Hair looks so different in the sunlight

No matter what you do to protect your hair, the colour will fade over time, especially in the hot sun. 

After the heat wave my barnet had gone from a gorgeous golden brown to a wishy-washy orangey dark blonde, though, I hasten to add not brassy. 

Like most people, I tend to wash my hair more in the summer, and as we all know, the more you wash your hair, the more the colour fades, even using shampoos which are supposed to help prevent colour loss. Hairdryers and other heated appliances also take their toll on our locks. 

I did wear a hat when I was spending long periods outside, but I guess on the days I just popped to the shops or walked for 10 minutes to catch the Tube to go to a meeting, the sun managed to lighten it.

In the sunlight my tresses washed me out even more. (Yes, even a half a shade can have an effect on your complexion.) So, I had to be rather more heavy handed with the blusher brush and use a slightly peachier one.

When the weather cooled down, the first thing I did was make an appointment to see Liz Edmonds, Daniel Galvin’s superb colour director. On seeing my hair she said it had lifted a shade.  

“The lighter your hair, the more light reflection you get. The darker, the less light it reflects and the more shine you will get,” she said.  “The sun tends to make, brunettes go orangey or redder”. 

What we actually see as colour is light reflecting from the pigments. The Oxford Dictionary online defines colour as “the property possessed by an object of producing different sensations on the eye as a result of the way it reflects or emits light.” 

Unlike sunlight, most light bulbs do not produce the full spectrum of colour, so hair in artificial light can appear darker.

Liz’s cure was to take it down a shade (hair colour levels range from 1 to 10 with 1 being the darkest) giving it more depth and make it a more neutral shade. “In some cases, I would just use a toner,” said Liz. “In your case, I am going to paint the pieces that have faded and then massage it through the ends for five minutes.”

I was so happy to be back to being a brunette. In fact this is the darkest I have been for ages and I love it and so do my friends and family from the comments that I have received.

By Daralyn Danns

Daniel Galvin (danielgalvin.com)

The journey of colour perfection

After travelling and spending some time in the sun, my colour had faded slightly, so it was off to see the goddess of hair colour, Liz Edmonds at Daniel Galvin.

“It is not just the sun that has an effect on your hair, but also the water and the fact when you are in sunnier and warmer places you tend to wash your hair more frequently which can cause the colour to fade making your hue appear dull,” said Liz. "I always advise my clients to have their hair coloured after a holiday not before.”

Maintenance is key. If you are going to be doing a lot of swimming, Liz points out that the salt from the sea and chlorine from pools can strip the colour and damage your hair, so it is essential to take care of it. “Always rinse your hair after being in the sea or pool, especially if you are blonde. If your hair is porous, it could go green.  I advise wearing a hat when exposed to the sun or use a UV protection spray.”

Hair needs moisture, even if it is fine. A good mask is an essential item in your holiday luggage to help keep your hair well moisturised. Ask your hairdresser which are the best products for your hair type before splashing out.

Liz cautions against the use of a colour depositing conditioner to revitalise your locks unless you have checked with your hair colourist that it is all right to use. It adds a slight amount of dye to the hair each time you use it, so you could find that your colour is different from what you started with as the shade will not exactly match your own.

“At Daniel Galvin, we mix a 'vegetable' colour specifically for each client’s requirements which they can use at home to keep the tone correct and stop hair going brassy. It won’t cover grey."

My hair was toned down to get rid of the warmth and make it slightly darker.

Daniel Galvin always says: “Perfection is a journey not a destination.” When I saw the results, a stunning light almost golden brown, I understood what he meant. When I thought my hue could not get any better, it did!

By Daralyn Danns

Daniel Galvin (danielgalvin.com)

Preparing for summer at Daniel Galvin

“Women always want to go lighter in the summer, especially after our gloomy winter,” says the wonderful Liz Edmonds, colour director at Daniel Galvin. “In fashion, we are seeing a lot of bright colours so to be able to pull off the look, hair needs to be lighter.”

But, there are always exceptions to every rule. As I have lots of gold in my skin, Liz suggested that I went darker. “Hair colour should match your complexion and eye colour. Light hair works well with pale skin. Brunettes should ensure that their hair is lighter at the ends than at the roots to ensure that it looks natural.

“This summer, there has been a move away from the very blonde look. It is much more natural looking, with a paler shade around the hairline to throw light on to the face to avoid emphasising any lines and wrinkles you may have. The rest of the hair should be in a deeper tone.”

If you want inspiration for your summer colour, Liz suggests looking at children’s hair between the ages of five and eight. “You want beautiful tones that blend effortlessly,” she says.

When you change your hair and add different tones, you may find that you will have to adjust your make-up and even your wardrobe as colours that you have been wearing previously can instantly look wrong with your new hue.

My hair was amazing. As it is darker, it has also allowed me to introduce more colours into my wardrobe, though not neons.

They always say that the mark of a good colourist is having hair that doesn’t shriek “I have just come out of the salon”. You want people to say you look great. Have you been away?  And that is exactly what happens when Liz has worked her magic on me.

By Daralyn Danns

Daniel Galvin (danielgalvin.com)

Time to change your hair colour

The colour of your hair can definitely alter your mood. I have now banished to history my long, dark days of having a hair colour that every time that every time I looked into the mirror, I saw an image of somebody else staring back. Now, thanks to the amazing Liz Edmonds, colour director at Daniel Galvin, my locks look stunning.

You always know when you are on to a good thing, when other hairdressers admire somebody else’s work. And, recently when I have been having a blow-dry, the hairdressers have all been complimentary about my hue.

Another perk of having Liz do my hair is that the colour seems to be lasting longer between visits. This time when I saw the colourist extraordinaire, she said we only need to do the roots as there is no fading.

“At this time of year, many clients want a change,” said Liz. “Blondes want to go lighter. If you are going to add more highlights to your hair, you want them to look as if they have popped out of your hair. Think of the tones of children’s hair when they have spent time on the beach. The ends should always be lighter than the roots.”

Liz also told me that we are seeing a lot of strawberry blondes this season. “Red hair works well on those with green eyes and freckles. If you have pink in your skin, this look is not for you.”

Red hair can be hard to maintain as it fades easily. You will have to apply coloured glosses to the hair in-between salon visits. “We make them up for you in the salon, so you can’t ruin your colour,” said Liz.

As for brunettes, the “Jennifer Aniston” look, brown with a few highlights, according to Liz never goes out of fashion.  However, if you want to be on trend, her suggestion is to go for more golden and caramel shades. “The hairline should always be one shade lighter than the rest of the hair, so that it looks soft and doesn’t emphasis every line on your face.

To add shine to my hair, Liz applied Daniel Galvin Clear Gloss (£24) which I also use at home when my locks need an extra boost.

I love the way that when my hair catches the light, it looks as if I have had gold highlights put in. Liz is a real find.

 By Daralyn Danns

Daniel Galvin (danielgalvin.com)