Hair Color 2011

July 17, 2011 By Susie B Leave a Comment

As 2010 passed, we waved goodbye to a great year for style with various celebrities, icons and public figures fighting for the title of Hair Color Hero. So, what’s new in 2011?

Here at HairColorCode HQ we went through a staggering 12 different hair colors last year, and we are well under way to beating that this year (it’s all part of the job!) We strive to keep you updated with all the colors that are setting the worlds of celebrity and fashion on fire, so we have been keeping our eyes on the latest trends all the way from the catwalk to the shopping malls. Here is our hair color guide for 2011:

It’s all about the Royals

The whole world had their eyes on London this summer due to the Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton. As ever, style and fashion are at the forefront of reacting to these trends and you can expect to see the regal look take the world by storm this year. When this comes to hair color, it’s all about being under-stated and elegant, and we would suggest looking for a mid-range moderate brown to match Kates stunning look.

Royal Adventure

If you want to stick with the Royal theme, but feel like being a bit more adventurous than a moderate brown, you can always go for the other color which has dominated the fashion world since the engagement was announced; Royal Blue. After William proposed to Kate by offering her his mothers (the late Princess Diana) engagement ring, the world fell back in love with the sapphire stone and its deep blue tones. Since the engagement was announced there has been a boom in sapphire jewelry and Union Jack fashion, which means that royal blues are dominating the style world. If you want to add some blue tones to your hair color you can be a subtle as you like, with the look being particularly striking when used blended into dark brunette and black hair.

Look To The Stars

In 2010 Rihanna was undoubtedly the biggest starlet in the world, and not only was she lighting up the music charts, she also led the way in style and fashion. Here at HairColorCode HQ we love her quirky and unique look, and her bravery in experimenting with new hair styles and colors. Rihannas meteoric rise to fame looks to continue in 2011, and we recommend keeping your eye on the Princess of Pop to discover the latest trends before they hit the streets. Rihanna was last spotted at the Vogue 2011 shoot, sporting a bold deep pink that shows she is still experimenting, and still getting it right!

The Radical Change

2011 isn’t going to be a year for tinkering with the colors in your natural range, it’s all about drastic change. We are going to see an influx of celebrities and style icons going from blonde to brunette, from brunette to blonde, and everyone flocking to go red! We have already seen drastic hair changes from Natasha Poly, Eniko Mihalik and Lily Cole, and this doesn’t look like a year where anyone will be doing things by half. So if you have ever considered a radical change in your hair color, 2011 is the year to go for it!

Hot Hot Summer

The experts are telling us that the world is going to see a heat wave this year, which means we were all be flocking to the beach as soon as the summer hits. With guys and gals across the globe basking in the beautiful weather, the natural sun kissed look is going to be huge. They key to achieving this look is by going for a light, natural blonde with plenty of different tones, or if you have darker hair, try to add the lightest tones within your natural range.

So, there are our tips for the hair colors that are going to be a sensation this year, and fear not, we will have our ear to the ground to keep you up to date with the latest hair color trends as and when they happen. If you spot a hair color trend developing, or see a celebrity rocking a color that you just know is going to catch on, then get in touch and let us know!

Talking Hair Color With Your Salon Colorist

July 17, 2011 By Anthony Anders 2 Comments

Sometimes sitting in the Colorists’ chair can conjure an anxiety paralleled by a trip to the dentist, but it doesn’t have to. In the same way you wouldn’t go to your Doctor and instruct them on what they should use, and how they should use it, you will first benefit by trying to develop a respectful relationship.

This doesn’t mean that you have to let the Colorist ‘do what they want’, it means you should create an interactive dialogue of speaking and listening to negotiate the best services and shades for you. Here are a few tips to arm yourself with good questions and knowledge to make your visit a pleasurable one.

Speak in terms you know

What I mean by this is, do not get overly caught up in trying to speak like a hairdresser. Those who would come and sit in my chair acting as if they went to beauty school (and heaven forbid if they did) were more cumbersome than those who were honest about what little they knew. You can communicate better by saying I want an ‘Irish Setter red’ or ‘Butterscotch Blonde’ than saying, ‘I want a level twelve double process blonde with a toner having a primary pigment of lavender to offset the gold pull potential’. It is better to speak of the desired results than the process to get you there.

Don’t be fearful of bringing in visual aids

Pictures are a fabulous tool to communicate what you want. They are not a menu though! You cannot hand the stylist a photo and say, ‘Yes, I will have the Julia Roberts please!’ It is not that easy. Photos will let the Colorist know how light or dark you desire, shades of color that catch your eye, or even things you really do not wish to see. Just remember, they are only a communication tool, and do not hold the Colorist to matching your real life hair to a crumpled photo you have had in your purse for six years!

Discuss your budget upfront

Hair color is an investment and requires attention to the maintenance or you will not get the full benefits. Some techniques require you to have a permanent parking space at the salon, and others will give you up to a couple months in between visits. It is not just the price you pay on day one, but in each succeeding visit. Sometimes you can stagger the services needed for upkeep, and some require support services such as sealers, refreshers, and conditioners to maximize color care. Ask this up front as you do not want to be two retouches in and have to take on a night job to pay for your new hair.

Find out if you will have to become a ‘frequent foiler’

Aside from the budget, the frequency of visits to the salon for maintenance is essential to keeping your color looking great. If you only show up at the salon every leap-year, you may want to avoid those services that require monthly maintenance. Most colors do require attention every four to six weeks, so you can count on that in most cases. It is better to ask before you go under the dryer as to how often you must return for a tune-up.

Product support

Some hair products can thoroughly undo a beautiful color service in an instant. (I will let you in on a secret – in the salon we used to use a certain volumizing shampoo as a hair color removal tool!) Hair products can protect or destroy color in a short manner of time if not properly selected. As color can also compromise the strength and integrity of hair fabric in some cases, it is wise to chat with your Colorist about this. Aside from factoring the cost into your budget, it is a way to protect your beauty investment.

Before succumbing to the allure of the fancy words and adjectives such as ‘delicious vanilla blonde’, the wise consumer takes a practical look into the not-so-glamorous side of color. It is through respectful negotiation with your Colorist that you will gain not only a beautiful outcome, but a true and trusted confidant for years to come.

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