Making A Big Hair Color Change Like Nicole Richie Going Brunette?!

Look at lovely Nicole Richie. Do you love it or hate it? The petite beauty has been known for her trademark golden locks, and now suddenly this:

Nicole Richie has gone brunette!!

We must be honest here, we were blown away. She looks like two different women. We prefer Nicole as a blonde. However, we don't think she looks bad with darker hair. She's pretty either way.

If you're going to make a big hair color change, then please visit a professional colorist. Our favorite would be Kim Vo, who happens to be located west coast in sunny California. We have never met the celebrity stylist, but we have seen his work and the results are brilliant.

A pro like Kim Vo, would probably tell you, that the most important factor when making a dramatic color change, like blonde to brunette, or brunette to blonde, or auburn to pale blonde, and so on, is considering your skin tone. Are you in the warm category or the cool category?

We believe that any woman could make a big hair color change, as long as she remains in the sensible realm of complementing shades. Your skin tone is essential in selecting what brunette hue you can pull off, for instance. The wrong shade, and you look washed out, too olive, too ashen, too ruddy, etc.

And our favorite hair rule: Remember....it's always easier to go darker, than to go lighter.

Lighter hair generally means, more upkeep, and more chances for damage to the hair cuticle. You can hide some less than perfect locks with a darker shade of hair color.

And don't forget your eyebrows when making a big hair color change. You might need to gently tone them down a bit, especially if changing from brunette to blonde. You want to blend in the new color with your features, as naturally as possible.

Let's not forget the investment. If you're a dark brunette, and have gone drastic into a head of blonde hair (Kim Kardashian did this for about a month or so), you will get socked in the wallet. Re-touching roots and extra highlights equal lots of money over a period of time.

And what about reversing a dramatic hair color change? That's more complex than you would think. We know a light blonde woman with fair skin, who went for bold red hair a few months ago. She had quickly decided it wasn't the best move, and then went through a lengthy process to get back her trademark blonde look.

Or ask anyone who has colored their hair black. Lifting the hair even a few shades lighter equals part magic and a very good colorist. Many women have suffered through many months of too dark hair, and have had to patiently grow it all out.

Our advice: Stay within your natural hair color range, for beautiful results. And if you want to make a big hair color change, then an excellent professional colorist is your best friend.

Let's not forget, though, how important the right hair color is for women......color can do amazing things for us. Model Cindy Crawford was asked in an interview with Allure magazine last March, how she stays looking so young at 43:

CINDY CRAWFORD: Color is the most important factor. You can get any plastic surgery in the world, but hair color is what enables women to look younger longer. I've also become more aware of hair health. I stay away from razor cuts because they can make my hair look frizzy, and I give myself a hair treatment while I'm in my sauna to keep it conditioned.