Hair colour confidential: Make your red hair colour last

The Trend

Not since the days of Ann-Margret has red hair been so coveted. But like the Bye Bye Birdie star, you need to be comfortable in the limelight. Since the trend is to embrace richer tones in the cooler months, try darker, near-mahogany reds. Variegated reds with highlights and lowlights are also popular.

Get the look

Bring in a photo of your hair muse to help your colourist understand the shade of ravishing red you desire and determine whether it will work with your skin tone. “Everyone sees and describes colour differently, especially with redheads,” says Luis Pacheco, Clairol consulting colourist and founder of Hair on the Avenue in Toronto. How do you know which shade suits you? Many of us change our skin tone with self-tanners and foundations, so Goddard prefers to look at eye colour. Warmer hair colours suit eyes with gold or amber hues, while cooler tones work best with icy shades (blues and greys).

The Maintenance

Red fades faster than any other pigment. Wash sparingly with a sulphate-free shampoo (sulphates cause lather, which fades colour). Use a conditioner for colour-treated hair, focusing from the mid-shaft down to lock in colour, says Eric Del Monaco, official hair artist and colourist for L’Oréal Paris in Canada. He also advises using cool water when washing hair, especially for the first two weeks after colouring.

Reviving Red Shamp’Oil, $30, and Reflective Conditioner, $32, Pureology.

OLIA Oil Powered Hair Colour, $14, Garnier.

AgeDefy Rejuvenating Hydration Masque, $16, Pantene.