A little bit envious of Gwen Stefani’s platinum locks? Well don’t be, because hair coloring is not as complicated as it looks. Though not everybody can sport the blonde bombshell look, here are some pointers on choosing the right shade for you:

If you have sallow skin with undertones of yellow, better to stay away from deep gold.
If your skin has a pink tint to it, don’t go for shades of strawberry.
If you are already blonde but still wish to make you hair color lighter than its original, avoid going beyond a couple of shades lighter.

People with dark hair should avoid going straight to bleaching at first as it will be damaging to your hair. Perhaps you should try going a few shades lighter at first for a couple of months and gradually lighten the color in your succeeding visits. Better yet, ask help from a hair colorist in your favorite salon.

Colored hair also requires more care. Ask for recommendations from your stylist regarding the right shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair from going dry and brittle.