hair color

Ever wonder how stars go from dark hair to blond hair almost instantly? Allure spoke to the experts and got the scoop.

Whenever I talk to colorists about dyeing my naturally dark hair light blond, they act like I just decided to get a tattoo on my face. And both times I've tried it, the colorist has taken me on a six-month, multiple-salon-trip odyssey, by the end of which I didn't even want to be blond anymore. Maybe this is just how things are, but if that's true, then how is it that celebrities like Reese Witherspoon, Anne Hathaway, and Jennifer Lawrence are able to bypass the weird, partially highlighted phase and go from dark to light without destroying their hair? Get the answers from stylist Tracey Cunningham when you keep reading.

If Hollywood is any indication, red is the most coveted hair color for Spring, with Rachel McAdams and Dianna Agron among the latest celebrities to take a walk on the fiery side. Redken's Creative Consultant For Color, Tracey Cunningham, explains she's constantly getting requests for Bryce Dallas Howard's stunning red mane, too. "Redheads will welcome the Spring and Summer months with more intense, dark vibrant reds," Cunningham says.

If you're looking to go red this season, bring photo examples of the color you want to the salon, along with the colors you don't want. And be sure to mention to your colorist that you prefer golden tones, which, as Cunningham conveys, give a more natural-looking quality to the hair. Already gone red? Try ombré, then. "The trick for a redhead is to keep it golden or strawberry on the ends," she says.

Don't forget to keep your gorgeous red color looking its best with our favorite color-preserving picks!

On last night's season six premiere of Mad Men, Betty Draper made a drastic change from blond to deep brunette (which might explain why we saw January Jones with brown hair a while back). Even though Betty is a fictional character from a previous decade, her new hair color mimics a trend that's happening in the present. Reese Witherspoon recently made a big change to her hair too, taking her signature blond mane to a brunette hue. "It's a medley of shiny, deep, rich ribbons made of chocolate hues," Avon Global hair color expert Lorri Goddard says of the new look she created for Reese. And when you're thinking of going darker as well, there's no better time than the present. "It is one of the most exciting color changes to wear because it looks and feels sexy and can really help you feel empowered and renewed," Goddard explains. Reese's new color is only a temporary update for her upcoming role in The Good Lie, but we got Goddard's expert tips on how blondes can go darker and make it last longer.

Your hair color can have a big impact on the colors in your makeup palette, and that's why Mark celebrity makeup artist Fiona Stiles recommends different hues for blondes, redheads, and darker-haired beauties. Consider this your personal color-coded key to mastering the Spring makeup trends based on your hair color.

Blondes:
According to Stiles, the fair-haired bunch should turn to purple pastels to liven up their seasonal makeup palettes. Powdery lavenders or a more vibrant violet will accent the golden tones of the hair. She also recommends adding a touch of bronzer on cheeks to fake a sun-kissed glow.

Brunettes/Raven-Haired Beauties:
For those with darker hair and lighter skin tones, Stiles recommends bright corals and peach colors, because they're the perfect neutrals. "It's not as girlie as pink, but not as grown up as red," she explains. Want something more eye-catching? Go for a spot of jade or turquoise eyeliner, which looks especially striking for darker-haired women with deep or olive complexions.

Redheads:
Generally, redheads are discouraged from wearing bold red lip color, but Stiles believes it's a rule to be broken. Match your blazing hair with an equally fierce lipstick hue. "A red-orange lip looks more modern on a redhead," Stiles says.

Adding dimension to your at-home hair color is a lot easier than you think. Hair colorist Marie Robinson is known for creating beautifully colored hair for celebrities like Anne Hathaway, Kristen Stewart, and Michelle Williams, but she let us in on a trick to creating dimensional hair color at home. Just buy a box of hair color for root coverage, such as Nice'n Easy's Root Touch-Up ($7 per box), in two to three shades lighter for highlights or one to two shades darker for depth or lowlights.

Robinson recommends starting off with your hair pulled half up and clipped. Next apply your highlights or lowlights (depending on the look you want) on eight random pieces about two inches apart. Now let your hair down and start to add highlights about two inches above the ears, slowly working your way up to your natural part, highlighting about six to eight pieces on each side. And to complete your look, consider adding a few face-framing highlights to lighten the hair around your face.

When you want to freshen up your hair color just in time for Spring, nothing is easier than heading to the drugstore for a box of hair color. But before you rip open your new shade, consider this easy technique from Marcy Cona, Clairol's creative director of color and style, to perfectly coloring your curls.

If you're contemplating a color change for Spring, then chances are you're going to want to visit a salon to achieve your big transition. So you just walk in, tell the colorist what you'd like, and exit a couple hours later looking happy and stylish, right? Wrong. "You can't expect to always be on the same page as your colorist," says celebrity hairstylist Jennifer J. But there are a few things you can do to ensure your color service goes seamlessly, whether you're a first-timer or an old veteran. Get Jennifer's expert tips when you keep reading.