If you're in the mood for a makeover, coloring your hair is the way to go.
Nothing will change your entire look quite as quickly or effectively as an entirely new hair color, or even some eye-catching highlights.
Even if you're happy with your overall look, sprucing up your highlights or touching up your roots can help your hair look even better than its best - and all this in just an hour or two.
But visiting a salon for a professional dye job can be expensive, and with the prevalence of at-home coloring kits, you may wonder whether it's worth the cash.
Whether you're considering a subtle tweak to your natural color or a dramatic change, here are some tips to help you through the process:

• The rule of thumb is this: If you're staying within a shade or two of your natural color, feel free to buy a kit and dye your hair at home.
  For more extreme changes, always visit a salon!
• Anyone who is planning to visit a salon for a serious color change should bring along a few pictures to give the colorist an accurate idea of the exact shade desired.
  Photos of celebrities torn from magazines are fine - just let him or her know precisely what you have in mind before they start coloring.
  
• If you're going the DIY route, your first job is to choose a color that won't clash with your skin tone.
  Determine whether your skin has warm or cool undertones, and pick your shade accordingly.
  There should be simple charts on the box to help you decide whether a particular color will flatter your face.
  
• For an easier coloring process at home, start by changing into an old button-up shirt beforehand.
  Obviously, you need to wear clothes that you won't mind inadvertently dyeing - but a button-up shirt offers the additional advantage of being easy to slip off at the end of the process, so your hair won't get messed up either.
  
• Always set a timer when coloring your hair.
  It's far too easy to get distracted and forget how long it's been, and when it comes to hair dye, that's a recipe for disaster!
• Follow the directions on the box to a T.
  Unless you're an experienced colorist with inside knowledge, this is no time to get experimental.
  
• Wipe your gloves on a towel after applying each and every highlight.
  This way, you won't accidentally color a section of hair that you meant to leave alone.