MSN
  • More
    • Autos
    • Careers & Jobs
    • Celebrities
    • Delish
    • Entertainment
    • Games
    • Glo
    • Healthy Living
    • Living
    • Money
    • News
    • msnNOW
    • Real Estate & Rentals
    • Sports
    • Travel
    • Video
    • Weather
    • WhitePages
    • Full MSN Index
  • Outlook.com
    • Inbox
    • Calendar
    • Contacts
    • Send e-mail
  • Mobile
Bing
Rewards
�

Bing Search

Living | Web | Images | Video | News | Maps
Loading...

I Want Her Hair Color!

Whether you're going for elegant or edgy, we tracked down top celeb colorists and got the secret sauce for these to-dye-for looks.
Women's Health // Women's Health

Light: Beach-Goddess Blonde

Reese Witherspoon Next Slide

Celeb inspiration: Reese Witherspoon

"This beachy shade is usually a summery look, so part of its appeal in fall is that it's unexpected," says colorist Lorri Goddard of L.A.'s Prive Salon, who created the Oscar winner's pretty tone.

Colorist crib sheet: This look is most realistic for hair that's naturally medium to dark blonde (brunettes and redheads--only if you're willing to make a major financial and time commitment, says Goddard). Lift the base to a cool, buttery blonde, and place a handful of very pale, almost vanilla highlights where the sun hits--around the face, in the part, and at the nape of your neck--from roots to ends. Streaks should be a random mix of thick (think fettuccine noodle) and thin (like vermicelli).

More from Women's Health: New Ponytail Ideas

©Women's Health
1 of 11 Photo: Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic

Dark: Bronde

Previous Slide Nicole Richie Next Slide

Celeb inspiration: Nicole Richie

Like the moniker Brangelina, "bronde" weds two beautiful things: "It's the perfect mix of blonde highlights on a warm, rich base," says colorist Kyle White, of the Oscar Blandi salon in New York City, who coined the term. It's a natural-looking way for deep brunettes to brighten up without bleaching out.

Colorist crib sheet: "If you're a brunette, the key to this look is lightening your base to a warm camel color before adding streaks," says George Papanikolas, the New York--and L.A.--based colorist who created the Fashion Star judge's hue. Then, starting at the roots, add 1/8-inch-thick golden-blonde highlights, spaced about 1/4 inch apart; they should widen a bit toward the ends. (With a base so much lighter than your roots, there's going to be a strong regrowth line, so prepare to retouch just your roots every four to six weeks.)

More from Women's Health: The Right Makeup For Your Hair Color

2 of 11 Photo: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Medium: Peachy Blonde

Previous Slide Blake Lively Next Slide

Celeb inspiration: Blake Lively

"Much like a gold-flecked blush, this hue adds luminosity to your complexion," says Blake's colorist Rona O'Connor, of Lukaro Salon in Beverly Hills.

Colorist crib sheet: "Instead of adding lots of highlights, I create Blake's multidimensional effect by mixing amber honey and rose-gold tones into the golden-blonde base color," says O'Connor. Her signature base mixture, which she applies all over the head, is 50 percent golden, 25 percent amber honey, and 25 percent apricot. Depending on your skin tone, your base level--in colorist speak--should be 8 (warm honey), 9 (golden apricot), or 10 (lightest golden ivory). Then cover the tips with golden ivory, if needed. For added dimension, weave in warm honeyed-copper lowlights; O'Connor applies them on about 30 percent of the underside of hair, from the middle back of the head downward.

More from Women's Health: Hair Myths -- Busted!

3 of 11 Photo: © Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Pink Ends

Previous Slide Lauren Conrad Next Slide

Celeb inspiration: Lauren Conrad (A)

"Dip-dyed neon pink is striking, but because it's also such a girlie shade, it doesn't look too eccentric," says Los Angeles--based colorist Kristin Ess, who dyed Lauren's ponytail in her kitchen sink. It's gorg on blondes and brunettes alike.

Colorist crib sheet: Ess added two quarter-size dabs of Special Effects Atomic Pink semipermanent color ($14, punk.com) in three bowls, containing 1/2 cup, 1 cup, and 1 1/2 cups of water. She dipped about five inches of Lauren's pony into the lightest pink bowl for a minute, then wrung out the moisture. She held just two or three inches in the second bowl, squeezed again, and finally dunked only the tips into the third.

More from Women's Health: Master Your Hair Type

4 of 11 Photo: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

Peekaboo Jewel Tones

Previous Slide Selena Gomez Next Slide

Celeb inspiration: Selena Gomez (B)

"Blue and purple streaks through the ends of dark hair are so rich--they complement the deepness of your color," says colorist Sulekha Hilton of L.A.'s Sally Hershberger Salon, who colors the teen queen's hair.

Colorist crib sheet: Paint cobalt blue and purple streaks, one to two inches thick, from roots to ends--one on each side of the nape on hair's underside, one above each ear, two under the crown, and two face-framing layers so you have a total of eight streaks (four of each color), says Hilton.

More from Women's Health: Get Expert Hair-Repair Tricks

5 of 11 Photo: Selena Gomez/Jesse Grant/WireImage

Blue Ombre

Previous Slide Jaime King Next Slide

Celeb inspiration: Jaime King (C)

Is it possible for blondes to have any more fun? Why, yes. "Pastel blue adds luminescence," says Hilton.

Colorist crib sheet: Jaime whipped up this look herself, but Hilton suggests asking for pale robin's-egg blue starting four inches from the roots, all around your head. Then paint on two-inch-thick streaks of a cobalt blue, from roots to ends, along underlayers of hair--two right behind your ears, two above your ears, and two at the nape of your neck. The cobalt blue will peek through the robin's-egg layers when the hair moves.

More from Women's Health: The best hair products -- ever!

6 of 11 Photo: Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic

Sun-Kissed Tips

Previous Slide Jessica Biel; Rachel Bilson Next Slide

Celeb inspiration: Rachel Bilson, Jessica Biel

"The harsh contrast between very dark roots and blonde ends is passe," says colorist Denis De Souza, of the Andy Lecompte Salon in Beverly Hills, who created Rachel's shade. "This new version of ombre is softer, more blended than before. It's about pretty tips that look lightened from the sun, as if you've just taken a month-long Brazilian vacation."

Colorist crib sheet: Use foils to create thin, 1/4-inch-wide highlights (one or two shades lighter than your base color) on the top, front, and sides of your head, starting a couple of inches from the roots. Space them 1 1/2 inches apart, leaving two to four inches of the ends out. (The length should be randomly varied to prevent a harsh, unnatural-looking line of demarcation.) Paint the ends an intense golden-honey shade all around the head.

More from Women's Health: How Healthy Is Your Hair?

7 of 11 Photo: Dave Hogan/Getty Images; John Lamparski/WireImage

Cool Down

Previous Slide Christina Hendricks Next Slide

Celeb inspiration: Christina Hendricks

Christina's curves aren't her only feature that's reminiscent of Old Hollywood. "Her shocking red hair recalls glamour girl Rita Hayworth," says Christopher Pierce, of the Andy Lecompte Salon in Beverly Hills, who colors the Mad Men siren's locks. A shade this vivid looks best with fair, rosy skin and light eyes.

Colorist crib sheet: Spend 10 minutes dying the roots a single-process cool red and 20 minutes coloring the rest. "Your ends are old and need more time to absorb color," says Pierce. "Sallow-looking, barely red ends ruin the effect." If you are starting as a brunette, your colorist will need to lift out your color before depositing the crimson, so expect to go blonde before going red--a process that works best in two salon sessions.

More from Women's Health: Fun Braid Designs

8 of 11 Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Warm Up

Previous Slide Amy Adams Next Slide

Celeb inspiration: Amy Adams

Pierce describes Amy's shade as "a sophisticated nutty cinnamon"--um, could that sound any more appealing? We want.

Colorist crib sheet: "Red is the brightest shade in the color spectrum, so when it fades it's like a lightbulb dimming . . . you notice it faster than you do with blonde or brown," says Pierce. "The goal is to keep your red as vibrant as possible. Highlights work against this by lightening the overall look." What you want is a single-process warm orange-red. Instead of highlights, have your colorist create shimmering depth by spiking the base-color formula with lush golden undertones.

More from Women's Health: How To Have Curly -- And Straight -- Hair

9 of 11 Photo: Jeff Vespa/WireImage

Chocolate-Caramel Swirl

Previous Slide Mila Kunis; Minka Kelly Next Slide

Celeb inspiration: Mila Kunis, Minka Kelly

Bronzy metallic highlights create a sparkly, almost 3-D effect.

Colorist crib sheet: "Use a demipermanent chrome formula," says Papanikolas, who works with Mila. "Because chrome hair color is ammonia-free, it leaves hair more reflective and shiny, which adds a metallic finish." Brunettes look most natural with streaks within two shades of their base color. The balayage technique--in which the highlights are painted directly onto the hair rather than applied with foils--gives the most precise results here; streaks should be very fine and spaced two inches apart all around the head, starting at the roots, where you part your hair. Thick streaks can look brassy on brown hair, so keep the intensity only at the ends.

More from Women's Health: The Best Foods For Healthy Hair

10 of 11 Photo: Ray Tamarra/FilmMagic; John Lamparski/WireImage
Previous Slide
More Slideshows on MSN Living
True Religion shirt
Beyond the Sarong
UP NEXT:
Woman blowing on a dandelion
Be happy: How to make your own luck
Woman wearing red skirt with a sparkly belt
The Belt Way
More from Women's Health
A woman with a flat belly
15-Minute Belly-Blasting Workout
Sexy woman in a striped shirt
15-Minute Skinny Jeans Workout
A woman with a head scarf
9 Ways to Wear a Scarf
↺Replay "I Want Her Hair Color!"
More on MSN Living
11 of 11
Also from Women's Health
  • 15 Ways to Get Whiter Teeth
  • The Best Fat-Burning Foods
  • The Germiest Place You Don't Know About
  • Solve Your Stomach Pain
  • Try Look Better Naked and Reshape Your...
User Picture
Write a comment...
0Comments

makeup, skin care & hair: tips & tricks for a more beautiful you

  • Summer nail color in orange

    The 8 hottest pedicure shades for summer 2013

    That’s right. We said it. These nail polish colors aren’t just sexy—they’re the hottest things you can put on your feet this summer. Now the hard part: choosing one.

  • Exfoliate

    Ready, set, summer: 11 updates for your beauty routine

    Days are getting longer, skirts are getting shorter, and our feet haven’t seen the light of day since the autumnal equinox. A seasonal beauty overhaul is in order.

  • Hair products for curly hair

    Allure editors’ summer hair-product regimens

    There’s no hair hotline for all your summer freakouts—but for every strand, type, and texture, there is an Allure editor who’s tested tons of products (in millions of combinations) to fix any problem. Here, our roundup of tried-and-true hot-weather hair regimens.

  • Zoë Saldana

    10 easy summer-hair ideas

    When heat and humidity strike, the last thing you want to do is spend an eternity styling your hair, only for it to end in the F word: frizz. But that doesn’t mean you need to settle for a ho-hum hair day. These ten hairstyles are quick, simple, and not the least bit boring.

  • Cate Blanchett

    Hairstyle of the day

    Long, layered, medium or wavy – we’re sharing our favorite hairstyles of 2013 with a new ‘do each day. Stuck in a hair rut? Check back daily for snappy new looks that are sure to give your locks some beauty inspiration.

  • Halle Berry

    The month in hairstyles

    Big event? Focus on the outfit, because we’ve got your hair all figured out, whether you’ve got two minutes to do it or 20.

  • Summer Street Style

    35 hair and makeup ideas to try in the warm weather

    Ready to refresh your hair and makeup for spring? Well, look no further for your latest batch of inspiration. These ladies are bringing the beauty brilliance with megawatt lipstick shades, sleek haircuts, and must-try hair colors. Get ready to play copycat.

  • Sephora I.T. Angled Synthetic Blush Brush

    5 makeup brushes every woman should own

    If you have only five makeup tools in your kit, make sure these are them. They do much more than just look cute on your vanity!

  • Beachy waves hair

    5 hairspray miracles, plus smell-good products for healthy locks

    Think all it can do is shellac everything down, helmet-head style? So wrong! A can of whatever’s in your cabinet is your secret beauty weapon. Try it like this.

  • Younger looking hair

    6 how-tos for younger-looking hair

    You may not get wrinkles on your hair, but it ages all the same. Grays, dullness, thinning strands, and frizz are all (unfortunately) part of the hair’s aging process, which starts happening in your 30s. The good news is that you don’t need Botox to fix these problems. Here are six tips for hair that’s shiny, bouncy, healthy—and, yes, younger looking.

  • Painted toe nails

    Summer nail art

    Get ready for summer with these cute and easy to DIY nail art designs.

Loading...
ad choice
Loading...
follow us
follow us follow us on facebook follow us on pinterest follow us on twitter
Most Popular
  • Shared
  • Commented
  • Viewed
Woman claims she is too pretty to have a job
20 hottest dog breeds
30 gorgeous ideas for DIY wedding decorations
Marriage proposals gone wrong
17 rules for summer love
11 modern wedding color schemes
Shoe envy
'Harry Potter' book with author notes sold for $228K
Office remix
11 ideas for a summer wedding
Woman claims she is too pretty to have a job
20 hottest dog breeds
Mom spent more than $25K on 8-year-old’s clothes
Handling disrespectful comments about weight
Marriage proposals gone wrong
Topless women in public not breaking the law, says NYPD
Billboard Music Awards beauty
Long blonde hair attracts men the most
Nova Scotia school nixes Mother's Day & Father's Day
Poll: Moral values in U.S. are declining
20 things everyone should do at least once
25 things that will keep you young
20 hottest dog breeds
The best ways to flirt
40 trends we’re sick of seeing
Marriage proposals gone wrong
Funniest ‘save the dates’
15 untruths you may have believed
How To: 45 Amazing New Ways to Get Dressed in the Morning
Ugliest wedding dresses of all time
buzzing now on msn living
Loading...
makeup, skin care & hair videos
Ad Choices
editor's picks
Loading...
Ad Choices
  • get the look
    • everyday fashion
    • celeb style
    • weddings
    • makeup, skin & hair
    • shop
    • your work style
  • home
    • room décor
    • organizing
    • entertaining
  • relationships
    • sex
    • marriage
    • love
  • love your life
    • parenting
    • mom’s homeroom
    • popular video
  • experts & blogs
    • miss manners
    • lifestyle & culture buzz
    • style for her
    • news he can use
    • the family room
    • sex & love news
    • the married chick
  • msn living
    • cooking
    • healthy living
    • fitness
    • style
    • the healthy household
  • HOME
  • STYLE & BEAUTY
    • fashion
    • makeup, skin & hair
    • wedding style
    • celebrity style
    • closet genius
    • simply chic
    • living exclusives▼
      • Simply Beautiful: Your Guide to Gorgeous Hair
      • Start Your Morning Off Right
  • HOME DÉCOR
    • cleaning & organizing
    • interior design
    • diy decorating
    • living exclusives▼
      • Spring Refresh
  • FAMILY & KIDS
    • the family room blog
    • pets
    • raising kids
    • off the leash blog
    • kid wonders
    • mom to mom
    • living exclusives▼
      • Fun in the Summer Sun for Less
      • Father's Day
      • Celebrate Dads and Grads
  • INSPIRED LIFE
    • inspire me
    • life unleashed
    • miss manners & advice
    • blogs▼
      • the daily dose blog
      • the men's department
    • living exclusives▼
      • A Year of Happiness
      • Did You Know?
      • Elevated
      • Life Coach
      • Life Unwrapped
      • Time to Bloom
  • LOVE & SEX
    • sex
    • weddings
    • married chick blog
    • heart beat blog
    • living exclusives▼
      • The Liberating Side of Being Together
    • sex by the numbers
  • SHOPPING
    • spring fashion
    • wedding guide
    • home
    • kids
    • living exclusives▼
      • Father's Day Gift Guide
      • Summer Gift Guide
    • circulars
  • TECH
    • technobabble blog
    • social
    • mobile
    • home tech
  • VIDEOS
    • closet genius
    • elevated
    • year of happiness
    • sex by the numbers
    • kid wonders
    • life coach
    • face to face
  • MORE
    • glo
    • greetings
    • delish
    • healthy living
    • diet & fitness
    • horoscopes
LIVINGMSN PrivacyLegalAdvertiseAbout our adsFeedbackHelp
� 2013 Microsoft