SPRING HAIR TRENDS: HOW TO FIND YOUR PERFECT RED SHADE
Want to be on trend with your hair this season? Then it's time to embrace red.
This isn't a one-size-fits-all trend, however. For spring 2024, it's about custom colour, finding the precise shade that will make you look and feel amazing.
Red took over from pink last year as the hue chosen by celebrities in the mood for a dramatic transformation, with famous faces like Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish and Megan Fox unveiling locks that ranged from copper to bright cherry, and now rouge tones are set to dominate this spring/summer as well.
Khloe Kardashian is the latest star to try the trend, the reality star debuting glossy copper locks in a new sportswear campaign and garnering thousands of approving comments from fans on Instagram.
"There are so many variations depending on your skin tone and base hair colour," says Paul Edmonds.
"Dua Lipa's is quite burgundy, quite strong, and the trend encompasses lots of different shades like Titian red - inspired by the famous painter - through to warm blondes. But whatever the shade, it's got to look glossy and shiny."
At the 2024 Grammys, Billie Eilish swapped her usual neon green roots for a super-bright shade, and Megan Fox chose a similarly vivid hue for her shoulder-grazing bob at the end of last year.
"Red is very striking, it has impact," says artistic director Steven Kamara. "If you are going for a change it's something that everybody's going to notice. Red can really change somebody's features and make them pop."
On the other hand, if you're a natural redhead you might want to switch to a darker or more intense shade for spring.
"I think before people often preferred to go blonde or steer away from their natural ginger colour," says creative director Charlotte Lewis.
"Now people are embracing and emphasising it. And then you get some people who want to go for the much brighter reds, a more fashion-led and stronger look."
As we step into the new season, our colourists talk through how to find - and maintain - the red shade that's right for you...
HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR PERFECT RED
There are a few different things to consider if you're thinking about dying your hair red.
"There are lots of different reds and not every red is going to suit everybody's skin tone, which is why it's so important to do a proper consultation," says Steven.
"If you've got quite a pinky natural skin tone a copper or bright red isn't really going to complement your skin and bring your features out."
However, a softer auburn or strawberry shade could work to neutralise the pink undertones.
Eye colour is another factor, Steven says, citing the example of his previous client, Mad Men star Christina Hendricks, who is naturally blonde: "She has been red for a long time and it definitely suits her because she has pale skin with blue eyes."
But you don't have to have porcelain skin to rock a fierce red, he adds: "It can also complement Black skin as well. There are lots of different reds that can actually work quite well on the deepest skin tones."
Just ask Rihanna, who has played around with many different scarlet tones throughout the years, and Zendaya, who opts for a coppery colour every so often.
Your base hair colour will also determine how easy it is to achieve the desired result.
"If you've got somebody who's blonde, it's quite nice going for a strawberry blonde first before going for a full-on copper," Steven says.
While red tints can be used on light brown hair, if your base colour is darker, it may need to be bleached first, Charlotte explains: "Especially if you want a more vibrant red then you would need to lighten it first to be able to see those red tones.".
Balayage, where sections of colour are applied by hand, is another option, she says: "There are so many different tones, so there is usually something that's going to suit someone in one way or another. They might go for all-over colour or just some red pieces."
HOW TO MAINTAIN A RAVISHING RED
It's important to note that red hair takes more maintenance than other hues.
"Reds will fade a lot quicker than a brown or blonde," says Steven. "For it to look good at all times you need to get it coloured every five to six weeks, either with a toner or to have your roots done."
And it may not suit everyone's lifestyle, he adds: "If you're somebody who wants to wash your hair every day the colour is going to fade a lot quicker than for somebody who washes their hands two to three times a week."
But there are ways to keep the shade looking fresh and vibrant. Fighting the fade starts in salon, where we offer targeted treatments at colour appointments.
"L'Oreal Metal Detox helps a lot," says Charlotte. "It's a pre-treatment that's sprayed on to dry hair before the colour is applied to remove any of the toxins from the hair that sometimes can cause fading."
Steven recommends: "INNOluxe is another treatment which goes into the dye itself and helps to lock the colour in."
In between your main colour appointments we can revitalise your red in salon, Charlotte says: "A toner or gloss about three weeks after will make the shade brighter and make your hair shine more."
At home, heat protection spray when you're blow-drying or using styling tools is vital, as is the right combination of shampoo and conditioner.
"Shu Uemura Colour Lustre is a really good range for maintaining the longevity of the colour, especially the pigmented conditioners," Charlotte says.
Take extra care of your hair when you're in the sun, she adds: "Make sure that when you're on holiday you're using a product that contains SPF because the sun can really increase fading."
It's best to not wash your hair too often - dry shampoo can come in handy for refreshing your locks without stripping the colour.
GET RED-Y FOR SPRING
As Charlotte and Steven explain, there's truly a red for everyone, from soft strawberry and bold candy apple to deep cherry cola.
Your colourist can tailor your shade to suit your skin tone, eye colour and base hair hue, so grab some pics of your favourite celebrity redheads and book a consultation to begin your spring hair transformation.
Not sure if you can rock red hair? Book an appointment and chat through your options with one of our expert colourists at Paul Edmonds London