I adore Mila Kunis, and not only for her stellar performance in "Black Swan" or the fact that she has a rocking body and wicked sense of humor. It's her gorgeous hair color that really makes me green.

See, in my beauty routine, hair color has long been something I've struggled with -- I have a very hard time getting it just right. My brunette hair tends to pick up red tones so it always veers on the brassy, orange side, often the result of using a color that's "too warm," Marie Robinson, a celeb hair colorist explains. When I tell other pros this, they tend to add more brown to my mix, which just makes me look muddy, murky and, frankly, like Elvira. Over the years in my quest for color perfection, I've picked up these secrets that leave me looking anything but ready for Halloween:

Bring in a celeb photo: Colorists say these help a lot when you're trying to explain your ideal color. A pic gives your pro a visual of that specific celeb in real life, which will help him know exactly the hue you're after. If you're coloring at home, you may need to mix a few kits together to get the exact color you're hoping for. That's right; don't be afraid to be a mix master. Or use a single process kit one day and follow up with a highlighting kit 10 days later.

Plan for an evolution: Getting the celeb color you want may take a few sessions. For instance, my dark brown hair might need a few go 'rounds until it's the exact tone of Mila's caramel highlights. This is especially true if you want to go to an extreme, like super platinum. Remember that phrase your mom is fond of saying, "Patience is a virtue?" Yeah, well this definitely applies to coloring your hair.

Consider your cut: One of the reasons I love Mila's color and think it could work for me is because we have similar hairstyles. You hair color should complement your cut. If your hair is all one length, experts advise going for a deeper, darker color and if it's shorter or layered, weave in lowlights to emphasize the texture.

Need cool, modern ways to wear your gorgeously-colored hair? These braids turn heads -- and they're a cinch to do on your own.