Adding color to your hair is an exciting way to acquire a new look. And the great thing is that you can change whenever you are bored with your current appearance! All the same – there is a measure of control and caution you will be best advised to exercise – especially in consideration of your own existing hair colour.

The chances are, that if you have a particular color of hair, your complexion will naturally go with that look. Then when you are planning the ‘big change’ you must keep the type of skin you have in mind and make sure you highlight the plus points while playing down the minus point with your new look.

Experts say that the chief reason for disasters resulting from coloring the hair is the fact that people who are attempting a change are not well informed about the basic rules or ‘laws’ if you might like to call them – that govern colours in terms of hair in particular. Especially those with black hairstyles.

The first thing to understand is that the reflection of light on the color pigmentation in the hair is what is seen as the color of your hair. Hair color is by no means paint. According to the degree of darkness or lightness in a color it is assigned a ‘level’ in hair coloring terms.

There are several kinds of color for the hair:

1. Permanent
2. Single process
3. Semi permanent
4. Deposit only

It is essential that you do several things before embarking on the process:

• research the subject extensively
• categorize your own hair color as warm or cool or monochromatic depending on whether its is reddish blonde, ashen or pure brown or black
• use a color swatch book to match the tone and shade of your hair so you know which it is
• study the color wheel and remember that complementary colors will be opposite from each other
• design and select a the exact shade and color level you want
• perform a strand test to preview what you are getting in to

On considering colours to use here are some handy points to remember:

• If you have always dreamed of being blonde, unless you were actually blonde as a child – avoid it. If you complexion is pink and you have green or blue eyes – then go for it.
• If you have a waxen pale complexion and brown tones of hair, don’t venture to make it even darker. Look at a lighter colour shade that will make you look younger.
• If red is what you want to try out – there’s no reason why you can’t - whatever type of skin you have. What is important is to find just the right shade, which will enhance you complexion.
• Grey hair is not easy to colour owing to the texture that is dye resistant. A lighter shade than your own will be fine if you are minimally grey, while a larger quantity of ‘hoar hairs’ can be effectively covered by blonde.

Since many people tend to bring home a do-it-yourself kit and bravely start out on the project, keep in mind these items that you need to look out for:

• If you are pregnant make certain to consult your doctor before using chemical based hair colors.
• If you are interested in henna and other organic types of hair dye, remember not to mix them with chemical dyes.
• If you have colored your hair it’s a good idea to stay out of the sea or pool – you could ruin everything!