Tips for Summer-to-Fall Hair Color

Adjust your hair color to flow with the change of seasons, just as you do your makeup and nail color.

For example, summer's blonde tones - white, light, sunny - don't look right against autumn's rich, dark palette and heavier clothing fabrics.

Spa Phoenix stylist Destini knows a thing or two about color. Her beautifully cut and colored hair is a walking advertisement for the possibilities when you embrace hair color and "dare to dye."

At Spa Phoenix there's no assembly line where clients are passed from stylist to colorist. Your stylist is responsible for knowing color, knowing cut, and knowing you - and bringing it all together for beautiful hair.

Here are Destini's tips for summer hair maintenance and for getting hair ready for beautiful fall hair colors.

• Take An Inch Off Hair's Length
Even for those intent on having longer hair, periodic trims are beneficial and essential. Destini knows how attached we become to longer hair, but in her words, "Don't be afraid to lose an inch of that dry straw you've been calling length."

• Deep Condition Hair Weekly
Use a weekly deep conditioning hair treatment. Start now. When you're ready to darken your hair, it will accept the color and hold on to it longer. And in the meantime, your hair will look healthier. Spa Phoenix offers deep conditioning in addition to your shampoo and style.

• Cover It Up!
Enjoy the sun, but "when you're in the sun, wear a cute hat, or wrap hair in a scarf." Sun is damaging to hair and fades hair color.

• Wet Before Swimming
Pool chemicals are horrible for hair. Ask any lap swimmer. Destini's advice: "Before swimming, shower or splash on water straight from the tap. Wet hair completely." The saturated hair is protected against harmful pool chemicals.

• Talk To Your Stylist About Your Autumn Action Plan
Talk to your stylist now about your options for a fall color adjustment. They may recommend gradually replacing high lights (lighter strands and pieces added to hair by foiling) with low lights that are darker and warmer.

• Turn Platinum Into Honey
What are some examples of color trends that make a seasonal transition?

If you're a cool platinum blonde, consider warming hair to honey hues with semi-permanent color (glazes) or demi-permanent (influenced by the developer used) tints. Brunettes with blonde or ash highlights could choose honey, copper or chestnut to add dimension and fall tones.

Destini never loses focus, even when she's laying down hair law:

"Try to follow the rules for a transition to fall color. Just think.... reds, coppers and brunettes! The possibilities are endless!

But don't forget to have fun with summer style and color - because that's what summer is for!"