Clients often ask me if I think they would look good as a red head. We see so many beautiful shades of red in magazines, on models and actresses that it inspires us to try this beautiful shade ourselves. The great thing about the shade of red is that it warms the skin, and there are so many different shades of red to choose from. Its on he lighter side and softer than brunette. It is also very complimentary to hazel, green or blue eyes and can actually make brown eyes appear more green.

Today we’re featuring Melanie Clegg who received a makeover from my salon through Weight Watcher’s Magazine. Melanie had always been a highlighted blonde, and when coming to me she first requested to be an even lighter blonde because she thought by being lighter she would look brighter. But I saw something different. Looking at her skin tone and eye color I felt that a shade of red would suite her perfectly.

We used a level 7 copper Color Touch from Wella to create the color, and then I used a razor to cut her hair into this beautifully layered shape.

Melanie was thrilled with the end results as well as the editors from Weight Watchers Magazine. Sometimes going to a lighter blonde isn’t always the answer when you’re looking for a change.

I believe that with the right haircut, color and combination of hair products everyone can embrace their natural hair texture. The picture to the left shows a Makeover that we did in my salon which was featured in Weight Watcher’s Magazine. Noemi was struggling with her curly hair, felt that it was unmanageable and always frizzy.

We gave Noemi a haircut that is layered from the nape upward, to create lift in her crown. I used a razor for this haircut which is actually a tool that a lot of clients with curly hair are afraid of because of their experience with razor cuts has made their hair frizzy. Make sure your stylist doesn’t use a guard on their razor. The guard forces them to push harder while cutting, pulling keratin out of the hair which is what causes the frizz. There are many misconceptions about this marvelous tool. I cut Noemi’s hair with a razor that has a straight blade. When sharp, the straight blade can cut an incredibly clean line, eliminate bulk and individualize curls giving them shape and form.

We then applied a demi-permanent color using a level 4 Color Touch by WELLA. Using this hair color smoothed the cuticle of Noemi’s hair, helping even more to reduce the amount of frizz.

The last step in this hair makeover was styling the hair. One of my favorite products to use in styling curly hair is Oleo Curl by Kerastase. Working with small amounts of the product at a time, I twisted with my fingers sections of the hair that were about half dollar in size throughout all of Noemi’s hair. I then allowed her hair to naturally dry with these twists in place. Once the hair was dry I lightly loosened the curls by shaking the hair from the roots.

Before her makeover, Noemi had always attempted to straighten her hair, never got the exact look she wanted, and was only content with the blowouts she received at salons. With her new haircut, color and the easy techniques we taught her, Noemi feels differently about her curly hair. She is now happy to embrace the beautiful curls she was born with instead of fighting against them.

4 tips to creating the perfect curl…

1. You need a haircut that supports the shape of your curls.

2. Color that will smooth the hair cuticle.

3. A product that will add definition to your curls.

4. Use styling techniques that don’t conflict with the curl’s natural shape.

Erika as a brunette

Erika is a long time client of mine who came to me with a special request. She was at the point in her life when she wanted a new look. Her children had grown up a bit, and she had decided to dive back into her acting career. Erika wanted to refresh her look for her upcoming auditions. I felt that her brunette color was not quiet right for her skin tone, it pulled her complexion down, and made her look a bit tired. I decided that a beautiful auburn would warm her complexion and would look softer than her natural dark brown color. I think her new color makes her look fresh and radiant. When we were done, Erika said she felt younger and more confident about herself. I hope that she carries this new found energy into each audition - Good Luck Erika!

Erika's New Look

One woman can often wear many shades of color, as long as it’s well executed by a professional colorist. Donna, a senior stylist and a salon muse, is a perfect example.

We all loved Donna as a strawberry blonde, which inspired us to do a full balayage of highlights and take her to a level 10 ash blonde. The blonde was a perfect shade for Donna in the summer months, but once we reached the holiday season Donna felt she wanted to experience the richness of brunette color.

We chose a level 5 by Wella and gave her back the color she was born with (just more fabulous). Along with this change, Donna experimented with her personal style and makeup palette. Her new look inspired her to go toward more dramatic makeup that is so popular this season.

Donna is a true chameleon and I’m sure this won’t be the last color transformation we see on her.

Tara Before Extensions

Tara After Extensions

Donna Tripodi, Senior Stylist and Hair Extension Expert created this beautiful transformation:

Tara recently came to the salon for a hair cut appointment. She shared with me that she lacked confidence because her hair looked flat and lifeless. Tara had been previously told that for thicker-looking hair she would need to cut her length, but she loves her long hair. I explained that the look she wanted to achieve would require more than just a strong hair cut. We would need to actually add to her hair, rather than cut it off.

I knew immediately that Tara was a good candidate for Great Lengths hair extensions. But like most, she was concerned whether extensions would break or damage her hair, be difficult to work with, and most of all, would look fake. It was very important that her extensions look and feel as natural as possible.

I addressed Tara’s concerns by walking her step-by-step through the extension bonding process. Great Lengths uses a synthetic Keratin polymer, similar to the keratin that makes up real hair. Therefore, a natural fusion is created between the extension and your own hair.

Applying Great Lengths individual hair extensions gave Tara the density and volume she wanted. Her new look was truly empowering. She felt confident, sexy, and most important, she was finally happy with her hair.

Another thing that I love about Great Lengths, is that it allows for the creation of depth and tonality to the hair color without the actual coloring process. You can add lighter pieces of hair to look as if you have highlights. If you look at Tara’s before and after pictures, it may look as though her hair has been colored, but it was not. I was able to customize Tara’s color by adding three different tones of caramel, chestnut and chocolate brown. You can see from these photos how beautifully these colors blend. Now she not only has long, thick hair, she also has beautiful color.

From Eva:

Our Senior Colorist Alyson Pemoulie lifted the red out of Gwynne’s hair by using Blondorbleach by Wella. She did a test strand the day prior to ensure Gwynne’s hair was strong enough for the transformation. Once the red was removed, Alyson used a second application of bleach from roots to ends to lift her to the desired shade of blonde. She then toned her hair with Color Touch by Wella for 5 minutes all over.

Next, Gwynne came to me for her haircut, announcing that she was ready to “cut it all off.” I cut Gwynne’s hair with a razor to achieve a defined shape that would strengthen her cheekbones and bring out the depth of her eyes, while giving her more of an edge. Inspired by the 80’s, punk rock, and the model Agnus we decided on a perfect shape.

From Gwynne:

I’ve always had a lot of fun with beauty, and never hesitated to make a big change. When I was younger, I would run to my stylist whenever seeing Linda Evangelista’s best transformation, feeling inspired and craving a new version of “me.”

Going from red to platinum blonde was one of those life-changing transformations. People barely recognized me, and even I had to do a double take in the mirror. Interestingly, it wasn’t just my hair that changed once Alyson rinsed off that toner and Eva put down her razor. My new look inspired me and elevated my self-confidence, leading me to get into better shape and have more fun with my now more eclectic personal style.

As a redhead I kept things soft, pretty and glamorous. My makeup and clothes were very 50’s inspired. With the edginess of the blonde and my new cut from Eva, I hearkened to the 70’s and 80’s Punk Movement with fashion, and played with more color in my makeup palette.

Gwynne’s color formula when she was a redhead:

7 1/2 level Copper by Kolestone Perfect by Wella. Glazed with Colortouch level 8 in Copper.