How to pick the right hair color

When you color your own hair, picking the perfect new shade or color for your hair can be a daunting task, but here are a few tricks to make it easier

Coloring newbie?

Start with a semi-permanent color. Semi-permanent colors wash out after a few washes, whereas permanent colors never wash out. If you are new to coloring your hair, you might start with a semi-permanent hue unless you want to cover gray hair or go two or more shades lighter or darker.

Don’t go by the picture on the box.

Pictures on hair color boxes can be deceiving. You are better off going by the color swatches on the box and the descriptions.

Is your skin color warm or cool?

Most hair colors fall into either ‘categories’. You’re likely a ‘warm’ tone if you have golden, olive or dark skin and brown or dark eyes (most Latinas, Asians and African Americans fall into this category). You tan easily and the veins in your inner wrists are green. You’re a ‘cool’ if you have fair skin and blue or green eyes. You burn before you tan and the veins in your wrists run blue.

Choose the correct shade

If you have warm skin, opt for golden shades such as caramel and bronze in a darker shade than your skin. Avoid jet-black hair which will give you a washed out look and if you do opt for a golden shade, don’t go too light or your hair could turn orange. If you have cool shade, avoid colors that will highlight the ruddiness of your skin tone: Gold, auburn and copper. Ash blondes and cool browns work best.

How to tell if you’d make a great blonde

A basic thumb rule is that people who had blonde hair as children have the right skin tone to be blonde adults.

The right shade of blonde

Brassy blonde color or highlights on someone with a warm skin tone can be harsh. Opt for warmer shades instead. If you have brown hair and want to go blonde, you don’t want to go too light. Opt for contrast.

When to go red

Almost everyone can go red, what’s most important is finding the right shade to complement your skin color. Women with a cool or pink skin tone pull off red best, according to Jennifer J, a stylist quoted in the February 2006 issue of Marie Claire.

How to hide that gray

Gray hair can be hard to color because of its coarse texture. If your hair is less than one-thirds gray, opt for a semi-permanent color that’s a shade lighter than your natural color (or matches your color). The gray will blend right in. Semi-permanent color is less damaging than permanent color.

Uh-oh, the color’s all wrong

It is strongly suggested you seek out professional help if your dye job went wrong. Coloring over color can be tricky and you don’t want to over-process your hair.

Don’t go extreme

At-home coloring is best for people looking to go a couple shades lighter or darker or to cover gray. If you have light brown hair, a dark blonde will look beautiful on you. For extreme changes, it’s best to seek out professional help.