Here’s the rundown on how to get that perfect hair color. Streak Out
What you want: Some subtle face-framing highlights, or chunky stripes of contrasting color.
How to get it: Either at a salon, under the skilled hand of a colorist. Or, if you know what you’re doing, an at-home streaking kit.
Best on: Non-colored hair. Avoid at-home streaking if your hair is darker than medium brown–your highlights could turn orange.
Lasts: Until grown, or colored, out.
Pros: You control the impact and coverage–there are dark as well as light shades.
Cons: Streaks can’t be added to hair that’s already colored. They’re permanent, so you either have to grow them out or color over them–but you may not get an even result.
One-night Stand
What you want: A streak or coating of wild color, like electric blue, hot pink or royal purple, for one night only.
How to get it: With temporary shampoo-out rinses, this works by just coating the hair shaft.
Best on: Any hair except for dyed blonde–there’s a chance it could stain.
Lasts: Until you wash it out.
Pros: You can be as creative and as crazy as you like. You can also try out the more natural tints–or mix some together–to test out different colors for yourself.
Cons: They won’t survive a midnight skinny-dipping session or a sudden downpour, and they may rub off on your–or your boy’s–pillow.
A New Black
What you want: Something different for your naturally black hair.
How to get it: for a subtle all-over tint, pick a dark shade in a tone-on-tone (demi-permanent) color. For a drastic change, bleach your hair first, and then add color.
Best on: Coarse, textured hair may be resistant to non-permanent colors; silkier hair, like Asian hair, is usually more receptive. Double-processing can damage hair, so it’s best on shorter styles.
Lasts: Tone-on-tones last up to 24 shampoos; double-processing is a permanent change.
Pros: Non-permanent colors give your hair extra gloss and nourishment.
Cons: Double-processing can be damaging–it’s best to visit a salon, only have the roots retouched and use lots of conditioning products in between.
Totally Transform
What you want: Wham-glam allover color.
How to get it: With a permanent dye.
Best on: Medium hues going darker, or to a different but just-as-intense hue.
Lasts: Until you grow it out.
Pros: Today’s formulations are greater and the colors shinier and more shimmery, and more fade-resistant. Permanent colorants also offer the widest range of shades. Also, because this color penetrates the hair shaft, it can change the hair’s texture, which may make thin hair thicker, or curly and coarse hair more relaxed.
Cons: If you’re blonde and going darker, you may need an in-between ‘filler’ to hold your color. Regrowth should be touched up every 4-6 weeks.
Lighten Up
What you want: To set your inner blonde free.
How to get it: At a salon, or with an at-home permanent blonding cream.
Best on: Hair that’s naturally no darker than medium brown-blonding creams are formulated to lighten hair up to about 4 shades If you’re any darker, visit a salon for a double-processing, where hair is bleached before permanent color is added (warning: this is super-damaging, so it’s best on short hair). Also best on fair skins–blonde hair can look too fake on olive or darker complexions.
Lasts: For as long as you want to have more fun.
Pros: Blonding creams are effective on most natural hair shades (except brunette to black).
Cons: Obvious regrowth–ideally, you need touch-ups every four weeks. Bleached hair can be very fragile, so it needs lots of TLC–tender loving care.
Pump It Up
What you want: A richer, shinier, glossier version of the color you already have.
Best on: Mid-shades like mouse-to medium-brown and reddish hues. It may stain bleached hair, or take longer to wash out.
How to get it: A semi-permanent, a demi-permanent or tone-on-tone colorant colors that work by sitting just inside the hair’s cuticle layer. Or a salon-applied gloss.
Lasts: Semis last about 6-12 shampoos; tone-on-tones and demis last up to 24 shampoos.
Pros: They’re ammonia-free, and fade out subtly so there’s no obvious regrowth. They can make hair fell and look healthy, as well as add color.
Cons: They can’t lighten hair and they won’t totally cover any grey hairs.