The Short Answer Regarding Ombré Hair: No - Racked National

Love, Frank^[1] has returned as a weekly style advice column tackling your hard-hitting fashion issues and addressing a different fashion glitch each week. Submit a query here^[2] .

I have plain-jane, dark brown hair. I've never touched my color, but have newfound courage to try something different. I'm thinking ombré, but I'm worried its a trend that will soon be gone, and I'm also concerned that coloring my hair is high maintenance. Your advice?

Dear Dye,

The short answer regarding ombré is No.

This is why:

Canned drug store ombré is the number one reason not to ombré, via^[3] Beaut.ie.

It's a fad, and once that happens and it's in drug store aisles everywhere it's reached suburban mom status.

The longer answer is that if you've never once changed your hair color, something as dramatic as ombré might be a too much too soon situation.

A lot of look. A lot of maintenance. And a lot of effort and expense to dye it back to dark brown after its dulled and grown out (circa week three).

Baby steps: Start with something subtle and see how it makes you feel. Try going a deep almost-black brown; or try a red-casted auburn; or try subtle highlights or lowlights.

See what subtlety costs in terms of time and effort (and cash); factor in how the new look makes you feel; divide by compliments received—if you like the odds go a little more drastic next time.

Until then accessorize your slightly more dramatic locks with a rich, daring lip color; or some statement earrings—there are a number of ways to add dimension without dip-dying your hair like it's a canvas tote bag.

That said, you may be convinced to just bite the bullet and go for ombré. In that case I suggest you read this^[4] so you have an idea what to expect in terms of inspiration, process, damage, and repair. It's a commitment.

Finally, no matter what you do, I suggest you have it done at a salon you trust—remember, first time out. You don't want to fry your hair.

Safety first.

Got a style question for Frank? Leave it in the comments or email one in here^[5] . Then buckle your two-toned leather Moschino belts, folks, because it's going to be ? Something.

· All Love, Frank posts^[6] [Racked]

References

1. ^{^} Love, Frank (racked.com)


2. ^{^} here (racked.com)


3. ^{^} via (beaut.ie)


4. ^{^} this (allthingseblog.com)


5. ^{^} email one in here (racked.com)


6. ^{^} All Love, Frank posts (racked.com)