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).

TREND MILL | Top 5 beauty trends NOT to wear to work

BEAUTY TRENDS can look great when worn the right way. Gray and beige nails look sophisticated. Coral blush can perk up your appearance. But some trends, no matter how gently you tread, are best checked at the office door:

1. Nail art (even though I'm a fan) – In east London and on the Lower East Side, perhaps you can get away with nails covered in diamante or cute renderings of Hello Kitty. But nail art in even its most subtle form is a no-no for any other professional setting. Buffed, clear gloss, basic or muted shades of nail polish are best for those employed in traditional fields or, really, any fields except for fashion, music or magazines.

2. Burgundy lipstick – Under low lights in an osteria with gently mussed hair and minimal makeup on the rest of your face, burgundy lips (like Revlon Lipstick in Black Cherry, which is heaven) are downright sexy. It’s a great, bold color that has helped herald in the new era of lipstick after decades of wearing lip gloss. However, your boss will not be pleased if you show up to the boardroom in a killer pant suit, pumps and… burgundy lips. You’ll look more reformed female gang member from 1990s LA than sophisticated business lady. As with your nails, keep lip color at work understated and un-distracting. Nudes, pinks, gentle reds and beiges are all great to give your lips a color boost without looking out of place. 

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