HIGHLIGHTS FOR BROWN HAIR

Dear Jellybean,

I have brown hair and I think its so blah. What color highlights should I get? I don’t want something totally wild and crazy but I want something different. Please help me.
-Danielle, age 13

Dear Danielle,

There are so many shades of brown hair! The right color highlights for you depends on your natural brown shade, and on your skin coloring. If your skin tone is cool (fair or pinkish), you could look great in cool-toned dark-blonde or toffee-colored highlights. If your skin tone is warmer, golden and caramel highlights would look much better. If your hair is dark brown, you might look best with multi-dimensional highlights and lowlights, that include varying shades of reddish colors, such as copper, cinnamon or mahogony, depending on your skin tone.

I suggest going to a salon to get the highlights done, because drugstore brands can be harsh on your hair. The professionals at salons use dye formulas that are much less damaging to your tresses. Plus, they know how to apply them for the least amount of drying and the most natural-looking results.

Home-done highlights on brunettes don't usually look that great. Highlighting is a tricky process. If your hair was naturally blonde or light brown, you might be able to pull off a home highlighting job. But there are a couple of major problems with dark-haired girls trying to do their own highlights. Highlights might turn orange, instead of blonde, and they can also look dried-out and frizzy.

So consult a professional stylist to find out what color highlights she/he thinks would work best for you, and let them do the job - at least the first time. You can always ask for tips on how to maintain the color yourself, at home.

Finally, if you want to do a trial run without committing to anything, a cheap way to do it yourself is to buy a temporary hair color spray at the drugstore. These products come in a wide variety of shades, so you can try out colors from crazy wild to just cute, without making a commitment. Just be sure to read the label carefully, so you pick one that washes out immediately with shampoo, or comes out in a few washes. You don't want to get stuck with bad color.