Is your hair aging you?

Are you tired of hearing that you're "of a certain age?" You know, we contemplate a little touch-up work on our faces and slightly lower our hemlines---but here's another tip: Adding highlights to your hair is not just a cool look but a necessity. Done the right way, they can offer a real color makeover.

Balayage---French for "sweeping"---leaves the hair with a soft, sexy and sun-kissed look. Traditional foil techniques have a tendency to expose that obnoxious "root look" quicker. Balyage bounces different color tones through the highlights, making the look more natural and leading to a softer grow-out phase.

For inspiration, look at stars such as Jennifer Aniston, Gisele Bündchen and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Staying on top of overzealous greys with permanent hair color every four to five weeks leaves hair looking dull. As the skin starts to lose pigment in our forties, dark hair may not look as flattering. If you have a fair complexion, you will definitely benefit from balayage. Lightening up a a little will give your face a softer lift, and let’s face it---at some point we all need that lift to look our best.