The quickest and most dramatic change in your appearance can be achieved only through changing the colour of your hair. Think Priyanka Chopra's getup in Love Story 2050. It can just change your whole personality. However, if you don't want such a dramatic change in your looks, here's what you need to know about hair colours !High-low
This is a combination of crown and streaks, check out Pia Trivedi's look. "For low-lights the base colour has to be a lighter shade, say blond. On this you do streaking in a darker shade, one that may belong to the same colour palette or is totally contrasting," explains Sandeep Mehta, regional hair trainer, West India, Lake Beauty Salon.
Great for: Those working in a freer work environment. If you are a consultant or self-employed, you may try this look
Global
Also known as crown, global means colouring your entire hair in one colour tone. Colouring your entire hair adds some volume to your hair. Mostly it is done before getting streaks or flashes done. Says Jerome, "Also referred to as hair tinting, solids create a very sexy look. Dynamic and exciting within themselves, a solid shade like red or blond can shout a statement like no other, making the individual more striking than ever before."
Great for: Girls in fashion, modelling, etc. However, even airhostesses can go for it, but they should opt for auburn or burgundy shades
Highlighting
Highlighting or streaking is probably the most popular service in the hair dressing industry right now. Agrees Jerome, the hair colour specialist from Jean Claude Biguine, "It is huge; more than 70 per cent of women go for highlighting."
Even highlighting has different techniques like foil highlighting, hair painting, chunking or low-lighting. But the techniques will vary according to individual preferences and what looks the best on a particular face type, skin tone and eye colour.
Great for: Everyone. No matter where you work, this hair technique is acceptable. However, if your workplace is conservative, go for twilights, which is subtle highlights or low-lights in colours such as brown, burgundy or blond
Flashes
This is probably one of the boldest hair colouring technique. Why? Because flashes are internal and so they have to be in shocking colours to stand out. Reds, pinks, blond and blues are ones you should pick from.
Great for: Girls in the media and those with vivacious personalities
Colour care
* Avoid hair oils that have citric acid or any other extracts like amla in it
* Use only coloured hair shampoo and conditioners
* After 20-25 days, go to a spa for a colour refresh treatment
* If you have red global/highlights, cover your head in the rains. "Don't wet your hair often, as red fades out really fast," says Sandeep
* Apply a colour conditioner and pull on a shower cap before stepping into a swimming pool
* When in the sun, cover your head with an umbrella or a scarf
Tints for your tresses
Long and straight
Technique: Global and streaking
Colour: Golden brown / honey blond / chestnut brown with blond streaks
Great on: Fair or wheatish complexion
Short and straight
Technique: Streaking or high-low
Colour: Copper, brown, burgundy
Great on: Wheatish or tanned complexion
Long and curly
Technique: Flashes
Colour: Lighter shades that stand out. Try blond, pink, blue or red
Great on: Fair or wheatish complexion
Short and curly
Technique: Flashes or high-low
Colour: Red, burgundy or violet
Great on: Tanned or dark complexion
Soft curls
Technique: Global
Colour: Browns and burgundy
Great on: Fair or tanned complexion
