Don’t let the incessant heat rob you of joie de vivre this Poila Baisakh. Instead, make it the season to sizzle with a spanking haircut and colour. We got model, actor and now a trained hair pro, Rachel White, demonstrating two smart looks with Runa Laha and Sushmita Roy playing her muses. Post-shoot, Rachel decoded the looks for The Telegraph.
The cuts and colours:
I kept in mind that I shouldn’t do anything that was too high maintenance. Even clients when they come in want styles that have longevity, are not high on the upkeep and don’t damage the hair.
Both Runa and Sushmita had very dark hair. I wanted to do something where Runa’s curls would pop. So, I gave her a honey-blonde shade with some warmth in it, going with her complexion. I have done highlights for her. For Sushmita, I kept a rosewood kind of tone, keeping her work in mind because she does a lot of shoots and ads. The style is low-commitment and versatile for her.
Runa’s old haircut was bulky and was making her face look big. I have worked with a layered version of an asymmetrical bob. Often a little change can make a big difference.
For Sushmita, I have done internal layers or long layers. Curtain bangs of different levels are the biggest trends of 2023 and I have done longer versions of curtain bangs on her. She wanted to recycle her length and I didn’t want to remove her length.
The techniques:
They were completely different. Some kinds of curly hair would elongate and some would shrink. Runa also didn’t want to go too short with her length and it wouldn’t look nice either. She wanted the front to be long and so we chopped from the back. In the front, we have taken off an inch and kept it asymmetrical.
If you are talking about low-commitment colours, you want to do colours in a way that looks nice on a person’s natural texture. That is, not relying on styling for it to look nice. So, Runa’s has thicker highlights.
For Sushmita, I wanted to have a random sunkissed effect. Some places have thickness and some babylights. So, when she flips her hair, there is no fixed pattern around it.
I kept a collaborative approach with both of them.
Before and after look of Runa Laha
Runa Laha was one hot momma in her honey-blonde curls. “I had dark brown, but this time, I did ash and ash-blonde and golden. That’s new. It worked and I am looking five years younger. Rachel has just raised the bar and I have to come back to her only and that will burn a hole in my pocket! (Laughs) I get bored with my looks very easily. So, when she came up with the idea of ash-blonde, I was sceptical, but it looked fabulous. I am happy I experimented. I trusted her,” she smiled. Her haircare mantra? “Oiling is a big part of haircare. I oil thrice a week. I also picked up a tip from Rachel. She asked me to shampoo only a couple of days after colouring. Also, my hanging inversions play a big role in keeping my hair healthy,” she said.
Before and after look of Sushmita Roy
Sushmita Roy looked like a princess with her curtain bangs and internal layers. “I am loving this look because this is the first time I have got my hair coloured actually. I had jet black hair and that too henna coated. The challenge was whether my hair would accept the colour, but Rachel did it with so much care. The cut and the colour are making my face look totally different. I have always preferred long hair with minimal layers because it is easy to style, but I am loving the new look and I will flaunt it! This is also bringing out my personality,” she laughed. She loved working with Rachel. “She took such care of me. The best part was she kept asking what I wanted. I trusted her,” she smiled. A dietician by profession, Sushmita swore by the importance of consuming healthy foods. “What you eat shows on your face and hair. I try to eat healthy and drink lots of water and focus on the micronutrients. I also love applying coconut oil on my hair,” she said.
RACHEL’S TOP TIPS:
- Have a realistic approach. Take this into consideration while picking a look. The rich shades of brunettes are back and it works best with Indian hair. Do pick a colour which will not compromise the integrity of your hair or its health.
- Trust your stylist.
- Have pictures handy and do your research. How you and I would describe a brown would be different.
- Pick styles that are low maintenance and gel well into your overall lifestyle.
Make-up: Bony Chakraborty
Location: Bodacious Salon, 2031, Rajdanga Main Road, ground floor, Kasba (near Vivanta Kolkata EM Bypass, Ruby Crossing area)