To Dye For

Before you tinker with your 'do, read this!

Lindsay, Rachel McAdams, Kelly O. and Instant Star’s Alexz Johnson...just a few famous colour chameleons who love to mix it up via a quick trip to the salon. I understand their vehicle for change completely—I, too, am a colour junkie. I like my hair rockin’ red and over the years it has become part of my style signature.Truth be told, I haven’t been back to my God-given roots for...well... a wee while (I started early, at age 10!). My addiction began innocently enough when my Mom added a few blond highlights to my fringe. I loved them, and instantly wanted more...bigger, bolder colour that made a serious statement. I put my head in the hands of my trusted stylist, who turned me every shade from platinum to pink, eggplant to tangerine. By 15, I settled on my signature flame-coloured shade and I’ve sported every possible incarnation of it since.
According to hair expert Damien Carney, artistic director for Joico Laboratories, hair colour is one of the best ways to express your personal style. “Hair colour and character are intimately related,” Carney notes. “Your colour should not just complement your physical appearance, but reflect who you are inside.” Carney adds if you’re thinking about switching things up, you don’t have to go all the way. You can add a little (with highlights or lowlights) or a lot (tone-on-tone) or you can even hide it (colouring the underlayer of your hair one shade and the top layer another looks super-cool!). The choice is yours. How do you know what shade is right for you? If you suspect you’re a redhead trapped in a brunette’s body, read on to discover your true real-you hair hue.

RED
Who Are You? A seriously sassy girl who doesn’t shy away from the spotlight! Redheads are passionate, strong individuals. You’re a born leader and you’re easy to talk to—everyone wants you at his or her party!
Looks Best On: Pale, peachy complexions with light brown, blue or green eyes. If you have any freckles, red tones are a given for you.
Fast Fact: Red is the hardest colour to sustain and requires serious maintenance to keep your locks looking fierce and fiery.
Famous Redheads: Garbage lead singer Shirley Manson, supermodels Karen Elson and Lily Cole.

BLOND
Who Are You?: A risk taker who’s bubbly, beautiful and loves being looked at. If you’ve ever thought of going blond, chances are you were meant to be one. Contrary to popular belief, you’re whip smart and able to laugh off all those dumb blond jokes.
Looks Best On: Fair to medium skin tones, with eyes ranging in colour from hazel to baby blue.
Fast Fact: More than 70 percent of the world’s female population is brunette, but blond is the most requested hair colour.
Famous Blonds: Nicole Richie, Gwen Stefani, Hilary Duff.

BRUNETTE
Who Are You?: A girl who’s never boring, ever enigmatic and exotic. A true brunette is happy and confident with who she is and never a conformist. You have a mysterious allure that keeps everyone guessing.
Looks Best On: Medium and darker complexions, with deep blue or smouldering espresso eyes.
Fast Fact: The darker your hair, the thicker your locks will appear to be. Richer tones add the illusion of bulk.
Famous Brunettes: Keira Knightley, Rachel Bilson, Alexis Bledel.

SALON COLOYR vs. DIY
Wondering which is the best choice for you? Your budget and the results you want are the two biggest determining factors. If you choose the salon route, know you are safely putting your head in the hands of a professional, who understands the chemistry of colour and how certain chemicals will react with your hair type. “I recommend finding a colourist who understands you and your style—that way you’ll get the results you want,” Carney advises. He also explains though salon services can sometimes be pricey, they are not necessarily going to break your bank. “The most expensive service is definitely highlights because it is the most involved,” he explains. “You are looking at paying $100 or more for them, but the results can last up to 12 weeks before you need to have them retouched.” Less complicated services cost dramatically less and if you are looking for a real bargain, find a salon in your area that offers student apprentice services (closely supervised by a qualified stylist)—you’ll get professional results for a fraction of the price! Home colour kits are very affordable, plus they deliver brilliant results and are very easy to use. Home colour is ideal for tone-on-tone colour and even highlights. If you want guaranteed results, follow these five essential tips from the beauty experts at Procter & Gamble.

1 Be realistic. Choose a shade within two shades of your natural colour. For instance, if you are medium blond, you could switch to light brown or light blond.

2 Test for allergies. Never underestimate the importance of this step! The last thing you want is a skin reaction.

3 Phone a friend. If you are worried you might miss a patch at the back of your head, have a friend apply the product to ensure even distribution.

4 Follow instructions. Do exactly what the package says to avoid any disasters.

5 Don’t panic. Should something go wrong, stay calm and call the manufacturer’s hotline to speak with a pro who will help get you back on track. Chances are your colour can be easily corrected, and the pro will tell you how to do it.

COLOUR DECODER
There are many different colour processes out there and it’s hard to know what they all mean! Here, we translate the locksmith lingo.

Tone-on-tone: One uniform shade of permanent colour that is applied from your roots to ends.
Highlighting: Lightening sections of hair throughout the entire head. Colour is brushed on each individual section, then wrapped in foil. A toner may be applied over lightened hair to diminish brassiness.
Demi-permanent: A temporary colour applied to hair that washes out after four to six shampoos. Demi-permanent colour can only deepen your colour—it cannot lighten hair.
Semi-permanent: A temporary colour applied to hair that lasts up to two months. Ideal for trying on a new shade.
Gloss: A clear coating applied to hair from root to end, giving your locks incredible shine. This process involves no chemicals.

Alison McGill

Photo courtesy CTV.com

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