Update Your Hair Color

Add face-framing streaks. Ask your colorist for subtle highlights around your hairline. They create a halo of warmth and instantly brighten up your complexion. Plus, they're very low-maintenance. Even if you have to cover up your grays every five or six weeks, you can just get a single process (applying one shade all over) and not have to rehighlight until the next appointment.

Alternate single process and highlights. For a sunny, golden-blond color, avoid overbleaching, which can weaken your hair. To keep your hair healthy, alternate between a single process and highlights every five to six weeks at the salon. Coloring your hair at home? If you're dyeing an already colored area, coat the roots, then in the last five minutes, comb the dye all the way through to the ends.

Create dimension in dark hair. To enhance brown hair, ask your colorist for tone-on-tone color. It won't change your base shade altogether, but you'll get some pretty contrast and depth.

Keep red hair looking rich. Since red hair tends to fade the fastest, stay away from highlights, which can quickly turn pinkish and send you back to the salon. Instead get a single process (applying one shade all over) in a vibrant auburn or coppery shade. Use a color-depositing conditioner in between appointments so your color stays brilliant.

Preserve your color. The best way to keep newly colored hair looking healthy is to condition like crazy. Once a week, treat your strands to a deep conditioner formulated for color-treated hair to keep your hue bright and shiny. A good pick: Redken Color Extend Rich Recovery.

Get a major shine boost. If you love your current hue and want it make it look even more vibrant, try a clear gloss treatment, which is the hair equivalent of a nail polish top coat. You can either get it done at a salon or go for an at-home version like John Frieda Color Glaze in Clear Shine.