Hot and Cold Color

Thanks to the ever-brilliant Suzanne Quinn for this color-decoder!

What makes haircolor hot? Tone! Determining the correct haircolor tone, either warm or cool, is simple with these tips from Krista Beahm, colorist at patrick mcivor color studio. Rule of Thumb: Natural cool tones look best with cool haircolor and natural warm tones look best with warm haircolor.

“Colorists are trained to choose a haircolor that matches a client’s natural skin tones. It’s a process that yields complimentary haircolor results – haircolor that makes eyes shine and skin glow. Choosing the wrong tone can result in skin and eyes looking washed out and tired. So, when choosing DIY color or consulting with your stylist, it’s important to take tone into consideration. I advise looking at childhood photos, if someone had warm tones in their hair as a child, go warm now – cool tones, then go cool,” explains Beahm.

Skin

• Tan easily and veins tend to be bluish green - WARM
• Burn quickly and veins tend to be bluish purple - COOL

Eyes

• Golden flecks in eyes - WARM
• Grayish flecks in eyes - COOL

Natural Hair

• Red, orange and yellow – colors evoking fire and sunshine - WARM
• Green, blue and purple – colors evoking water, sky, sea and forests - COOL

Jennifer Lopez (warm brunette)

Megan Fox (cool brunette)

Kate Hudson (warm blonde)

Cameron Diaz (cool blonde)

“If skin, eyes and hair are all the same tone or two out of three are the same, a person will most likely look best in that same tone of haircolor. If tonal results vary, they can usually pull off either tone,” explains Beahm who uses Matrix color products exclusively for predictable tonal results.

There are ALWAYS exceptions! Some warm toned people don’t like warmth in their hair and some cool toned people don’t like cool tones in their hair. When this is the case, try a neutral tone or ask a professional colorist’s opinion.

Save your Hair Color with the Mohawk Ponytail

Suzanne Quinn at Glow Communications is prepping us for summer with the latest & greatest:

February, 2011 (Bethlehem, PA) – Haircolor just may be the most popular beauty accessory ever, so when the sun starts to compromise its vibrancy and tone, a girl can get a little upset. Fear not, Nathan Rosenkranz, fashion director at patrick mcivor color studio and Matrix Mannequin Master, has a solution that will keep highlights as fresh as Blake Lively and Jennifer Anniston’s.

“Most women with long hair pull it into a ponytail during the summer months and that can lead to awkward color lightening from sun exposure constantly hitting the top layers down the center of the head. The result is similar to a Mohawk effect, lighter down the middle and darker on the sides,” explains Rosenkranz who created the Mohawk Ponytail as a way to control where the sun lightens hair.

Mohawk Ponytail Step-by-Step

· Section hair from the top and back into one ponytail leaving both sides out.

· Take the hair from the left side with the right hand and draw hair up and over the ponytail, hold in place.

· Take the hair from the right side with the left hand and draw up and over the ponytail.

· Hold all 3 ponytails and secure together with a second ponytail holder or covered elastic.

· Spray hair with Matrix colorcarethérapie Shielding Shine Mist, a lightweight no-hold mist that preserves the longevity of colored hair, complete with UV filters to shield color from fading and protection against free radical damage. For added health, use Matrix hydrathérapie Aqua Immersion Hair Crème-Masque before and after sun exposure. The new greener formula (Paraben and Silicone-free in eco-friendly packaging) is formulated with aloe, sunflower oil and other nutrients for intense conditioning that instantly detangles, softens and reveals healthy, shiny hair (both available in salons March 2011).

The Mohawk Ponytail doesn’t just prevent awkward color fadage and enhance highlights like a Cheerio on “Glee,” it actually looks cool too!

Nick Chavez: Cello-Gloss

Nick Chavez
Cello-Gloss

You probably don't know Nick unless you're an avid QVC watcher/shopper. A few years ago, my mom was hooked on Nick.
I finally tried his Cello-Gloss product, which is supposed to add shine and renew hair color, for those damaged (aka fried) or just looking a little worse for chemical indulgences.
Having recently gotten highlights - the first sign of spring - I thought I'd give them a little help in retaining their luminescent loveliness. Here's how it went:
Take shower, shampoo hair. Pour out shockingly dark product, consistency similar to runny conditioner. Notice a slight yet unpleasant smell. Massage into hair, as directed, creating taupe foam. Place shower cap on. Rinse off, get out of shower, wrap up in towel. Re-read directions and wonder who the hell is going to run their hair dryer for 15 minutes straight. I make it 10 before getting totally fed up and wondering if the motor on my dryer is going to burn out. Meanwhile, little trails of brown water are drippling down my neck and cleavage. Get back in shower, rinse out product and re-shampoo in cold water. Shivering ensues. Get out, don the ever luxe towel turban, get dressed, etc. After the usual 15 minutes in the turban, I blow dry.
Result: The dullest looking hair I've ever had! Cursing ensues. Thank God I hadn't planned on leaving the house!
Conclusion: I hate Nick and his stinkin' product! Later, I dumped the rest of the bottle down the drain and happily placed it in the recycling bin! Ba-bye!