Enter a world of colour with at-home hair shades to suit hue
Red Alert
From Florence Welch to Lana Del Rey, red is a fiery fave at the moment.
Whether you’re a natural redhead or just fancy a change, pick a shade to suit your skin tone. If you’re naturally dark, go for a bright red. If you’re fair, an orange tone is best.
Insider’s tip “Mix a little beetroot juice with water, and rinse through hair to give your red that salon oomph!” suggests Jose Quijano, Hair Colourist for L’Oréal Paris.
Blonde ambition
Do blondes have more fun? Beyoncé and Emma Stone seem to think so, as they’ve gone over to the light side. Fair-haired maidens can enhance locks with home colourants, but if you’re dark, head to a hairdresser to avoid a home hair-mare.
Insider’s tip A drop of blue or purple food colouring in shampoo will work as a toner, balancing any brassy yellow and keeping blonde looking natural and glossy.
Sweet like Chocolate
Cheryl and Rihanna have gone back to brunette, and almost anyone can go dark – but choose the right shade. If you’re pale, opt for honey or caramel; cool skin tones suit deep chocolate and cool browns; while dark- and olive-skinned ladies will
rock rich toffee hues.
Insider’s tip Batiste Dry Shampoo A Hint Of Colour Dark & Deep Brown, £3.99, is a lifesaver. It gets rid of grease without the telltale white powder and gives hair texture. For a greasy-hair fix on the go, dab bronzer along roots.
Red Alert
Colour L’Oréal Paris Feria Mango Intense Copper 7.4, £5.79
Shampoo and conditioner L’Oréal Paris Hair Expertise EverPure Colour Care & Volume Shampoo, £5.99, and Conditioner, £5.99
Treatment Fudge Red Head Colour Conditioning Treatment, £2.50
Styling product L’Oréal Paris EverPure Colour Care Protective Mist, £6.99
Blonde Ambition
Colour L’Oréal Paris Recital Preference With High Shine Elixir in Bergen 9.13, £6.63
Shampoo and conditioner Pureology Perfect 4 Platinum Shampoo, £11.75, and Conditioner, £15.15
Treatment Lee Stafford Hot Shots 4 Blondes with Pro-
Blonde Complex, £7.19
Styling product L’Oréal Paris EverPure Lasting Moisture Leave-in Crème, £6.99
Sweet like Chocolate
Colour Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Foam Spectacular Permanent Colour 4 Brown, £5.99
Shampoo and conditioner Toni & Guy Cleanse Shampoo For Brunette Hair, £5.99, and Nourish Conditioner, £5.99
Treatment Percy & Reed Brilliantly Beautiful Superglossing Mask, £18
Styling product L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strength Hairspray For Coloured Hair, £3.79
THE DIY Guide (Dye-it-yourself)
1 Hair colour is rated by numbers – one equals black and 10 equals the lightest blonde – so next time you’re at the salon ask your stylist what your natural number is, as home hair colourants also use this scale. Avoid going more than two shades darker/lighter at home.
2Always do a patch test. It’s so important, as hair dye can cause a horrible allergic reaction in a small number of people. Apply a five-pence-sized blob of unmixed hair colourant behind your ear and allow to dry. Repeat up to three times, without washing the area. After 48 hours, if you have no reaction, go for it!
3Jose recommends misting locks with water before colouring. “If your hair is slightly damp it will encourage the colourant to soak in,” he says. “It will also make the hair easier for you to control.”
4Before dying, use a combto divide your hair into five sections – at the crown, two at the front, and two at the back. “Always start with the areas you can see,” says Jose. “At home focus on the hairline and front – it’s the first part other people see.”
5For super-simple application, use Superdrug Tinting Brush, £1.59. This will give you more control over the product, especially around the roots, hairline and parting.
6After dying, cut down on hair washes for the first few weeks, as water can strip colour. And make sure you use the right products. “I can’t stress enough the importance of colour-specific shampoo,” says Jose.
7Keep colour in check with regular at-home treatments. A weekly hair mask like L’Oréal Paris Hair Expertise EverPure Intense Mask, £6.99, will breathe life into your locks
