This is Addie.
How adorable is Miss Addie? I want to pinch her cheeks. And then cut off all of her hair and make a wig for myself.
Addie had a couple specific questions regarding her hair style and color. From her email:
My question is about side bangs. I have had them for a while but they are starting to get long. I am wondering if I should keep them or let them grow out. If I cut them, what length should they be?
Also, I was wondering if there is anything I can do to help keep my hair this color. A lot of natural red hair fades into blonde or brown eventually. I am pretty sure its just genetics, but I still thought I’d ask. Thanks!
From the rest of Addie’s email, I can tell she knows what’s best for her hair. She cuts tons of layers to emphasize her gorgeous waves, she uses organic shampoo and knows not to EVER change her hair color. For it is unbelievable, right?
Let’s address her questions, though. What about the sideswept bangs? I definitely think Addie should keep them. I love how they sweep across her forehead and that extra layer gives her waves more definition and bounce. If that front layer was longer or all one length with the rest of her hair, her waves could look a little flat.
Addie could definitely take off about an inch of those bangs too. A good reference is to have the bangs trimmed to eyebrow length towards the middle of the forehead (or side of the nose) and then have the bangs angled downward towards the ear, thus getting longer as they sweep across the forehead. This ensures that the bangs will blend nicely with the sides of the hair and create that swoop. (Blunt banged gals can attest to this: if you bangs are cut straight across, they are not going to sweep across the forehead easily.)
As for the color of Addie’s hair, she is right. Red LOVES to fade. In fact, it is the hardest color to keep vibrant over a long period of time. Go ahead, ask anyone who colors their hair red. The maintenance is brutal! The good news for Addie is that her hair isn’t artificially red, so she won’t need the upkeep that faux redheads need to maintain. However, here are some ways to keep her hair looking vibrant for as long as possible! (And this goes for other shades too!)
UV PROTECTANTS
What’s the #1 hair color enemy? SUN. If you aren’t a fan of hats, these UV protectant products are perfect for keeping tresses intense and lively. Summer is right around the corner, you know…
From left to right:
1. Cutler Protectant Treatment Spray, $21.00
2. Citre Shine Color Prism Anti Frizz Serum, $6.99
3. Pureology UV Colour Defense, $17.99
4. John Frieda Frizz-Ease Thermal Protection Hair Serum, $3.79
5. Oscar Blandi Acqua Marina Styling Gel, $19.00
I think a UV protectant is the best way to go in Addie’s case (I wouldn’t want to alter her color at this point), BUT for others who are looking to keep their color vibrant or even add a little oomph, here are some color-depositing shampoos to consider.
FYI – All of these shampoos come in different formulations for different hair colors, but the ones listed are for red/auburn hair.
COLOR ENHANCING SHAMPOOS
From left to right:
1. Klorane Shampoo with Pomegranate, $13.00
2. Alterna Caviar Red Shampoo with Seasilk, $34.00
3. Aveda Madder Root Shampoo, $26.50
4. Ted Gibson Captivating Copper Shampoo, $19.95
What do you use to keep your color vibrant? Any additions for these lists?
ElisaQ
May 20, 2010 at 11:22 amAlas, natural red hair does fade with age. Unfortunately, I don’t know that there’s anything to be done about it.
I’m a strawberry blond, and I finally had to give in and color my hair at the age of 34. I used Natural Instincts every few months last year to get the color back to its old vibrancy, but finally had to use something stronger as my grays became more pronounced (they look blond except up close, but they were making my hair rather dull).
I think that Addie has a long time to go before she has to worry, though. Her hair should stay gorgeous for many years to come.
Emily
May 20, 2010 at 2:29 pmShe could also do a color glaze. Like the John Frieda one for red hair which just adds shine and boosts the color but it’s not dye or anything that is permanent.
http://www.johnfrieda.com/products/product_family.asp?productLine=luminous_color_glaze
Caroline
May 21, 2010 at 8:20 amAddie’s hair is GORGEOUS.
My hair used to be almost that exact color, maybe not quite as vibrant. But it started fading early! I started coloring my hair in my early 20s (I’m only 29 now). I recently grew out the color for 8 months. I think it was just to prove to myself I’m still a natural redhead, and I am, but it’s just not the same anymore :(
I definitely don’t have a single grey, but the natural color really does fade. I had to get that firey copper back! Thankfully, my awesome stylist at the time started coloring my hair with an awesome demi permanent Sebastian product that is no ammonia and no peroxide. It changed names a bit, but she has since moved across the country, and I now buy it myself on the internet and still use it. It does not damage your hair at all; mine actually feels better after I use it. Fuller and less tangly and frizzy – easier to manage. It doesn’t leave a line at the root, just fades gradually, but the staying power is pretty awesome if you kind of bake it on with heat, and obviously doing it over and over again and the old growth makes it pretty permanent. I love it! The reds are really awesome too. I use a mixture of gold red, golden blonde, red brunette and clear, depending on the the exact color and depth I’m in the mood for. It’s called Sebastian Cellophanes. I think I’ll be using it for decades to come. (I swear I don’t work for them or anything – this stuff is just awesome, especially for redheads.)
Lyndsay
May 21, 2010 at 8:27 amI use sulfate-free shampoos. It really helps color last longer, but cannot prevent the line of grey roots I get at week 4-5.
Amy in StL
May 21, 2010 at 1:25 pmThe sun AND artificial lights fade red hair. I’m never (NEVER) out in the sun – I park in a parking garage and walk under a highway overpass to work. Someone mentioned to me that fluorescent lights fade color.I made sense because I worked in a store in highschool where I remembersome shirts had to be tossed because they’d faded before selling.
So I started using a UV protectant for my hair and the fading is much better. It still fades because red dye fades; but it retains it’s vibrancy much better. I already did the washing my hair only twice a week and only using sulfate-free shampoo thing. That may not help Addie in the long run; but using a UV protectant may help her hair look nice as she starts to age.
Tricia
May 23, 2010 at 6:12 pmSo glad you posted this! I am a 29-year-old red head and lately I’ve been noticing a dullness in my color. I thought the sun might make it better. Guess not! Will definitely be looking into these products.