IT has been hailed as the year for colour and from passion purple to romantic red, 2009 is set to embrace it all.
With this in mind, Julian Dalrymple, creative director at The Sitting Room Hairdressing discloses her top tips to getting that "perfectly coloured" hair, while taking good care of your natural locks.
Q: One of my new year's resolutions is to be br
aver and more edgy with my style. I know what looks good but am usually too afraid to wear it myself. I really wanted to try going for the peroxide or ice-white blonde but have been told it will damage my hair. Is this true, and if so are there products that I can use to prevent any damage? Grace Henderson (29)
Hair colouring without the correct protection can damage your hair. Permanent hair colouring processes use hydrogen peroxide to develop the colour. This has the affect of raising the cuticle layer to enable the colour to penetrate the hair shaft which can leave your hair weak. However, AVEDA Color Conserve Conditioner can help - a plant-based conditioner, it seals hair cuticles, which not only protects the newly dyed hair but also locks in the colour. Color Conserve Strengthening Treatment has also been formulated by AVEDA and uses morikue protein complex to penetrate, strengthen and repair coloured hair of all types.
It will help prevent your hair colour from fading while deeply conditioning and moisturizing the hair cuticle.
Also, within the same range from AVEDA are Color Conserve Shampoo and Color Conserve Sun Protector. Together the Color Conserve range is an important complete ritual for coloured hair.
Q: For a while now I have been getting copper through my hair but really want to go for a nice all-over red. Can you suggest a popular colour and how best to achieve different shades and tones throughout? Someone suggested I get it 'meshed' but I have no idea what this is…? Rita McCormack (45)
Rita, red hair is becoming a popular choice and 2009 may see the more vibrant orange tones enjoy a revival. Pale skin with red hair is fast becoming the iconic look of the noughties and now would be an excellent time for you to take the plunge and go for an all-over colour.
The colour of the moment can be spotted on such celebs as Girls Aloud's Nicola Roberts and Desperate Housewives' Marcia Cross but I wouldn't like to suggest a colour for you without meeting you as it is important to match colour to skin tone.
Hair meshing is a technique of highlighting and lowlighting hair and at the Sitting Room we use a unique form of meshing to ensure natural looking colour making the most of one's own light and dark shades.
If you are experiencing hair or beauty problems or simply want to look even more gorgeous, email your question to thesittingroomhairdressing@hotmail.co.uk, post it to On the Sofa, The Sitting Room, 18 Broadway Avenue, Ballymena, BT43 7AA or visit the salon and pop it into the comments box.
