Coloring your hair is perhaps the quickest and most dramatic way to change your look.

There are two types of hair dyes: permanent and semi- permanent, with variations of each.

A) Permanent Tints:
Must be mixed with hydrogen peroxide to lift hair color. The peroxide opens the hair cuticle so that the tint can penetrate the cortex and form the color. The higher the level of peroxide, the quicker and lighter the result.

B) Semi-Permanent Colors:
They don't actually lift the color-you can either vary the tone within your natural highlights or go darker. The color can last up to 20 washes and will softly fade as you shampoo, causing no re-growth problem.

C) Semi-Permanent Vegetable Colors:
Contain only vegetable extracts and natural ingredients, so no color is stripped from your hair. It is similar to henna but it doesn't coat the hair (adds shine though). This color sits on the hair's surface and will wash out after about 8 shampoos.

Different coloring methods suit different hairstyles, so get some expert advice when deciding which one to go for... Skin Tone: Your new hair color should complement your skin tone. Light-skinned people don't look good with very dark hair because it draws color out of their skin.

Blonde:
If you would love to be blonde, talk the process through with your colorist (or stylist) before you go for it. It should be relatively painless on virgin dark brown hair, but if your hair has been permanently tinted then the process will become a long saga.

Never attempt this kind of dye job on your own for the first time.

Red:
Red is the sexy shade, for color that cries out for attention. Hair holds on to red-toned pigments well, so going copper-top can be easy for most people. But be warned-if you are blonde you will usually have to go two or three shades darker than your natural color to achieve a rich red (brunette), and it's not easy to reverse it.

Brown:
Brunette is always a safe choice as it suits nearly everyone. Varying the shade with highlights can achieve a huge range of looks. From chocolate brown and bronze shades to honey or dark blonde, combinations of natural tones gives incredible shine as darker-pigmented tints add condition to your hair.

Black:
This is by far the easiest color to accomplish because the molecules in black tints are larger and will cover all hair types very effectively. Caution is needed when using black, as it only tends to look good on people with darker and olive skin tones.

Some popular coloring questions:

* Will coloring my hair damage it?
Only if the wrong level of peroxide is used or you are over-processing (too many permanent colors are applied) your hair. If you constantly change your hair color, especially if you go from blonde to brown and back to blonde, you must regularly use deep conditioning treatments.

* What's better for my hair, semi-permanent or permanent color?
Semi-permanent color gives your hair a higher shine and enhances condition, but they won't lift natural hair color. Also, a semi-permanent tint will not cover large amount of gray hair (more than 50 percent).

Jane Preeter is a hair stylist who has great interest in her profession. She has studied many hair loss treatments, different methods of hair removal, and a wide variety of hair treatments.

The effectiveness of modern hair loss treatments is clear for all to see, but many people simply prefer not to use strong chemicals or non-natural substances.

If you fall into this category, does this mean you'll just have to accept an ever-decreasing head of hair? The answer to this is an unequivocal NO!

Many natural hair loss remedies, both traditional and contemporary, have shown their worth in reducing and reversing hair loss. They are also perceived as being free from side effects and even deliver additional health benefits.

Why then, don't we hear a lot more about these natural hair loss remedies? Simply because claims of cures cannot be made without FDA approval, and obtaining the FDA seal of approval involves lengthy and expensive scientific research that only major companies can afford. Even the biggest companies could not recoup the costs of such a process as no-one can control the rights to common natural substances such as basic foods and vitamins.

The big question however is, do natural hair loss remedies work? Firstly, hair growth at root level is a living part of the body that depends on sound nutrition, just like any other part of the body. The importance of vitamins, minerals and other nutritional elements in maintaining healthy hair cannot be disputed.

Secondly, the role of herbs and plants in treating numerous ailments is receiving increased recognition after years of neglect, and hair loss is no exception. Many herbal remedies for both internal and external use are offering new hope to people suffering from premature hair loss.

Thirdly, traditional hair loss remedies may still have something to offer. Ancient literature and folklore reveal that our ancestors went to great lengths to treat thinning hair. Some of the more acceptable traditional approaches are now being incorporated into many potential treatment regimes.

Other articles in this series tackle each of these areas in much more detail but you can find out more now by visiting the site listed below.

Richard Mitchell is the creator of the http://www.myhairlossadvisor.com website that provides information and guidance to those suffering from premature hair loss. Please go to Natural Hair Loss Remedies to find out more about the issues covered in this article.

Maybe you need a Gia Makeover.

When it comes to hair styles, there are so many different options today to make changes. You can change your color, add highlights, add bangs, add layering and even add length or thickness with hair extensions. Makeovers are becoming more and more popular as television shows such as ABC's Extreme Makeover outline how a makeover is done and drastic changes that can be done.

Hair stylist, Gia Wood of Salon D in Dallas, Texas specializes in makeovers and hair extensions and is considered Dallas' makeover specialist. She has hundreds of clients locally and many clients that fly or drive in to Dallas for her services. One of her clients flies all the way from Spain just to get her hair done. Gia says, "I find that clients who are willing to drive or fly that far just to get their hair done are the biggest compliment and the proof of my success."

So what is this makeover fuss all about? Gia explains that most of her clients have either been the victim of an inexperienced stylist or have simply not thought enough about the change in hairstyle they wanted and they are now stuck with something they hate. Gia adds, "Most of my makeovers include color correction, which can be highlights, color, gloss or all of the above. Makeovers also include a haircut and style, along with makeup application. The total process can take around 4 hours to complete."

Gia says, "When dealing with color correction, the first thing every client asks me is '...how damaged will my hair be after a color correction?'" Believe it or not, color correction is not as damaging as it used to be. The old way of stripping hair color out with bleach is history. Modern day products allow hair stylists to remove 'artificial pigment' only, meaning that it will not open, damage, or split the cuticle of the hair in any way. This allows hairdressers to remove the most intense colors from hair, and allow it to be re-colored in the same appointment time."

Gia will also offer suggestions for change in color and style to fix any problems a client reports with their hair. "For example, if a client has a brassy blonde color, I will suggest a bleach highlight or an ash toner to offset the brass color." She explains.

Getting a successful makeover depends on the experience of the stylist. Gia further explains, "My previous clients and even new clients trust my experience level and let me do what ever I feel like with their hair. Most of the time when I'm doing a makeover, I am usually correcting another stylist's color or haircut. I usually ask my clients what or who they would like to look like and to give a firm example of what they like and don't like. And, even if a client loves the way her hair looks, they may be looking for a change to further improve their hair style."

Photos of styles the client likes are very helpful to hair stylists. Gia adds, "Clients and stylists have different vocabularies. For example, Bangs. There are a thousand ways to wear bangs." Gia recommends bringing at least three photos of the hair style you want so your stylist does not get confused.

Gia also keeps a computer at her work station to look up hair styles online (such as a past hair style of a celebrity) if a client does not have photos or cannot remember certain styles they like. The computer eliminates the need for bulky portfolio books.

"Once the client and I have decided on a style and color," Gia explains, "We discuss what it will take to get the clients hair to that hair style." Most of the time the exact cut and color are achieved in one day. But Gia mentions that some clients that are growing their hair out may take several months and appointments to reach their overall goal. Human hair extensions (human hair extensions are attached directly to the natural hair) are also an option for clients that don't want to wait for their hair to grow out.

Gia's makeover experience is well-documented on her website: http://www.hairbygia.com Many before and after photo examples of makeovers, including hair extensions can be seen for your reference. Gia is quickly becoming the talk of the town with recent appearances on the television show "Austin Nights" (Segment can be viewed on her website) for her hair extensions services. She was also interviewed for the Number One best selling E-book by Hair Resources, 2005's Most Popular Hair Extensions and participated as a Judge in their Nationwide Bridal Hair Style Contest.

In short, if you are sick and tired of your hair style and need a makeover, a trip to visit Gia Wood at Salon D in Dallas, Texas may well be worth your time, money?and happiness!

About the Author:

Perriann Rodriguez is the founder of Hair Resources, http://www.hairresources.com and http://www.hairresources.net, global resources for hair styles, hair extensions, beauty salons, and more. Rodriguez is also the author of the number one best selling E-book at Hair Resources, 2005's Most Popular Hair Extensions, and Wedding Hair Styles