Want something less damaging than dye? Colored hair extensions are a great compromise. Many stores sell clip-in colored hair extensions, like Sephora (try Sultra Solid Extensions, $18 or Milani Hair Funky Color Streaks, $14.99). They’re easy to place in your hair (simply clip them on), but you can run the risk of looking like a little girl depending on how many you use and where you place them.

“Less is more,” says Hill. “You don’t want a whole head of clip-ins. Instead, aim for a few strands, but put them in a peekaboo area.” This means placing the extensions underneath several layers of hair and not directly on top. “It should be hidden enough to make people wonder if they saw something or not when they catch a glimpse,” she says.

Besides buying a pre-dyed hair extension at a store, you can also have them custom dyed at a salon. Not only can you pick the exact color you want, but you can also decide if you want to mix colors on the same strand. Plus, your color will last a lot longer. According to Merrie, “Store bought extensions use fabric dye to get their color, which loses its color faster than a salon extension. At the salon, we pre-bleach the piece and use real hair dye.”