Rescu

Ever wanted to know if you could pull off Marilyn blonde or Megan Fox jet black? Want to save a few hundred dollars each year on trips to the salon? RESCU talks to hair colour expert and ambassador for Clairol Nice’n Easy Belinda Jeffrey to get all the insider tips on home hair dying, what shades to choose according to your skin tone, disasters to avoid, and when you simply have to leave it to the experts.

RESCU: The awards season has started. What are the hair colour trends you are predicting for the Oscars from what we’ve seen at the Golden Globes?
Belinda Jeffrey: “The overall look for the award ceremonies, i.e the Golden Globes, Oscars etc, sees a return of high end hairdos, up-dos, sets and movement. It’s all very Madmen, 1940s, etc.

Colour-wise, it’s all very solid overall colours, very fine highlights in golden hues, soft chestnuts and browns with warmth, such as chestnuts chocolates and titians. Blondes are solid and very creamy, almost arctic or sunkissed.”

RESCU: Natural and caramel shades have made a comeback on the red carpet. How can we update our colour at home without going for block colour that can be ageing and artificial?
Belinda Jeffrey: “I would suggest you go to a professional to achieve this colour and then you could maintain a caramel tone by touching up the hairline and part with the Clairol Nice’n Easy Root Touch-up to keep this look perfect in between salon visits. You could visit your colourist every 8 weeks to maintain this look.”

RESCU: Can you give us some home hair dying tips for natural blondes, brunettes or redheads?
Belinda Jeffrey: “Once you have perfected your ideal colour, whether it be blonde redhead or brunette, the only thing I suggest to maintain your colour would be to use suitable shampoo, conditioners and treatments to look after the condition of your hair and the colour. To maintain, I recommend using Clairol Nice’n Easy Root Touch-Up to keep the front fresh and clear of regrowth, or in some cases those pesky greys!”

RESCU: What shade flatters each skin tone most?
Belinda Jeffrey: “There are so many skin tones which do play a part in determining what hair colours can work or be most attractive however eyebrows and eye colour also can make a big difference.

I believe cool skin tones generally suit more ash hair colour tones, e.g ash toned skin suits light ash blonde hair. Whereas copper red hair suits pink and warm, almost freckly skin; european skin e.g golden warm skin suits golden honey, chestnut chocolate - Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Alba - honey golden blonde sunkissed looks all work with this type of skin and the eyes often brown or green in colour.”

RESCU: What shades can you go from your own natural colour?
Belinda Jeffrey: “I always suggest not to stray too far from your natural colour – e.g either 2 shades lighter or darker to start with unless you’re prepared to lighten or darken your eyebrows and change your make-up dramatically.”

RESCU: Who do you think does highlights best?
Belinda Jeffrey: I think so many people look great with highlighted variations in colour, especially in blondes. E.g. Kate Hudson - always so golden and summery, Charlize Theron - warm and sunkissed; and of course two of my favourite clients are Sarah Murdoch, whose colour is always so creamy, and Cate Blanchett, whose fine blonde highlights are natural and buttery.

RESCU: Is it possible to do quality highlighting at home?
Belinda Jeffrey: “I would never suggest to do highlights at home. YOU WILL NEVER GET A EVEN RESULT.”

RESCU: Can you give us some easy-to-follow tips?
Belinda Jeffrey: “The best tips I can give is if you a looking for a complete change in your hair colour, go to a professional hair colourist, take references (pictures etc) and have a consultation, even go and try on a wig of your desired colour.

I only suggest colouring your hair at home if you are staying close to your natural colour, maintaining the regrowth or covering greys.”

RESCU: Black is hard, but has made a comeback with celebrities such as Megan Fox. How do we do black at home without looking like a crow?
Belinda Jeffrey: “I am loving this black shiny solid, almost gothic look. If you are going to try this at home, be very careful when you apply this colour and use vaseline around your hairline so you don’t end up looking like you’re wearing a wig.

Black stains very easily, so use old towels as the black pigment can stain everything. Depending on your skin tone, black is a very strong look – keep in mind it’d best suit having dark eyebrows and generally wearing strong make-up.

If you haven’t been this dark before, I’d highly suggest you use a semi permanent first in case you don’t like the result – this way it’ll wash out gradually. Maybe even apply a dark cool brown first before you go the whole way – black is a big commitment!”

RESCU Recommends:
We’ve also road tested the magical powers of Nice’n Easy Root Touch-Up in between colours and can happily recommend this great product. Make sure you take the time to match up the colour, but once this is done, it’s pretty much fool proof and buys you an extra 4-6 weeks depending on how quickly your own hair grows.
RRP: $12.59. For stockist details, call 1800 028 280

And click here for more tips by Belinda Jeffrey on Clairol’s official website.

Also, check out our Hair Trends for 2010 article for style inspiration.