Colour can make or break a hairstyle. Model of the moment Agyness's platinum urchin cut is the epitome of both shade and style perfection. Victoria Beckham's crop arguably looked its best before she went overboard with the highlights and Selma Blair definitely suits brunette better than blonde; by contrast Cameron Diaz's dark hue has earned her fashionista brownie points.
Boy meets girl
The current vogue is for short styles combined with brave colour choices. One of the reasons for this is that there's none of the loss of condition issues associated with longer hair. Block colour and panels of contrasting or complementary shades - usually concentrated through the fringe sections - are the most-on trend and add a feminine slant to the masculine inspired short cuts that are currently the most directional – the crop, the Purdy and the asymmetric bob. It's a futuristic statement the female contingent from the music scene have embraced - from indie icon Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs to mainstream pop minx Sarah Harding of Girls Aloud. 'Sarah's full-on blonde shade is best kept to a graduated short crop in order to have the required impact,' says joint British Colour Technician of the Year Gary Hooker of North-East chain Hooker & Young. 'To achieve this level of über-blondeness requires a high or ultra-lift permanent colour treatment, such as Hi Lift Blonde or Ultra Lift Blonde from the Matrix SOCOLOR.beauty range.' For your nearest appointed salon, call 01753 441253 or visit www.matrixhaircare.co.uk.
Long and ladylike
As for the trend for long ultra-feminine hair, colour placement also plays its part. This is no supporting role however, crème de la crème chemical colour is key to creating the illusion of health, harmony and full-on gloss. A sprinkling of subtle highlights or lowlights around the hairline and parting will produce super-polished naturalness, whereas an all over blend of tonal shades will contribute to a high-octane glamour worthy of Tinseltown's finest.
Gold standard
Joint British Colour Technician of the Year Michael Young of Hooker & Young, comments, 'For longer styles, a full head of multi-tonal highlights is perfect for the summer months. Champagne tones play a dominant role this year and Cat Deeley is the perfect exponent of the look. A full head of back to back highlights that include expensive looking blonde tones of vanilla and butterscotch will create this look and a few extra lighter highlights around the front of the hairline will create a beautiful, sunshine blonde.'
Mrs. Brown
There is an A-list tradition of brunettes lightening up for summer, Angelina Jolie, Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez are just a few of those who have been seduced by a sunkissed kaleidoscope of gold, copper, bronze and toffee shades adding patina to their base shade. If you prefer a more decadent interpretation, choose chocolate cherry, purple, ink blue or burgundy hues. The Individuality Collection from Schwarzkopf IGORA boasts mouth-watering shade combinations in its Raspberry Chocolate portfolio, call 01296 314000 or visit www.schwarzkopf-professional.co.uk. Multi-award winning colourist extraordinaire Robert Eaton of the Russell Eaton salon in Barnsley concludes, 'The brunette's secret weapon is an ability to shine like a supernova. If blondes have more fun, brunettes are more mysterious.'
Red hot
Kirsten Dunst as Spiderman's favourite flame haired web surfer Mary Jane will further fuel the trend for redheads so much in evidence on the fashion runways. Redken Double Fusion Reds see red reinvented as a selection of rich, radiant, ravishing tones – from cool, luminous and translucent to warm, earthy and reflective. Reds are notorious for their tendency to lift and fade faster than any other shade. Color Bond Technology and High Tenacity Dye molecules combine for long lasting colour. Vibrancy is protected by the inclusion of coconut oil, which acts as a guard against the harsh effects of water. For your nearest salon call 0800 444880.
Setting the tone
Fade occurs because colour molecules are washed away with every shampoo. They escape because the hair fibres swell when wet causing the cuticle layers to resist each other. Avoid over-washing and use products specifically for coloured locks.
Matrix Biolage Colourcaretherapie shampoo and Colourcaretherapie conditioner, from £6.50, call 01753 441253 feature a caring botanical complex. Cult brand Bumble & bumble's Color Support Shampoo, Conditioner and Styling Lotion, £16.50 each, call 020 7836 0818 are divided into 5 sub-ranges – Cool Blondes, Golden Blondes, True Reds, Cool Brunettes and Warm Brunettes – to ensure precise tonal balance. Dove Colour Care Shampoo for Lightened or Highlighted Hair, £1.95, outperforms its modest price tag plus there's a Darkened Hair version too, and Charles Worthington's new Salon Shine Results Colour Bright Shampoo and Colour Bright Conditioner for Super-Shiny, Lustrous Brunettes, £4.49 each, Boots, are affordably indulgent.
L'Oréal Professional's tecni art color show styling range provides shape, hold and shade integrity protection and includes Define Wax, £8.95, Volume Mousse, £10.95 and Finish Spray, £10.95 www.lorealprofessionel.com
