A change is as good as a summer holiday, right? So embrace the season with a slew of new, vibrant and varied hot hair hues!
Just as make up trends are heading to a more minimalistic look, this season it’s all about pared back, minimal and fuss-free hair, explains George Giavis, of The Blonde Room in Sydney. “Hair colourists are taking a leaf out of make-up artist’s book and using contouring to help frame the face, hide flaws and highlight assets,” he explains. This is being done through a variety of ways including balayage and more varied colour palettes, rather than a block standard all-over shade.
“It’s also worth noting that the lines between a ‘summer’ colour and a ‘winter’ colour have blurred,” George continues. “Australian women adopt the colour inspirations currently happening in the Northern Hemisphere, and colour trends also move at a much faster pace thanks to social media.”
TIGI Global Technical Creative Director, Christel Lundqvist, agrees that hair can prove the ultimate overall beauty boost. “Tweaking your colour tones by adding some cooler or warmer shades can further enhance your overall image for a perfect summer look,” she enthuses. Your hair colour should compliment your eye colour, complexion and skin tone – which in summer can all change. Therefore, Christel says now is the prime time to rethink your entire hair history – and future – with your colourist during a one-on-one consultation.
The Top Five:
The Blush Blonde (AKA Rose Gold)
The blushing blonde or rose gold, (blonde with pink strawberry hues) will be the colour of the season, says George. “You will need pale porcelain type skin tones to carry this look off,” he adds, noting that those who suffer from rosacea or redness may not find this shade flattering to the complexion. “When you think ‘rose gold’ think Katy Perry’s take on the colour trend. This will work best on people with naturally fair hair.”
The Impressionist Blonde
As colourists embrace the new pastel coloured highlights available, we will begin to see more experimental highlights hitting the headlines, catwalks, red carpet and social media. This is achieved using pastel highlights like peach, strawberry and rose mixed in to blonde. “This will be a much more subtle take on the pinks we have been seeing and will beautifully add shine and depth in the summer sun,” explains George.
The Natural Bronde
“A mix of blonde and brunette, this is a very natural take on ‘blonde’ using honey coloured highlights on natural brunettes,” explains George. “Think Kim Sears/Murray, Jennifer Lopez and Jessica Alba.”
The Bohemian Brunette
Moving out of the ‘bronde’ phase, brunettes will adopt more rich earthy tones with café coloured lowlights of coffee, cinnamon, chocolate and caramel, says George, citing Alexa Chung as the perfect example.
The Vintage Red
Red heads are ‘hot’ this season with rich, red wine, claret and marsala shades proving inspirational. These hues deliver a stunning depth and richness to colour, George says. “Sienna Miller has just gone red. Expect more to follow!”
New Age Balayage:
If you are wedded to balayage and sun kissed streaks, then at least go with an updated version, suggests Christel. “Olivia Palermo has gone a slightly paler colour recently, but the colour is naturally beautiful showing health and shine, perfectly illustrating the trend towards “nude” hair,” she says.
Conscious Colouring:
If you choose any new hues this season, do so in the knowledge that you are making a hefty commitment to caring for your hair. Here are Christel’s tips:
– Use products offering UV protection when you’re swimming. “Treat your hair as you do your skin,” advises Christel. The initial cost will save you a fortune in fixing green hair come autumn!
– Wear a scarf or hat to protect your hair from the sun. It’s not only functional, it’s also incredibly fashionable.
– Always rinse your hair post swimming, especially in a pool. And if you are doing prolonged lap swimming, wet your hair first and add a leave-in conditioner to it before putting on your swim cap on and diving in. This will prevent the chlorine ‘grabbing’ to the dry, porous hair shaft. If hair is wet and heavily conditioned, it will help minimise the absorption of chlorine.
Images via WELLA Professional from NYFW
Visit ecb Ink to learn more about Emma-Charlotte Bangay