Change can be good especially when you’re in a rut with your current hair color. The great thing about changing your hair color is that if you don’t like it you can change it back easily. Although changing your hair color isn’t permanent, there are a few things you need to know before you move to your new shade to produce the best results.

If you’re ready to become a blonde bombshell here are a few tips to prevent any outcomes that aren’t quite Marilyn Monroe worthy.

• Don’t try to go blonde at home, you’ll end up with a horrible hair color! Going from a dark brunette to light blonde is just too much of a change to trust a box hair color. Go to the experts. It will save you time, money and from pink hair.

• Bring a picture of the color you want. There are so many shades of blonde. From honey, golden, platinum to baby blonde. Your stylist won’t know what exact shade you want unless you tell them.

• Don’t try to go from dark to platinum all in one day. If you try to go too light too fast you could end up with dry, damaged hair and miss the color you were aiming for. The key is to be patient and follow the schedule your colorist sets for you.

Who says that blondes have all the fun? Maybe you’re ready to see if brunettes have fun, too.

If you’re darkening your light hair, here are some tips for you:

• Don’t go to extremes. If you’re used to looking into the mirror at bright, blonde hair, don’t give yourself shock therapy by going super dark. Tones close to black can look give you that “Goth” look. Also, if you’re a natural blonde stay with lighter brunette colors that will still complement your natural skin tone and eye color.

• Blonde hair that’s been dyed will eventually lose its color over time. Use a color-enhancing conditioner to maintain your rich brunette color longer.

• If you’re still nervous about going completely brunette, you can always test the water with a few lowlights.

Good luck and enjoy your new hair color! You may decide that your original color is best for you, or you may discover a whole new you just by moving up or down the color spectrum!

One whiff of hair dye and you know that the stuff you are breathing in cannot be good for you.  That nasty smell is most likely ammonia: a chemical that preps hair strands to receive color.  Ammonia used in hair color can cause a variety of side effects including:
• Coughing
• Nose and throat irritation
• Skin and eye irritation
• Destruction of hair cuticle
• Damage of Tyrosine in the hair shaft

But don’t worry! Starting in 2010, hair coloring fanatics can opt for hair color sans ammonia without sacrificing results.  L’Oreal will be introducing “Inoa”, their professional ammonia-free hair color line.  Inoa, (Innovation no ammonia), replaces ammonia with a combination of monoethanolamine, oil-based gel and a cream developer.  And after years of research, L’Oreal claims this formula to be as effective as traditional ammonia hair color.

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