The Hottest Hues in Hair Color
I didn’t think there would ever come a time when blondes were ousted from their perch at the top of the Haute Color list, but apparently that time has come. Yes, blondes may still be turning heads, but the hair color picture is ch-ch-changing, says the American Board of Certified Haircolorists (ABCH).
The ABCH is the United States’ leading professional certification agency for color specialists, and they make it their business to know not only who is wearing what hair color, but also when, where and why. According to a recent survey of its membership of 800 colorists, for the first time in American hair color history, blondes have dropped to third place in hair color popularity.
So which hue is the hottest right now? That would be brunette-everything from rich, dark chocolate shades to lighter mocha and cherry cola colors, to multi-hued “brownettes” like the sandy gold tones sported by the two Jens (Aniston and Lopez).
Brunettes may have won this year’s hair color showdown, but ravishing redheads (sometimes referred to as the “other blonde”) are running a close second. Vibrant reddish brown shades like auburn and chestnut combine the best of both worlds, resulting in knockout color that can’t go wrong.
Why did the hair color picture develop into a brunette show?
A proliferation of brownette and brunette celebrities, singers and film stars appear to be a major factor driving hair color toward darker colors. Brown-haired beauties such as Halle Berry, Natalie Portman, Catherine Zeta Jones, and the recent blonde-turned-brunette Rene Zellweger are dominating the Hollywood box office and sending women rushing off to the beauty salon clutching their favorite hair color picture.
What’s on the hair color horizon?
More and more redheads are showing up on the red carpet and the runway, prompting the ABCH is predict that this color will give brunettes a run for their money in next year’s hair color battle for the top spot.
Meanwhile, it appears that platinum blonde is out, as blonde hair color is getting deeper, darker and more blended. Thankfully, chunky color (ala, the “skunk” look) is out of the hair color picture, and not a moment too soon.
How to get gorgeous hair color
First and foremost, spring for a beauty salon visit rather than doing it at home with a drugstore kit. Professional formulation, mixing, application and timing are all key to getting to a beautiful final result, and salon colorists are carefully trained in all of these procedures. Colorists will also take into account your skin tone and makeup preferences to help you choose the correct shade from the thousands available.
Next, it’s imperative that you talk to your colorist about exactly what you envision before the color is mixed and applied. The best way to do that is to take a color picture with you to your appointment. Mahogany may mean one thing to you and something entirely different to your colorist, but when you have a color picture right in front of you, you’ll know you are talking about the same thing and thus, reduce the chances of being disappointed.
So whether it’s the newest shade, a face-framing highlight, or just a light tint, the right color is the foundation to great hair. There are a myriad of options that are both natural looking and long lasting. What are you waiting for-find the color of your voice today!
