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However, before taking the plunge with a new hue, a little forethought is in order. “Lifestyle and maintenance should be the main considerations when it comes to choosing the right colour service,” says Joanna Gonzalez, senior colour specialist at Butterfly Studio Salon in New York. “For example, how much upkeep is a client willing to do for their colour? Do they plan on growing this colour out, or will they be changing it regularly?” You should consider your hair history with chemicals and box dyes, she says, before choosing to add another stressor, such as bleach.

The final decision often comes down to three key factors: choosing the right shade, being aware of your hair type and using the appropriate type of dye. There are three primary dye categories: permanent, semi-permanent and demi-permanent, each with its own advantages and considerations.

Permanent dyes chemically alter the natural pigments within the hair shaft, offering the possibility of dramatic, long-lasting colour changes. Semi-permanent dyes last for a few weeks, gradually fading with each wash. They are less damaging to your hair and so ideal for those wishing to experiment with new colours without a significant long-term commitment. In between those two categories are demi-permanent dyes, which provide a longer-lasting colour – typically remaining vibrant for four to six weeks – while allowing greater flexibility for future changes.

Happily, Los Angeles-based expert colourist and stylist Jes Jewel says today there are many ways to protect and nourish your hair to minimise the damaging side effects of dyeing. “Ingredient decks and hair products have come so far in efficacy and understanding the current nuanced hair needs of today,” she explains, highlighting heat protectants and repairing treatments as must-haves. Some of her go-tos are Amika’s Blockade Heat Defense Serum “to preserve colour and protect from heat damage” and the same brand’s The Kure Intense Bond Repair Mask, “which repairs damage that is inevitable during the hair colouring process as well as addressing moisture”.

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Jessica Mercado, colourist and balayage specialist, also at Butterfly in New York, stresses the importance of high-quality colour-safe products. “At-home hair care is essential in order to keep the hair healthy and strong before and after any colour service,” she says. Additionally, measures like choosing hair dyes with conditioning agents, limiting heat styling, always using thermal heat protectants, and moisturising shampoos and conditioners can help keep damage to a minimum.

“A common mistake is assuming that if you lighten your hair and then subsequently dye it back to your ‘natural colour’, any damage would be gone and that your hair is in its virgin state again,” Jewel warns.

In terms of at-home colouring, Mercado points out that “people often think the photos on the outside of the box dye boxes are accurate, but the same box dye colour can look very different on different people”. That’s why she recommends consulting a colour professional before jumping the gun. “If you’re going to try at-home box dyes, a general rule is to stay away from dark colours, especially black,” she continues. “These box-dye jobs are difficult to correct even for professionals in-salon, and clients oftentimes have to settle with a colour they are unhappy with until it grows out.”

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If your heart is set on fantasy colours, be aware that their intensity and longevity often demand additional attention. From radiant pinks and electric blues, to vivid purples and neon greens, these shades tend to fade quickly, requiring meticulous care, specialised products and regular touch-ups to maintain their brilliance. Gonzalez notes that reds are generally the hardest shades to maintain.

“Red colours fade the fastest after hair washes, making it the most high-maintenance colour. It’s a commitment to re-dying the hair about every four weeks in order to keep the colour vibrant,” she says. On the other side of the spectrum, Mercado says that natural brunette tones and soft blondes tend to be the most low-maintenance. “Aim for colours that blend into your natural regrowth from your scalp. A soft balayage can be a low-maintenance transition into enhancing your hair with colour without the stark change,” she says.

At the end of the day, whether you choose a natural shade or an electrifying fantasy hue, make informed choices backed by an understanding of your hair type and skin tone, and be sure you’re doing it for the right reasons. “A mistake I’ve seen clients make over and over again is making emotional decisions,” Gonzalez notes. “This is when someone is going through a rough break-up and decides to drastically change their hair colour. Some lifelong blondes go jet black overnight, or brunettes go bright red.

“This is clearly a form of emotional expression, which can be a healthy way to heal. But, after the heart heals, the hair might stay damaged, [so] think through every colour decision thoroughly.”