On rainy days like we’ve been having, fighting the frizz is pretty futile. And no one knows how to go big and let their frizz flag fly like a redhead. Refinery29 put together a tribute of their favorite redheads (including Karen Elson (channeling Grace Coddington, natch) and Lily Cole, above) and pointed out that natural redheads are actually on the decline. So we surely must do something about preserving this natural (or sometimes not-so-natural) beauty.

Products designed specifically for certain hair colors are gaining popularity, but it’s still the most difficult to find products for redheads like Claire Oleson, pictured with Cole above. One product referred to me by blogger and ginger blogger Amber McNaught is Boots Botanics Radiant Red. And for a whole trio of products for redheads, try John Frieda Radiant Red (popular name) shampoo, conditioner and glaze.

As for the frizz that often accompanies red hair, a great product to combat that is  Redken Outshine. I smooth this on after blowing my (admittedly blonde) hair out and it really gives it a sleek look and helps keep it from puffing out. Also look through all Girlznight’s shampoos for frizzy hair to find the perfect one for you!

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What one product does hair stylist Natasha Sunshine, owner of Byu-ti Hair Therapy say you should have on hand this summer?

“Keep Pureology EssentialRepair ColourMax in your beach bag this summer,” she says. “This colour-defending formula contains the highest concentration of the AntiFadeComplex to protect hair colour from fading, seal the cuticle and reduce breakage while detangling, adding shine and enhancing colour radiance.”

According to Pureology, Colour treated hair requires protection from fading caused by free radicals in the atmosphere. These free radicals are unstable molecules formed when ultra violet light interacts with oxygen, water (moisture) and pollutants. Free radicals attack freshly colour-treated hair, causing hair to weaken, fade, and dull.

Blargh, sounds horrible, right? So that’s what gives blondes brassy tones and causes brunettes to go mousy.

Pureology has built its AntiFadeComplex into all of its products for this reason. It contains the following powerful ingredients:

• Heliogenol: Sunflower seed cake extract prevents colour loss from photo oxidation from UVA & UVB rays
• Vitamin C & E: Powerful, natural antioxidants to counteract free radicals
• Melanin: Herbal melanin retard oxidation and enhance colour hair radiance
• UVA & UVB Sunscreens: Shield hair from absorbing damaging ultra-violet light which oxidize and fade coloured hair

Redken Summer Hair Color Trends

If you want just a hint of lightening power for the summer without obvious streaks or highlights marring your brunette do, this is a great video to check out.

David Stanko began with the consultation process to hear directly from Angelique what she was looking to achieve and portray with her new haircolor. See the coloring process below:

Step 1: To lighten Angelique’s overall base, David used Color Gels, a dynamic permanent haircolor brand from Redken.

Step 2: Next , David added highlights with Blonde Icing Power Lift, part of the Blonde Glam Collection, which provided luxurious, conditioning lightening ability for all bases and hair types, as well as a faster and higher lift, better conditioning with exclusive Lumisilk Technology, and a new, creamier formula.

Step 3: David toned and glossed Angelique with new Shades EQ, part of the Blonde Glam Collection, which added condition and shine to any cool blonde while controlling unwanted yellow tones.

Step 4: Redken Chemistry, an exclusive, professional in-salon service, offering intense, customized treatments to help preserve Angelique’s fresh haircolor and treat distressed hair as a result of chemical and/or mechanical processes which can results in dry, brittle, frizzy, damaged, weak, sensitized, faded, and/or dull hair.

Step 5: To keep color radiant at home, David recommended the following Redken products for Angelique:
Color Extend Shampoo and Conditioner dedicated to the care and preservation of color-treated hair
Real Control Overnight Treat night recovery treatment, renews and repairs dense, dry, sensitized hair during sleep. Blonde Glam Perfect Platinum, to neutralizes brassiness and preserves warm tones for ultra pale to light blonde locks.

To make your haircolor appointment, visit Redken.com for salons.

If there’s ever a time for blondes, summer is it. The newest addition to the Redken Color Expert team, Tracey Cunningham is Redken’s Creative Consultant for Color and Trend Expert. what it takes to create bold, high-fashion blondes from the coolest platinum to subtle champagne highlights.

“There are literally no limits. I can use Redken’s Blonde Glam Collection on a dark brunette like Jennifer Lopez to add rich, luminous tones or on a naturally light-haired client like Cameron Diaz to create that pefect cool neutral blonde. Bright, light shades are the must have haircolor this summer,” Cunningham said.

For ultra-light, ultra conditioned locks try Blonde Glam Pure Lightening Cream.

“Think Cameron Diaz.” Cunningham said. ”I add highlights for dimension and a beachy, lived-in, radiant summer look!  For styling blondes with short cuts, I love water wax 03  shine defining pomade. It gives you a separated, glossy finish that  really brings out platinum tones.” 

For a cooler, shimmering blonde the Blonde Glam Haircolor collection is your ticket to a Molly Sims inspired color.

“Shine is also a sought-after feature this summer; it is important to have to shine to make your color look healthier and richer,” Cunningham said. ”Cool blondes look best when they have a hint of shine. Just smooth on a little outshine 01 anti-frizz polishing milk to give hair a satiny finish.”

And of course, to maintain your blonde you’ll want to use shampoo, conditioner, shine treatment and deep conditioner from the Blonde Glam collection found here.

Blame Aggy if you want, but there’s no doubt there’s been a resurgence in bleached-blonde, whiter than white locks on the runway. Iekeliene Stange, above, showed up to New York Fashion Week with a new look, and Daul Kim and Ana Claudia Michels, below, both made the change around the same time.

Even the guys are getting in on the act, even if it is the more androgynous ones like Martin Kohn, below.

Now, it should go without saying that going so dramatically from dark to light is not as easy as it looks, but I’ll say it anyway. Not only will it probably involve stripping your hair, but if you don’t have a modeling agency giving you access to the best hairstylists in the business and frequent touch-ups, the upkeep can be grueling and expensive.

As someone who has added a few bleach streaks to her own hair recently, I can tell you it really sneaks up on you how frequently you have to touch them up. If you’re looking to go lighter by making a more gradual change from already blonde hair, you might try some of the blonding shampoos and treatments recommended in this article. But if you’re truly looking to make a dramatic switch from dark to light, please see a professional and think twice before bleaching your whole head!

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When brands come out with “new and improved” packaging, it’s hard to know what’s changed about the product – if anything at all.

Having used Redken’s Color Extend shampoo and conditioner on my color-treated hair for a while now, I was excited to try their new Color Extend line with their new Fade Resist Complex.

According to the bottles, the old shampoo had “Redken’s exclusive Interbond Conditioning System and a powerful 360-degree protective complex [to] deliver UV filter, anti-oxidant Vitamin E, conditioning silicone, ion blockers and ceramide to help shield, stabalize and secure color vibrancy.”

The new bottle says “Redken’s exclusive Interbond Conditioning System and powerful Fade Resist Complex deliver a UV filter, conditioning cranberry oil, strengthening ceramide, and a protective micro-net technology to help safeguard color and defend against aggressions.”

So what’s with the change in lingo? It’s likely that Redken recently acquired the patent for the Fade Resist Complex which may not be that different than the original “protective complex” but it is now officially sancioned and a patent means that there’s nothing else like it out there. We’re now given more details about the antioxidant ingredient they use – it’s cranberry oil. I always appreciate as much info on ingredients as possible, so A+ there.

The Interbond Conditioning System and Fade Resist Complex wrap around each strand to maximize color retention and improve color vibrancy. There are four ingredients that work together to repair weakened areas, provide structural support to the hair fiber ad protect the hair from fading.

Micro-net Technology: seals in color and locks out fading agents
UVA and UVB agents: shield hair from environmental aggressors
Cranberry Oil: conditions and infuses shine
Ceramide: penetrates the hair fiber to strengthen and nourish the hair

Redken products are always high quality, which is why they often have celebrity clientele – people who could use any haircare in the world, probably for free, and work with the world’s best professionals. Amy Adams and Emily Blunt used the products while filming Sunshine Cleaning with hair designer Voni Hinkle on set. I love Amy Adams’ hair particularly, so I definitely trust what she uses!

What beauty statements do you think are too much for the workplace, and how do you think the nature of the workplace dictates those rules? For instance, how are these standards different at a law firm or a creative advertising agency? In New York or Tampa? Or… Portland.

An employee of a Portland International Airport bookstore, Powell’s, has recently been reprimanded by the Port of Portland, which leases the space to Powell’s for having pink tresses. In a customer service environment, dress codes based on the expectations of customers are perfectly appropriate. At Hot Topic (a US chain of punk and scene fashions) one might expect to see pink hair more often than at Brooks Brothers.

But, shouldn’t it be up to Powell’s, which apparently had no problem with employee Kara Garland’s hair color? And adding to the complexity of the issue, Kara also claims to have visible tattoos and piercings on her blog about the issue. Wouldn’t those have raised similar red flags among authorities if such displays were an issue? In her blog, Kara talks about body ownership.

“I don’t really understand how it could make anyone feel uncomfortable. I feel that if someone disapproves of me for having pink hair, they won’t like me any better with a ‘natural’ color because of my visible tattoo and piercings. Or because I work for Powell’s, any number of reasons really, all based on prejudices. I strongly feel that my customer service shines through any initial bad impression of me based on old stereotypes. Bad customer service is what drives people away, not brightly colored hair.”

As someone with pink hair of her own, (that’s me in the pic!) I feel I’m a bit biased on the issue. What do you think? Tell us in the poll at the link below.

What do you think of “non-natural” hair colors in the workplace?
( polls)

It’s hard enough trying to decide what hairstyle to go for these days with so many trends around.

Is it time you had a bob? Join Kate Moss with a funky fringe? Or be really daring and go pixie short?

Instead of looking to your favourite celebrity for new trends, try focusing on celebrities that have the same face shape as yours. The shape of your face plays a big part in what will and won’t look good.

Follow my tips to get a new hair style that won’t only look fab, but is tailor made for you! (more…)