Protect coloured hair with these caring products Olaplex, from €29.50, millies.ie Redken Extreme Anti-Snap Treatment, €27.
50, petermark.com Christophe Robin Baby Blonde Shade Variation mask, 38, cultbeauty.com Chanel Les Beiges Bronzing Cream, €55, arnotts.
ie Dreamy Creamy Whipped Bronzer, €21, bellamianta.com If you’re a normal person, you probably know how you like your hair and tend to keep it that way throughout the year. If, however, you are easily bored and distracted like me, you may find that as the weather changes, you’re desperate to do something different with your locks.
The beauty industry certainly enjoys telling us with each season that certain hair colours match each section of the year. I’m not sure I buy into that or any seasonal beauty rules, but sometimes it’s nice to make your hair a little spookier for Halloween, or in keeping with the colours of the leaves as they depart the trees. With that in mind, here are some ideas for autumnal hair colour: Copper-haired 'Mad Men' star Christina Hendricks.
Photo: Getty Copper There is something inherently witchy about copper hair, and I mean that in the best way. It feels magical and otherworldly, and somehow powerful via its lasting pigment and striking look. According to author and occultist Montague Summers, in the middle-ages red hair was associated with witches, werewolves and vampires — how cool! Thus, this is an ideal hair colour for the time of year when everyone embraces the spirit of spook.
Red hair is beautiful in any shade but I love the most vibrant (or, dare I say, supernatural) option, even verging toward a nearly fluorescent orange. Dua Lipa performing at Glastonbury. Photo: PA Black cherry If copper is too intense for you and you have dark hair, you can still add a hint of burgundy, magenta or violet to it to summon the energy of the darkened evenings.
Black cherry is the name the hair people are calling it, and while the goth-averse may fear it lacks sophistication (I would argue that goths are the height of sophistication via their daring personalities and confident style) if done well, it can be stunning. Think Dua Lipa, Zendaya or Vanessa, the beautiful alter-ego of Ursula the Sea Witch from The Little Mermaid . This is especially beautiful on very pale or dark skin tones — your hairdresser will advise you on which tones suit you best.
Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen in 'House of the Dragon'. Photo: HBO White Blonde If you can’t say goodbye to blonde hair, and who could blame you, the whitest blondes never go out of fashion. They suit most skin tones, and again, look like they’ve come from a realm of magical powers, as evidenced by the dragon-riding Targaryens in TV’s House of the Dragon .
The challenge with white blonde is the difficult duo of upkeep and condition. Roots appear quickly (unless your hair is very fair, and actually it can work really well with grey), and there is no denying that this level of lightening compromises the quality of your follicles. Still, it can be worth it.
Olaplex, from €29.50, millies.ie Invest in strengthening products like (1) Olaplex (from €29.
50, millies.ie ), (2) Redken’s Extreme Anti-Snap Treatments (€27.50, petermark.
com ) and good purple products (shampoo/conditioner/treatment) to keep it white. Redken Extreme Anti-Snap Treatment, €27.50, petermark.
com (3) Christophe Robin’s Baby Blonde Shade Variation mask (€38, cultbeauty.com ) is great for toning and keeping the hair as soft as possible at the same time. Reducing the frequency of your washing will both assist you in hair health and soften the blow of spending on products.
While charcoal might not sound like something you’d want to put on your face, it is a relatively common skincare ingredient thanks to the fact that it’s made up of carbon. The carbon is useful in clearing pores and reducing excess oil as it sticks to dirt and grease, making it easier to wash away. Look for this in masks and cleansers aimed at oily skin.
Chanel Les Beiges Bronzing Cream, €55, arnotts.ie Chanel is not necessarily be at the forefront of beauty trends when it comes to their range but they are very good at classics, and frequently produce products people buy again and again. The brand’s Les Beiges Bronzing Cream may have gotten a new name and slight reformulation a few years ago, but the product itself has been a staple of makeup bags for many years.
The lightweight and easy-to-blend cream/gel bronzer gives a natural, sunkissed look thanks to its skinlike finish. It’s not radiant but it’s not matte either, making it an ideal item for a daytime or nighttime makeup look. Aside from that, the experience of using this product is a delight.
The pot itself is beautiful. You simply can’t argue with the classic Chanel logo and font. Aside from that, each fresh pot presents you with beautifully swirled product.
The only drawbacks, in my opinion, are the price and limited shade range. At €55 (via arnotts.ie ) for 30 grams, it’s not cheap but it does last quite some time.
The range of three shades, however, is simply unworkable for very pale or very melanated skin. Dreamy Creamy Whipped Bronzer, €21, bellamianta.com Bellamianta is an Irish brand which originated with tanning products, as so many Irish beauty brands do.
They’ve since expanded, and one of their latest launches is the Ibiza collection, which includes Dreamy Creamy Whipped Bronzers (€21, bellamianta.com ). I didn’t expect this product to work for me if I’m honest.
I have fair skin and many bronzing products are simply too orange for me. But shade 01: Light Bronze was so good it hasn’t left my makeup bag in weeks. This product delivers everything I want from a cream bronzer — it blends easily, lasts well and looks natural.
Its light formula builds easily, so you can apply it lightly until you achieve the effect you desire. It’s also reasonably priced. While the amount of product in a jar (23g) is a little smaller than Chanel’s offering, it’s less than half the price.
With four shades available, this product range is more inclusive too, although it could definitely be improved upon and won’t cater to everyone. Join the Irish Independent WhatsApp channel Stay up to date with all the latest news.
