By Lisa Fogarty
Gone are the days plain ol’ brown, blonde and red; nowadays women are flocking to their colorists with celeb photos in hand asking for Blake Lively blonde or Christina Hendricks red. A photo is nice, but it’s even more helpful to your stylist if you can pinpoint exactly what you like about the hair color you’re hoping to achieve. Here, with the help of celebrity hairstylist Jet Rhys, we’ll teach you to speak like a stylist so you’ll get exactly the shade you’ve been searching for on your next visit to the salon.
Blake Lively
New mom Blake Lively has to-die-for blonde tresses, which remind us of summertime, rainbows, and all things good in the world. “This blonde is sunshine in color–a happy color!” Rhys says. “And it is not a solid color, it has two different shades of blondes: a pale buttery blonde and a medium tone of honey blonde dancing through the hair.”
Christina Hendricks
There are just as many shades of red as there are blonde and brunette so before you decide to live your exciting new life as a redhead, it’s important to do your homework. When Mad Men actress Christina Hendricks said adios to her natural blonde hair, she committed 100 percent to the hue. “With red hair it is essential to say you want ‘copper red hair,'” Rhys says. “This red is not strawberry blonde, nor is it auburn. It is a definitive orange red, not a violet cherry red.”
Jennifer Aniston
We challenge you to find a celebrity whose hair color is more coveted. Jennifer Aniston’s hair is so multidimensional, it refuses to be pinned down and labeled as “light brown,” “dark blonde,” or simply “brunette.” Jen has a color all her own. “Jennifer is not a solid looking brunette. Contrast is the keyword for getting Jennifer’s color,” Rhys says. “Explain that you’d like to be a light golden brunette and avoid the word “warm”, as warm can be interpreted as a light reddish brown.” Rhys goes on to add, “You want to say that you still want your light brown hair color, but that you would like to add dark honey signature pieces that enhance the brunette color.”
Mila Kunis
Mila Kunis’ dark hair has a great deal of depth to it, thanks to the many tones of red and brown woven throughout. “The key phrase is ‘I want to see a rich brown added to the color,'” Rhys said. “This keeps the color from being red in tone. Auburn is soft and rich, not red, not brown–just a nice combo of the two.”
Michelle Williams
Michelle Williams’ extreme platinum blonde is definitely not for shrinking violets, but it is a lot more wearable than you might think. With this color, which requires a lot of maintenance, it’s crucial that you communicate well with your stylist. “I love M.W. Platinum Blonde hair!” Rhys said. “Some colorists hear the word ‘platinum’ and lighten you up to a white bleach blonde. Her tones make this hair color rock. They are a biscuit beige, pale, cashmere, light sand in tone. The blonde is soft; it does not shout. Make sure your colorist makes it ‘pale,’ not white. Michelle’s color has no yellow or brassiness in it,” Rhys adds.
Zooey Deschanel
The New Girl star’s enviable dark tresses are crazy luscious, but there are two words you shouldn’t use to describe Zooey Deschanel’s color to stylists. “Try to avoid the words ‘rich’ and ‘warm,’ Rhys says. “That translates to red. Instead, use the words ‘deep,’ ‘espresso,’ or even ‘loose English breakfast tea.'”
Taylor Swift
Everything about Taylor Swift–from her smile to her personality–is as shiny as a penny, which makes it easy to misjudge her hair color as more golden than it is. But Taylor’s dirty blonde shade is a lot more ashy than some women might think. “Use the word ‘flat’ in tone,” Rhys said. “Or ‘mousy’ or a ‘mink’ tone.”
