GO BLONDE...

Though we're still in the thick of winter, we can't help but be entranced by warm weather's siren song and the imminent arrival of new spring hair color trends. In theory, there are a ton of shades to choose from, but in practice, this really means variations on blonde, red, black, and brunette. (And realistically, you have to take into account your skin tone before making a dramatic color change.) In terms of trends, ombre and balayage were two of last year's hair color bywords, and they're back for 2011, but with a fresh, toned-down take. And don't forget that your hair texture plays a role in hair color, too. According to colorist Eva Scrivo, if you have very textured or curly hair, highlights become more noticeable and can look stripy, so think strategically about where to place your highlights—subtly around the face is best. If you want to change your hue, lift your hair color one or two shades for an overall sense of vibrance. Whether you're going back to basics or flipping the switch on your natural shade, here's how to revamp your locks by adding blonde, brunette, or red in a fresh way. Lighten Up: Want to go blonde for spring? Say goodbye to platinum locks and hello to luxurious gold.





The Tips: "Blondes are getting warmer overall, while still staying within lustrous metallic tones from 24k gold to rose gold—any kind of goldeny tone," says Aura Friedman, Wella Professionals Color Ambassador. "We'll still have the ombré look but it won't be quite as extreme. We'll be warming up the roots a little more."

To maintain your color, Friedman recommends using cool water to rinse your hair at the end of your shower: "It closes your cuticle and gives your hair shine and locks in the tone. You should not use hot water at all. You can also extend color by scheduling a Wella Color Touch Relights gloss treatment in between appointments, which refreshes color and boosts shine in just five minutes."