Who’s who of hair hues
The to-dye-for shades of 2018 – and their A-list inspirations
Helen Mirren is one of the most inspirational celebrities when it comes to hair colour, according to L’Oréal Professionnel
I find the reason behind our choice of hair shade really rather fascinating. Since I flipped from brunette to blonde ten years ago, my hair colour has become intimately bound with my sense of identity. Which is why L’Oréal Professionnel’s new hair trends study of 3,000 UK women piqued my curiosity. When it comes to picking a colour we’re now mainly inspired by celebrities and social media. Rihanna is influential in the southwest of England; Katy Perry trumps her in Scotland, while Helen Mirren drives choice in London.
Thylane Blondeau, left, and Eva Green, right, have the most popular hue of all: brunette
This partly explains why sales of L’Oréal Série Expert Silver Shampoo (£12.50, feelunique.com) are up 55 per cent since 2016 – and why the brand’s Majirel The Metals Silver Star in-salon shade (lorealprofessionnel.com) is such a hit with women of all ages. Yet the most popular hue of all is brunette, with 43 per cent of women surveyed saying that they’re after swishy, shiny brown hair. The Majirel French Browns in-salon colour range summons images of hot new catwalk face Thylane Blondeau and actress Eva Green – and chimes well with the vogue for effortless ‘me but a bit better’ chic. Maybe it’s time to go back to brunette after all.
Elemental Energy: Crystal and Gemstone Rituals for a Beautiful Life (HarperElixir, £25); Mineral Källa Energy Tonic (£47, spacenk.com)
Energy crystals are becoming more mainstream thanks in no small part to celebrity fans such as Victoria Beckham and Gwyneth Paltrow. Now Kristin Petrovich, co-founder of skincare brand Själ – which includes products based on minerals and gemstones such as rose quartz Mineral Källa Energy Tonic (£47, spacenk.com) – has published Elemental Energy: Crystal and Gemstone Rituals for a Beautiful Life (HarperElixir, £25). Not only is it gorgeously presented, but it comes with handy hints on crystal-infused skincare, gemstones to feel calmer and gemstone facial acupressure.
This week we’re… dropping hints about Valentine’s gifts. Tuberose, amber crystals and sandalwood make Bella Freud’s limited-edition Loving candle an object of desire (£48, bellafreud.com), while Jo Malone London’s Floral Box, which boasts fresh flowers and any 100ml scent of your choice, is for those who really deserve a treat (£140, selfridges.com).
With busy diaries and even busier lives, it can be easy to sidestep that hygienist appointment – but this year, I vow to change that. For the lazy like me, Sparkle Fairy is a home hygienist service covering Southeast counties – so the cleaning comes right to your door. From £70, thesparklefairy.co.uk.