Hairdressers confirm that red is the number-one color clients want to explore when stepping out of their comfort-zone for the first time.
“Redheads get noticed more than any other color,” says OYA’s Laura Mazzarino. As the longer, brighter spring days expose strands to more UV rays, Mazzarino explains that OYA color products shield tresses with Green Tea, offering 20 times more protection than Vitamin E against color fading. True, you could always wear a sensible hat – but most redheads would rather defy the elements than play it safe.
Red signals heat, energy and on-fire excitement. Part of the reason is the rarity of natural red hair: there are fewer natural redheads than there are blondes or brunettes. Milky skin and freckles often accompany ginger-snap tresses, along with a reputation for a jalapeño-hot temper. “From bright coppers to vivid reds, or deep, rich plums to soft auburns, your shade of red should reflect who you are. If you are accustomed to bold looks, a bright red red-violet may be just right. If you are looking for something softer, a warm mahogany is the perfect way to add warmth and richness,” says colorist Ryann DiBenedetto of Salon Halo in Spring Hill, FL – a Paul Mitchell Focus Salon.
Aveda Global Artistic Director Ian Michael Black customizes his reds with blocks of violet tone for added intensity. “This creates the illusion of shadows through the hair to make it look thicker and more interesting,” he says. There seems to come a tipping-point in every woman’s life when she dares to cross the line and go red. But beware of carrot-tops: the volatility of these shades requires a professional consultation to select the most flattering range of red tones, unless you really do believe that orange is the new black.
Back in Lucille Ball’s day, women with red hair were told that they couldn’t wear a garment of firecracker-red or its color-wheel opposite – emerald-green, and certainly no shades of coral, peach or orange. They were also told to cover their freckles. But redheads have always loved to defy the rule-book. Depending upon where your skin tone falls in the Fitzpatrick Scale, and whether your choice of hair-color is warm, cool, coppery or deep bronze, there’s really nothing redheads can’t do. It may take a little courage to get out of neutral, but once you’ve experienced the rush of red, it may be impossible to go back.
By Victoria Thomas
