How do I find the hair color which suits me best?

Have you noticed how the celebrities have changing hair colours depending on the event, season and weather?

Just look at the hair colour of Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Aniston and Debra Messing to see what I mean.

Choosing the right colour for your hair

Whilst the celebrities can probably get away with going for striking new colours, a general rule is to keep within two to three shades of your own hair colour.  This not only looks more natural but it can be easier to maintain too.

Give your hair the celebrity treatment

Before considering any new color, it's important to ensure that your hair is in the best condition.  Using a deep conditioning treatment a few days before you apply color or visit the salon will help to ensure that the colour has the best chance of retaining it's vibrancy and that your hair remains in good condition.

What hair color would look good on me?

How do you find the hair colour which suits you best?

If you haven’t already booked an appointment at your local salon to have a colour analysis, or follow these steps if you want to try a different hair color.

Firstly look at your natural hair colour; does it seem lifeless and dull?  Take a long look at your hair in the mirror and look at your friends and work colleagues- also don’t forget to ask your hair stylist for advice.

The next step is to determine your own hair colour if you don’t already know this. A good tip to remember is that men can often be the best judge of hair colour, because they can sometimes be more objective.

Once you have worked out what your hair colour is, try thinking of shades that are really rich in your mind but sticking to your own colour palette.

For example, if your hair is a dark blonde colour, but also has some dark brown and red strands in there, colours that would work for you would be reds and browns.

Another good example is Keira Knightley, she looks at her best with chestnut-coloured hair because this is closest to her natural colour.

I would always recommend trying colours that are slightly darker than your normal shade, and always try colours that are redder than your normal shade.   Sometimes just changing by a few shades or tones can liven up your style - rather than a complete change.

Red hair is really popular at the moment, with stars like Nicole Kidman and Julia Roberts endorsing it.

If you want to dye your hair yourself, try some wash-in wash-out formulas before you commit to a permanent colour. This way you can be sure of the colour and whether it suits you. The usual recommendation is just to go one shade darker each time.

Take time, browse pictures in magazines and be patient, to ensure that you choose the right hair color for you.  Picking a new color for your hair should be fun - so ask your friends and enjoy the experience!

Due to problems with colors irritating or burning skin or your scalp, many salons will perform a skin test to determine sensitivity and ensure that you are unlikely to react to the hair treatment.

Keeping the Look!

Many people worry about their colour fading.  Whilst this is inevitable, there is something that you can do about it!

If you wash your hair in cool rather than hot water, this can help maintain the colour better and for longer.

If you just want to look good for one special evening you can then use one of these formulas and not permanently change your colour, but still look astounding.

More on Hair Coloring & Products 

• Colouring for Thinning Hair
  
  Hair care is even more important if you are colouring fine or thinning ...
• Hair Highlights
  
  How do you choose what colors for your highlights? Hair with colour needs good conditioning.
• Home Hair Coloring Tips
  
  Creating your own colors or highlights at home is possible, with a little extra care.
• Remove or fix problem color
  
  Aargh! When coloring goes wrong, what do you do to fix it and remove that problem color?

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