Fashion shades offer guests who want to make a statement with their hair color an intriguing and creative option, yet these high maintenance colors must be prepared carefully in order to avoid damaging effects.
Most vibrant or pastel hair colors require bleaching first. This process may require multiple appointments before guests can achieve the shade they are after.
Redheads
Redheads can have just as much fun experimenting with trendy hair colors as blondes and brunettes can, from light scarlet to fiery crimson there are an array of red hues designed to flatter every skin tone – pastels tend to wash out redheads while any hues containing yellow can wash out even the boldest redhead.
Purple hues look lovely on redheads if selected with more blue-toned tones, rather than muted ones. Gold, moss green (as worn by Marcia Cross and Blake Lively), and butter yellow shades also suit their complexions well.
For an irresistibly vibrant red hue, ask your stylist to pre-lighten your hair before coloring it a vibrant shade of red. This will ensure the color takes well and lasts. When maintaining this hue for eight weeks or so, tone refreshments must also take place so the shade remains fresh and vibrant.
Blondes
When it comes to blondes, there is an array of hues from which you can select. When selecting highlights or an all-over blonde shade it’s essential that you are specific with your colorist as to the shade you wish for – Dove celebrity hairstylist Cynthia Alvarez suggests for cool skin tones using shades without yellow undertones which would otherwise cause them to appear sallow; Kylie Jenner’s icy blonde and Taylor Swift’s dark wheat blonde are two ideal examples of neutral hues that suit cool complexions – examples such as Kylie Jenner’s icy blonde and Taylor Swift’s dark wheat blonde.
Warm blondes can look gorgeous with strawberry or honey-toned highlights. But it’s important to tread lightly when selecting warm tones as they may clash with skin tones, cautions Kuhn who has worked with Brigitte Bardot, Lana Turner, Jayne Mansfield and Mae West among many other iconic blondes. She recommends going for a balayage or ombre effect that creates an organic gradient for a more subdued, low maintenance blonde look with major style.
Brunettes
While blondes may garner all the glory, brunettes can also be extremely glamorous. Depending on its shade and tone, dark hair can read as sophisticated, edgy or mysterious – not to mention its ability to pair well with almost any color dress or shirt (even bold hues like red or pink!).
Brunettes tend to look their best when their color selection complements either their warm or cool skin tones, so if you’re considering making a major change as a brunette, start by considering whether your complexion has peach- or yellow-tones (warm), pink tinted blue undertones (cool), or an indeterminate mix (cold), and go from there.
Ombre or sombre is an increasingly popular trend for brunettes who prefer subtle yet gradual transitions from dark to light in their hair color, achieved with skillful balayage. The natural look works equally well on long or short strands – try a rich mahogany brown that recalls coffee or deep, earthy cocoa shades for your look!
Combinations
Even though one color can look fantastic, layering multiple hues together creates a richer style and enhances your haircut. Balayage and ombre are popular ways of adding fashion colors seamlessly; just be sure to ask about aftercare as bleaching and coloring can cause dryness in your strands.
Brunettes have the flexibility to experiment with a range of hues when it comes to selecting hues for their locks, including neons like power florals or emerald green. Neutrals also work to accentuate your beautiful brown locks, creating an eye-catching yet sophisticated and fashionable style that complements anything in your wardrobe – try this on shorter cuts such as bobs or mixies for an effortlessly chic and dainty finish. Pink hues, such as peachy pinks, violet blues or light corals pair perfectly with dark auburn or strawberry blonde locks.
