BEAUTY OP-ED | Seeing red

“Is that your real colour?” is a question I’ve come to terms with answering.

I don’t mind though, as my red hair was a choice and not the prison sentence so many red heads see it as being. To be fair, I’m over the moon I found red hair later in life. I didn’t suffer the torment of being a red-headed child, an orange beacon to neigbourhood bullies, different from the rest of the flock at a time in life when being different was a punishable offense. As a self-selected adult red head people still look shocked when they learn that my ‘condition’ is self inflicted.

Why did I do it? Many reasons… it’s fun, colourful, makes the eyes pop and, after all, IT’S ONLY HAIR, people (I will never understand those married to one hair colour for life).

Mostly, I blame it on my inner Contrarian; in a world where everyone covets blonde hair I did what came naturally to me – the opposite.

Also – full disclosure – my dad has auburn hair. So does my mother’s sister. So do a couple of my dad’s brothers. So do my cousins. It’s safe to say I had a pretty good idea that the colour would suit me. I didn’t walk blindly into the world of being a red head.

If you’re thinking about joining Team Red, I’ve stockpiled a few handy observations on life as red head. Having entered the realm of the red head after 25 years of life as a blonde, it's been real seeing life on either side of the hair-color fence. So, with my cultural anthropologist hat on, I've put together an abridged field report for you...

Read why being a redhead is like Marmite >

FROM THE FRONT | Yarok The Hair Kitchen opens in New York

YAROK FOUNDER and editorial stylist Mordechai Alvow has opened The Hair Kitchen in New York City's Flatiron district.

What is Yarok? "Performance-driven [haircare] products that are healthy for both clients and stylists. Using modified, traditional recipes of nutrient-rich base and essential oils, YAROK products are formulated exclusively from organic, wildcrafted and otherwise responsibly-harvested plant ingredients, hand-picked for their medicinal and sensory benefits throughout history, and sourced from pristine locales around the world. The products are created fresh, in small batches, to preserve their freshness, integrity and performance." There are seven treatment oils for various follicular and scalp ailments, shampoo and conditioner.

Why do you care about The Hair Kitchen? Because you can get a signature scalp treatment (serums, scalp massage... bliss), organic hair colouring, a blow out, a cut (boys and girls both) or an updo if need be and your makeup all did in one place. And all of it's as squeaky green as can be, so none of the usual noxious nasties and fumes you often get in the confines of a salon.

I can tell you from first-hand experience that the Yarok Feed Your Youth hair treatment (aforementioned serum + scalp massage) is a hair changing experience. Go in with ragged roots and emerge all silky maned.

We'll be in Manhattan this week and next so we'll be sure to swing by this address for a real-time update.

The Hair Kitchen, 39 West 19 Street suite 610, New York, NY 10011 (212-876-4293).

EXPERT SECRETS | Find your best hair colour

YOUR HAIR colour is as much a part of your wardrobe as your clothing — although not as easy to change on a whim. That's why it's important to seek out the best hair color for your skin color. With a little research and reasonable expectations, you can have an absolutely flattering hair color, whether you color it yourself or go to a professional.

Continue reading about how to pick your hair colour >

If you color it yourself only to end up with brassy or muddy colour, the reason is that box dye simply doesn't work well. But going to the salon monthly is beyond many budgets nowadays. What's a girl to do? Luckily, there is hope — professional at-home hair dye. Find everything you need at professional beauty supply stores and then follow these instructions to guide you through the process.

Continue reading about how to do a professional dye job at home >

Originally written by Jessica Teas for Sears Inc. at managemylife.com. Image credit: flickr.com/photos/saffy_suppi/4213532846/sizes/z/in/photostream/ [Editor's note: I really dislike bratz dolls with their lollipop heads, alien eyes and trout pouts but like the way the hair is laid out here.]