Results tagged “blonde” from iVillage - Hair and There

Not for nothing, but after doing "Ambush Makeover" for more than a couple of years I have only gained more respect for hair color. I am constantly overwhelmed by the power and importance of hair color. I think that hair color is the quickest way to dramatically change your looks. You can look younger, prettier, sexier, completely natural, or incredibly chic and stylized. The true miracle of hair color is that in most cases it takes less than an hour to complete the process. On the Today show's Ambush Makeover I color hair in less than half that time. Hair color truly is the quick fix that works. I am fully aware of that hair color is only one part of "Ambush". I truly believe it is the most significant change that sets the tone for the makeover's cut and style, make-up, and clothes. I know this statement might ruffle a few feathers in the fashion and beauty community, and maybe even with the other members of the "Ambush" team. I am not trying to emphasis my importance or underplay the significance of a great haircut, perfect make-up, and a great looking outfit. I am solely talking about the power of hair color.

I have made many dramatic color changes on young girls over the years. Many times the change was for young actors playing a movie role or an attempt for a real girl to look like her favorite "it" girl of the moment. I think hair color on young girls is fine but I do suggest subtle changes. I always think of hair color as make-up. You and your hair color are most likely beautiful as a teen. Very little needs to be done, you are perfect already. But if you want to have fun and color your hair I only have one comment. Color it! A touch of hair color is no different than trying on a lipstick. It's a fun way to try a different look. It always grows. Now is the perfect time to experiment. By the way, you can also get away with color choices that probably won't work when you are a bit older.

Did you ever feel like you were fading away? You know that horrible feeling when you look in a mirror and you feel as invisible as a ghost. This usually happens when your hair color and skin color are the same tone. This can occur when your hair color starts to go grey or simply when your natural hair starts to fade as time passes.

It can also happen when you pick the wrong hair color. When your skin color and hair color blend together, you have made a wrong color decision. Most people think about hair color when they start to go grey. The actual reason most people start to color their hair is because their skin and hair color turn a similar shade, making them feel washed out. The usual solution to this problem is to pile on more and more makeup until they look alive again. This is simply a Band-Aid to hide the problem. The best solution is to pick the color that will provide contrast with your skin color. This will instantly put the color back in your complexion.

Fades_Brunette.jpgBlah brunettes are boring. Brown hair is one of nature's most beautiful colors. Darker hair colors almost always have more shine than any other color. Upon closer examination, you realize that dark colors are multidimensional and often include subtle warm chestnut and chocolate tones. This makes brown hair anything but boring. In fact it can be one of nature's most flattering shades.

But brown hair does change over time. The hair color you have at 20 is different from what you have at 30, and it only continues to dull with passing years. It is essential that you maintain your vibrant brunette color. This is an instant age-eraser that will keep you looking young. You probably should not color your hair as dark as it once was, but you must keep it a rich brown to maintain the perpetual glow of youth.

blonds_220.jpgThere was a time, not so long ago, when the quintessential beauties were always blonds. People born blond wanted to be blonder. People with dark hair wanted to be as light as they could be, even at the risk of frizz and brassy hair. The woman with the lightest hair was always considered the prettiest. Well, times have changed.

Women have realized that the most flattering hair colors often extend far beyond the blond pallet. I myself became aware of this doing the Today Show's Ambush Makeovers. The blonds always looked good, but the warmer, richer, darker colors looked great. They made the most significant positive difference on almost every makeover. More vibrant hair colors made women's skin tones look more radiant. The makeovers looked prettier and younger. No one was more surprised than me by this realization. I made my career keeping some of the most famous women in the world blond. Have I been blindsided by blonds? I might have been guilty of being a "blond addict", but one day at a time I am opening up myself to the world of more fiery colors.

The plane was late. I arranged to have dinner with my staff at Seitei at 8:00 pm. It had to be an early night because we had the Today Show Plaza Ambush Makeover the next morning. Call time was 5:00am. I was nervous I would look like a Shar Pei puppy if I didn't get enough sleep. We didn't have time to check into the hotel, so I had the driver bring us directly to the restaurant and then drop the luggage off at the hotel. My staff would meet me at the restaurant. It worked- I made it on time, had a wonderful dinner, and even had enough time for a leisurely walk up Collins Avenue back to the hotel. I lost a few of the boys along the way. They made a side trip to the Delano and met a gorgeous pair of Russian twins. I reminded the boys of our early call time. They were on location on time, looking good and ready to work. I knew enough not to ask any questions the next morning!

When I first heard the title of Monday’s Today Show segment was "Frumpy to Fabulous," I was a bit disconcerted. Who am I to call anyone frumpy? Believe me, I seldom walk around looking as polished as when you see me on the Today Show. I would have to own up to more than a few frumpy days myself, and I'm not talking.

I realize that all of us have days when we don't quite get our look together. I also know the easiest way to spoil any day is to feel frumpy. It's hard to hold your head high and shoulders back when you'd rather disappear. I helped five women change their color and style to make it easy for them to always look fabulous. By the way, that is the first tip!

TIP - A great style and cut is the easiest way to always look good.

Now, let's meet the women and find out their “frumpy to fabulous” secrets:

Diana's long, blond hair was beautiful. The problem is she had too much of a good thing. The length made her face look long, the pale blond hair color washed out her complexion.

Adel of Louis Licari New York, cut Diana's hair into a chin length bob. The new length combined with the side part and long swept bangs immediately changed Diana’s face from square to heart shaped. The side swept bangs camouflaged a high forehead. The new length also softened her jaw line. Now that Diana’s hair cut transformed her face shape, it was my turn to adjust her hair color.

TREND ALERT! - I put a blush of a soft golden red on her blond hair. This kept the lightness of Diana’s natural blond hair, but made it more vibrant.

TIP - When you add color to your hair, you add color to your complexion. Hair color is the makeup that doesn't wash off.

Mia was a diamond in the rough. She just needed to be cut and polished to show off her brilliant good looks. Adel started Mia's transformation by cutting off the fried ends of her hair. This made her hair look healthy and gave it body and bounce.

TIP - The best conditioning treatment for fried hair is a trim.

Mia's natural color was medium brown that turned golden brown from her perms. I loved how this looked on her, so I exaggerated her color with dark, golden blond highlights.

TIP - When highlighting hair that has been previously chemically processed, add one or two caps of water to your coloring mixture. This will make the hair color more gentle. The highlights outlined her hair style and lit up her face.

Jennifer had fine hair that she wore just below her shoulders. She highlighted her naturally light brown hair to a golden blond. This all sounds great, but something wasn't working. Her hair was not flattering. Adel cut Jennifer’s hair to chin length. He then soften her facial features by adding long layers. This immediately plumped up the texture of her hair. It instantly looked fuller.

TIP - Hair should only be as long as its texture will allow.

Now it was my turn to look at Jennifer's hair color. Her hair color clashed with her skin color. It was beyond gold, it was yellow. Jennifer needed to add depth to her hair color. I used a translucent brown color to add depth and not cover all the nuances of her hair.

TIP - Adjusting your hair color is the easiest way to make your skin tone the most flattering shade.

Amy is the epitome of the girl who wants to have fun with her cut and color. She walked in the salon with a long layered haircut with frosted blond highlights on her almost black hair. (Yes, I said frosted!) She had worn the biggest smile and was ready for any change. Adel gave her a layered cut that is shorter at the nape and longer in the front. The layers made her hair look less flat and flattered her oval face shape. Now I needed to adjust the color.

Amy's pale blond highlights where much too light for her dark hair. Her highlights looked grey and made her hair dull.

TIP- The tone of your highlights must relate to your natural color.

I lightened Amy’s overall color to help blend in her pale highlights. This got rid of the grey tones and made her hair look brighter.

Vanessa had long wavy hair that she wasn't ready to cut. She was frightened that any haircut would make her hair look wild and out of control. She loves the ease of being able to tie her hair back and run to work. She wasn't ready to make a change. Her hair was scared straight!

TIP - If you are not ready for a change, do not make one. You have to live with and love your hair, not your hairdresser. You can always cut your hair next time.

Adel did take the ends off of Vanessa's hair to give it a crisp line and then gave her a sleek blow-dry. Everyone was happy! I was able to convince Vanessa to add a few golden highlights to the top layers of her hair. She never colored her hair before and was a bit nervous. The color change was slight, but it made a big difference. It gave her hair a golden glow.

Now you have been introduced to the five fabulous women who where brave enough to show themselves on one of their frumpy days. This is required TV for all of us who have ever experienced a frumpy day. So, I guess that means I will see you all on Monday. See you then!

Watch the video clip from TODAY:





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