In the quest for a perfect hue, even the pros turn to unconventional techniques. Here are our favorite surprising, creative ways to get - and maintain - your most flattering shade.

Brunettes tend to get brassy orange oxidation after sun exposure. The solution: "Rinse hair with grape Kool-Aid. It will neutralize this effect," says hair colorist Kyle White of the Oscar Blandi Salon in NYC.

We don't advocate smoking, but two hair colorists told us cigarette ashes can come in handy, so we thought this was worth mentioning. "They are great for removing dye along the hairline and on the skin," says Kiyah Wright, who works with Mary J. Blige and Jennifer Hudson. "It’s the oldest trick in the book," adds Robert Ramos, who works with Jessica Alba and Eva Mendes. Mix ashes with a few drops of water, apply to stained skin, then rinse.

We always thought the rule with highlights was, "The more subtle, the better." But it all depends on your hair type, according to celebrity hair colorist Sean Davis of the Tosler Davis Salon in NYC. "Placement of highlights on ethnic hair is very important. Slightly thicker highlights are required so that they stand out against the unique texture of hair.”

Another trade secret, according to hair colorist Rita Hazan of the eponymous Rita Hazan salon in NYC, involves artificial sweetener. "Protect a sensitive scalp from hair dye by adding two packets of Sweet'n Low to your color formula before applying."

If you're a blonde looking for a natural effect, you may want to try the halo technique, shown here on Poppy Delevigne. Going lighter on the top of your head creates a naturally sun-enhanced look.

If your color comes out darker than you expected, rinse hair with a quarter-size drop of dish soap, advises colorist Kerrie Urban. The harsh suds will "lighten the color up a shade or two, the equivalent of fading you see two weeks after a color service."

Red fades the fastest of all hair colors, because the color molecules are larger. For a quick color pick-up, rinse hair with cranberry juice. "It can make a red temporarily more vibrant," says White. For a richer effect, "beetroot juice gives brunettes a nice Bordeaux tint. On a blonde, it produces a very rock and roll rose color," says hair colorist Wendy Iles, who works with Penelope Cruz.