Ask the Experts: What Hair Colour is Right for Me? May 17, 2018 12:37
Its definitely feeling a lot like winter...and its the perfect time to brighten your world with colour
So to get the low-down on colour trends, we asked Salon Owner, Educator and all round expert in things colourful, Jennifer Morgan to give us an insiders guide to help you decide what colour or technique is best for your skin tone, hair type or lifestyle!
1. CAN I GO RED?
Do you have warm or neutral skin tones? It’s time to consider going red! deep copper, strawberry or chestnut red are high impact hues that instantly grabs attention. Want to go red but have cool or darker skin? Select cooler red tones like a red velvet or cherry tone. If you are fair or have a warm skin tone, you will want to select a warm red like warm rose, auburn or copper.
Haircare Tip: When going red, don't forget that red is the fastest to fade. You’ll want to avoid over shampooing, and protect your colour with sulfate free shampoo when it is wash day. Make sure you take home a bespoke Fab Pro conditioner, custom blended for your particular shade Plus, be sure to see your colourist regularly for a refresh to keep your hair its best red.
2. DOES TECHNIQUE MATTER WHEN CHOOSING MY HAIR COLOUR?
The best approach to achieving a colour that looks best is to be aware of the technique that will lead to a natural looking result.
Your stylist should work to highlight your facial features, natural hair fall and eye coloor when it comes to deciding what technique to use and where to lighten hair.
Some clients need a global colour (to cover grey, enhance their natural hair or to lighten) but the remainder of their hair needs to flatter their haircut and overall style
Placement is key to enhancing natural beauty and colour should be looked at as a 3-dimensional art form the enhances all your features
3. WHAT WILL COMPLEMENT MY OLIVE SKIN?
When you have olive skin tones, the key is to keep your roots dark and add brightness throughout to highlight your skin’s natural tone and your darker eye colour. Try a Balayage with a root melt to give you a rich warm and luxurious result.
The idea is to reduce any orange tones and keep the blonde cool for just the right amount of lightness. To keep your base a natural complementary tone: a root melt was key!
All of these techniques allow for a look that is easy to maintain and work with her skin tone as it darkens with sun exposure in the summer months, which we know for olive-toned skin types occurs quickly and easily!
4. WILL ‘BABYLIGHTS’ WORK FOR MY OLIVE SKIN?
Richness with a touch of shine is the perfect equation for this skin tone! If you have olive-toned skin, but are still looking for some brightness, the answer is indeed Babylights!
To look polished, the root area can be enhanced with a rich chocolate matte finish or a cool deep beige. This provides a perfect base for soft pearly Babylights. To add to the overall effect balayaged pieces with honey tones gradually fade colour into the ends. A mix of cool and warm tones can complement the warmth in bronzed skin creating a beautiful contrast between olive-toned skin and hazel eyes.
5. CAN I WEAR PASTEL COLOURS?
There was a time (not that long ago) when pastels and 'colours' were the domain of the very young, the very edgy or those in professions where 'anything goes'...but these days pinks, purples, blues and greens can be found in all walks of life
If you need to be able to hide the 'fun' in your hair opt for a panel that can be hidden under or inside your style, if low-maintenance is important then go for a pastel toner over your highlights...but if you have the change go for gold with a City Beats colour to bring your hair to life
6. WHICH BLONDE DO I CHOOSE?
Cool blonde shades are great on porcelain-skinned gals with reddish undertones, since those icy hues tend to neutralise redness. If you have blue or grey eyes: cool, ashy blonde works perfectly! Suggested blonde tones include: Platinum ice, silver, ash, sand, beige or champagne.
Warm golden blonde shades are perfect on golden goddesses with yellow undertones, as the sun-kissed hues look totally naturally and bring the hair to life. If you have brown or green eyes: warm, honey blonde works perfectly! Suggested blonde tones include: Caramel, honey, gold, sand, warm beige or toffee.
7. HOW BLONDE CAN I GO?
Arctic blonde is best suited for pale, ivory skin with pink undertones. Bright blondes are attention-grabbing and portray confidence, must be why “they have more fun!”
Pro Tip: To achieve this icy blonde tone, we need to lift the hair to perfectly light with no warmth. To keep and protect the integrity of the hair, FibrePlex is ideal to preserve the hairs integrity
8. CAN MY HAIR COLOUR HELP MY THIN HAIR LOOK THICKER?
Yes! If you struggle with thin hair, deeper tones are the answer for the illusion of fullness and volume! Plus, dark colour brings back and adds shine to the hair for those who are naturally lacking it, and instantly makes the hair looks healthier. But that does not mean you want a ’straight out of the box’ all over one colour effect. Even with deeper shades, texture and dimension are important to ensure the hair appears fuller
Dark shades, such as this soft black, complement a person with darker features by brightening their eye colour and all over complexion. Going darker is universal and great for those who like to keep their look low maintenance, while still looking chic and sophisticated!
9. WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH BALAYAGE?
For those who are natural blondes, spend their days in the sun and tan easily, this look is perfection!
To achieve this look, Balayage (or 'faux-balayage) is essential! Why? Because it simulates the “sun-kissed” look. Balayage is all about creating a highlight that looks seamlessly natural!
