HAIR: GRUPPO IN ARTISTIC TEAM/GRUPPO IN, MILAN, ITALY; PHOTO: GLOBAL HAIR & FASHION GROUP.
Switching up your classic haircolor can depend on your skin tone, your face shape and even your attitude—here are a few tips about changing your shade:
Be Confident “A lot of times it depends on a person’s attitude,” advises master colorist Joel Warren. “I say go slow with a semi-permanent or something easy, so she can get used to coloring her hair. It’s not so much the cut and color [working together] as the fact that your overall appearance needs to be balanced. You have to take into consideration your body size, body shape, face shape, how you dress and what you wear.”
Consult the Pros “A professional colorist is going to be more knowledgeable about what’s flattering on a client’s hair,” reveals celebrity colorist George Papanikolas. “The most flattering thing on you is going to be a hue that’s somewhat close to your natural color. On a base color, I wouldn’t really go any more than two shades lighter or darker. If you’re going more than two shades darker, you’re going to look really severe and harsh and that can be aging.”
Embrace You “It’s all about finding a color that works for you rather than coloring your hair for the trends,” notes Los Angeles hairstylist Andy LeCompte. “I love to see people with layers who get highlights on the tips because that’s very natural-looking, like the look you get from the sun.”
hot star hue
Callie Thorne
No stranger to the spotlight, the leading lady of USA’s Necessary Roughness
knows how to keep us tuned in to check out her lovely looks and stunning star style.
Her deep mocha hue is brightened with a host of hot highlights in a slightly lighter shade. Lush lengths are then styled with a curling iron to enhance swirling hues.
PHOTO: COURTESY USA.
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Hi my hair is naturally mousy colour and fine, but cut into a graduated bob which seems to suit me as I have a small oval shaped face. my hairdresser puts a no 8 blonde permanent colour all over then lowlights this I have every 5 weeks as I don’t like to see regrowth. When I spend time in the sun on holiday my hair colour turns white within a week and look so cheap I’ve tried colour protection shampoos, sunscreen etc but the colour lifts so quickly
Hope u can help
Since your hair is FINE, it WILL fade rapidly. First of all, I hope you are using shampoo and conditioner designed to protect color-treated hair. My MINARDI LUXURY COLOR CARE… system one (purple label) sounds perfect for your needs.
I know it is difficult to cover you hair in the sun… so, prior to vacation, ask your colorist to lowlight your hair rather densely using a non-ammonia crème demi-permanent color. This type of coloring product holds very well, even in sunny conditions. My Beth Minardi Signature Brand has a wide selection of creme demi shades which should serve you well.
I have a light to medium brown colored hair with some very faint natural blonde highlights. I would like to add some blonde highlights, I have fair skin and an oval face, would blonde highlights look bad with my light skin? Should I get blonde highlights?
hello. I just got my hair highlighted 5 days ago. Its a medium blonde. I would like to go to the salon and lighten my highlights to a platinum blonde. Since bleach is used in highlighting, how long do i need to wait in order to get my highlights lightened? how many weeks minimum?
Hi Taylor!
It’s almost impossible to pick up all of the same pieces . . . and probably too damaging to overlap lightener. You can return any time you want to your colorist because he or she should know not to overlap and also know how to create some new highlights to accentuate the ones you already have. So your answer is any time!!! Thank you for trusting your pro.
Hello -
I have dark blonde hair with highlights and a darker color underneath. I’m looking to go darker all over with highlights but I’m not sure which highlight color will work. I have medium skin and a round face. My hair is about 4 inches past my shoulders. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Michelle
It sounds like you’ve already been working with a pretty awesome colorist Michelle. I would ask them what they think! And if you need some inspiration, check out the current issue of Sophisticate’s Hairstyle Guide–we always have tons of great style photos with beautiful color.
Hi i have a blonde hair and i tried to die it my self and it turned orange so im going to the salon to get it fixed tomorrow and was wondering if i could still have my hair blonde and get blonde highlights and them be noticable or if i would just tell her to die it blonde
Sorry we couldn’t help you right away, Tamara, but we’re confident your salon pro was able to give you a gorgeous color. We bet you look fantastic!
No highlights but don’t know what to do
HI April! If you’re looking for a completely lighter color overall, you’ll definitely want to talk to your hairstylist or colorist at your salon. It’s a complicated process and they should be able to help you figure out how to go about it, and what shade would work best. Good luck!
I have black hair and I want a light color . So what do u think ?
Try highlights. But, since we can’t see you, check with a good colorist in your area..they should have the answer. Good luck!
Hi,
My name is jean I am from Michigan, I been looking for a good hair salon….I like blond hair the nice color. or nice blond highlights nice color….i been paying a lot of money, and I didnt like my highlights.. there is too many colors in my highlights….please I need help….
thank you
jean
Hi Jean,
Check out Salon Guide in each issue of Sophisticate’s! One of the salons listed in the April/May issue is Studio 9 Salon, located at 37717 Mound Road in Sterling Heights.
Hello there. I dye my hair 2 weeks ago and it was amazing. I have highlight brown hair and a fair-to medium skin. I went to the drug store last month to get the color I choose. A good one to try is the Feria haircolor collection from Loreal Paris. They have a huge selection of blondes, burnettes, auburns, and blacks. I love to try one again someday, and hope to to color my hair again. So thanks for coloring my hair and me again soon.
Hey, I have dirty blonde hair and medium skin and I was wondering if I went for Ashley Tisdale’s dark brown and blonde highlights if they would fade quickly. Or do you recommend I go with a single highlight color?
Hi Jessica,
We’re checking in with our haircolor expert and we’ll have an answer for you soon!
Hi Jessica,
One of the great things about highlights is they tend to disguise outgrowth. So it’s a great idea to get an all-over color with highlights! For all the best info on hot highlights, check out “How To Get” in the March issue of Sophisticate’s—on stands now.
Hi, I need your help I have dark brown hair and wanted to know what color of highlights would look good to me, I have oval face, long hair and my skin color is medium. I appreciate your help.
Hi, Cory!
We’re checking with our experts—visit soon!
Thanks I will appreciate your help
Hi, Cory!
It sounds like you have lots of options! Taupe highlights are really in on deeper brown hair right now. Taupe is almost like caramel, with a darker and slightly cooler hue. If your skin tone is warm (appearing orange, golden or yellow), then a deep caramel will look beautiful! Copper red tones would also look fabulous on dark hair!
I want highlights, but nothing too drastic like platinum blonde or hot pink. My hair is light brown and a few inches past my shoulders, naturally wavy. I am thinking of a dirty blonde/pale brown mix? I have medium fair skin and an oval shaped face. I have long bangs because I’m trying to grow them out. What color should I choose?
Hi, Eva!
Grab a copy of our June/July issue (with Lea Michele on the cover!) before it sells out. Our 50 Best Star Styles Mini-Magazine is loaded with highlights like you describe featured on celebrities with different complexion colors. We also have tons of other fabulous ideas!
ok thx i have the mag & i will check it out
I have naturally medium brown hair. A week ago I tried to color my hair a strawberry blonde color by using a lightener followed by color. Well my hair turned a light orangey color so I tried to color it the next day a dark auburn to cover the orange. Well it turned a coppery red color. Not a terrible color, but I would really like to get a light brown/ dark blonde like Lauren Conrad or Jessica Alba or Jennifer Anniston. However my hair is quite damaged on the ends now. How long should I wait to color it again? I was thinking about getting it cut to a just touching the shoulder bob which would get off most of the fried ends. Should I dye it back to brown first? I just want to try and get it back to being as healthy as possible.
Hi, Briana!
When applying a lightener on top of a deep brown shade, you may find the resulting hue to be a bit orange because of the underlying pigment in your hair. But when it comes to lightening your hair, you may want to leave that up to a professional colorist. And know that it may take some time to get to the exact shade of dark blonde you want. Book that appointment and ask for a courtesy consultation so your questions can be answered and your hair looked at.
My natural haircolor is strawberry blonde.I have a fair to medium skin tone with light green to greenish blue eyes.My skin over the years has gotten ruddy on my cheeks and nose.Would a cooler shade of blonde tone down my ruddy face,if so what shade would work for me? I`m thinking highlights for this effect.My skin can go from looking yellow to looking less yellow and more cool.Would a cooler shade of blonde bring out my eyes as well? What do you suggest that would counteract the redness on my face? How light can I take my hair? Please help me on this I want to highlight it for summer this year.
Hi, Justine!
We’re working on an answer for you—check back soon!
Hi, Justine!
Blonde highlights are the perfect complement to strawberry blonde hair. The contrast between the warm of your base color and the cool of the highlight color creates drama. Think Julianne Moore and check out Emma Stone! She just drastically changed her hair from red to blonde with stunning results.
I have been trying to find the perfect highlights for about a year now.my natural hair is dark brown but I’ve kept some blonde highlights in it but I’m looking for more to make my hair stand out but also look professional because I’m in nursing school. Any suggestions?
We’re checking with your experts will get back to you soon!
Hi, April!
Jennifer Lopez’s hair is a great example of natural-looking highlights on a dark brown haircolor. You could opt for heavier coloring on your fringe or go for subtle caramel tones all over to make your hair look ultra shiny. No matter what you chooe, this shade combination will look sleek and natural.
i have blonde hair (natural) and i was wondering what color highlights i should get brown black or some other color thanx
Hi, Alyssa!
Make sure you want to commit to a dark haircolor before adding deep-shaded lowlights to your blonde coif. The process of going back to blonde is a long one and will require a lot of time and patience. One of the big trends in Hollywood is ombre haircolor, which is described as a light-colored hair with slightly darker edges. It’s a dual-toned color design. Check out the Clip & Snip feature in the March 2011 issue of Sophisticate’s Hairstyle Guide (with Lauren Conrad on the cover!) to see some examples of this color trend.
Hi. I have natural highlights, but because they are so close in hue to my natural hair color, they are hard to see except when the light is just right. Is then any way to make them stand out more?
Hi, Michelle!
We’re checking with our experts and will have an answer for you soon.
Hi, Michelle!
In order to make your natural highlights stand out, you may need to add lighter or chunkier highlights. When you do this, your natural highlights will still be there to add shine and dimension to the new color!
I just got a bob and and my hair is black Iwood like to doblue highlight howwood i go about doing that.
Hi, Joanna!
Have you ever tried colored hair extensions? You can find them at your local beauty supply store. You’ll find clip-in hair extensions in every color of the rainbow!
I am going to have my hair done on tuesday and need some help. I have fair warm skin, light Blue eyes, shoulder length hair, and an oval face. I currently have med-dark auburn hair and am sick of the red tones. I also want to go lighter but not to do the same service every month. My goal is to have light brown/dark blond hair with highlights and lowlights. The celebs I am aiming my hair towards was Jennifer Aniston (shocking I know), Jessica Alba, and Lauren Conrad. DO you have any suggestion that can make this a little easier??? If it makes a difference I am going to an Aveda spa to have these services done.
COURTNEY:
We will check with our experts, but sounds like Tuesday is coming up quickly!
Best bet is to bring in our current issue and speak to your colorist.
Good luck!
Hi, Courtney!
Ask your stylist for a combination of highlights and lowlights. It is important to express your concerns about the red tones as these can be tricky to control. Ask for a foiling technique using a variety of colors (probably three) and place a lot of foils throughout the hair to get as much color change and tonal control as possible. As for the color choices, that will be up to the artist and you to ultimately decide, but you may want to use a lightener for one-fifth of the service, a level 8 or 9 ash for the middle highlight and a neutral level 6 for the remainder.