by Erin Blubaugh

Created on: March 10, 2008   Last Updated: March 11, 2008

Tint Tips for the Hesitant Color Virgin
You want to color your hair for the first time, but you're afraid. You want change, but you still want to look like you. You're afraid that when your hair grows out, you'll be left with neo-Cruella DeVille roots. What if you don't like it? What if you want to stop coloring? Fear not, color virgin, there are as many subtle techniques as are colors from which to choose!

When you decide to get involved with color, the choices available are often overwhelming. Do you want all-over color or just a few pieces? Are you going natural or bold, blonde or brown? The best way to decide is to look at your lifestyle and budget. For those who want a little bit of vamping up without too much commitment (time & money invested), read on.

Highlighting/Lowlighting
When choosing to brighten or add depth to your color subtly, look toward a partial highlight or lowlight. Highlighting with foil, for example, will add some lighter tones to your natural hair color. People with dark blond or light brown hair might choose blonde or strawberry blonde highlights. For those with dark hair, there are plenty of options available, such as red-toned or caramel-colored highlights.
Once you've decided on a color, consider the amount of upkeep you can honestly undertake. Highlighting fine pieces just around the face adds glamour with little commitment. Chunkier highlights grow out a little less graciously, but when done with a color just slightly lighter than natural, aren't quite as conspicuous. The higher the contrast between your color and the highlight color, the more obvious your regrowth (root area) will be when your hair grows.
Lowlights are a fun choice for those who want a change, but are not interested in lightening their hair. It generally tends to be easier on hair that doesn't tolerate lightening well and leaves a nice rich tone. Lowlighting also works well for those who have highlighted or colored their hair lighter in the past and want to gradually return to a more natural color.

Temporary Coloring
Temporary color comes in several forms. You can buy gel or spray that will give you a Halloween effect, if you want a wild look for a day. Even using glitter spray is a fun change for a night on the town and tends to wash out somewhat easily.
For those who aren't looking to lighten their hair, semi- or demi-permanent color is a good answer. It tends to be gentle on the hair and wash out gradually over time. One note though: it will not lighten hair. These products are best for tone-on-tone coloring, such as using semi-permanent copper color to spruce up strawberry blonde highlights (which tend to fade if I've been in the sun) or adding a pecan tone to dishwater blonde. Temporary color, such as semi- or demi- permanent colors add richness to mousey brown hair and vamp up dull or faded natural color. Most also contain agents that add shine to hair.

Hair Swatches
Like the stylish female characters featured on "Lizzie McGuire", color changes don't have to even last an entire afternoon. Clip-in hair extensions come in a variety of colors, from blond to blue, and are easily fastened into hair for a dramatic streak. Available both online and at local beauty supplies, color commitaphobes can use these clip-ins in up-swept hair as well as when hair is worn all down for a quick change in appearance.

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