Color advice to go!

Shape, August, 2004 by Kate Williams

Searching a wall of hair-color products can be confusing, to say the least. So how do you know which color is best for your locks? Save this handy guide to help you choose! All hair-color products are permanent unless otherwise noted.

Want to ... cover your first grays

And you have ...

Blond hair Revlon High Dimension Hair Color ($6.49) offers nine blond shades, to help refresh color.

Brown hair Clairol Natural Instincts ($8) in shades like Hot Cocoa and Double Espresso; the demi-permanent botanical formula conditions hair so it holds more color.

Red hair L'Oreal Excellence Creme ($8.59) has shades of burgundy, copper and auburn.

Black hair Revlon Colorsilk ($3.79) comes in 39 shades. Try Soft Black or Black Brown.

Want to ... add highlights

Blond hair Clairol Natural Dimensions ($11) subtly highlights lightblond to medium-brown hair.

Brown hair Clairol Herbal Essences Highlights Rich Copper Highlighting Kit ($10) is perfect for medium- to dark-brown hair.

Red hair L'Oreal Feria Colour Strands ($10) delivers shimmering strands and has several reddish shades.

Black hair L'Oreal Colour Rays One Step Brush-On Colour Highlights ($11) in Red Rays or Copper Craze results in vibrant highlights.

Want to ... add color and shine

Blond hair L'Oreal Couleur Experte in Dulce de Leche ($22), is a gorgeous golden blond.

Brown hair L'Oreal Superior Preference Les True Brunettes ($9.49) offers four shades that lift and lighten color without brassiness.

Red hair Garnier 100% Color Intense Gel-Creme Color ($7.29) has seven shades of red, all formulated to be superlong-lasting.

Black hair Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Treatment ($7.29) in Sweet Cola or Black Licorice keeps hair soft and shiny.

Want to ... temporarily boost color

Blond hair KMS Color Vitality Blonde Shampoo ($9) and Blonde Treatment ($8; kmshaircare.com for salons) eliminate brassiness and gray tones.

Brown hair Phyto-Life Fade De Phy Anti-Color Fade Shampoo ($30) and Fade De Phy Color Boost conditioner ($24; find both at phyto-life.com) in Iced Mahogany or Chocolate Wildberry.

Red hair Artec for L'Oreal Professionnel has several red shades of Color Depositing Shampoos and Moisturizers ($9 each; at www.loreal professionnel.com), including Strawberry, Cherry Bark and Red Clover.

Black hair Aveda Black Malva Shampoo ($8) and Color Conditioner ($16; aveda.com) help diminish red tones in dark-brunette and black hair.

Unless otherwise indicated, all hair-color products are available from drugstores and mass-market retailers.