Spring and reinvention go hand in hand and your hair seems the logical place to start.  Nothing showcases your personality quite like a new 'do-- as long as it jives with the trend. The bob? Forget it! The pixie? No way!! This year ditch the cut, because according to Clairol’s Creative Director of Colour & Style Marcy Cona, this season it’s all about colour!

“In the past, the shape or style of hair came first and colour second. Not anymore! The hot trend today is custom, personalized hair colour.” And she tells us, there are only a few shades that are sure to stop traffic this spring: “multi-tonal shades of warm blondes, light delicate brunettes and reds with golden undertones.”
 
Trying out a new blonde or brunette tone doesn’t sound all that daring, but changing your colour even slightly can have a big difference on your overall emotion and level of self confidence, which Mary calls “Hair Colour Happiness.” And since it’s no longer the blondes having all the fun, feel bold and go red.

Before following in the footsteps of young Hollywood starlets like Coco Rocha, Ashlee Simpson and Scarlett Johansson be warned: There are a million different shades, and according to Mary one formula to help you find your perfect one.

"The simple step is to determine if your skin tone is warm or cool. If you have more of a warm tone, your choice of red shade should have a hint of gold. If you have a cooler skin tone and are a little more daring, you’ll love the intensity of a true cool red - choose a red with violet or blue undertones for vibrancy!”
 
Now that you’ve carefully calculated your colour, all you have to worry about is when and how. It’s no secret that maintaining a bold bright can get pricey and complex, so it’s understandable that some women only trust a salon professional.  But if you’re looking for change and don’t feel like spending the dough to achieve it, consider doing it yourself at home, which Mary tells us has definite benefits besides the obvious one – PRICE!

"[it’s] Beauty on your terms. You decide where and when; you can colour on your time with better at home products that produce great results. Whether it is between your salon visits or at your own pace, you are in control of your beauty!”

And to avoid your colour going from fab to drab, follow her simple tips: avoid shampooing on a daily basis unless you have very oily hair and get your hair trimmed often (porous ends will cause your colour to fade; the best way to treat them is to cut them off).
 
So brighten up ladies, because it looks like red is the new blonde!

by Katie Coristine