Consider how you look — and how you live — when deciding on a color for your hair.
What is your natural color?
“For the most natural and easy-to-maintain results, choose a new color within one to two shades of what currently grows from your head,” says stylist and colorist Bruno Lépine of New York City’s Rosario Acquista Salon.
How to keep it simple: If your hair is medium brown, for example, adding honey-toned highlights or darkening it to an allover chocolate will create convincing color with the least amount of upkeep.
What color are your eyes and what is your skin tone?
The wrong color can make olive skin appear green and pink-toned skin look tomato red.
Going too light or too dark can leave any complexion looking washed-out.
How to do it right: Those with light eyes and pale skin or very dark eyes and dark skin look good in cooler or neutral colors: ash blonds, neutral browns and dark reds. If your skin is medium olive to golden brown and your eyes are brown or hazel, then the best hues for you have warmer undertones: golden blonds, milk-chocolate browns and bright, fiery reds.
What’s your current mood?
Lighter hair colors usually convey a playful, flirty, fun demeanor, while darker hues are considered more serious, sophisticated and mysterious.
How to factor in feelings: “I ask a client why she wants the change,” says colorist Rita Hazan of New York City’s Rita Hazan Salon. “If she’s just gone through a breakup, lighter color will make her feel upbeat and beautiful. If she’s starting a new job, a darker color will give her a sense of control.”
What’s your lifestyle?
Don’t go too far with color unless you’re prepared for the upkeep.
How to weigh your options: If you’re laid-back and wear little makeup, stick with a color only slightly lighter or darker than your natural color. A major change could work if you like making a statement, you don’t mind devoting time and money to touch-ups and you apply makeup every day.
Once you’ve invested time and money to attain your perfect hair color, keep it looking great for as long as possible with these easy tips.
Shampoo less often.
Overwashing your hair dries it out, causing your color to fade faster. The best shampoo schedule? If you have oily hair, wash it every other day; if you have normal or dry hair, wash every third day.
Pick the right products.
Use shampoo and conditioner for color-treated hair. They’re formulated with fewer detergents to prevent color loss. Refresh your color with brighteners.
Hydrate and protect.
Every week or two, depending on how dry your hair feels, use a rehydrating conditioning mask. Avoid damage from heat styling with a thermal-styling product. Also, attach a nozzle or diffuser to your blow-dryer to create a buffer between the dryer and your hair.
Shun the sun.
Protect your color from the oxidizing effects of the sun and wind by wearing a hat or scarf over your head when you’re outdoors.
Go for a glaze.
If your hair is extra-prone to fading, consider a color glaze — a conditioning treatment that helps lock in the shade — between color appointments.
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