For example, if you wear lots of green, choose a shade of green to complement your wardrobe.

Red Pink Bright blue Magenta Bright green

Coral Turquoise Peach Cobalt Blue Lavender

If you have green eyes, try a matching shade of green for hair color. If you want to create contrast with a complementary hair color, consider red or purple. [3] X Research source Brown is neutral, so it’s harder to create contrast if you have brown eyes. Brown eyes usually have warm, yellowish undertones, so consider dyeing your hair a pale blue or violet shade to create contrast. [4] X Research source If you have hazel eyes, think about shades of red, pink, or purple to create contrast.

Colors that are found in natural hair, like red, black, and blonde, are generally appropriate for most situations. Dramatic colors, like hot pink, may not be appropriate if you work in a highly professional setting or if your school has strict rules about appearance. With certain creative jobs, an unconventional hair color may not be a concern.

For example, if you have red undertones, go with a cooler color, like an icy blue or soft green. Don’t forget—you can always test-drive a hair color with a hair color app to make sure you like the way it looks before making a commitment!

Try search terms like “hair color change” or “virtual hair color salon” to locate an app.

Bleach is pretty strong stuff, so make sure your hair is healthy and in good shape before applying bleach. Be sure to follow the package instructions carefully if you decide to bleach at home for the best results! If you’ve never bleached your hair before and you’re nervous about it, consider going to a salon. If you have dark hair and you really don’t want to bleach your hair, you may have some luck using tinted conditioners like Overtone.

Keep in mind that bright colors fade quickly. You may want to think about whether you can live with the faded version of your chosen color before you dye your hair. For example, your bright purple hair color will start fading to reddish pink or lavender after a few weeks. [9] X Research source Red hair is one of the most difficult colors to maintain because it tends to fade very fast. Red hair usually requires a touch up every 2 to 4 weeks. [10] X Research source

Most unnatural hair colors dyes on the market are semi-permanent.

If you play sports or sweat a lot, you probably need to shampoo your hair every day. A bright hair color may not be a good idea. If cold showers sound unpleasant to you, you might want to avoid unconventional hair color.

If you’re low on funds, think about dyeing your hair a more natural color, which will be easier and cheaper to maintain.