The strength of change

Do you actually believe that 2009 is going to be a year full of doom and gloom as reported on CNN? Well snap out of it honey, it’s time to break those self-limiting belief systems and embrace a year of change - always for the better. It’s a positive mindset and willingness to step outside of the status quo that will prove to make this year a successful one. Alright, I’m not a Financial Planner or an Accountant but I do have some feel-good suggestions to aid you on breaking out of your change-phobia.

No industry changes faster than fashion and beauty. Our collections and inspirations usually begin one year prior to their runway debut. So, when was the last time you changed your cut, colour, style or make-up application? As I was chatting with Lana, my L’Oreal Professionel Consultant, we discussed how during some of the darkest financial hours in the world, red lipstick was a highly sought after commodity among women desiring to break out of the bleak depression of the 1930’s. Amazingly, these crimson-glazed lips became etched in our minds as timeless beauty - all beginning with a desire to look and feel fabulous.

The technologies now utilized in professional salons are astounding. Gone are the days of fried, dyed hair of straw. Today is a world of brilliant shine, and silky strands of gorgeous hair. When you consider a colour change for your hair, always communicate this with your stylist in a pre-booked consultation - they will require more time to allow for the extra steps in cleansing out previous artificial pigments. Some of the common steps for a colour change are as follows:

A Colour Remover is applied to ‘scrub’ previously applied artificial colour pigments out of your hair’s internal structure. Colour does not lift colour, and therefore when your desired end result is lighter than your existing colour, this step is essential.

The hair is then left in its raw state, where existing undertones (usually yellow and orange) are shown to the naked eye. Your stylist will formulate your colour based on what undertones are showing. Don’t panic, the orange will be gone before you know it!

Dimensional colouring is usually added in the form of highlights or lowlights, to better blend the base colour to the rest of your hair.

L’Oreal Professionnel has recently launched Rubilane, a colour technology offering clients a chance to experience the ultimate in luxury red hair colour - what better way to break out of these winter blues. Not only is your hair left feeling like the finest silk linens, but your spirit has been renewed with a fresh new look daring to be different.

You can’t control the world, but you can control you. Find a way that you can embrace change and break out from any past beliefs that may be hindering to your spirit and happiness. What better way than visiting your stylist for a fabulous chat!

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.