The festive season comes with its own set of demands and looking good and on trend is always in demand, isn’t it? Hair care, hair styles and regimen are all important, but once in a while an experimental hair colour can take your style to the next level. From balayage to baby lights, highlights, hidden colour, ombre and more, there are a lot of options to go for. We got in touch with hairstylist Poonam Parvez of Pancy Salon to take us through four chic and different hair colour looks to ace this festive season.
Pumpkin Spice Highlights: Keeping the fall season in mind, this hairstyle has tones of orange, clementine, gold, slight baby lights of yellow as well as brown. If you’re worried about it suiting your face, then don’t be, this style is perfect for all face types and the highlights on certain strands prevent it from going over the top. Style it with tongs to really bring out the colour in each section of the hair. A fresh seasonal fave, we say.
Candyfloss Mermaid: A style that’s just breathtaking to look at. Here the shades are a mix of pink, berry, lilac and lavender, along with hints of rose gold. Hair needs to be pre-lighted for this as these colours need a light base to latch on to. Post pre-lighting, the various colours are used to add the right shade and tone to the hair. The technique is a blended balayage from the top so as not to focus on the roots but a gradual colour flows through, almost like a waterfall. A sure hit this season, this style goes with most skin tones as well.
Peacock Neon: Short hair lovers don’t be disappointed, we have something for you guys as well. If you have a shorter hair length and want to go with something funky yet trendy, this green balayage with hidden neon highlights on the lower end is what you can sport. This too requires pre-lighting and hence aftercare for such hair is a must with a hair mask as well as silver shampoo. This style can be customised in any shade of your choice, be it blue, violet, berry, or even pink.
Mushroom Magic: Want to get a change in style but without going all out and experimenting? Don’t worry. We have a solution for that as well. This brown, ash and gray toned baby lights and balayage hair colour has the demure and classy tones of mushroom and browns with a little bit of sass from the ash and silver-gray-ish baby lights. The colour really comes out in the sun, and indoors it’s just some really subtle highlights that look classy and super elegant. This style looks best when styled in waves.
Styling expert Poonam Parvez shares some hair care, styling and colouring tips to keep in mind:
Before any lighting, we add a L’Oréal Metal DX. It is a spray and treatment to protect coloured hair. It cuts down on the brassy tone of the hair. You can also use the shampoo and mask from this range, for home care for colour protection.
Those living in areas with high iron content in water need to specifically use a mask so that it combats the effect of iron on your hair from water.
Mask is essential every time you wash your hair post colour.
For gray hair, one must begin with a root touch-up and then after that is washed, blending begins.
Use silver shampoo for coloured hair. Almost every brand has a purple-coloured shampoo that will reduce the brassiness of the tone and reduce fading.
Chemically treated hair requires a lot of maintenance. So once your hair colour starts to fade out make sure you go back to your stylist for a toning session to keep the colour and tone intact. Toning is a technique to maintain colour.
Don’t ever leave coloured hair wet. Make sure you dry it out. Wet coloured hair is prone to more damage.
To bring out the best of your coloured hair, style it once in a while as coloured hair looks best when styled properly. You can opt for home rollers as well as tongs.
Post-wash serums and leave-in oils are a good way to maintain shine on your hair.
Light and pre-lighted colour starts to wane off with each wash, so avoid washing your hair every day. Those who can’t do without washing should opt for a good quality dry shampoo to make your colour last longer.
Pictures: B. Halder