Summer hair colour trends (yes, it's still summer)!!

Hair Colour

The Ombre

What's taking off right now is of course the hair ombre! Increasing in popularity daily, what is a movement of colour across the hair in which the colour is graduated from light to dark.

It is low maintenance and certainly makes life easier for us ladies who want to grow out their hair colour whilst maintaining an air of distinction. Don't let that fool you though, this hair color style is versatile, adaptability is what sets this trend apart! In fact, you can choose how many colours you want to add, where you want to add them and the gradient of change in between them. To change hair colour completely isn't out of the question either and there are some really good variations out there. I particularly like those using bold bright colours, those using platinum and pastel tones and similarly those that are using contrasting natural hair colours, don't be afraid to show your roots! Click here to have a little look at some of the best Ombrés we've found!

The Balayage

If you prefer a more natural style of colour a subtle balayage could be for you. What is the sister trend to the hair ombre the balayage can offer you something more in terms of subtlety with nothing sacrificed in terms of eye catching style. Balayage comes from the french verb to sweep, so therefore balayage refers to a gentle sweeping of hair colour change. A change in hair colour from dark hair to light hair in an effect created by your stylist to represent the natural lightening effects that the suns rays have on your hair. The natural sun kissed hair color style is achieved by painting the colour onto the hair vertically and thus avoiding the harsh contrasting lines achieved by the ombre hair style. Click here to see some beautiful examples of balayage hair colour change.

Photo: Keke Palmer

Whether you go for a subtle balayage or a large tonal shift in colour with an ombre or you opt for some seriously cool pastel tones I would advise you to get it done professionally. Hair dye accidents can be costly, they can also be very damaging to the natural condition of your hair and they will always be expensive to correct. So ladies, please seek help and get it done right.

Summer colour 

We have it on good authority that the colour of the summer is going to be... well, if it looks good and you can rock it then; it's going to be pretty much any colour that you fancy! So go out and get exploring those colour charts! 

The wonderful thing about hair dye today is that there is a vast amount of semi permanent colours available on the market place, so if you fancy trying a trend, before you commit then just talk to your stylist. They will be very willing to help you. Semi permanent dyes colour the cuticle rather than penetrating it as they use low levels of developer, peroxide or ammonia and are therefore safer for damaged or fragile hair. Ask your stylist for the Milkshake direct colour range that now includes 6 stunning new shades: Pink, Lilac, Blue, Petrol green Yellow and Grey. (As you may already know, we're big fans!)

For longer lasting colour use Montibello Chroma Colour protecting spray is a protecting texturiser that contains active ingredients that uphold the internal moisture of the hair, so maintaining its flexibility, elasticity and shine. Chroma colour protecting spray also contains a UVA-UVB sun filter that protects against unwanted fading and weathering of the hair.

Make your colour last longer by taking extra care of your hair whilst washing and conditioning with Keratin Complex Colour Care Shampoo 400ml and Keratin Complex Colour Care Condtioner 400ml . Keratin Colour Care shampoo has been made specially to care for coloured hair by using a special mixture of ingredients developed to strip your hair of drit and grime without stripping your hair of its colour, whilst the Colour Care conditioner is gentle on the colour of your hair whilst it smooths out unwanted frizz and detangles your hair with amazing professional results. 

How to Keep your Coloured Hair Healthy! - These 5 Simple ways

Hair dye is damaging, it is a well known fact that colour damages hair, especially the more abrasive permanent colour. So it is very important to take extra care of your hair if it is being regularly coloured.

Here are a few tips for keeping your coloured hair as healthy and full of moisture as possible...

1. The single most important thing to remember when going for a hair colour change is to get your hair coloured by a professional!! A good hair stylist / hairdresser knows exactly what they are doing, hair is their livelihood, they are paid good money to know about hair and colour hair styles and have been trained to use the harsh chemicals safely. Healthy hair is important for lasting style and a good stylist knows this! What's more they are using professional products that are a lot less harsh on the natural collagen fibers in the hair. So, please, please, please visit a stylist and get your hair dyed by a qualified professional rather than doing it D.I.Y. style at home in your bathroom sink.
2. Secondly I would recommend that you don't wash your hair too often. Shampoo is designed to strip the hair of dirt and impurities... this unfortunately includes your hair colour as well. Over washing will strip the hair of its natural, essential moisture which is vital in maintaining lasting rich colour tones.
3. Use a leave-in conditioner when combing through wet hair as this will help to detangle and offer lasting protection by locking in moisture that will ultimately keep your hair in good shape.
4. Take extra care brushing or combing through your hair when it is wet. Colour treatments make hair brittle and it will therefore break and split very easily, this is especially true of wet hair.
5. Use good quality, professional products on your hair to ensure moisture and lively colour.

Here are some top professional products which we recommend you try on your coloured hair...



Coloured hair Shampoo

• Simply Zen Whiteness Shampoo. Gently cleanses light coloured hair leaving it healthy and bright looking.
• Keratin Complex Colour Care Shampoo. Protects coloured hair and fights to keep it frizz free.
• Milkshake Colour Maintainer Shampoo. Cleans hair and leaves it bouncy and with vivid colour.

Coloured hair Conditioner

• Keratin Complex Colour Care Conditioner. Detangles coloured hair and leaves it soft, moisturised and ready to be styled.
• Milkshake Colour Maintainer Condtioner. Keeps coloured hair well hydrated. A great daily conditioner.
• Milkshake Hair Leave-In Conditioner. Perfect for coloured hair as this will make hair more manageable and leave it in much better condition after washing.

Coloured hair Treatments

• Milkshake Yogurt Mask. A treatment to be left on for 5 minutes. This restores damaged hair and leaves it soft and shiny.
• Milkshake Intensive Conditioning Foam. A real treat for dry and damaged hair!
• Milkshake Active Milk Treatment Mask. A restructuring treatment mask desgined to bring damaged hair back to life.

Coloured hair Style

• Keratin Complex Thermo Shine. Use this to avoid doing any further damage to your coloured hair.
• Milkshake Hair No Frizz Glistening Serum. A wonderful, smoothing product to be used before or after styling. Use this to lock in the moisture.
• No Inhibition Fluid Gloss. Protects all hair from hair dryers and straighteners, from sun damage and from every day dangers that our hair has to endure.

Follow these steps and try out some of these brilliant, professional products for coloured hair with maximum moisture!



Picture by spettacolopuro on Flickr, used under a Creative Commons Licence.

5 Ways to Keep Your Coloured Hair Healthy

As we all know colouring our hair has its down sides. Colour can leave hair dry and damaged and often the colour fades faster than we want it to. So here are 5 top tips to care for your hair and to keep your hair healthy and rich in colour...


1. Don't forget to protect your hair in the Summer. Summer is a tough time for coloured hair, especially if the Sun is shining. Sun doesn't only dry out and damage your skin, your hair is also at risk (especially if it's coloured)! So just as you would apply sun cream to your body, use a  hair beauty product which will protect your hair from the sun's rays. Try Milkshake Summer Hair Beauty Mask, designed to replenish your hair's natural softness and beautiful shine. Simply apply this product to damp, clean hair and rinse thoroughly for hair that's protected against sunshine and against the chemicals in the swimming pool water.


2. Use a good shampoo which will give your coloured hair plenty of moisture! How about Montibello Colour Lock Shampoo, a gentle shampoo that nourishes hair by locking in moisture that will help to keep the colour lasting longer by keeping your hair healthier.


3. Use a professional conditioner which is specifically aimed at coloured hair. I would recommend to anyone who has colour treated hair to try using Milkshake Colour Maintainer Conditioner. This conditioner promotes healthy and vibrant coloured hair. Use this conditioner to leave hair stunningly shiny and easy to style whilst enhancing the beautiful colour in your hair.


4. If your coloured hair is dry and damaged, use a good quality hair care product to treat it and bring it back to life. Milkshake hair repairing system. is easy to use and provides professional results when it comes to restoring the damage caused by hair dye.The ingredients in Milkshake Hair Repair System care for your hair from root to tip to care for your colour and to provide the necessary moisture and nourishment for hair with body and natural control and shine. Use this hair beauty product as a nourishing treatment for your hair. Apply to damp hair and leave it to work its magic for 5 minutes (leave for longer the more damaged the hair) before rinsing for healthy, lively hair!


5. One final tip is to try and avoid using hair dryers, straighteners or curling tongs after every wash. This is known to dry out and damage any hair, so be extra careful if you colour your hair. Whenever possible, leave your hair to dry naturally. If your hair is too wild to leave in its natural state, why not use a mousse or another good quality product on damp hair which will lightly tame your hair and cause no further damage. A perfect hair beauty product for this is Milkshake Lifestyling Sparkling Glaze Mousse.


Remember... the healthier you keep your hair, the longer you keep your colour!


Picture by jkuttarkabat on Flickr, used gratefully under a Creative Commons Licence!