Q.  I have always had dark brown hair and would like to be blonde for a change, is it recommended and if so what will it cost?

A.  If you are a natural brunette you can quite possibly go into a blonde shade, but how light you go all depends on your skin tone & ethnicity, natural hair texture, eye color, and most of all whether or not your hair is completely natural now vs. ever been colored, permed, or relaxed are key.  Also, are you looking for a hi-lighted look like Denise Richards/Jennifer Anniston?  Hi-lighted looks are more natural looking and can be achieved either by alternating 2-3 different formulas, or lightening the entire head by 2-3 levels and then hi-lighting through it with a low intensity lightener.  Or are you looking to achieve a solid blonde by decolorizing or bleaching like Marilyn Monroe/Pamela Anderson which requires bleaching and toning?  Keeping in mind the darker the eye color & natural hair the longer and more complicated the process.  For example: Naturally dark brown hair and blue eyes usually lifts faster and easier than light brown hair with brown eyes....and we're speaking only of natural hair, if your hair has color on it now, it's a different project altogether.   Price will be determined by the actual services required.  Remember, your consultation is key!

Q.  I have colored my own hair for the last year to a mahogany shade and would like to go back to my natual light brown, how can I do this?

A.  Typically reds do not go away easily.  You may have heard it said that "reds are the hardest to keep when you want them and the hardest to get rid of when you don't".  It's true.  So it is possible to tone down the red with a slightly darker brown with a neutralizing base-color, but upon oxidation (shampooing and exposure to the elements daily) the red starts to peek back through, and will require re-visiting about every 4 weeks.  Also, your hair's current condition and integrity to withstand the additional color will have alot to do with a successful revert to your natural tone.  Again, your consultation is key!

Q.  I have always wanted go red, but I don't know if I can wear it well.  How do I know if it's the right red for me?

A.  Again, consultation is key.  Some very basic guidelines when choosing red are:

1) Fair (porcelaine) complexion (no freckeles) blue or green eyes - choose light - medium or dark  true reds and blue or violet tone reds in the mahogany and burgundy family - or light strawberry blonde.  Copper reds are also pretty on fair skin.

2) Fair skin with freckles and blue or green eyes - usually good for strawberry blondes and some light copper reds.

3) Medium skin with some tan or natural warm gold tones - be very careful with reds.  Choose golden/red auburn (auburn is brown with red in it) tones that are darker than your skin color by at least 1-2 levels to avoid looking to yellow and without enough contrast from your skin color to your hair color.  Stay away from blue and violet reds like burgundy.

Q.  What is the best hair color for me? 

A.  I am naturally a

sandy ash blonde with fair skin and light eyes - 

      1. For a power look choose a solid pale blonde 2. For a natural look with low maintenance choose soft pale hi-lights alternated with medium golden blonde hi-lights.  3. For a fun change go strawberry blonde all over and add some chunky panels of pale blonde around the frame of the face depending on your haircut.

light to medium brown with fair to medim olive toned skin and light eyes (eastern european background) -

      1. For naturally enhancing your color and low maintenance, choose a light or medium golden brown demi-permanent color that will grdually fade.  2. For a little deeper impact and fairly low maintenance, choose to add some medium golden blonde hi-lights alternated with lighter blonde hi-lights throughout the hair.  3. For a much lighter look choose to lift your natural level by 2 levels to a medium neutral blonde and add some heavy light blonde hi-lights toned with something neutral.  Keep in mind this will require visits about every 4 or 5 weeks and hi-lights every 10-12 weeks.  4.  Also, medium to dark brown for a solid shine and opaque color on healthy long or shorter geometric shaped cuts can be a great impact.

medium to dark brown with medium to dark complexion brown eyes (latina) -

      1. For a natural low maintenance look, choose a medium golden brown all over with a few subtle hi-lights through the top and frame of the face.  2.  Want a little more fun? - choose to lighten your all over color to a light warm brown and add some chunky medium warm blonde panels through the top and frame of the face (recommended straight or wavy hair - not extremely curly)  3. Or if you feel in the mood for a short and edgy look, keep the all over color very dark and sultry with some heavy light blonde panels through the frame of the face only (also recommended for straighter hair).

black hair with light to medium complexion brown eyes (asian) -

      1. For a natural look keep it subtle by only lightening one level to a dark brown, or just add a dark brown glossing over the natural hair for an intense shine.  2. Want more impact? lighten to a medium warm brown with some fine hi-lights throughout in a medim and dark blonde.  3.  Still not enough punch? - go short, messy and wild then have it bleached to a pale blonde....you can even add some fun colors like pink, orange or purple! - warning very high maintenance and requires visits to the salon every 3-4 weeks!

natural redhead and medium to pale skin, freckles with green or brown eyes -

     1. Need a change but low maintenance? - try subtle hi-lights in a light warm golden blonde  2.  Want a little more of a dramatic look and still low maintenance? - try a light-auburn/light-golden brown demi-permanent for gradual fade.  3.  Still not enough? - If you have pale skin and blue or green eyes and few freckeles - try going lighter all over to a soft strawberry blonde and some pale hi-lights (see before and after page of Kim for example).  Avoid medium to dark brown and black.

Remember that these are only suggestions and basic guidelines that colorists follow.  Do not try any of these formulas at home by yourself.  The damage and poor results could be unfixable.  Always  choose a professional when making changes to your haircut & color.