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It's for fashion-conscious divas to go through hair color phases. Sometimes you're feeling a little bit saucy and go for an auburn tint, but sometimes you're just over it. If that's the case, you have to make sure your next hair color adventure lacks any kind of reddish tint. This task shouldn't be difficult because are plenty of hair colors to choose from.
Your Skin Tone
Anytime you're ready to make a hair color transition, your first thought should be your skin's undertone. Once you know whether you're cool- or warm-toned, you'll be set for life when it comes to picking color. Your undertone never changes, even though the color of your skin might. So turn your wrist over and check out the color of your veins. Do they look blue, purple or have a greenish hue? If they're purple or bluish, you're a cool-toned lady. If they look green, you're warm-toned. Certain hair colors work better with warm tones, and certain hair colors work with cool tones.
Color Theory
If you're warm-toned, you need to stick to colors that are earthy. Think about a rich chestnut if you're going for a brunette look or other true browns. If blonde is something that draws you, stick to a color in the warm family of shades. Buzzwords to look for on dye colors are "caramel," "butterscotch" or "honey." If you're cool-toned, you have blonde and brunette options, too, just in different shades. You can do true black or platinum blonde, if you're looking to make a bold statement. If something more subtle suits your taste, try champagne and dirty-blonde shades or a light, cool brown shade.
What to Avoid
Hair color can be deceiving. Just because it's not full-on red doesn't mean that it doesn't have elements of red in it. Plenty of colors, both blonde and brunette, have red tones that can ruin your attempt to rid your hair of it. The best way to avoid red is to know some words to avoid on boxes of hair dye. For example, anything that includes "golden" is a big no-no. Words like "garnet," "ruby," "strawberry," "auburn" and "cinnamon" are as good as the word "red" when it comes to your end results. Always ask yourself if the adjective in the color name has any hint of red to it and, if it does, move on and look at other colors.
Colored Hair Tips
While some dyes are better for your hair than others, putting chemicals on your hair is never the best choice for its health. But there are a few things you can do to help prolong the healthy look of your tresses. Definitely wash your locks with shampoo and conditioner that's made for color-treated hair. Never brush wet hair, which can cause tangles and pulls your hair out. Always use a wide-tooth comb on damp locks. A deep-conditioning treatment used on your hair every two weeks is a surefire way to combat the dryness that frequent dyeing can cause.
