
• Opt for a product that shows you what the result will be. If there's no color guide, don't buy it.
• Don't shampoo just before coloring; the natural oils in your scalp will hydrate during the coloring process.
• Always follow the box instructions to the letter.
• Do skin and strand tests beforehand. Remember, it can take up to 48 hours for an allergic reaction to kick in.
• Beware! The picture on the box isn't always true to the finished result.
• Don't go for a dramatic color change first time.
• Smear your hairline and ears with Vaseline to stop the color from settling on your skin.
• Don't lose track of time and leave it on too long.
• When re-doing hair color, put it on the roots for the first 15 minutes, then massage the color all through.

Color Maintenance

• Always use a shampoo and conditioner that's been formulated specifically for color-treated hair.
• Protect colored hair from the sun by covering it completely when sunbathing, or use protective styling products that contain UV filters; try Lanza Sun and Swim Range.
• Keep colored hair in optimum condition by applying an intensive conditioner once or twice a week.
• When swimming, wear a cap; chlorine is a hair-color killer!
• Avoid heavy use of heated styling appliances. When blow-drying, towel dry before you start styling.

The Best Color Care: Brunettes

• Products: John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Shine Release Moisturizing Shampoo and Light Reflecting Conditioner

Recommended by Jo Parker: "This range caters for two different color shades of brunette, hazelnut to chestnut for light shades and chocolate to espresso for darker tones of brunette. I only use temporary colors on my hair simply to cover up any grey. Used together, this was a great shine-promoter, and can be used on brunette hair that isn't colored."

Blondes

• Products: Andrew Collinge Blonde Highlight Enhancing Shampoo and Conditioner

Recommended by Kerry McCreanor: "Dyed blonde hair is infamous for going brassy, especially in the sun, but this contains a UV filter to stop that [from]happening. The range caters for two types of blonde, honey and caramel shades or bright platinum versions. It definitely keeps my color looking brighter longer and the shine and condition is [right on]."

Redheads

• Products: Wella Lifetex Nutri Care Color-Nutrition Reflex Shampoo for Red Hair and Wella Lifetex Nutri-Care Color-Nutrition Conditioning Spray

Recommended by beauty editor Yve Lyons: "I colored my hair for the first time a few months ago to brighten it up and cover some strands of grey. I opted for a few copper lowlights and, like all shades of red, it did start to fade after a few weeks. They make the lights stand out a mile [away], and the color finisher gives my hair a gorgeous shine."

Source: The People (London). Powered by Yellowbrix.