What's Hot In Hair Color

Hair-color trends come and go, but healthy, luscious locks are always in style. We asked Antoinetta Giuliano, a color artist at Static Salon (www.statichair.com) in White Plains—where she has her finger on the pulse of the latest hair-color products, trends, and styles—to share some of her insight with us.

What are some of the hottest trends in hair color right now?

“The hottest color trends for 2016 are bold and vibrant, having fun and multi-coloring. For brunettes, it’s mixing espresso, honey, and caramel together. For blondes, it’s the buttery gold, platinum, sandy shades. For reds, it’s cherry, crimson, merlot, blush, and candy. With reds, the more colors the better.”

Have there been any new developments in the types of hair coloring used by salons?

“I’m so thankful for Olaplex! This is a product colorists use to add to color or lighten creams before they’re used on a client. It reconnects broken disulfide sulfur bonds in the hair. It’s our magic tool to prevent and heal any breakage on hair.”

What are some of the biggest mistakes women make when coloring their own hair?

“The number-one rule to coloring your hair at home is DON’T! Take pride in your hair. It’s your main accessory you wear every day. Don’t try and cheat it—treat it!”

If a client asked you to color her hair in a way that you know would not be flattering or would damage her hair, would you tell her?

“Clients often ask for color that wouldn’t flatter them. This is why a thorough consultation is crucial. Your client should trust you before you mix their color. If you don’t connect in the consultation, leave. As a colorist, I wouldn’t do something I wasn’t 100-percent sure of. After all, your client is walking around with your name on his or her head.”

What are some of the best looks for brunettes?

“The best look for brunettes is balayage. This technique has been around for a while. Staying away from the root is what gives us brunettes the most natural, flattering look. Of course, this doesn’t mean you will leave the salon with bad roots!”

What are the best looks for blondes?

“The best look for blondes is bright, bright, bright! The trickiest part about bright is not to have a dark ‘landing strip’ across the top of your head after two weeks. Most of the time with color, less is more. Try and keep some of your natural root color in for some contrast. That’s what will give you brightness with low maintenance.”

What questions should you ask when you are visiting a new colorist?

“When trying someone new, always ask the colorist what he or she thinks will look best. That doesn’t mean you need to listen, but at least they can lead the way.”

What are your favorite hair-coloring products?

“My favorite hair-coloring product to use is INOA by L’Oreal. It’s a more natural ingredient-derived hair-color line that will make your hair feel thicker and shinier then others with no ammonia.”

What is the best way to care for colored hair?

“Remember that the ends of your hair, depending on length, are anywhere from four to six years old. Conditioning your color-treated hair is so important. It’s what will prevent it from looking dry and frizzy. You should be using a conditioning mask once or twice a week. I highly recommend L’Oreal Absolut Repair.”