Seen at Balmain and Chloe (pictured), beach and peroxides blondes from bygone seasons were out and ushered in their place was a new more understated, luxe blonde hue. ‘Celebrating the idea that blonde is not just one colour the autumn/winter Blonde is staying fair but embracing tones such as caramel, cappuccino and coral’ says Josh Wood, Wella Professionals Global Creative Director of Colour.‘The key to being a premium blonde, is to keep the colour looking sunkissed but in all the right places, leaving gradual roots as if you’ve had your hair tied back so you keep the warmth. Think Celine, not Versace’ he adds.
Elle Macpherson, who visits Josh Wood for regular colour appointments and Gossip Girl Blake Lively are the ones to watch if you want to work the Premium Blonde look.
Regular highlighting or bleaching will inevitably lead to damaged hair. Book in for an SP Alchemy Treatment from £20 (www.systemprofessional.co.uk) which, thanks to careful on the day mixing, treats two concerns simultaneously so expect prolonged colour courtesy of the Color Save Mask and healthier more manageable hair down to the Repair Infusion.
Loose waves - think glossy, not beachy - suit this style best. Get yourself a curling iron like the Babyliss Glamour Waves Tong, £20.45 (boots.com) and tong the hair from the temples down leaving an inch out at the ends. Leave to cool and then lightly comb through some label.m Sleek Blow Out Cream, £XX, with your fingers to loosen and separate.
Brunette this winter is sophisticated and luxe, just like the Premium Blondes. The base colour should be a rich brown, but rather than being one block colour, super subtle highlights will add glints of golden shimmer in the hair as you move. Karlie Kloss at Anna Sui (pictured) showed off this colour perfectly. ‘I love the look of golden brown hair colour,’ says Harry Josh, International Creative Consultant for John Frieda Brands. ‘If you take a light golden brown and add sun-kissed highlights around the face and at the hairline it gives the brown dimension and looks really beautiful.'
Anne Hathaway and Olivia Palermo, with their rich brunette hair, are perfect examples of how to weave-in highlights without being left with a beachy effect. The key? The highlights are not too light, more honey/caramel and are positioned around the face to lift the complexion.
Pantene Pro-V Colour Protect Colour Seal Concentrate, £3.99 (available nationwide) uses patented technology to create a thin seal around the hair fibre which protects it from the usual elements that contribute to colour fade (such as UV), and so helping to maintain a rich colour for up to eight weeks.
To get movement into the hair that will show off the subtle highlights, a blow-dry with plenty of movement and blown-out waves is ideal. Think 1970s glamour and you’ll get it right. Unless you’re a dab hand with a barrel brush you’ll probably need to see a professional to get this look perfected.
After a couple of seasons in the limelight it appears red isn’t going anywhere. However, rather than a post-box red, this season’s brightest shade is paired down. Look to Julia Johansen, seen at Emporio Armani (pictured) - her copper hair is still vibrant, but thanks to multi-tonal high and lowlights (that are super subtle) it looks almost natural.‘Go for an all-over vibrant, not comical, colour that is glossy and rich’ says Adam Reed Creative Director at Percy & Reed. ‘Everyone can go red; there are two types of red: cool and warm, you just need to find your perfect shade. It’s very important to visit a colourist for a consultation and your colour change, rather than attempting it yourself’ adds Adam.
Karen Elson, Florence Welch and Christina Hendricks have all found the perfect reds that suit their complexions.
Red hair is always at its most vibrant immediately after colouring. Keep that strong hue and vibrancy longer with the Shu Uemura Art of Hair Karaa Ceremony, from £25 (www.shuuemuraartofhair.com). Following a thorough cleansing with Hair Full Shimmer Illuminating shampoo a custom mixed treatment is applied that will boost your colour.
Use Fekkai Advance Salon Technician Color Care Rapid Results Moisture Mask, £33 (www.spacenk.co.uk) once a week. It contains humectants (which hold on to moisture and stop the hair drying out) and Galanga root (grown in the ground and similar to ginger) which acts as a UV shield, protecting your red tones from colour fade.
Red is a versatile colour to work with; spritz some Bumble and bumble Surf Spray, £19, to add a rockier vibe akin to Florence Welch. Alternatively, try a more classic look with Forties waves like Karen Elson in the a/w 11 Lanvin adverts or a sixties bouffant up-do to channel Christina Hendrick’s classic ‘Mad Men’ glamour.
Watch ELLE’s Bardot-inspired hair how-to video here…
There is nothing natural about black hair; it is a striking look that requires commitment. ‘It can work on multiple skin tone; the real question of suitability is how you wear it. You need to assess your wardrobe, make-up, everything as this is an entire image transformation’ says Jane Stacey, Toni & Guy International Technical Director. ‘Have it done professionally to ensure that the right black tone is used on you, there is nothing worse than a bad home job.’
Leigh Lezark’s black hair and graphic cut are cool and effortless, while at the other end of the spectrum Dita Von Teese works the Burlesque look with her raven locks.
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