From Cleopatra’s jet black hair to platinum blonde made popular by 1930s screen siren, Jean Harlow, women around the world have been changing their hair to daring colours and styles for decades.
I’m fascinated by the crazy, wonderful and adventurous colours people are experimenting with now. More are embracing diversity and finding new ways to express their individuality. These vivid colours offer far more options than brunette, blonde or auburn.
Cyndi Lauper stepped into the 1980s music scene with her song Girls just want to have fun along with her bright yellow and red hair making a hair statement that I still remember.
TV show’s Fashion Police presenter Kelly Osbourne recently went through a dramatic transformation not only with her weight loss but her hair colour too.
Her purple hair has become her signature look, which she changes with funky haircuts.
Terms like unicorn, rainbow, and mermaid hair have all become popular ways to describe multi-coloured hair styles, making the trend mysterious and fantasy-like. There isn’t anything natural or normal about green, blue or pink hair, but then again individuality is celebrated these days?
When searching funky hair-colour hashtags on Instagram, I came across make-up artist, Kimlyn Sisam’spage and her ever-changing hair colour caught my eye.
Bright and pastel hair colours. Pic: Tegan Smith Photography
Sisam is the make-up artist responsible for Afternoon Express presenter Jeannie D’s perfectly made up face.
I had to find out who the artist behind her colourful locks was and my search led me to colour hair magician and stylist Tracey Theys Serfontein, the owner of Star Style salon in Plumstead, Cape Town.
Tracey Theys Serfontein, owner of Star Style Hair Salon, in Plumstead, Cape Town gets ready to make the cut. Pic: Tracey Adams
She sees her clients strictly by appointment to ensure privacy, and to avoid a full salon. With no signage on the outside and tinted front windows one wouldn’t even know that it is a hair salon.
It is nicely hidden away from the peeping eyes of passers-by, and for those in the know, easy to find.
Theys Serfontein cuts off Cupido's damaged ends. Pic: Tracey Adams
Theys Serfontein is so passionate about what she does that she will even go into work on her off days to “rescue” damaged hair of the most difficult clients. Before meeting her, I warned her about my damaged curls due to all the self-experimental colouring I subjected my hair to over the last few months. She kindly offered to work her magic to try and rescue my curls. One look at at my hair and the only way to get it back to a good condition was to cut away the damaged ends. As Serfontein patiently snipped away, I picked her brain:
How did get onto this trend?
My assistant stylist Amy Jane Clark and I were experimenting with colours on her hair. After seeing Lady Gaga’s white hair on her Poker Face music video, we were inspired and eager to try it out.
Who in your opinion is rocking the trend locally and internationally?
Locally, I would say Kimlyn Sisam. With her adventurous nature and her “go-big or go-home” attitude, she is currently rocking the rainbow hair trend. Internationally, without a doubt, Kylie Jenner. She’s even been able to create her own line of trendy and colourful wigs.
What are the “must-try” colours?
Metallic, rainbow, peach and coral colours.
What would one need to consider when wanting to try this trend?
You should definitely take into account the cost implications - that it doesn’t last longer than two months and you would always have to do touch-ups.
Fashion colours are not permanent and it is a process.
And all of this also depends on the condition of your hair to begin with.
What would you need to do to maintain your colour and keep your healthy hair?
Always buy a professional moisture treatment to treat your hair once a week.
Don’t wash your hair more than twice a week. Natural oils help to moisturise your hair, especially doing fashion colour. The more you wash your hair, the quicker the colour will fade.
Coconut oil is a great product and really helps to moisturise hair.
If you are using a hair iron, it’s important to remember that the temperature of the iron should not be more than 180ºC.
When doing fashion colours, always use sulphate free shampoo. Ordinary shampoos can strip your hair colour.