6 WAYS TO UPDATE YOUR LOOK IN THE NEW YEAR
There’s always a lot of talk about ‘New Year, new you’ as we head towards January. When it comes to hair, you might be in the mood for a complete overhaul, or you might feel like tweaking your cut or colour.
“I think people can go one way or the other,” says celebrity colourist at Paul Edmonds London, Charlotte Lewis.
“They might go for quite a big change at this time of year because they want to feel different and special. I think it depends on their personality and the combination of the hair cut, length and colour.”
Here, our team offer six ideas for how to elevate your locks in the New Year, from bobs and balayage to glossy treatments and enhancing grey hair…
Get the chop
“A lot of people are going back to a bob at the moment,” says creative director Siobhan Baynes. “Everything's quite blunt - but it doesn’t have to be short.”
Charlotte agrees: “People aren't afraid to go for a sharper look.”
If your hair is still showing the effects of summer damage, swapping long locks for a long bob or blunt trim will ensure any frazzled ends are whisked away, leaving a sleek finish and a fresh look.
It’s a look that suits winter outfits too, Siobhan says: “When you've got a bobble hat on or a scarf and then you've got a really nice sleek bob it does look a bit better - it's a bit more of a statement.”
Go darker
“A lot of people go a bit darker at this time of year,” Charlotte says. “Even if they're blonde clients, they might have some lowlights put in or have a slightly more muted version of what they might normally have.”
On social media, balayage trends like copper, cherry cola, frosted brunette and ‘bronde’ (a mix of brunette and blonde) have proved popular this autumn/winter season.
“You get people coming in who might have gone quite bright in the summer and want to bring the colour down slightly during winter,” Charlotte explains. Balayage – where a free-hand technique is used to place the colour – creates a customised, multidimensional look.
Lighten up
“Clients sometimes want to brighten their hair up in the New Year to give themselves a bit of a 'wow' look,” Charlotte says.
Rather than all-over colour, she suggests subtle highlights: “If they're having a balayage technique they might go a bit blonder around the front with T-section or face-framing highlights.”
Alternatively, you could try the root lift colour technique.
“This is an oil application that takes your base colour a couple of shades up,” Charlotte explains.
“It refreshes the hair and gives it a bit of brightness. It's a really quick service – someone can be in and out within about an hour or so.”
Accentuate your curls
Charlotte says she’s noticed “A real resurgence of people going a bit more naturally grey,” since the pandemic. “A lot of people are saying that they don't mind seeing a bit of grey hair or they'd like to see what it looks like grown out.”
With stylish celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker and Pamela Anderson letting their silver tresses shine, she expects the trend to continue in 2024, but you don’t have to stop colouring your locks altogether – it’s about enhancing the hue.
“I had one particular celebrity client who grew it out and has it coloured in a very different way,” Charlotte says.
“She used to have all-over tint and highlights, whereas now she just has some darker pieces running through. So it hasn't aged her, but it has a softer look, and I think a lot of people are going for that.”
And not forgetting that obtaining that youthful look to hair colour or grey is all about condition, in salon treatments at Paul Edmonds including Innoluxe and Olaplex as part of your colour service have been a game changer to hair condition, “I always advise clients at Paul Edmonds that restoring your hair’s bonds that are lost through oxidation (colouring/heat styling etc.) is key to ensure your colour doesn’t fade, that your hair structure retains moisture and strength. When you are investing in a new look condition is key” says Charlotte.
Embrace your grey
Charlotte says she’s noticed “A real resurgence of people going a bit more naturally grey,” since the pandemic. “A lot of people are saying that they don't mind seeing a bit of grey hair or they'd like to see what it looks like grown out.”
With stylish celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker and Pamela Anderson letting their silver tresses shine, she expects the trend to continue in 2024, but you don’t have to stop colouring your locks altogether – it’s about enhancing the hue.
“I had one particular celebrity client who grew it out and has it coloured in a very different way,” Charlotte says.
“She used to have all-over tint and highlights, whereas now she just has some darker pieces running through. So it hasn't aged her, but it has a softer look, and I think a lot of people are going for that.”
And not forgetting that obtaining that youthful look to hair colour or grey is all about condition, in salon treatments at Paul Edmonds including Innoluxe and Olaplex as part of your colour service have been a game changer to hair condition, “I always advise clients at Paul Edmonds that restoring your hair’s bonds that are lost through oxidation (colouring/heat styling etc.) is key to ensure your colour doesn’t fade, that your hair structure retains moisture and strength. When you are investing in a new look condition is key” says Charlotte
Revamp your red
“Red hair is always a hard one because it fades so quickly,” Charlotte says, which is why she recommends a colour refresh when your roots are starting to show.
“You can do a semi-permanent colour that adds lots of shine and usually lasts between 10 to 12 washes. You can even change the shade of red if you want something a bit deeper.”
Take your cue from the likes of Kendall Jenner, Megan Fox and Zendaya, who have all rocked the cool copper hair trend.
You can also keep the red and copper hues going for longer with at home care with Davines Alchemic range of colour tinted shampoos and conditioners in Red and Copper to help maintain your gorgeous red hues.