With the vast array of hair color choices out there today, it can be hard to know which ones would look good on you. You know you want to do something different, but you have no idea where to start. Your professional colorist would best be able to help you here, but to get a good head start, here are some basic hair coloring tips to help you choose or change your hair color.

The first step is to decide exactly what it is you want to do. Are you just wanting to cover gray? Are you wanting a subtle change or something radical that will completely change your image? How much upkeep are you willing to do? Do you want to just do hi-lights or lo-lights to your natural color? Do you want something permanent or short term? A lot of choices I know!

If you're new to hair coloring, you may want to do either a temporary or semi-permanent color to start out with. A temporary hair color is a color rinse that will wash out in a shampoo or two. A semi-permanent color typically lasts for about 6 weeks or more (depending on how often you shampoo your hair). Compared to a permanent hair color which needs to grow out and requires frequent root touch-ups, these may be better choices for the newbie. Although any hair color can be corrected if needed most of the time, it takes a lot of time, trouble and money. Trying something a little less committed will give you more of an idea of what you like without damaging your hair in the process.
Ok, so if you just want to cover gray, the choice is relatively easy. Just find a color that matches your own. However, if you want to do something different, there are some things you need to take into consideration. That gorgeous strawberry blonde color may be stunning on your best friend, but will do absolutely nothing for you but make you look washed out and sickly. The hair color you choose has to be compatible with your skin tone and eye color. If you have very pale, cool toned skin, an ash color with its cool undertones will probably complement you. Cool toned people normally do better with black, those crazy, vibrant colors, and very light blondes. If you have warm features, like golden brown eyes and golden brown skin, then you should stick with a warm hair color. Colors with golden and red tones normally look good on you. If you're not sure, check out your closet! You normally choose clothing in colors that compliment your coloring. If you have a lot of cool colored clothing like green, blues, and violets then you're most likely a "cool". If you have an expanse of warm colors like reds, oranges and yellows, then you're a "warm". There are some nuances you need to remember though. For instance, if your face is red from acne or other skin conditions, you don't want to choose a red color that will accentuate that. Instead, you'll want to choose a color that softens the red tones in your face. If your skin is sallow, then don't choose a haircolor with a lot of yellow to it. Compliment it instead by choosing a color with richer tones.

Remember, you can always do something more subtle at first, especially if you're choosing to go with a permanent hair color. Hi-lights are a great way to add some tones and interest to your natural color. Lo-lights add some darker tones that will help show off your natural hi-lights that you already have. You can do your entire head or just specific spots to show off some of your best features. For example, you can hi-light around your face to draw attention to your eyes, or you can add some color to your crown to accentuate your haircut. You can even just "tip" your hair with a different color to bring out the texture of a new cut.

Be careful if doing your color by yourself! If you're not familiar with color and how it works you can easily do something that will cause you to go running to the nearest salon with a scarf around your head praying someone will be able to make you look human again.  Here are some basic things to remember:

1. A color will not lift a color. If you have colored hair already and it's dark, but you decide to go lighter, you're going to have to use bleach. The same goes if you have naturally dark hair and want to go blonde. A color will normally only lift four levels.  I would highly recommend going to a colorist in this situation as bleach can be tricky.

2. Opposites on the color wheel will neutralize the opposite color. For example, if you have too much red in your hair, an ash color with green undertones will cancel out the red.

3. Take precautions before swimming with colored hair. The chlorine in a pool and the salt water in the ocean can turn your hair green.

4. Never perm after a color. The chemicals in the perming solution will lighten your hair color.

5. If you've used a henna hair color before, wait for that to grow out before you use a chemical color. Mixing the two normally does not bring about a good result.

Remember, if you're not sure, choose something more subtle at first. You can gradually go more radical from there. If you're having a hard time deciding what colors would be for you, head to your nearest salon. The professional colorists there can give you many ideas of what would look good on you. Hair coloring is something that can be loads of fun, just be sure to follow these basic tips!

About the Author: Written by Lisa Earl. Lisa has been a licensed Cosmetologist for over 17 years.

The fall and winter season is upon us! There's so much to look forward to this time of year. School is back in session, the holidays are coming, maybe even snow to play in depending on where you live. I love the winter season. My hair and skin? Not so much.  Between the dry, cold air outside and the heater running inside, my hair tends to get very dry and frizzy looking. There are some things you can do however, to help prevent this winter hair syndrome.

1. Shampoo your hair less frequently if you can get away with it. Also, always use a conditioner after shampooing your hair, and give your hair a final rinse in cold water. The cold water closes your hair shaft and adds shine.

2. Never brush your hair when it's wet. Always use a wide tooth comb.

3. Dry to avoid using blow dryers and curling irons as much as possible. If you absolutely can't live without these styling tools, then be sure and use a good moisturizer for your hair beforehand. Just be careful if you have fine hair, some leave-in moisturizers can weigh down your hair.

4. Limit the amount of chemical treatments you do to your hair as much as possible. Perming, chemically straightening and coloring your hair can really dry out your hair. If you can't wait all winter, then be sure to get any chemical treatments done at a professional salon. Avoid using home coloring kits.

5. Last, but not least, never go outside with wet hair. You may not catch pnuemonia, as our moms always warned, but you will run the risk of hair breakage.  Even if your hair is dry, it's a good idea to keep it covered with a hat or a scarf rather than letting it blow around in the cold wind.

Follow these 5 winter hair care tips will help keep those winter frizzies away! So get out there and enjoy the season!

About the Author: Written by Lisa Earl. Lisa has been a licensed Cosmetologist for over 17 years.

Ok. So you saw this actress, magazine picture, friend, or whoever with this great haircut. It's adorable, and you want to look just like that.  Before you run off to your hairstylist with picture in hand demanding a magical makeover, take a few minutes to consider a few things. A stunning haircut and style may look great on someone else, but may or may not be the right one for you.

The first thing to consider is this: Will this style flatter your face shape? There are some basic guidelines that should be followed here. First, figure out what your face shape is. (If you're not sure, try this little trick... Pull all of your hair back from your face and look in a mirror.  Using some type of washable makeup item, trace the outline of your face on the mirror and voila! There's your shape.)

If you have an oval shape face, then lucky you! Oval face shapes can carry off just about any haircut and style. But whatever you do, don't cover up your "perfect" face shape with too much hair on the face! Some oval face shapes you may recognize include Jennifer Aniston, Jewel, and Heather Locklear.

If you have a square shape face, you'll want to choose a cut and style that will soften the angles of your face. A long layer cut with waves would be flattering here, or even a short one if it's above the jawline, and you could part it either on the side or in the middle. Be careful not to have too much fringe or bangs though, you normally want to keep most of the hair off of your forehead.  Also stay away from chin length bobs, as this will just emphasize the squareness of your jaw. Square faces you may know are Sandra Bullock and Demi Moore.

Round face shapes follow similiar guidelines as square ones. You'll want to stay away from anything that will make your face look rounder, such as chin length bobs or "big" hair. The best cut for a round face is something longer than chin length that is either straight or has very soft waves. This will lengthen the look of your face. Bangs are ok here. Kate Winslet and Natalie Merchant have round face shapes.

A long, narrow face needs to be given the illusion of width. Go for cuts and styles that are chin length or shorter, preferable with some waves or curls. Too much length will make your face appear longer. Keep hair off of the sides of your face as this will also add to the "long" look by cutting off the sides.  Fringe or bangs however, will work great! Janet Jackson, Niki Taylor, and Kirstie Alley have narrow faces.

For the heart shape face, a chin length bob is a great choice! Wispy fringe bangs and layers around the face will balance out your face shape. Be careful to leave fullness around the neck area if you choose a shorter style, due to your narrow chin. Be sure to avoid any style that emphasizes the upper part of your face. You don't want to make it appear wider. The only thing you'll want to emphasize is those great cheekbones! Heart shape faces include Lisa Kudrow, Michelle Pfeiffer and Ashley Judd.

Pointers for some specific problems:

If you have a prominent nose, be sure that your cut and style isn't too severe. Stick to softer styles.

If you have a very pointed chin, be sure and keep some width at the jaw line.

Wear bangs or at least some light fringe for a large forehead, an uneven hairline, or a widow's peak.

Other things to Consider:

Some other things you may want to consider when choosing a new cut and style is how much time you have to work with your hair and how hard will it be to achieve this look everyday? If you're a wash and go type of person, be sure and choose something that won't require anything more than maybe a little mousse and some scrunching. Another thing to consider is if your hair type will work. Is your hair straight and coarse or fine and wavy? Does it curl well? Does it lay nice with layers? Do you have cowlicks?

These are all things to consider when choosing the perfect haircut. If you're really not sure, don't be afraid to find a few pictures of different cuts and styles and take them into your hairstylist to discuss.  A knowledgable hairstylist will be able to tell you whether or not that is a good look for you and how hard it will be to achieve it everyday. So go for it! Change up your look! Just keep these tips in mind when you do.

About the Author: Written by Lisa Earl. Lisa has been a licensed Cosmetologist for over 17 years.

One of the biggest complaints I hear from people is, "My hair looked so good when I walked out of the salon, but I can't get it to look like that when I try to style it at home!"  Unless you know the tricks hairstylists use, it can be very frustrating trying to do it yourself. Here's some of the basics to remember. If you'd like more details, check out some of the other links on our site where we'll go a little more in-depth with each product.

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