Find Your Perfect Color

Red might be your perfect shade if your skin is on the pink side. Women with cool or pinkish skin pull it off best. There's usually a perfect red for any skin stone, but if you have golden or olive skin, you may have tougher time finding one that's flattering — consult with a colorist.

Fiery locks can be radiant, but keep in mind that if your strands are dry or damaged, they'll have a hard time holding on to small, red color molecules (which seep out of even the healthiest hair fairly quickly). If you deep-condition weekly, get regular trims and don't heat-style every day, you may be a good candidate for going red.

Maximize the impact of a coffee hue by going deeper and monotone if your hair is nearly all one length. Make the ends slightly lighter, or add a mixutre of highlights and lowlights if your 'do is short or very layered. This will emphasize the cut's texture.

Worried about coloring your dull or damaged hair? Stick to the brunette color family — darker hair reflects light best, hides breakage, and minimizes flaws if your hair has taken a beating with heat styling or previous treatments. If you're craving a different shade, work on getting your hair healthy as a brunette before letting your re-energized, healthy locks shine in a red or blonde.

Not sure the best blonde shade to dye your hair? If you have deep brown skin, stick with a rich honey hue. If your complexion is a medium tone, try a sandy color. And if you have lighter skin, you can pull off a pale golden blonde.

Cool, white strands can make you look tired. Instead, ask your colorist to create a golden base, then add cooler highlights if you want to go lighter.

Visit a professional if you want to die your hair black or blue-black. And if in doubt, stick to a dark chocolate. The only way to lighten up is with a pricey salon procedure that involves lots of damage to your tresses.

If you're making a drastic color change — say, brunette to blonde — you may find that you have to color your hair frequently and follow particular guidelines for maintaining the hue at home. Make sure you have the time and money to do so before committing to a big change.

Try on hair colors and cuts if you're craving a major change with our Virtual Makeover tool. Then print your results and show them to your colorist to get her opinion on the most flattering shade for you!