Kim Kardashian at the Met Gala 2022. Photo: Getty
This red carpet season’s boldest beauty accessory is a dramatic new hair color, with stars unveiling fresh follicles for a complete aesthetic shake-up. Gigi Hadid grabbed headlines when she appeared at London Fashion Week with icy white-blonde lengths. Kendall Jenner debuted a futuristic orange shade on the Prada FW22 runway earlier this year, while Karlie Kloss crossed over to the dark side, going from her natural blonde to a glossy deep brown. After going platinum in 2021, Billie Eilish has returned to her signature inky black hue, and Joelle Mardinian switched between creamy vanilla, highlighted brunette, and almost auburn. Euphoria star Zendaya moved from dark brown to red to caramel blonde in a matter of months, while Mexican actor Eiza González and Sofia Richie joined the summer blondes crew, transforming their locks from deep chestnut to bright blonde, and a sun- kissed bronde respectively. And then there was Kim Kardashian, who walked the Met Gala 2022 carpet sporting a whole head of platinum blonde with Marilyn Monroe’s ‘Happy Birthday Mr President’ gown.
Zendaya and Billie Eilish’s hair color makeovers
“Sometimes, you have to be the center of attention and there is no better way than with a show-stopping icy blonde or fierce, fiery red,” says Sam Carpenter, hair artist educator for Eideal. “People have become much more playful with their hair since the pandemic and are using color as a way of expressing themselves more freely,” agrees Rachel McDermott, artistic director for Dubai’s Pastels Salon. Carpenter says a team of A-list colorists and 12-hour long salon sessions are no longer needed to achieve a high-impact hair makeover – if your colorist knows what they are doing. With more care-conscious coloring products and techniques available, going from raven black to white-blonde without ravaging your hair is now possible. For dramatic looks, which take the hair color up or down multiple shades, it’s key to be on the same page as the colorist when it comes to protecting the hair strands. “If you are going for an impactful blonde look, ask your stylist if they are using a hair protector built into the bleaching product. This will protect and reconstruct the hair during the lightening process,” explains Carpenter. “For a fiery red look, make sure our salon is using an acidic demi permanent color for maximum shine and vibrancy.”
Karlie Kloss and Joelle Mardinian’s hair color makeovers
McDermott says that clear communication with the salon and colorist will help reassure any concerns about whether a dramatic hair change is possible. “Before anyone embarks on a drastic color change, I would always recommend they have a consultation first so the stylist can assess the hair. Ask them how long the journey will take to achieve your dream color, for example the number of appointments and the services needed at each appointment, to ensure you are prepared for the financial investment,” she recommends. “Find out what are the in-between color stages you will need to go through while you are en route to your dream shade, and what in-salon treatments and home care they would recommend at each stage.”
Aftercare is important, since bleached and dyed hair is much more delicate and porous, making it prone to breakages, frizz, and split ends. To protect from further damage, Carpenter recommends switching to a dedicated color-nourishing range to keep bold shades brighter for longer. “Always make sure you are using a color-safe shampoo and conditioner, especially with dramatic colors, and use products to enhance the longevity of the color and keep your shade on point until your next trip to the salon.”
Originally published in the May 2022 issue of Vogue Arabia
