Christmas came early this year for one of the world's top models. Coco Rocha is the darling of the fashion world. She was discovered at the age of 14 while participating not in a fashion show but, and I know this sound crazy, in an Irish dancing competition! She was immediately brought to the attention of Vogue's Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, Jean Paul Gaultier, and photographer Steven Meisel. Almost immediately fashion royalty declared her queen of the modeling world. What makes Coco wonderful is that she is like no other model. Yes, she is incredibly beautiful. Her body is long and lean like a fashion designer's drawing. She looks more like a beautiful creature from another world than a mere mortal. Her modeling portfolio resembles portraits of a great actress preparing for her Academy Award performance. What truly separates her from all other models is her soul. Coco is a simple Canadian girl from Vancouver who is as comfortable at home hiking or biking as she is strutting down the runway or posing for pictures. She often goes home on weekends to visit her mom, a flight attendant. She shows up on time for her hair appointments. I promise you, this is very rare for any model, never mind a model of this echelon. She is a fun loving girl with a constant smile on her face. I adore her.

Coco had one wish for Christmas this year. She wanted to be a red head. Red was always Coco's fantasy color. When Vogue called me and told me about Coco's desire for a color change, I tried my best to contain my excitement as I said, "Send her in, I would love to do it". There is no greater challenge than creating an entirely new look. You have to really put your color eye and imagination to the test to make a change of this magnitude. Of course I do my best to do this every week for the Today show's Ambush Makeover, but this time I was completely changing the look of one of the most scrutinized models in the world. I felt the adrenaline flowing through my veins.

Coco has pale skin and natural brown hair color. This made her the perfect candidate to be red. I wanted her red hair to look like it could grow from her head, if she were incredibly lucky. Here are some salon secrets I used to turn Coco's mane red that will help keep your red hair vibrant and believable.

1. Use a slightly lighter formula around the face and progressively darker formulas going towards the nape. To keep color real use at least three formula's in the same color family. Making the tips of the hair lighter will help to keep your new color looking natural.

2. Think copper, not burgundy. Natural red hair has golden undertones. Blue reds do not exist in nature. If your color looks more like a car color than a hair color, you picked the wrong color.

3. The best candidates to go red are people with pale or pink skin. If you have olive skin and insist on trying red you must chose a very dark auburn shade. Red hair is not an option for people with ruddy skin.

4. Beware of hot roots. There is nothing that shouts "I color my hair red" more than bright roots. Hair should always be slightly darker at root and lighter on the tips.

5. Red hair fades more quickly than any other hair color. It is essential red heads keep their hair in optimum condition to keep their color vibrant. Always use a color preserving shampoo and conditioner.

6. Never highlight red hair. Highlights make red hair look faded, brassy, and orange. Use translucent colors to accent the natural nuances of your hair color.

7. Glosses or semi-permanent colors will extend touch-ups. Red hair fades faster than any other hair color. Supplement your touch-ups with semi-permanent colors and glosses. This will keep your color bright and condition your hair.

Is red a color for everyone? The answer is no, but it is the most influential color of the New Year. Blondes now want to be golden strawberry shades, and brunettes want to have warm chocolate hues. Ultra blond and ash colors drain colors from your face, while red adds color, warmth, and youth. Remember, there are very few natural redheads so if you chose to be red you chose to be noticed.

Merry Christmas, Coco, and have a Happy Red Hair Year!

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