DIY: Brunette is the New Blonde

Brown, while sometimes getting a bad rep for being dowdy or less glamorous, has the widest range of shades. Think chocolates, caramels, mahogany, chestnut, walnut, ash browns, cinnamon, and golden browns. It's the most universally flattering hair color. Just look at the lovely ladies on the left! Leighton Meester's a natural blond, but her dark brown tresses put her on the map and made her the sexiest Gossip Girl. Victoria's Secret model Miranda Kerr has also experimented with the lighter side, but she looks catalogue-ready with chestnut curls. Jennifer Lopez looks sunny with her lightened brown locks, and Jessica Biel rocks a multifaceted walnut color.

Most of the population has brown hair, but those with blonde ambitions should be wary. As a girlie with walnut hair and a penchant for hair dye, I've tried going blonde myself - bleaching kits at home and finally a full head of foils at the salon. The process is super expensive, time consuming, and high-maintenance. Did I mention the nastiness of the roots? Bleh. So not worth it. If you're dying hair at home, make sure you stay within two shades of your natural hair color. That means you can go two shades lighter or two shades darker, and if you think about it there's a lot of wiggle room.

SELECTING THE RIGHT SHADE
During the summer, it's natural to get some sun-kissed streaks. Want to play this up? If you are fair-skinned with dark hair, considering lightening up a shade or two. Is your hair mousy? Your hair color is too bland, so deepen your color or add some red undertones - just look to Leighton. Is your skin tone olive or bronze? You can go lighter, so long as you keep things beachy like J.Lo. Select shades that have cool undertones to minimize the brass (look for words like "ash") since lightening your hair will bring out the red undertones. Is your hair damaged? Then be glad you're choosing to go (or stay) brunette. Dark hair reflects light the best and can camoflague any breakage.

(Psst! Not sure what formulation you should use at home? Read this post.)

Products to Try:
1. {Demi-permanent} Clairol Natural Instincts Hair Color in Nutmeg, $9 at CVS
2. {Demi-permanent} Clairol Natural Instincts Hair Color Creme in Caramel Creme, $9 at Drugstore.com
3. {Permanent} Feria Multi-faceted Shimmering Color in Crystal Brown, $10 at Walmart
4. {Permanent} Revlon Colorsilk Hair Color in Light Golden Brown, $4 at Walgreens
5. {Permanent} L'Oreal Superior Preference Hair Color in Light Amber Brown, $9 at CVS
6. {Permanent} Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Creme in Chocolate Peanut Butter, $8 at Drugstore.com

MAINTAINING YOUR COLOR
Luckily for you, brown is the way to go if you're looking for low maintainence. All you need to do is invest in some shampoo and conditioner for color treated hair, but be sure not to wash your hair everyday. You may have to touch up your roots every 6 weeks if they are noticeably lighter or darker (say, black or blonde). I would advise you to use a minimal amount of hair spray, as the alcohol in it strips your hair of shine. Instead spritz on a shine serum for seriously glossy tresses. If you don't care to dye your hair again and prefer trying to grow out your natural color, try a clear gloss to revitalize your locks and add shine.

MAKEUP TIPS FOR BRUNETTES
Two words: black mascara. Natural brunettes usually have black lashes anyway. Depending on how light your hair is, you may want to consider darkening your eyebrows. You can do this at home by smearing some demi-permenant dye on them and letting the color process for 5-7 minutes, but be careful not to get it in your eyes! Fair-haired lassies should invest in some brown eyebrow pencils as well. The good news is that brunettes can basically get away with any kind of makeup. Dramatic eyes and lips have a tendency to look iffy at best - or whorish at worst - on blondes, but brunettes can pull them off. So branch out, will ya? The other great news? You can get away with less makeup. If you're feeling a bit washed out with your new hair color, try putting on some bronzer and some juicy pink lipstick.

xx Chloe