I got my colors professionally analyzed for $327. The expert's suggestions surprised me, but I couldn't be happier with the results.

• I started getting highlights at 14, and since then, being blonde has become part of my identity.

• However, the bleach was taking a toll on my hair health, and I knew it was time for a change.

• I booked an appointment with an image consultant, who helped me choose my new hair color.

I started getting blonde highlights at the tender age of 14, and for the past 20 years, I've found myself in a salon chair with a head full of foils. Although I'm a natural brunette, being blonde began to feel like part of my identity.

Unfortunately, though, it also happened to be sabotaging my hair health, as I started to notice my hair was becoming increasingly dry and brittle from the bleach. I knew I wanted to make a change, but I wasn't sure where to start.

After noticing that color analysis started trending on TikTok, I stumbled upon Francesca Cairns, an image consultant with some pretty impressive client before-and-afters.

As an image consultant, Cairns can help clients boost their confidence by recommending colors, clothing, and accessories that best flatter their features.

I booked her "Transformation Package," which cost $327 and included a hair analysis, guidance on my best glasses shapes, makeup and clothing colors, and ideal clothing cuts for my body type.

Here's what it was like working with an image consultant to find my new hair color.

To get the process started, I sent along some photos and answered a few questions.

Because Cairns is based in the UK, the whole consultation process was done virtually. She requested I send two batches of photos from the waist up, ideally in natural light.

She asked me to be bare-faced in one series of photos but said I could wear makeup in the other if I wished — so that's what I did.

Cairns also asked questions about my natural hair color, how easily I burn or tan in the sun, what foundation color I wear, and whether I prefer silver or gold jewelry.

I learned that my “season” is “soft summer.”

Based on the images and information I sent over, Cairns determined that I'm a "soft summer." She told me this is based on the fact that my natural color is a light-to-medium neutral brown and my eye color is gray-blue — as well as the fact that my skin has neutral undertones and is able to tan as well as burn.

As an added bonus, Cairns provided a specific palette of muted, neutral colors she thought would be most flattering on me. She even recommended lipstick, eyeshadow, and blush hues that would work well with my coloring.

Although I sought out her expertise specifically for my hair-color change, I plan to incorporate some of her suggestions into my wardrobe and beauty products as well.

The hair-color suggestion was a subtler change than I expected.

Cairns gives her clients hair-color recommendations by editing their original photos rather than providing verbal descriptions of what to ask for.

These visuals really helped me see how the changes could enhance my appearance. It was also nice to be able to give my colorist the photos to ensure we were both on the same page.

After all, "medium mushroom brown" can mean different things to different people.

Based on my photos, Cairns proposed either a cooler-toned blonde or a soft ash brown with subtle highlights. While I loved the blonde, given that my goal was to reduce damage and minimize my salon maintenance, I decided that the latter pick made more sense.

After sitting with my results for a few days, I texted my hair colorist the photos and asked about booking an appointment for October. She responded enthusiastically and suggested we add a little balayage and then use a toner to bring the color a few shades darker and cooler.

I couldn’t be happier with my results.

I always have a little bounce in my step after leaving the salon, but this time, I had an extra boost of confidence.

Not only do I adore the color, but my hair actually feels soft and healthy — which is not usually the case after I do a full head of bleach and foils.

As my colorist pointed out, this new look will also be a lot easier to maintain. Since it's so close to my natural color, and the balayage has a much softer root, I can likely go three to four months or more before needing a touch-up — provided I use some at-home toning products once in a while to keep the color nice and ashy.

Overall, I'm so glad I consulted an expert on my hair color — salon visits are too big of an investment to roll the dice.

Being able to see the change in hair color in a photo before taking the plunge definitely gave me peace of mind. It also allowed me to be more specific with my colorist about what I wanted.

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