Vibrant red locks blazing a trail

A hot trend in A-list circles and on the runway, everyone seems to be seeing red this season. Celebrities are casting aside their blonde or brunette barnets and opting for a vibrant red tint in the quest for an even more striking look. After all, singer Rihanna's lovely voice isn't the only reason she stays on the covers of the glossies all year round. Her bold experiments with ginger, copper and strawberry hair shades also make her a hot favourite of the magazines.

Becoming a redhead can make a dramatic impression, whether you go for a full red colour wash or just a few ruby highlights or lowlights, and whether you get it done at a professional salon or simply use DIY kits. But, as trendy and eye-catching as red hair is, it takes serious maintenance for the colour to stay rich and vibrant for more than a couple of weeks. We asked Paris-based Christophe Robin, L'Oréal's hair colour expert and creative colour director, for tips on how to get this look right.

What are the right shades of red for blondes and brunettes?

When choosing a hair colour, opt for one that will complement your skin tone and suit your personality, regardless of the trend. For blondes, or those who want a very subtle red shade, I'd suggest strawberry blonde or terracotta. This works with pale skin tones as it won't wash out your skin colouring like darker reds would do.

Light brunettes and dark blondes can add a hint of red that will blend with their natural hair colour and give a subtle but noticeable boost to their hair colour.

Those with medium skin tones should stick to medium-red hair shades such as not-too-dark auburn.

Those with darker and olive skin tones could go for cooler shades in the red spectrum. Burgundy and violet-based colours will flatter these skin tones best.

Who can opt for red hair?

Almost anyone can go for red as long as they choose the correct shade for their complexion and natural hair colour. Remember, red fades easily and will require more frequent touch-ups than other colours. So you should take good care of your hair before, during and after colouring to lock in the gloss and to make the colour long lasting. Use hair-nourishing masks for a few weeks before colouring - this will improve the hair's condition and protect it from dryness and breakage. After colouring, use a haircare range designed for coloured hair. The right cut and style also make a big difference in bringing out the true beauty of a red shade. A layered short to medium-length hair cut complements the vibrant colour well.

Why is red considered such a tough hair colour to switch to?

That's because red hair colour has some unique characteristics: firstly, you need to be sure of the results before making the leap to the red side as it is difficult to remove this colour completely from the hair if you change your mind. This is especially true for women with blonde or lighter hair. Secondly, such a vibrant shade can either make or mar the complexion of your skin. And lastly, even a small degree of difference can appear very pronounced with red hair so it's not so easy to achieve the exact shade you visualise.

Why does red hair colour fade so quickly? How does one keep it from fading?

The reason is the size of the red colour molecule, which is small compared to, say, brown colour molecules. When you use hair colour, the product's molecules are deposited inside the cuticle of the hair. When the cuticle is healthy it will hold on to the red molecule and stay in the haira lot longer. When the hair is damaged or dried out, the cuticle opens resulting in the red molecules ‘falling out', thus leaving your hair faded.

The best thing to do is to keep the hair in optimum condition before, during and after colouring and to keep the hair colour vibrant and fresh for as long as possible. Be sure to use the right kind of hair colourant and a good quality hair care range.

Is red hair more prone to dryness?

Colouring the hair might result in dryness if the hair was not cared for well before or during the colouring and if it is not well cared for after the treatment.

Make sure you choose a hair colour with nourishing and protecting ingredients. Hair is predominantly made up of keratin, a protein containing 21 amino acids, which plays a vital role in making hair look healthy and lustrous. Over time, hair loses its keratin and thus can become weakened, dull and lifeless. So, use a colour that also has products that revitalise and can keep the hair looking healthy.

What are your wardrobe tips for women who have switched to a red hair colour?

Focus on getting your wardrobe colours in sync with your new found hair shade. Avoid black close to your face as it will make you look sallow. Black trousers or skirts are fine. Choose tops and accessories in natural, earth tones such as dark and olive greens, beiges, browns, gold, camel and even orange and red. If you have a black jacket that you are unwilling to ditch, go ahead and use it but brighten the look with a scarf in the colours mentioned above. Purple, bright red, navy and pink are also on the no-no list. There is in fact a debate among stylists as to whether the clash between red hair and in-trend colours such as pink or purple is fashionable or tacky. Pale pink, for example, may suit dark redheads but looks edgy and ‘loud' on women with a more copper-coloured hair.

Should only those with a bold personality choose red?

Not necessarily. A lot of women perceive red hair as bold and shy away from it. This is perhaps because it is attention-grabbing, or maybe they are too scared to try something new or different because they either do not know which colour to choose for their complexion or which brands to look for.

Why do many women not get it right when it comes to applying hair colour at home? What are your tips for home hair colouring?

Always read the instructions, and don't skip the skin-allergy sensitivity test before starting.

Another point to remember is to make sure you leave the colour on for the full amount of time recommended, not for any less or any more. Leaving the colour on the hair for a shorter period of time will not allow the colour to fully develop, and leaving it on for too long will result in a darker shade.

A good trick is to get a friend to help you to make sure you get all the areas of your hair as quickly as possible. And if you have particularly thick or long hair, purchase two boxes of hair colour so you don't risk running short of the product during the colouring process.

How do I make the right choice when buying home colours?

Don't always think what you see on the colour pack is what the result will be; it always differs depending on the current shade of your hair, whether it was coloured before or natural, as well as its condition. So be prepared for those kind of variations in the result.

I also advise clients to lavish some extra care on their hair a few weeks before colouring. It always helps to prep your hair for colour by pampering it with deep conditioning products. And of course, always choose a hair colour brand that offers protection for your hair.

We at L'Oréal also offer a colour guide on our UK website, which can help simplify the colour selection process if you're in doubt.

Red hair colour fades much quicker than other colours and you start seeing the roots in less than two weeks. Can one go a little darker brown on the roots so that the touch-up doesn't have to be done so frequently?

It is not advisable to go for a different root colour when the rest of your hair is red because the difference will always be prominently visible. Retouch your roots every two to four weeks using the same hair colour as you applied before.