By Louise Emma Clarke
Founding Editor of The-Beauty-Pages.com

Bored of blonde? Tired of brunette? Not inspired by auburn? Don’t despair – as hair colour has got a lot more interesting over the past year, with tones of shocking pink, soft peach, and even bright blue taking the beauty industry by storm.

We have the celebrities to thank, with Katy Perry, Alexa Chung, Kate Bosworth and Sienna Miller all showing off bright hair colour over recent months. It doesn’t have to be one tone either, as dip-dyed hair is still a top trend in the beauty world, allowing you to keep your natural hair colour and add interest to the tips in your chosen bright hue.

Once you’ve taken the plunge, however, keeping the colour looking fresh and vibrant isn’t the easiest task – so here are a few rules for wearing the trend.

RULE 1 – HEAD TO THE SALON

Firstly, never attempt to pull off a bright dye job at home. Not only do you risk turning the bathroom and towels a shocking shade of neon, but you also risk having to cope with a shade you never wanted and potentially staining the skin around your hairline too. Always head to the salon, where your colourist can assess your base colour and discuss the intended result before getting started.

RULE 2 – GO BRIGHT

This is one trend you have to jump into with both feet – as if you opt for a paler, pastel tone, it’s only going to last a matter of weeks (or even days) before fading back to your base colour underneath. Unless you are prepared to go for a bright hue, there’s not much point bothering.

RULE 3 – INVEST IN THE RIGHT PRODUCTS

Some haircare products will strip the colour away when you wash your locks, so you should always invest in a set designed to keep colour looking brighter and fresher for longer. I recommend TIGI Bed Head Colour Combats Colour Goddess Shampoo, £7.95, and Leave-in Conditioner, £9.80.  And once a week, give your hair a luxurious colour care treatment, by adding a jar of Fekkai Salon Technician Colour Care Moisture Mask, £33, to your bathroom shelf. Not only will it revive and lock-in colour, but it will also leave locks feeling incredibly soft and smooth, and boasting impressive shine.

RULE 4 – KEEP YOUR MAKEUP SIMPLE

Your hair is making the statement, so leave your makeup to a minimum to avoid shocking passers-by in the street. Take a hint from Katy Perry by keeping your base flawless but natural, and eye makeup to just a slick of lengthening mascara and stroke of soft kohl eyeliner. An ideal kit isClarins Ever Matte Mineral Powder Compact, £20; Dior DiorShow New Look Mascara, £21.95, and Guerlain Eyeliner & Kohl with Sharpener, £16.

RULE 5 – KEEP IT UP

Allowing your roots to grow back and colour to fade is not a good look – so make sure you head back to the salon regularly to keep up the colour. Most colourists will recommend a visit every 4 weeks for the brightest colours – and many salons will offer you a discount if you book your next appointment before leaving the salon, which is well worth doing.