A Beauty Blog from Nancy, the Avon Lady of New Jersey

Tips for Coloring Blonde, Brunette, Red and Gray Hair

Advance Techniques Professional Hair Color is available in 25 rich and radiant, healthy-looking shades, including Blondes, Reds, Brunettes and Blacks.

Whether you’re looking for perfect gray coverage, a noticeable color change, or simply to enhance your natural color, there’s one just right for you!

Tips for Coloring Blonde Hair:

  • Gold tones add warmth to hair, while ash tones are cooler. When coloring hair, and sometimes when you are going lighter, residual warm color can be left in the hair. This is what some people may refer to as “brassy”. If you want to avoid any warmth, use an ash (.1) tone/reflect color.
  • If your natural level tends to be darker, that is, level 5-6, select a neutral or ashy blonde shade, to counteract underlying warmth when lightening.
  • If your hair is mostly gray, or naturally a level 7-9, selecting a neutral or gold tone is your best option.
  • When in doubt, select a neutral shade. The next time you color you can decide to move into a stronger tone.

IMPORTANT: Moving from a darker hair color, which is naturally level 2-4, to a blonde level of 7-12 is best achieved at your salon. Because hair color is not designed to lift more than 2-3 levels, if you try to color your naturally dark level (1-4) at home with a level (8-12) hair color, the result may be orange or bright yellow hair. Always follow the color guidelines.

Tips for Coloring Brunette Hair:

  • Brunette colors may seem pretty straightforward to achieve, but they can be the trickiest due to their many nuances.
  • One common problem is red or brassy results. If you are coloring two shades lighter, and the result is more gold or red than you like, the next time you color, use an ash (.1 ) to offset any warmth that resulted from the lightening process.

Tips for Coloring Red Hair:

  • If you are not a natural red head and want to color your hair red, it is best to start conservatively. Choose a red shade that’s closer to your natural color.
  • When selecting a red shade, choose a copper or golden red if you have a lot of white in your hair. Darker burgundy or wine reds may appear pinkish on white hair.
  • A typical problem for coloring hair red is “hot” or bright roots, while the ends turn dull and brown. The brighter roots are generally the result of body heat, which distorts the end result, or from a higher concentration of gray hair. Consider applying the color to the lengths and ends first, followed by the root application. This is more difficult, but will help prevent hot roots. Or seek advice from a salon professional.

Tips for Coloring Gray Hair:

For consumers with a high percentage of Gray (50% or more):

  • For the consumer who’s primary goal is gray coverage, neutral tones will provide the greatest payoff from a gray coverage perspective (not making it drab or pulling too much warmth) The Advance Techniques neutral palette (shades with a tone of .0) are well rounded shades that provide a natural look to the hair.
  • For those consumers who truly desire warm, gold tones, use a shade with a .3 tone. Women with high percentages of stubborn gray will achieve excellent gray coverage, however the overall coverage may be slightly more translucent than with a neutral (.0) palette.
  • The red palette for Advance Techniques hair color (.6-Red, .5-Mahogany, and .4-Copper) is true to tone and provides vibrant, intense color. These shades have more of the tone color (i.e. more true red) than the base level color (i.e. dark/blonde or light brown).
  • When used on hair that is more than 50% gray, the tone becomes more apparent, because it is being placed on a light background as opposed to a natural color. As a result the red shades may look brighter and redder than they would on a darker base.
  • These shades are best suited for consumers who are currently in this shade family and are not recommended for first time color users or women who are looking for a more “natural looking” color. This is not for the brunette or blonde consumer who is looking to add a “hint” of red.
  • Some people experience “stubborn” grays, particularly at the hairline, which just don’t seem to take the color well. If you have stubborn grays, it is always best to start your application there. When you are finished applying color, go back and reapply the color to those areas. Be sure and leave color on for a full 35 minutes. Make sure you don’t have any waxes or gels in your hair especially at the hairline.
  • For resistant gray hair, consider the natural shades that have a tone of .0, as they have the most gray covering power.

TIP: Use the Avon Brochure to see all the colors available for you.

Contact me today for more information about Advance Techniques Hair Color !

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.


I'm Nancy, from Avon

Nancy, the Avon Lady of NJ

Welcome to my beauty blog on skincare, makeup, and fashion! My vision is to provide customers delightful and pleasing beauty & fashion products, offer an attractive and appealing direct & social selling opportunity, and create a brand experience that invites them into an enchanting and captivating online beauty blog community.


Get My Beauty Posts via Email

Double-check email before subscribing.


More than one beauty find

If you're someone who likes discovering new products but doesn't want to chase every trend, take a few minutes to flip through the C-20 Brochure and see what genuinely catches your attention. You might find a new skincare treatment. A fragrance that becomes your next signature scent. A makeup shade that feels completely you. Or a practical everyday beauty favorite that earns a permanent place in your routine. That's the fun of beauty: trends can inspire you without defining you.

👉 Shop the Avon Campaign 20 Sale Now

wake up and de~puff instantly + SPECIAL OFFERS | SEE INSIDE. Flip through the Avon USA Campaign 20 2026 Brochure for complete product details and special offers. Campaign 20 (C-20) closes on 10/6/26 at 11:59 pm ET / 8:59 pm PT.

More Ways to Look & Feel Your Best

Avon USA Digital Brochure 17 2026

👉 Shop the Hanes Flyer (C-14 – C-26)

TOP-DRAWER WORTHY. Pretty picks that provide stylish support for you... plus, a curated selection for him. ⏰ Campaign 14 – 26 (C14–26) closes on 12/29/26 at 11:59 pm ET / 8:59 pm PT.

🍁 Enter the Harvest of Beauty Sweepstakes

Ready to fall into the season? Avon's Harvest of Beauty Sweepstakes celebrates the season with a collection of everyday essentials and cozy autumn-inspired finds. The prize features a mix of seasonal fragrances, skincare innovations, complexion-enhancing makeup, and other beauty favorites. Enter the Harvest of Beauty Sweepstakes

👉 Shop Special Offers Now at Avon USA

Campaign 20 Special Offers close on 10/6/26 at 11:59 pm ET / 8:59 pm PT.

Incredible Values:

Ready, Sets, Go: More beauty, more value. Boost your savings on bundled fan-favorite products. Shop Now

The Extra, Extra Sale: Save on special selections including Anew, Organist and more. Prices include extra savings. Shop Now

NEW Anew Clinical Instant Fix Depuffing Mask: Only $9.99 with select Anew Clinical purchase. $34 value. Shop Now

Organist Rosemary Mint Hair Oil Only $4.99: With two select Organist purchases. $25 value. Shop Now

4 for $14 Select fmg Glimmer Liners: For Eyes, Brows and Lips. Mix or match, any four for discount to apply. Shop Now

$2.99 Each. Incredible Value! Roll-On Anti-Perspirant Deodorants. Reg. $6.25. Shop Now

2 for $27.98: Moisture Therapy Bonus-Size Body Lotions. Mix or match, any two for discount to apply. Shop Now

2 for $18.98: Select fmg LOVE Lip Products. Mix or match, any two for discount to apply. Shop Now

2 for $38: Select Men’s Fragrances. Mix or match, any two for discount to apply. Shop Now

Get a Double Zipper Top for $27: When you buy the Cuffed Pants for $38. Shop Now

Get a Timeless Petals Pendant Necklace for $11: When you buy a matching statement necklace. Shop Now

Up to 60% Off Clearance: Free Avon Classics Dreamlife Cologne with a $20 Clearance purchase. Final sale. Shop Now

Campaign 20 Special Offers close on 10/06/2026 at 11:59 pm ET / 8:59 pm PT.

👉 Get All The Perks:

Text and Save - Enjoy 15% off your next order when you sign up for SMS. Subscribe now

Special Offers Just for You: Unlock exclusive offers starting with your next order. Subscribe Now

Here’s Your Birthday Gift - Free gift on orders $60+ when you create an account and update your birthday details. Offer valid within your birthday month. Subscribe now

Earn 20-50% Commission - On all orders $40+. Sign up now

Student Discount - Get instant access to this discount by verifying your student status via Student Beans. Redeem Now

Essential Workers Discount - Get instant access to this discount by verifying your employment status via Beans iD. Redeem Now

All items while supplies last, limited quantities. Free gifts will be added automatically during checkout. Avon reserves the right to substitute a free gift of equal or greater value.

Discover more from A Beauty Blog from Nancy, the Avon Lady of New Jersey

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading