Red Is The New Black, Blonde, Whatever

Inquirer Lifestyle / Lifestyle
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view/20090227-191257/Red-alert-on-hair
BACKSTAGE PASS : Red alert on hair
By Isabel Roces
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted date: February 27, 2009

GOING red will get you some attention. Some even shine brighter in the harshness of Hollywood’s spotlights. Take legends such as Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman, Bette Midler and Diane Keaton and new talents such as Lindsay Lohan, Debra Messing, and Marcia Cross.

Once associated with the Mayfair Witches popularized in Anne Rice novels, red hair was believed to be a tell-tale sign of a person’s magical ability and the presence of fire within one’s spirit. Today hair color plays a mostly psychological role –it is an indicator of sex appeal and possibly a display of power. In the same way that birds attract a mate with displays of their eye-catching colored feathers, so too do humans attract mates based on their physical image. Hair is a particularly important feature in sexual attraction.

Red certainly has a renewed reputation today. We may have had dreams of growing up blonde and blue eyed, but going red might even be a closer fit. Red hair looks good for us Pinays with some looking natural and others just standing out all the more. The key is to learn which works best for you and then adjust your makeup, especially your lipstick, accordingly.

Here are some tips to consider before you take a leap of red, because from crimson to copper, there are so many ravishing reds available that it’s difficult to know which is right for you.

When it comes to discussing reds with your stylist, try communicating through photographs because people often have different ideas about what a copper, burgundy or red shade is. A photo ensures that you’re speaking the same language. Especially in the level and the tone of the color, the level describes the lightness versus darkness of the color, while the tone is what you’re seeing reflected in the color.

Once you and your colorist are on the same page, you need to think about your entire image before proceeding. For example, wearing a certain shade might require a complete change in makeup. If you’re willing to do that, go for it.

Most makeup artists recommend redheads to focus on browns, terra-cottas, peaches and corals when choosing cosmetics. Although you don’t have to be this strict. These colors are good starting points for getting daily makeup looks together and are worthwhile fallbacks on the days that you’re feeling less than creative.

It is generally recommended that redheads avoid makeup with a blue color. This is especially true with eye shadows, although thankfully, blue eye shadows haven’t been in fashion for several decades!

I asked three of Manila’s top hair dressers to give their two cents’ worth on this color which is to dye for.

Henri Calayag

“I think red is the new black in terms of color trends for hair this season, and it’s here to stay for a while. Red goes well with just about any skin tone. For fairer skin like Asians: choosing from tones of mahogany brown-red, deep plum-red or deep burgundy red will best suit our yellow skin tones. I don’t suggest using any red with copper tones–this shade is a little tricky. It’s more suited for pink-toned skin. However, red-copper tones come out lovely when used as highlights, or you can use it as a gloss for your black hair. The effect is a hint of copper, and just a subtle reflection.”

Jing Monis

“Red is a holiday color. It’s the richest color among all the vibrant colors, and coincidentally reflects the colors of our emotions: We turn red with anger or extreme happiness, even when we blush we turn red. But be careful of red when planning to put it on your hair. Most Asians are good with red, especially those who are fair, but those with extremely dark skin should stay away, as it reflects a color that makes dark skin appear gray. ”

Lourd Ramos

“Red is the new FAB in hair color because it suits both Euro, American and Asian skin. It contrasts and brings out the features of our faces. It also compliments and flaunts it. For Pinays, I recommend using dyes from Davines. Red highlights in Davines 5.5 is “IN” today blending it with 5.0 light brown. Copper highlights such as 6.34 and 7.3 are beautiful when blended with ash-brown base colors like 5.01 and 6.01, respectively. Strawberry blonds and ice-blond dyes such as 10.01 and 11 series are perfect for the incoming summer, giving hair light movement, texture and softness. Best of all, these colors suit Asians.”

So whether you want to dye your entire head a fiery shade of red or just add copper highlights, red hair is consistently popular and desirable. It will give you a new image that screams fire, power and passion.