New Year? New Color! Switch Up Your Hair for 2012

Are you in a rut? Have you changed anything about yourself in the past 12 months? If not, the new year is the time to shake it up - starting with your hair color.

Thanks to hair care lines like Clairol, it is very easy and safe to try a new color. If you don't like the result, wash it away or try another look.

Products

Clairol makes a range of hair color products:

Semi-permanent color will only last through eight to 12 shampoos. Depending on how often you wash your hair is how long this color will remain. Semi-permanent color is a great place to start when first coloring your hair.

Demi-permanent color products will last at least twice as long as semi-permanent products - at least 28 shampoos.

Permanent color is there to stay. It will last until your hair grows out or you decide to recolor.

Highlighting and Blonding products help you bring different tones into your hair color. Highlights can be bold or subtle, depending on how much of your hair is treated. Better to start with a few strands and make sure you like the look.

How to choose the color

To determine the right color and product, ask yourself what you are expecting as the end result. Do you want to enhance your own color, lighten your color or darken you color? Do you want to completely change your look?

If you want to enhance - or boost - your natural color, consider the demi-permanent color that is closest to your natural hair color.

If you want to lighten the color of your hair, you need permanent color. And be sure to follow the instructions that come with your product and follow the instructions for first-time users.

If you want to cover the gray in your hair, you need to determine how much gray hair you have. If it's just a little gray, meaning it's not immediately obvious, then a semi-permanent color will work for you. If you are up to 50 percent gray, you would be wise to use a demi-permanent product. And any more than 50 percent gray calls for permanent color.

If you want to make a drastic change and go two shades lighter or darker than your natural color, then seek professional advice. It is a toll-free call to reach the Clairol advice line at 1-800-CLAIROL.

Getting started

It is always wise to test the color on a few strands of hair before coloring your whole head. Follow the instructions included with your product to see if you have selected the right shade. The test will also help you judge the length of time you need to leave the product on your hair.

If your hair falls below your shoulders - or if you have extremely thick hair - you may need to buy two boxes of color.

Hair absorbs color differently, so pay attention to the timing of your process. For example, the ends of long hair absorb more color, so you might want to adjust the timing.

Hair type also affects color. Coarse hair is generally more color resistant than fine hair, so the color should stay on longer. A permanent can affect the way your hair absorbs color, so be sure to take the strand test first.

Products

Clairol offers a range of different products, each with different users in mind.

Soy Liquicolor is a permanent hair color designed to offer complete coverage of your gray. Its SOY4PLEX conditions your hair, smoothing the outer layer and delivering deep conditioning to the cortex. Clairol claims its Soy Liquicolor offers 84 percent more deep conditioning than other professional creams.

Another permanent color option is Clairol Premium Crème, which also offers deep conditioning through its soy complex. It is available in 46 shades, offering less experienced colorists more shade choices without having to get involved in mixing. Because it is permanent color, it will cover even the most resistant gray hair.

Premium Demi-Permanent Hair Color With Soy Complex is designed for those who are not ready for a permanent color. Designed to last for up to 28 shampoos, this color contains no ammonia. It is rich with soy complex, boosting your hairs shine as it nourishes your hair. This soy complex contains antioxidants with anti-aging properties.

For some temporary color, try Clairol Jazzing Haircolor. It features no ammonia or peroxide. It is a semi-permanent, translucent shading product that will spice up your hair. It will add richness and a depth to your natural or colored hair.

If you are looking for a new way to enter the new year, it is hard to beat a new hair color. You can't immediately drop 20 pounds and it's expensive to buy a new wardrobe. But for just a few dollars, hair color can give you a whole new look.

For unruly curls and waves, the BioSilk Silk Strate hair product temporarily straighens even the most of out control mane. This non-chemical product leaves hair smooth with incredible softness and shine, while eliminating flyaways and frizz. Also consider BioSilk's Shine On Spray, a unique weightless finishing spray that controls frizz and provides hair with instant shine.

Nourish your locks with BioSilk hair products, a revolutionary silk-infused line that keeps your strands silky smooth and strengthens, repairs and revitalizes. Bring your hair back to life today.