Shailene Woodley Debuts Her New Dark Hair. Could You Do the Same?
Spring is in the air, which for many beauty lovers means it’s time to paint in a few hair highlights for a postwinter, brightened-up look. But Shailene Woodley recently went against seasonal hair trends, opting for a much darker dye job that’s basically the opposite of her usual tone. The star left behind her golden locks for a raven shade that she proudly debuted at the Allegiant premiere in New York City.
Related: How to Bleach Your Hair Without Destroying It (Like Kylie Jenner Did)
And she’s not the only one to go dark for spring: Sarah Michelle Gellar and Sarah Hyland each revealed deeper hair shades earlier this month, showing that this springtime trend is picking up speed within Hollywood.
Related: Sarah Michelle Gellar Goes Brunette for ‘Cruel Intentions’ Reboot
But if you’re considering copying Woodley’s new ’do, there are a few things you might want to consider first. Going from blond to brunette can be a tricky experience, and if it’s not done carefully, it can leave the color looking flat and dull. So before you head to the salon — and the dark side — ask yourself these four questions:
1. What’s the exact shade I want?
“Before you go dark, you have to determine what type of shade you’re looking for,” Joel Warren, master colorist and co-founder of Warren-Tricomi Salons, tells Yahoo Beauty. “I always suggest starting with a semi-permanent or temporary hair color the first time you try out a new look so you don’t have to make a full commitment.”
2. How dramatic do I want the change to be?
If you’re worried about going to dark, take time to consider how many shades deeper you want to dye your hair. “The best thing you can do is start by going one to two shades darker than your natural hair color and see how you like it,” says Warren. “When going dark, it is important to go gradually so you don’t give yourself too severe of a look.”
3. What’s my base shade?
Before dyeing your hair any color, it’s important to know what your base shade is, since blondes, redheads, and lightly colored brunettes will all have different outcomes after a darker dye job. Jessica Gram, a colorist at Fekkai Dallas, tells Yahoo Beauty, “For light blondes wanting a more dimensional, modern feel, something as simple as doing a deeper blond root with a honey gloss can instantly update and add a feeling of youth and freshness to your look.” For brunettes, Gram suggests Warren’s tip of going two shades darker, while redheads should opt for a deeper copper root while pulling some of the color through the length of the hair.
4. Am I ready for the commitment?
Dyeing your hair dark is a relatively easy process, but if you’re unhappy with the look, it can be a pain to reverse. According to Warren, “Changing your hair back to a lighter color is not always easy. By starting with a temporary color and going gradually, you can make sure you have the perfect color that you’ll be happy with.”
Top photo: Taylor Hill/Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
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