On trial: The fade technique

What is it? Changing hair colour from blonde to brunette using a new temporary hair colour technique called a ‘fade’. Variation in the hair is important so this technique consists of working deeper in at the root then fading out lighter biscuit and caramel tones.

What does it claim to do? The fade technique is meant to add variation to your colour so it is not monochromatic. It should last for around 6 weeks and make it easier to go back to blonde.  

The cost? At Toni and Guy – The fade technique will cost around  $130 – $210 depending on what level of technician you see. 

Who did the trial? Cleo Intern, Gabrielle Wenman.

The age old question: brunette vs blonde

Does a person’s hair colour ultimately define their personality and intelligence? Are we such a shallow society that we live by clichés such as ‘the ditzy blonde’, ‘the intelligent yet boring brunette’, ‘the fiery redhead’, typecasting people according to colours? 

A recent UK survey of 3000 men, concluded that men think blondes are for fun and brunettes are for marrying. Pam Parker, Lord Mayor of Logan in Queensland, was ordered to dye her hair brown last year as her male colleagues thought her blonde locks made her look like a 'bimbo'.

I’d always had a niggling suspicion about these stereotypes as the majority of my male friends prefer brunettes and my two most recent ex’s are now in serious relationships with brunette’s, even Brad dumped a blonde Jennifer for a brunette Angelina.

The current trend

According to award winning colourist at Toni and Guy, Jacen Ward, women in Sydney chose to warm their locks this summer by going darker, yet the UK is going lighter.

The Hairdressing Journal reported that women in the UK are turning their locks to blonde in a bid to lift their spirits during the recession, with a 67% increase of women going blonde. I don’t know about them, but for me it’s more expensive maintaining my blonde locks than being brunette.

Road testing my new look

          
BEFORE                                                            AFTER

As I settled into my new brunette look, I noticed that men had no problems making eye contact with me. Whereas, as a blonde I was rarely able to make eye contact with the opposite sex – could this mean that men sometimes feel intimidated by blondes?

It seems more men have the confidence to approach me and they are a different (better) calibre of man. 

I have not been asked for ID once when out at a bar since having brown hair. As a blonde I was at my wits end and seriously considered stapling my ID to my forehead, I was asked for it so frequently.  

I have noticed that when I now make a joke, it is actually taken as a joke, whereas when I was blonde, my jokes were taken too seriously and people just thought I was being stupid. I have also noticed I have more control over the students I teach, they listen to me more and take me more seriously.    

My friends have offered me mixed comments about my hair, some like the colour and others say they prefer me as a blonde as do my parents. 

The Verdict

So do I stay a brunette or go back to blonde? While I prefer the way I look as a blonde and feel more confident in some aspects of my life, I am enjoying the new found respect I get from strangers and my students.

 I also love the way my eyes 'pop' when my hair is brown. I don’t want to go back to being completely blonde again, but having nice highlights is a good compromise. I have since, attempted to gain blonde highlights.

The hairdresser I went to made my hair green, so I had to pay another hairdresser, the amazing Mel at Milena Organic Hair Sanctuary in Newtown, to cover my green locks with a nice chocolate brown colour.

So be warned ladies, if you don’t like the brunette it is harder to go back to blonde. And a word of advice, stick to the same hairdresser.