The leaves have fallen, and the temperature is dropping. Winter is here, and that means the holidays are here as well. The chaos of the shopping season leaves little time to spare. You may find yourself so overwhelmed with purchasing gifts, baking cookies, and attending parties-all while you’re still sporting your summer color.

Those radiant blonde highlights that shimmered in the sun now seem dull and brassy in the grey skies of the winter. Since the sun won’t be back until the spring thaw, it’s time to spice up your color with the shades of winter. That leaves you with only two concerns for the season: what gifts to buy for Christmas and what to do with your hair color-both of which I can help with.

Just like our favorite beverages, hair color is seasonal. In the summer, you drink iced tea, lemonade, water, and fruit-flavored drinks, all which have something in common. They’re light in color, cool and refreshing, and reflect light. This is very similar to summer hair color; blonde color and highlights give hair depth and dimension, reflect light, and give the illusion of mobility in the hair. 

In the winter, you switch to drinks such as coffee, a double mocha, cappuccino, or hot cocoa. Similarities in these drinks are their warmth, neutral brown color, and rich qualities. Warmer colors accompany the winter months by breaking away from the summer blonde look. They can be achieved either drastically, through all-over color, or subtly, through lowlights, depending on your preference.

If you have a drastic, more dramatic change in mind, all-over color is for you. Afraid of commitment? Go with a long-lasting, semi-permanent color such as Redken Shades EQ. This color gloss adds pigment to your existing color, while increasing gloss and shine. It’s used to enhance, change, or increase the color intensity of your natural hair color. Its gentle, no ammonia, no peroxide composition adds outstanding condition and shine while giving your color a kick. From rich chocolate browns to fiery auburn tones, Shades EQ is color without commitment.

For those of you who want to achieve a more subtle change, the same applies to you, with Shades EQ in the form of lowlights. This process is done by adding foils of color to blend with your existing color. Similar to highlighting, lowlights reverse the process by using foils of darker color to neutralize and camouflage your summer color. All of the same colors can apply to lowlighting, depending as well on what level of darkness you prefer.

You now know what to do with your hair color. So what about Christmas gifts? Give the gift of color! Buy her a gift certificate for color services; hair cuts; or a pampering service such as a manicure, pedicure, or facial.

As the holidays get underway, enjoy your shopping. Whether it’s for yourself or for another, put "looking good" on your Christmas list. TPW