Choosing a new hair color can be daunting. There are so many things to consider—your age, complexion, facial features, and shape—not to mention your personal taste and style. If you're coloring your hair for the first time, the best thing to remember is to start small: sticking within two shades of your natural color is a safe bet.
Follow these tips for finding a color match for...
Your Complexion and Skin Tone
Traditionally, people with warm skin tones (sometimes described as golden or peachy) should choose warm dyes and cool skin tones should stick with cooler colors. But recent trends favor warmer tones, especially in highlights, since cooler ones may appear dull and older. If your skin has cool undertones, look for a neutral shade that will work with most skin tones. If your skin is rosy or reddened, look for a tone that minimizes redness, avoiding red and blonde colors. And if your skin has warm undertones, golden shades will brighten it, while very dark tones will wash you out.
Your Facial Shape and Features
If your face is wide or long, choose colors and highlights that have a variety of tones. Multiple tones can help to even out the shape and de-emphasize problem features. Small faces can pull off a single, bold color and extreme shades better than larger faces can. Highlights and lowlights (color darker than your natural shade) can effectively draw focus to or away from certain features. Speak to your colorist about good options for your face.
Your Age
The younger you are, the more flexibility you have in changing your hair color. Today's trends include statement looks like dip-dyed ends and brilliant hues. Just like clothing trends, teens and 20-somethings will wear these color extremes the best. Thirty- and 40-year-olds who are looking to be on trend could try a more subtle ombre look (hair color that is dark at the roots and fades towards the ends) or sun-kissed highlights. Everyone's hair loses pigment as they age. If you're over 50, be sure not to go too dark or it will look very unnatural.
Just remember that if you're not happy with the results, adjusting the color is usually simple. Coloring your hair can also affect your hair's moisture level and texture. Pay extra attention to caring for your color-treated hair and you'll help preserve your new hair color as long as you can.
Sources:
Licari, Louis. "How to Choose the Right Hair Color." The Huffington Post: The Blog. Web. 12 April 2010. Accessed 6 June 2013.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/louis-licari/how-to-choose-the-right-h_b_534464.html
"Haircolor FAQ's." Garnier Official site. Web. 2011. Accessed 6 June 2013.
http://www.garnierusa.com/_en/_us/programmes/pg_FAQ/FAQ_USA.aspx?section=faq
