Tips on Choosing the Right Hair Color

Skin tone, face shape, hair type, hair color, and many other factors go into choosing not only a great hair cut but also beautiful hair color that works for you. Women usually stand in the color isle at the local health and beauty store trying to decide what color would work for best for their hair type, style, shape, or color. Here are a few tips on picking that perfect color every time.

Know your hair color and how the dye will affect it. Just because you pick up a deep dark red does not mean your hair will look like the lady's on the box. Your hair color will affect the outcome of the dye. If you have white blond hair that red is going to look more cherry red than deep dark red. If your hair is black your going to get red tints to your hair. There is usually a color guide on the side of the box that shows you what color your hair will turn out for blond, brown, red, and dark brown/black hair. Use this and compare your current hair color to see how the dye will affect you.

Try the hair color on a small piece of hair first. Try something under your hair by the neck. Mix the color, apply to a small section of your hair as directed, and then see the outcome. If you are satisfied with the look of the color then proceed to use the hair color on your entire head.

Follow directions. Leaving the dye on too long or too short of a time harms the color outcome. Leaving the color on longer makes the dye outcome stronger and damages your hair. For example if you are dying your hair blond and you leave it on 20 minutes longer your hair will be lighter, but also more damaged. Leaving the color on for a shorter amount of time than recommended will make the color blotchy and most likely will not cover your entire head.

If you dye your hair a lot, style it often, or use a lot of product your hair could be damaged. This dryness, brittleness, and overall hair damage will affect the outcome of the dye. You do not want to put hair dye on damaged hair. Get your hair healthy and strong before you try to apply any type of hair color.

Know what type of clothing fits your skin tone and go with a similar color. If you look good in light pastel colors try a light brown, blonde, or strawberry blonde. If you can carry off reds try darker color hair dyes like burgundy, ash blonde, or black. Warm reds and gold colors usually work well with ashy and olive toned skin. Avoid pastel colors if you have yellowish skin tones.

Make sure you cover grey. Last thing you want is a hair color that covers everything on your head but your grey hairs. The strand test is a good way to tell if the color will cover your grey hair. Also try products made just for graying hair.