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BRUNETTE
Expect to see warmer
browns “with rich
golden, biscuit hues
that have a softness to
them”, says Danielle
Solier, a L’Oréal
Professionnel colourist
at Victoria’s Xiang Hair.PLATINUM
Platinum blondes aren’t
going anywhere this
season. “You want crisp
and clean colour, so
invest in blue or purple-
based shampoos to
keep brassiness in
check,” advises Solier.QUIRKY
Pink and pastels are
still big, but now you’ll
see pastel versions of
magenta and emerald.
“For the more daring, try
neon accents, like grey
roots with neon-yellow
ends,” suggests Solier.STILL A THING:
ROOT REGROWTH
“It’s a practical look
that’s part of the ’90s
trends we’ve been
seeing,” explains Solier.
Stick to one-inch
regrowth or shadow
tone to keep it current.COLOUR WOW!
- More than three levels
lighter or darker than your
current colour: “I wouldn’t
recommend taking black or
dark brown hair to blonde
at home,” warns Claire
Tapp, national education
manager at L’Oréal Paris. - Colour correcting: you’ve
made a mistake. Now seek
professional help (but if
you just want your natural
colour back, try Colourless
Max Effect Hair Colour
Remover, $26.95). - A tint-back: going back
from light to dark requires
extra pigments that have
been removed during the
lightening process – leave it
to your colourist, says Tapp.
BEFORE YOU
TRY THIS AT
HOMEGet to a salon if you want ...PICK THE RIGHT FORMULA
Permanent colour lasts longer,
while semi-permanents are
ideal for “first-time colourists,
covering a few greys, or for
those who regularly change
their colour”, explains Tapp.FIND YOUR MATCH
“Whether you’re going lighter
or darker, stay within two shades
of your natural colour to ensure
your new hue flatters your skin
tone and eyes,” suggests Tapp.DON’T OVER-WASH YOUR HAIR
Your natural oils help protect the
scalp when using permanent or
semi-permanent colour; dirty
hair, however, can prevent the
dye from penetrating.TAKE ANOTHER TEST
Mix the colourant with the
developer and apply to a strand
of hair (root to tip). Leave for
the total recommended time,
then check the result.TAKE A TEST
To keep sensitive scalps happy,
do a patch test at least 48 hours
prior to colour application to
ensure there’s no itching,
burning or discomfort.FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS
“Enclosed information explains
how to apply colour for first-time
users,” advises Tapp. “For frequent
reapplication, it helps avoid colour
build-up on the ends.”SKIP THE BROWS
Never apply home hair colourant
on your eyebrows – only use
a specially formulated brow
product for the delicate eye area.TOSS THE REST
Mixed formula loses its
potency over time (this is
why the components are
packaged separately).USE THE INCLUDED
CONDITIONER
“This eliminates excess colourant
and re-establishes your hair’s
natural pH balance by closing
the cuticle,” explains Tapp.THE HAIR COMMANDMENTS
PROTECT YOURSELF
Smear some Vaseline around
the hairline and on ears to avoid
staining (otherwise, use a gentle
exfoliant or cleanser to wash
off stains, or try 1000 Hour Hair
Color Stain Remover, $3.99).When doing your own hair colour