Darker hair color, whether its black, brown or red, can be sexy, fun and dramatic. However not everybody looks good with dark hair (even the beautiful Cameron Diaz struggled to pull off this look).

There are a number of factors to consider before you decide to go dark and as usual, HairColorCode is here to be your guide.

Why dye your hair darker?

If you are looking for a low-maintenance hair color then a dark shade is perfect as the regrowth is usually less obvious than when you go for a shade that is lighter than your natural hair. Not only that, dark hair can hide hair breakages and flaws because it is better at reflecting light, so your hair will look more silky and soft.

Another benefit is that the coloring process is less damaging when you go for a darker shade. This is because dark hair color products generally involve no bleaching.

If you are concerned with the health of your hair, a semi-permanent, dark shade is ideal because it is friendly to the scalp and less harmful to the hair.

A word of caution before joining the dark side…

For all the benefits, there are some disadvantages to darker locks. For one, the color fades easily, so unless you do the coloring yourself you can expect to visit the salon on a regular basis and that can work out costly.

Also, choosing the best dark hue to complement your complexion is not easy. You might end up rather ghostly-looking if you decide to color your hair jet black when your complexion is fair to light.

Finding the shade of dark hair for you

Gorgeous deep brown, soft, dark mahogany, or burgundy red—which dark hair color will suit you best?

The fact is everyone can go dark, it’s just a matter of figuring out which shade will work for you. Here are some tips to help you along the way:

• To make sure that dark hair can work with your complexion, read our guide to matching hair color with skin tone.
• If your confident you can pull it off, read our guide to hair color shades to make sure you select the right level and tone
• Now you know what shade you are looking for, pick out the perfect product from our hair color charts

The best dark hair color products and brands

Once you have made the decision to go dark, there are great home color options available from all the major brands – check out our hair color charts for brunette and black shades in the most widely available ranges.

We would also recommend selecting a shampoo and conditioner that are specifically formulated for dark hair, again you can pick these up at your local drugstore or online at websites such as lookfantastic.com. Remember no matter how dark the shade, it will still be either warm or cool in tone and you should look for a shampoo product that compliments or evens out the tone you have selected.

Another useful tip – if you are a fan of dry shampoo it’s well worth selecting a range which has been specially designed for dark hair to avoid any white powder residue.

Going dark is certainly a great way to change your image. Dark hair can add drama and glamour to your look providing you choose the right shade for your complexion. Whoever said that blondes have more fun has never experienced the dark-haired side of life!

As summer turns to autumn turns to winter, it’s not unusual to feel the urge for a change when it comes to our hair color. Maybe we are inspired by the rich shades of the falling leaves, maybe it’s a preemptive attempt to counter the winter blues, but there are many practical reasons why now is a great time to make a change.

Through the fun and frivolity that summer brings many of us neglect our hair and subject it to the extremes of sun, chlorine from pools, or being tossed and tousled during blustery motorcycle and scooter rides, or we simply forgo regular maintenance. By autumn, our hair is in need of some major love to return it to a healthy state–and to prepare ourselves for a few months of darker fashion trends.

So what hair colors look best in winter?

Since fabrics become richer and deeper in the winter months, often people opt to complement this by taking their hair a bit darker. This is not to say you have to go from honey blonde to dark chocolate, but a casual dimming of the brightness may be in order.

For blondes, adding richer darker blonde lowlights can add depth and replace some of the dimension lost by the ravages of the sun. For medium to dark shades, a color bath to add subtle shade richness and tonal enhancement can be a welcome intervention. You can add a hint of warmth by adding auburn or chestnut, or you can replace some of the cooler tones to remove unwanted brassy notes.

When we are denied access to the suns bronzing rays, those of us with fairer complexions revert back to our more pasty origins. Yes, I know there are alternatives (*cough* tanning booths) and makeup, but when the sun disappears behind a cloud, deepening your hair color keeps you from looking washed out.

It is wise not to go too dark if you simply want to stay in harmony with your skin as this could become counter-productive, simply opt for a level or two of richness for effective seasonal tweaking.

On the catwalks, the winter collections often use a darker richer palette, and as our hair is the only fashion accessory we never remove many of us decide that our own color statement is in need of attention.

However you should never listen to the experts (including me!) if it becomes counter-intuitive or if you get a separation anxiety from your beach-blonde or chocolate brunette.

It all comes down to comfort, self-esteem, and projecting your unique personal style. It is wise whatever the weather to make sure your hair reflects your personality, and remains healthy and well maintained.

You don’t have to wait till winter to make the change

The seasons need not be the only catalyst for change – if you are feeling an overwhelming need to thumb through hair magazines it could be that you are just bored with your current look, or want to expand your fashion repertoire, or are simply looking for new ways to express yourself.

My advice is to not look for change with the onset of the new season or when the fashion mags hit the shelves, but whenever you want to explore ways to keep your style fresh, exciting, and a true expression of who you are.

Pink is one of those hair colors that has always been associated with a slightly edgier sense of style, but that seems to be changing.

Over the last few years, pink hair has edged its way into the mainstream and has been seen on all sorts of celebrity heads, from music stars Katy Perry, Avril Lavigne and Pink, to actresses Rachel McAdams and Scarlett Johansson.

The trouble is, for celebrities pink hair is easy to work – they have the hairdressers and stylists to ensure that their hair looks perfect at all times. However, us mere mortals don’t have access to round-the-clock stylists, so we need to be a little more careful with our color choices.

Will pink work for my hair?

Pink is a really fun color and if you’ve got naturally blonde hair you should find it relatively easy to get your hair to the shade you want, as your hair will naturally take on any color. However, if you have darker hair the pink will not show up without the help of some bleach to lighten your natural color, which is where things can get tricky.

In this case, I would advise talking to your salon Colorist to see the possibilities (and costs) to get your hair professionally lightened. Or, why not lighten just a few areas of your hair, such as around the fringe and face, and then color those lightened areas pink?

This means that you’re not lightening all of your hair so you don’t need to worry too much about your hair becoming dry and frizzy (or worse). However, if you do decide to take the full bleach route, be sure to follow up with a deep-conditioning treatment once a week.

As with any hair color, for pink to work you really need to tailor the shade to your skin tone and lifestyle. For a quick guide to the right pink for you, take a look below.

Which pink shade will work for me?

Those with pale skin tones tend to have lighter hair, and they can definitely get away with some pink in their hair. However, you should be careful of neon pink if your skin has pink undertones, as you’ll end up looking like a raspberry if your skin gets flushed – instead, stick to a ‘barely there’ rose tint. Think Katy Perry for inspiration.

You might be better off coloring sections in your hair, such as under your fringe and a few panels in the underneath of your hair rather than the full head – simply because it can be a very strong look and difficult to pull it off.

Avril Lavigne worked pink particularly well last year when she had a few neon pink panels through her fringe, but if you’re desperate for a full head of pink hair, consider a wash-in, wash-out shade.

Those with darker skin tones don’t suit a gentler pink shade as much as paler-skinned individuals. That being said, if you’ve got olive or dark skin, you could be lucky enough to get away with a neon pink tone – as long as your hair is dark brown, brown or black.

Unfortunately for you red-headed ladies, pink will not work for you as it will clash with your gorgeous natural color.

Top Pink Hair Color Products

If you are looking for a pink hair dye, here are our pick of the bunch:

1. Manic Panic – Cotton Candy Pink
2. L’Oreal Paris Color Rays Highlights – Fuschia Flash
3. Splat – Pink Fetish
4. Special Effects – Atomic Pink
5. Punky – Flamingo Pink

Ultimately, pink hair can work for you as long as you are confident in your style and your look – so if you want to go for it, give pink a blast!

Whether you already have the color of your dreams and need a new style, or simply want to spice up the cute bob you have fallen in love with, matching your cut and color into perfect harmony doesn’t need to be difficult.

Put your mind to rest as there are no steadfast rules. Much of the match is based on intuition and a little personal flair.

As I said, there are no rules; however there are a few ways to enhance your color in tandem with the style you wear. So do not feel that you have to lop off your locks to flatter your color or that you have to bleach your hair because you have long layers. Taste and personality still take the reins.

Before you we start, some considerations…

Here are some things to consider. There are certain shapes and textures that will allow the nature of the hair color to best present itself. Sometimes it is also the ‘techniques’ that can turn up the volume so-to-speak.

From subtle to shocking, tossing in a new color technique such as highlights or dimensional color techniques can bring out the elements of the cut you wish to spotlight.

The best color for long hair

Long, one-length hair can always show off the luster and richness of any color. Whether it is brunette, blonde, or red – a long flowing veil of color is always eye-popping. The downside is if your color is faded, uneven, or dull, this will also stand out for the world to see.

Long hair is also older hair so there are varying levels of porosity which makes evenness and shine more difficult to maintain. So if you are good at keeping your hair healthy, trimmed, and protected this option is always a trophy in my book.

The best color for medium length hair

Medium to long hair styles with layers are always a great way to show off a great head of highlights. The flowing nature of the layers with the added textural movement really showcases what highlights can do.

Adding a few lighter pieces around the face and crown give a vibrant, refreshing halo which add the appearance of youth, vitality, and just looks plain sexy. To give the illusion of bulk (as well as adding volume through the chemical processes themselves), adding highlights and lowlights together can add more support to the hair.

The best color for cropped and short hair

The shorter looks and crops give a whole new realm of options to creative color. Not only do you have more flexibility for change since you have to cut it more often, you can add bits and pieces of color techniques and take your color on a journey.

Maybe one time you can put a couple foils in your bangs (or “fringe” for my British brethren), maybe next time tint the nape a touch darker for some depth and dimension. Maybe you can Balayage the tips in one visit to look as if you have spent time on vacation (even if you haven’t left your cubicle.) Be playful and be expressive! Short hair plays nicely with a large variety of colors and the more vibrant the better!

The beauty is you can wear virtually any style with any color and make it work. To make adjustments without sacrificing either your hair or your favorite shade, consider tweaking the technique. Little playful punctuations can tailor the color to work and fit you and your personality. With some creativity, and a bottle or brush, your cut and color can be a match made in heaven!

Whether you want to look like you have been to the beach or to the bleach, there are a few things to consider prior to going blonde.

Blondes do draw a lot of attention, but to get the attention you will find an added commitment to the color is required, needing more of your time and effort than some other shades.

When going blonde you must take a good peek at your current complexion. For example, if you have a lot of gold or yellow undertones in your skin, you may want to avoid strong golden hues or it may have a tendency to make you look monochromatic or even like you are not feeling well.

Complementing those tones with strawberry shades or coppers are good selections and also lend themselves to a broad spectrum of application.

Pale, cooler skin types are often flattered by the ash or champagne tones that even out your complexion. With this skin, adding highlights to frame the darker blonde shade does wonders for those who are fair. Check out pictures of people who have your complexion and the shades that suit them to start your research.

Tip: You can always take a lap through a wig store and ‘try on’ certain colors and see not only how you look, but how you feel in certain shades!

Maintaining your new blonde hair

The next thing to consider is maintenance. The further you deviate from your natural shade, the more frequently you will have to attend to the regrowth. Those who totally bleach their hair will see “peppers” (immediate evidence of darker hair growing in) within a few days of application. If you ever thought your hair doesn’t grow – bleach your hair, you will be amazed!

Blondes do require upkeep, and in the industry we used to say that “our blondes built our homes!” If you can’t afford more frequent color purchases at home or salon visits (often twice as often or more), then avoid going too light!

Tip: Sometimes you can get away with only doing your part and hairline in between. Make sure your style permits this before avoiding tune-ups or stretching your maintenance. I don’t care what Hollywood says, roots aren’t cool!

Coloring your hair blonde without the full commitment…

For those who want less of a commitment, try adding a few foils. Foils add a few lighter strands of color throughout your hair to brighten and add interest. It is also a good way to progressively go lighter. I also recommend people adding two shades with their foils, one slightly lighter than the next to keep it looking natural.

This way you can also add a few darker shades with a change of season without having to do a color correction. This skill is harder for to attempt on yourself, so if home color is your choice, it is wise to have a confidant close by!

Tip: You can purchase colored hair extensions that clip in and test the color strands before altering your natural fabric. Also many extensions can be colored to help you find a palatable shade. This way you can determine how large and how light you would like your color before making it permanent!

You can also combine techniques to gain a more natural outcome. This means you can lighten your natural level (in the industry we will call this ‘breaking the base’), and then add some highlights to further lighten your hair by gaining a depth and dimension that solid color cannot always provide.

This also breaks up your commitment as the regrowth line is less distinct (in some cases). Combining techniques requires more skill and the abilities of whoever is doing the application should be considered.

Tip: To save money you can consider doing your own home color and then having a professional add a few strategic highlights to complement your work. This way you avoid the potential mishap of heavy-handed highlights at home and the possibility of irreparable damage!

The risks of dying your hair blonde

Finally, going lighter does pose risk. You have to remove the unwanted depth by using a lightener whether that is bleach or high strength developer. These do not allow for much margin for error or overlap. The hair can only endure certain amounts of chemical onslaught before it will disintegrate.

With hair lighteners there can be a fine line between turning heads and turning stomachs! If you go too light to where the hair is “fried,” the only true way to fix the problem is patience, the shears, and a box of tissues. Deep conditioners can only temporarily add some moisture, but honestly do not bring the hair back. At this point the ability for the hair to hold any toners or color is all but lost, so respect your hair and your abilities!

Tip: If you are in doubt as to what your hair will endure, cut a small strand from a discreet area and process it first (completely as you would on your whole head). This will allow you to see what your whole head may look like without the pain of finding out you probably should have stayed a brunette.

As has been said before, brands will take a backseat to skill in most cases, but I do appreciate the long-term expertise in research and development of some of the time-tested brands.

Those such as Wella, L’Oreal, and Clairol do indeed have solid histories especially when it comes to blonde color, bleaches, and toners. I also highly recommend avoiding the ‘I can make your hair look just like the sun did it’ products. They are typically peroxide based without the added necessary colors needed for the beautiful end result.

The key thing is preparing yourself for the bold revealing. Whether it is a nervous giggle or courageous growl, being blonde will change you. Blondes are beautiful, alluring, and fun, consider the above points, and then go for it!