But any seasonal type can colour her hair provided she follows guidelines that will ensure best results. Should you go too far with a new hair color you can weaken the effect of your seasonal palette. I’m not saying don’t ever try something different just beware that you may need to adjust your seasonal colors if you do so.

Let’s consider the available techniques before looking at some guidelines for each seasons. The various options come down to a choice between temporary and permanent colour. If you haven’t coloured your hair before, it’s better to try out a new shade with a semi-permanent or shampoo rinse to see if you like it. A permanent tint or bleached highlighting is a serious commitment that will take months to grow out.

TEMPORARY COLOUR

You can begin to test various shades with coloured mousses or shampoo rinses. These only coat the surface of the hair and wash out with your next shampoo. Women with dark hair will find it difficult to judge the results as these treatments don’t show up as effectively as on light –haired women.

SEMI-PERMANENT COLOUR

You can experiment by selecting a colour off the shelf, but it is much better to seek the help of a colourist in a good salon. Don’t expect every hairdresser to advise you accurately on colour. A specialist is required to tell you what’s possible with your hair that is, how porous it is and how it is likely to take colour. A specialist will also be able to tell you which colours will complement your skin tone. Semi-permanent colour is only advised for red, auburn, brown or dark hair as it really isn’t effective as a lightening treatment. Try a semi-permanent colour if you are just starting to go grey as the natural fading won’t be as obvious as with an all-over permanent tint.

PERMANENT COLOUR TINTS

Here is the heavy-duty treatment of dyes mixed with hydrogen peroxide to permanently change the colour of your hair. You will begin to notice re-growth in four to six weeks and will then need the roots to be dyed to blend in. Bleaching is the permanent colouring treatment if you want to go blonde. The time required depends on your hair type but results are certain. Any permanent colouring affects the natural texture of your hair, making it both more porous and dry and susceptible to splitting. Be sure to treat your hair to a weekly waxing and use conditioner especially for colour treated hair.

HIGHLIGHTS AND LOW-LIGHTS

The half-way alternative to an all-over change of hair colour is to add ‘lights’. Highlights are best for blondes and can be done ad hoc in different areas to create the effect of a few weeks in the sunshine. Dark and mid-tone brown hair is effectively treated with low-lights which streak in a shade richer than your natural colour to create interest and a sense of movement. Re-touching is required about every four months

But any seasonal type can color her hair provided she follows guidelines that will ensure best results. Should you go too far with a new hair color you can weaken the effect of your seasonal palette. I’m not saying don’t ever try something different just beware that you may need to adjust your seasonal colors if you do so.

Let’s consider the available techniques before looking at some guidelines for each seasons. The various options come down to a choice between temporary and permanent color. If you haven’t colored your hair before, it’s better to try out a new shade with a semi-permanent or shampoo rinse to see if you like it. A permanent tint or bleached highlighting is a serious commitment that will take months to grow out.

TEMPORARY COLOR

You can begin to test various shades with colored mousses or shampoo rinses. These only coat the surface of the hair and wash out with your next shampoo. Women with dark hair will find it difficult to judge the results as these treatments don’t show up as effectively as on light –haired women.

SEMI-PERMANENT COLOR

You can experiment by selecting a color off the shelf, but it is much better to seek the help of a colorist in a good salon. Don’t expect every hairdresser to advise you accurately on color. A specialist is required to tell you what’s possible with your hair that is, how porous it is and how it is likely to take color. A specialist will also be able to tell you which colors will complement your skin tone. Semi-permanent color is only advised for red, auburn, brown or dark hair as it really isn’t effective as a lightening treatment. Try a semi-permanent color if you are just starting to go grey as the natural fading won’t be as obvious as with an all-over permanent tint.

PERMANENT COLOR TINTS

Here is the heavy-duty treatment of dyes mixed with hydrogen peroxide to permanently change the color of your hair. You will begin to notice re-growth in four to six weeks and will then need the roots to be dyed to blend in. Bleaching is the permanent coloring treatment if you want to go blonde. The time required depends on your hair type but results are certain. Any permanent coloring affects the natural texture of your hair, making it both more porous and dry and susceptible to splitting. Be sure to treat your hair to a weekly waxing and use conditioner especially for color treated hair.

HIGHLIGHTS AND LOW-LIGHTS

The half-way alternative to an all-over change of hair color is to add ‘lights’. Highlights are best for blondes and can be done ad hoc in different areas to create the effect of a few weeks in the sunshine. Dark and mid-tone brown hair is effectively treated with low-lights which streak in a shade richer than your natural color to create interest and a sense of movement. Re-touching is required about every four months.