AS: Are there basic rules of thumb for choosing the right shade of blonde?

KA: Yes. You really have to work with your hair base color, your skin tone, and your eye color. There is a certain balance between those three characteristics that needs to be sustained even if you divert from your original color. I usually follow a balanced combination of darker skin, light eyes, and light blonde hair or lighter skin, dark blonde hair, and darker eyes. It also works with lighter eyes and light blonde hair, you just have to be careful so you don't look washed out. Dark skin and dark eyes with blonde hair is often way too extreme; very few can pull that off. Seldom do I think the monochromatic look is successful -- when someone's eye color, skin, and hair have equal depth.