Naturally, it might be fading away but there’s a new trend for some Titian tresses
Dear Paul and Leisa I would like to have red hair but I think it sometimes doesn’t look good when it is dyed.Is it true that redheads are perceived as fiery? Will I be at a disadvantage? And what can I do to get the right tones for my skin?
In the world of hair colour, redheads have historically been on the receiving end of some pretty bad press. Where blondes have fun redheads are perceived as fiery and bad-tempered.
As it happens, we Irish and our next door neighbours have more redheads than anywhere else in the world and it’s not an excessive number either as less than 2% of the world’s population are actually bonafide redheads.
Those of us with the red gene are part of a very small but unique minority and it seems that right now this minority is having a moment. Going red is the TikTok phenomenon du jour, with blonde to red transformations racking up millions of views.
It also seems to be the colour of choice for the newly single, less radical than the ‘divorce haircut’ and the most blatant kiss off to that ex lover who simply loved blondes (so much so he had to have more than one at a time).
So what is about red hair that triggers all our emotions? From the outrage and rebellion of a young John Lydon, eyes bulging and Anti-Christ professing topped off with a carrot coloured spiky crop, top the vampy sexiness and wit of Christina Hendricks in Mad Men, the latest in a long line of Hollywood redheads that began with Rita Hayworth and Lucille Ball right up to julianne Moore and Nicole Kidman not to forget the most iconic of them all, Jessica Rabbit. Red hair is also often associated with some of the most notable powerful and divisive women in history; Queen Elizabeth 1, Florence Nightingale, Margaret Thatcher. In some cases the colour of these famous women’s hair was often used against them in a discriminatory way, to devalue or demean their roles in society and position in ways that doesn’t happen with other hair colours or even men with red hair. Step forward Winston Churchill , Henry VIII, or even Prince Harry.
So why the red revolution? And where did it come from? The truth is that red was never really dead, it’s always been the colour of choice for the bohemian, the avante garde and defiantly independent. Its vibrancy and uniqueness screams for attention, it announces itself more than any dress, hat or piece of jewellery.
Red hair often symbolises independence and a secure sense of self — think about Ralph Lauren’s great wide open campaigns with his quintessential all-American girl with the wind in her hair as she rides a beautiful wild stallion with the wind in her hair.
Or even designer Vivienne Westwood sending the stunning Lily Cole teetering down the catwalk in a Dangerous Liaisons corset and coiled-tight strawberry blonde ringlets.
And then there is the gothic inspired supermodel and musician Karen Elson, alongside Kristen McMenemy and Linda Evangelista championing ruby red new wave crops and cuts alongside serious attitude.
Red is the colour of independence, individuality and identity, its rarity is the key and yet its popularity in terms of its appeal is constantly making hair colour companies and salons desperate to deliver new tones and shades as well as techniques on an almost seasonal level. Unlike the more generic blonde options, we are inundated with new reds, golds, coppers, honeys, Titians, rose golds, ginger beer — well, maybe not that one — every year.
So even if the real redheads may be on decline the fake versions are on the rise. There may be fewer natural redheads in the world but whilst there is a hair colour and hairstylists and brave heads to apply the tint, reds will never go out of fashion.
LEISA STAFFORD’S RED RULES
What skin colour is best suited to red hair ?
Traditionally pale skinned girls are best suited to classic red hair but not exclusively. Adding red tones to blondes or brunettes is possible for most complexions and can be as dramatic or subtle as you want without any real long term commitment. Highly coloured complexions can be problematic as red hair can make the skin flush in an unflattering way.
What’s the most popular red shade this season and who suits it ?
We are introducing winter blondes to redder tones, with strawberry blonde and Titian tones being the new rose gold. These are beautiful shades to bring blondes into play for the winter months, again with no long-term commitment. It’s a fun modern way to give the hair a breather until summer and add interest to tired blondes. Suitability is subject to blonde base colour but there is almost no limits to the possibilities.
Who should avoid red hair at all costs?
There is a eurotrash red that never looks good. It’s hard to explain but when you see it you know it. Trying to add copper, mahogany or any plum or burgundy tones to dark or even black hair can be difficult and damaging to the hair and rarely looks great. Avoid at all costs.
Who is your favourite famous red head of all time and why ?
Personally I loved Nicole Kidman when she was a redhead, there was something beautifully understated and natural about her Titian-coloured hair which was aspirational and exquisite.
Are there any specific products exclusively for red hair ?
At our salon we introduce copper or rose gold pigments by Alfaparf to our clients’ favourite shampoos and treatments. Alfaparf shampoos have a little gap left in the bottles specifically for that purpose so you can add richness and intensity at home without build up and can shampoo as frequently as you like.
Can I go red temporarily?
The short answer is yes, a semi permanent gloss colour will add a warmer richness and tone to most mid-shades and lighter but anything darker will require prelightening, a more complicated process. This can still be relatively painless depending on the desired result
