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Haute hues for a stylish look

TRENDS For an instant makeover, what else comes more handy than a dash of colour on your lustrous mane, writes NIVEDITA GANGULY

PHOTO: K.R.DEEPAK

TRENDY COLOURS Hair stylist and colour technician Bobby Prudhi at the workshop

The clock seems to tick away faster towards the party hour. And here you have a crisis situation! You yearn for that `drop dead' looks for the evening party and want an instant makeover. What else comes more handy than a dash of colour on your lustrous mane? With the right colour suiting the occasion, you can be quite an attention grabber at the parties!

Brown, red, burgundy, copper, yellow... hair has gone technicolour. Falling to the seduction of a brand new improved persona, people are succumbing to the gentle art of the make over. Time seems to be no constraint for the enthusiastic teens that revel in pampering their hair with colour lock shampoo and dollops of conditioner. The concept of full hair colouring, streaking and highlighting is the latest fad among college students and the not so young who are eager to shield their gray locks.

At the workshop recently conducted here by hair stylist and colour technician Bobby Prudhi from Mumbai, interesting facts about style and looks were discussed. "Looking good is serious business today," says Bobby. While a haircut lifts the face, styling and colouring gives the trendy and fashionable look, she adds. "With so much exposure to fashion, people are ready to experiment. And after trying out different hairstyles they move on to hair colour. Even kids know what exactly they want." Selecting the right colour is the crux of the art. Though the markets are flooded with a range of products - from the sober burgundy to the flamboyant red, shades to suit different moods and occasion, one needs to exercise great caution in selection of the colour.

Hair colour not only gives a stylish look, it also adds to your oozing confidence. That, perhaps, explains why Britney Spears and Madonna bartered their drop dead, blonde looks for a sedate brunette. While a Ronaldo or a Beckham sporting a new hairdo made fans go berserk. So if Hollywood goes crazy over colour makeovers, can Bollywood be far behind? Beauties like Aishwarya Rai endorsing L'Oreal, a sensuous Malaika Arora promoting Streax and Kareena Kapoor advertising for Garnier Nutrisse hair colour, contribute a great deal in boosting their sales.

Choosing the right shade that suits the complexion is very important, says Bobby who has worked with her team on the sets of films like Lakshya and Dhoom. Streaks of burgundy or copper red go well on a dark complexion whereas copper brown or dark brown suits the wheatish or fair complexion. More colours can be added on a curly hair to get the enhanced look. For fine straight hair, thin weaves of colour gives it volume and shine. Instead of heading straightway for a base colour, one can also try out highlighting first to see whether the streak or tint goes with the personality.

Conditioning

To protect the hair from the harsh sun, it's important to do deep conditioning. "Infuse a vitamin E capsule in the conditioner as it gives a long lasting effect and protects the hair," she suggests. A separate conditioner should be used but for oily hair a shampoo with added conditioners can be preferred. Leave-in conditioner acts as a great barrier against the harmful ultra-voilet rays of the sun and protects coloured hair too. "This can be used every day especially if there is any outdoor work," she adds.

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