Changes Big and Small
Cameron Diaz is back to blond. Praise the Lord! She was a good-looking brunette, but now she is the blond goddess she was always meant to be. Jessica Simpson’s brown hue seems to be slowly lightening to a softer shade. She wore her John Mayer "look-alike brown" well, but her new highlights are making her brown hair go from pretty to gorgeous.
Did either one of these stars make a beauty faux pas? Hardly!
We are seeing stars change their colors more than ever before. I think Linda Evangelista took the top off the tint bottle forever when she changed her color four times in four days. Women were in awe of Linda, the supermodel who made a fortune from her looks and would change her hair color on a whim. Hair color had officially become the number one fashion accessory and, as we all know, fashion constantly changes. Gone are the days of having one hair color formula for the rest of your life. Your hair color formula isn't forever, it's for right now. Your formula can change from touch up to touch up. Your color should always be changing, from season to season, or hairstyle to hairstyle.
Hair color is the quick fix that works. You can go brown, red, or even blond in less than an hour. Just because you can however, doesn't mean you should. Frequent dramatic color changes will affect the condition of your hair.
WARNING - No hair color looks good on fried hair. So what's the answer?
TIP - Change the color of your hair slowly. A few small changes later and you will have a new hair color.
Let's talk about changing color like the stars and not having to look like you are a star in a bad "B" movie.
Cameron and Jessica both went from blond to brown. Before you make a change like this, be sure it's something you really want to do. The finer the texture of your hair, the more delicate it is and the more color will effect its condition. It's usually not that difficult to go brown, but to go back to blond can be heartbreaking and hair-breaking. Don't try this much of a hair color change at home. Remember, the women we see in the magazines have the best of the best at their beck and call. Linda Evangelista and I were joined at the hip in her rapid color-change days.
The other thing you must realize is that stars cheat color with rinses, extensions, and wiglets to achieve an instant change. Did you notice that Lindsay Lohan’s hair became longer and thicker as a blond? Sarah Jessica Parker's hair certainly looks fuller with each new picture of her hair color campaign. Hair color does add body to hair, but I didn't know it added inches! What do you think that's about? Hmmm!
I believe in change, especially when you do it slowly. Small changes keep you looking fresh and up-to-date. If you decide to go for a big change, be sure your hair is healthy enough for your new look. Try on a wig in your fantasy color to get a preview of your new look. Remember, your hair will probably be a different tone than the wig, but you will get the general idea of what the new color looks like on your skin color.
Most important blog TIP - Small changes can be done at home. Big changes must be done at the salon.
Enjoy your new hair color!
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Great tips! I went from having my hair dyed black to now a lovely dark red...but it took about a year to do the full change...and my fine curly hair is in lovely condition. I'm going to add a few lighter copper highlights this summer and then probably back to a darker red for the winter.
ukyankee,
Sounds like you're doing all the right things. Remember hair must be in good condition to be a great color.
All the best,
Louis
Love your blog and you! Changing hair color is exciting! You get to be someone new! I've done it all and my husband thought it was really sexy. He sent me flowers with a note attached, "To my colorful wife, the blond, the brunette and the redhead". Thankfully I have you to handle my whims and make me the most beautiful blonde I can be, which is my absolute favorite! Thank you for taking the time to do all the wonderdul things you do! You are the King!
I have longish dark blonde hair with highlights. I'm starting to get greys and am growing tired of the blonde on top, dark underneath result of highlighting. I usually get partial highlights because a full takes a couple of hours (my hair is fine but there's a lot of it!)and gets really pricey. My hairdresser, who is great, just gave me a semi-permanent glaze to even out my color + highlights. I'm curious to see how it will grow out. My question is this: is it reasonable and fair for me to do the glaze portion at home and have him add the highlights and take care of the cutting? I don't want to offend him, but I want to buy a condo and really need to start saving money. But I want to look good too and without color my hair will be blah and mousey. Thoughts?
Denise,
You make blonds proud.
I adore you,
Louis
I have naturally very blonde hair, but have now gone to a dark brown shade (done at a salon, I would never try doing it myself). What would be the best way to get back blonde without absolutely ruining my fairly fine hair?
I just had the WORST hair experience of my life! HELP! I went to a salon with my platinum blonde hair. It was Jessica Simpson gorgeous. The stylist convinced me to go brown. She never warned me just how permanent it was! It turned BLACK! She had to strip it out and then tone it. The rest of my hair was half black on one side and darker brown on the other with still some blonde. It looked terrible! I went somewhere else and now its dark brown all over with light brown highlights! it just looks awful! I want to be back to my normal gorgeous blonde hair! Please help! Really, I am so depressed I don't even recognize myself anymore!!!
Thanks so much!
Dana
Carey,
There is no problem with you doing a semi-permanent color at home. I have many clients at both the NY and LA salons that stretch out their color by doing mini touch ups at home. I call this a crossover client. Make sure to ask your hairdresser for the exact product and shade that is appropriate for you.
All the best,
Louis
Lauren,
Making blond hair that was colored dark go back to blond is one of the most difficult coloring problems. You must see a professional to become blond again. In the mean time, give yourself hot conditioning treatments under a bonnet dryer. This will begin to subtly lighten your colored hair.
Good Luck,
Louis
Dana,
You have got to stop coloring your hair until you find the best colorist in a 50 mile radius from your home. You need professional hair color help. Make sure you are going to the best person in the hood. I am sure that a good colorist can slowly bring your hair back to the blond it once was.
Good luck,
Louis
My daughter gets sores on her head after she colors her hair. This just started a year ago. We have tried everything, like vasaline, allergy pills. She colors it black to cover her gray. She is 34. Has anyone ever heard of this? She has not found a hair dresser who knows what to do for her? Thank you, Shirley
Shirley,
Sounds like your daughter has an allergy to hair color. I would make an appointment with a dermatologist and bring the colors she has used to the appointment. The dermatologist should be able to pin point the exact ingredient your daughter is allergic to. When you know exactly what your daughter is allergic to you can explore other color options that might be available to her.
Good Luck,
Louis
I love all the tips U give, but what are some styles U can do if you are growing out your bangs? I really need some advice. Can U put some pictures on your website to help me, please!!
Thanks so much!
Cindy
I'm growing out my bangs like Cindy too. But I don't know how to do my hair.
Rachelle
I went to have my hair colored this past weekend. I was going to someone I never used before and she did an okay job on my hair...nothing I would rave about. She did a heavy blonde highlight as I requested but the color in some areas came out a bit too white. I have had this same problem with other colorists and when I tell them I want no white and more of a yellow blonde, they add some golden tones and then there is too much honey color to my hair. I have had colorists suggest that I do a single process with highlights and I did do that once and did not like the outcome as I felt my hair had too much of the honey color in it. Could it be that a single process might be better for me and the person who did a single process/highlights on my hair that one time just did not do a good job? I am not sure. In any case, I would love to get some advice.
In a follow up to my previous post, my natural hair color is a medium/light brown. My ideal hair color would be to have the same hair color as Anna Kournikova.
Cindy,
I just bought a digital camera so that
I can post pictures to go with my tips.
Now I'll be photographing trends in the streets as I see them.
Hope I don't get arrested,
Louis
Rachelle,
Your question sounds like a great subject for a future blog to me.
Keep reading....
Louis
Danielle,
Anna's natural blond hair appears to be made lighter with highlights. It is very difficult for a women with light brown hair like yourself to achieve this color. I would suggest that you use a medium neutral blond single process permanent color on your hair for 5 minutes or less. Any longer will make your hair orange and brassy. You will have to add creamy highlights (Anna's highlights appear to be almost white) to your hair to mimic Anna's hair color.
Do your homework and find the best colorist in the neighborhood.
This is a hard one.
Good Luck and stay in touch,
Louis
I have blond highlights on blond how can i darken them to my sandy or ashy blonde without over all color to my sides?
jeff
louis,
you talked on the today show about coloring your hair with a combination of hair color/shampoo/ and conditioner. what is the proportion, and what is the timing?
thanks.
louis
what is my options for the above problem posted by jeff?
Louis,
I am going in to get my hair done today. I'm in my early 30's, a mother of 4, and in college. My hair is blond on top and dark underneath. I told my stylist I want to go dark, but now I'm not so sure. I'm ready for a change, but I don't know if I should go dark or blonde. I like the blonde but I also like brown, and I look good with either shade. I don't want to look old, but I want to keep with the trends. Help! I have a medium/light complexion and light brown and green eyes.
I have the simular problem as holi above what should I do?
Louis,
I have naturally dark brown hair. I have heavily blondes on the top of my head and dark underneath. I want to go pretty dark with carmel highlights. I am in college and not near my usual stylist, and others that I have talked to here have said that it will be difficult and pricey. Would it be a better option for me to do an all over dark color on myself and just have a stylist put the carmel highlights in for me?? Also, in the past I would get a 4/5 underneath but it would always turn a little tint of reddish, so we started doing a ashy brown the last few times but it still fades to a reddish color...is this just because i have not been using high quality shampoo?
I am allergic to hair color. I have tried most everything from pulling it thru a cap, putting something on my scalp first, henna, etc. Is there anything that I can do?? Would I still be allergic if I went blonde instead of brown??
Hi! When I was younger I had blonde hair. As I got older it darkened quite a bit. However, I have it bleached to blonde (2 blondes to 1 brown). I am thinking to go more natural. What is the best color of hair for me to have? Will I look okay if I go back to my natural (which has darkened quite a bit over the years) and then add a few highlights? I have fair skin and gray/blue eyes. I have heard it looks best to color your hair the color it was when you were a child....but at what age? I was blonde blonde til probably 8 then it started to get darker. Please help me I am obsessing over this.