Anna Bernat loves her blonde highlights she gets from being outdoors in the summer. However, she will soon be heading to her trusted colorist to add in dark lowlights, something she does every year around this time.

"I usually go a light brown," Bernat (sophomore-public relations) said, "but this year I may go even darker for something different."

The seasonal hair dying trend is not at all new. Hair stylists like those at Le Salon & Spa, 112 S. Fraser St., and Looks Hair Design, 228 E. Calder Way, have been dying dark dos since coloring became popular.

"Most people are constantly unsettled with their hair," Kelli Himes, a Le Salon & Spa stylist, said. "They may need a change by the time winter rolls around."

Himes said going dark for winter follows along with the fashions of the season. "Darker hair goes with the warmer colors in fashion for winter and complements the trends," she said.

Jackie Weaver, a stylist from Looks Hair Design, also noticed this development. However, she warned against choosing a shade that is not right with the complexion.

"When you start to lose your tan, it is sometimes better to

go lighter because going too

dark can wash you out," Weaver said.

Samantha Jeffery, another Looks stylist, said she loves

the idea of winter blondes. "Going a pastel or pale blonde can be good for the season," she said. "It looks great against a red coat."

Although she loves this look, she said usually only natural blondes can pull off light hair during the winter months.

Each salon has its own method of giving girls the perfect dark shade to last throughout the season.

Weaver said a new and popular line that has emerged is the Redken Color Fusion Mahogany Glam Collection, which includes light and dark brown that are all violet based.

"The subtle violet undertone is not the first thing that jumps out at you," she said. Weaver also said this year's fall trends and fashion week inspired the collection, giving the color a truly modern edge.

Himes said that stylists at Le Salon & Spa will give low lights to girls going from dark to light, instead of using overall color.

"It is not a drastic change, but still makes a difference," she said.

Although these special tactics are always employed, girls who dye their hair seasonally will undoubtedly run into damage, the stylists said.

"Anything that is done with bleach, you are losing the natural proteins in your hair which causes damage," Weaver said.

She also said that this is why stylists recommend certain products, and that clients should know how important these products are to the health of their hair.

"We describe products like doctors describe medicine," said Mandi Tucker, another Looks stylist, as her coworkers all nodded in agreement.

Himes described the importance of sticking with one stylist for all coloring needs so a routine can be formed for appointments.

At the root of it all, most girls realize that there is limited time to do whatever you want with your hair before you enter into the professional realm, Himes said.

"The trend with girls today is to kind of experiment with their looks and almost not be themselves," she said.