Ombre hair coloring has become rather popular this year and will likely be seen even more this fall. The look is “steadily becoming a celebrity and city girl favorite” (stylelist.com). The hair coloring generates a natural looking, sun kissed appearance and can work with any hair color.
To gain and share more knowledge on this look I inherited the privilege of interviewing top stylist and lead colorist at the Angus Mitchell Salon in Beverly Hills - Christopher Enlow, “The Blonde Doctor.”
1. For those that don’t know, what is an ombre hairstyle? Ombre is a French word that means “shadow” or “shade.” In relation to hair, the term “ombre” refers to a hair color that is shaded or graduated in tone (typically fading from darker at the base to lighter on the ends).
2. Ombre coloring seems as if it’s become really big just this last summer. Have many asked for the coloring before it became a recent trend? Or is the trend just now getting publicity?
I think that this look has become more sought after since its more recent publicity; however, people have been requesting it for the last few years. It really started showing up in magazines and editorial shoots with models like Gisele Bundchen in the early 2000’s. People seem to want the hairstyle more frequently now that it's summer, and it's a great way for someone to walk out of the salon looking like they've lightened their hair at the beach all day.
3. What is the difference, in look, when comparing someone with grow-out from coloring and someone with ombre coloring? In my opinion, hair color that has just grown out and needs to be redone has a true line of demarcation where the natural hair stops and the colored hair begins. In an ombre look, the color is more seamless fading and transitioning from darker to lighter. The colors blend more than they would if you just let your hair grow out naturally. Highlights are strategically placed so that they colors intermix and create something less dramatic and more natural and organic.
4. How many shades lighter do you recommend going than your natural hair color? How do you decide what shades/tones?
I don’t believe there should be any set rules in levels and shades. It is more dependent on the individual in your chair. All levels and tones should be complimentary to the guest based more in their natural skin tone and eye color.
5. How often do you need to get ombre coloring re-done? How does the maintenance work? This depends on what you are doing in order to achieve the look. If there is a base color involved, that should be maintained every 4 to 6 weeks. If you are maintaining the face framing highlights then they should be done with the base at least every 8 to 12 weeks (every other time).
6. Why should people ombre? Do you like it?
If you are a woman that wants the thrill of being blonde, but with lower maintenance, then this is your look. Roots are less dramatic offering more comfort for the individual in times between hair appointments. I LOVE this look.
7. Lastly, could you give some tips on keeping your hair healthy while trying to keep up with coloring it and grow out? Blonde’s may be thought of to have more fun but one thing is for sure, unless its completely natural, this is not true about their hair! It's important to remember that if you have ever colored your hair, then you have altered it for life. You need to replace proteins and carbohydrates that are lost in the hair coloring process. Getting treatments regularly, (up to once a week), will help to repair damage and prevent any further damage or worse, breakage. One of my favorite products is Paul Mitchell’s Super Strong Liquid Treatment. This product, is a daily treatment spray that helps to rebuild hair and strengthen it from the inside out! I have seen it dramatically change my clients' hair for the better and it’s the Blonde Doctor’s #1 prescription (remember that when doing treatments it is important to go back and forth between protein and moisture since the hair loses both in the color process).
CHRISTOPHER ENLOW
At the age of eighteen, Christopher was hired to work under John Fussel, (National Artist for Chanel, Inc) on his artistry team. To further his passion for hair styling, Christopher was accepted into the Paul Mitchell School where he received extensive training under John Paul Mitchell Systems. He can currently be found working for his long time mentor Angus Mitchell as a top stylist and the Lead Colorist at the Angus Mitchell Salon in Beverly Hills.
Christopher's work can be seen on national television spots having shot numerous segments for "Hair Rehab" for the Style Network , The Napoleon Perdis Project reality television show on TLC as well as various national and international commercial and print campaigns for companies and publications such as Crest, Forever 21, Hershey's, Cosmo, Angeleno, Blush, and Launchpad Magazine. Over the years he has worked with numerous celebrities for red carpet events and photo shoots such as: Janice Dickenson, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Darryl Hannah, Deborah Kara Unger, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tarina Tarantino, Jackie Deshannon, Carol Burnett, Hayden Panettiere, and Leslie Ann Warren.
Paul Mitchell St. Louis
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1107 Mississippi Ste. 102
St. Louis, Missouri 63104
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