Summer Colour Trends

With summer on its way a Belle About Town needs to consider updating her hair colour and for the latest trends we turned to Ollie Blackaby, Senior Art Team Member at Headmasters. Here Ollie reveals the new tones we should try out, how much good highlighting can enhance our looks and how to look after our coloured locks.

What are the key colour trends as seen on the catwalks and on top Hollywood stars?

Red is the colour of the season and with so many shades to choose from, it’s easy to find the perfect tone. Hollywood is a buzz with the super fiery look, first championed by Karen Elson, even starlets faithful to their blonde locks like Scarlett Johansson and Blake Lively are embracing the blush look.

Which celebrity’s hair is most asked to be copied at the moment?

The most asked for style is Ombre colour, fans include Jessica Biel, Alexa Chung and Drew Barrymore. It’s all about undone colour with natural roots and carefully placed lighter sections throughout the lengths and ends. This colour is perfect for the summer especially with the festival season about to begin.

What should we be asking from our colourists this spring?

This season go for a colour that is going to lift skin tone and work throughout the summer. Whether red, brunette or blonde, some cleverly placed high lights can make a subtle but pretty impact. For a more obvious colour try balayage, it’s a free hand technique which places colour through the hair giving an edgy but wearable look.

How can colouring your hair make a difference to the way you look?

Colouring hair can make a huge difference and making sure that the colour complements your complexion is essential. A experienced colourist will advise you on cool or warm skin tones and discuss the colours that will embrace those tones. Throughout the year the complexion will change so spring is a great time to revise hair colour. Often overlooked, the eyes are very important as they are not just one colour, but a spectrum of tones. Carefully chosen shades delicately placed around the hairline will help draw attention to the eyes and make them sparkle.

Which celebrities best epitomise this?

Scarlett Johansson, is a great example of this, her skin tone is warm and eyes are blue/green, yet she has been able to colour her hair from pale blonde to copper and chestnut. This is because her stylist has always made sure that the shades chosen complement her complexion. Natalie Portman is less daring with colour normally choosing her naturally dark hues, however by adding some caramel highlights around her hairline she is able to enhance her summer glow and make her hazel eyes glisten.

What are the biggest colouring mistakes people make?

Home hair dye can be a challenge; colouring hair is a science and not knowing how the natural undertone will affect the colour can leave an unexpected look! Going from light to dark, or vice versa, often leaves a green or orange tinge to the hair! To save time and money it is much better to go to a salon where the stylist can advise on the best possible colour or stay safe by only going one or two shades lighter or darker than your natural colour at home.

How can you best look after coloured hair?

To maintain gorgeous colour it is important to invest in the right products. Hair is like skin, it needs moisture to stop it drying out and UVA filters to help protect from sun damage. Look for brands that include anti-oxidants as they close the cuticles and trap the colour molecule in the hair shaft.

[picture credits:Headmasters; WENN]
  • Miss B

    Belinda Wanis, aka Miss B, is a Belle About Town who likes to bring a little bit of style into every aspect of her life. An experienced journalist with over 20 years in the industry she turned to the web, creating Belle About Town in early 2010, to fill a gap for tech-savvy stylish women who want the best life has to offer at their fingertips. She loves a decadent cocktail bar, a beautifully cut dress, cultural getaways, quality over quantity and is partial to Asian-fusion food. A globetrotter, who has lived in Australia, the UK and Denmark, she enjoys holidaying in the sun and you can often find her on a beach in Thailand or on shopping breaks in Sydney or New York. But her first love is, of course, London!