How to Choose a New Hair Color for Spring

Film and television stars change their hair colors nearly as often as they change their lingerie. If you want a spring pick-me-up, consider changing yours, subtly or dramatically. For a drastic change or complex layering, put your hair in the hands of a professional. For hiding gray or livening up your natural color, there are new and vastly improved home products available now, in both permanent and semi-permanent formulations.

Things You'll Need

• Beauty magazines
• Box of hair color
• Stylist

Instructions

Determine Natural or Dramatic Effect

1. Decide what your purpose is for changing your hair color for spring. You may want to cover gray or brighten up your natural color. You may want to make a dramatic change from blond to brunette or vice versa. Knowing what you want will help determine the color choice and technique of application.

2. Read fashion magazines to review which new styles and colors are popular for spring, then consult your colorist to determine how well a color may suit your skin tone and hair type.

Know Skin Tone and Choose the Most Flattering Look

1. Choose a hair color that doesn't clash with your skin tone. Look in the mirror in natural light to determine whether your skin tone is olive, ivory, rose, yellow or brown.

2. Try on wigs to see how the proposed color will look with your skin tone and image. This step is especially important if you are making a dramatic change from dark to blonde or vice versa.

3. Choose either a permanent or semi-permanent color if you are going to do it yourself. Read the side of the box of at-home hair color and observe the before and after photographs to see whether the color is suitable for you. Many people prefer trying a semi-permanent product first, since the results will eventually wash out if it doesn't seem right.

4. Visit the salon for touch-ups or perform regular applications at home. This will keep the look believable and fresh. Also, frequent at-home conditioning treatments are essential to keep hair looking healthy.

Tips & Warnings

• Be proactive in explaining to a hair colorist the expected results of a new spring hair color. If possible, bring photographs from magazines of preferred spring hair color examples and ask your colorist whether these colors would work well for you.

• If choosing a hair color in a box, be certain to pre-test it before applying to prevent skin allergy complications. Even if you've used that product before with no ill effects, an allergic reaction can happen at any time. Always test to be safe.