The New Brunette

First off I want to begin by apologizing for going MIA last week. Yes it was the big turkey day and we were all busy cooking up a storm (the two chefs in my family made their best feast to date!). But on top of that I managed to catch that not so friendly cold that's going around which may have contributed to my fainting episode on my United Airlines (not fun!) return flight home (a big thank you to the two nurses and stewardesses who helped me). Anyway, I hope that you and your loved ones had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I'm particularly thankful for all my beaute101 readers!

In life if you're really lucky there are passing opportunities to experience greatness...great "I will always make you feel fabulous" shoes, great "down to wire, 30 seconds left, touchdown clenching" football games and of course there's the great loves (an elusive concept that we all dream of). In my case I have Gina the Great. Gina is without question one of the most accomplished hair stylists I've had the privilege of meeting. Uniquely talented in both cuts and colors (most stylists specialize in one or the other), I have been flying close to 2,000 miles for the past 5 years to snag an appointment with her (I've been a Gina convert for over 10 years now!). Any stylist who compels a client to fly from Nyc (no less!) for a hair appointment is nothing short of brilliantly ingenious. So on my holiday trip home, I booked my "autumn/winter" hair appointment with Gina to swap my summer, sun-kissed locks for some statement making winter colors. Now what you must know is that I am proud brunette but throughout all my hair coloring years I have experienced a pang of envy for my blonder counterparts. They always seemed to have a richer, broader palette of tones- think swirled honey, dulce de leche and butterscotch, while brunettes could only explore hair colors within the limiting confines of warm dark brown shades like caramel, mocha and mahogany.

Not to be outdone anymore, hair color manufacturers have finally addressed this need gap and are launching colors for a more fabulous hued brunette. Gina the Great and I decided to play with some of these new tones that will soon become a mainstay for all darker haired ladies. The newest trend is a large departure from the food inspired colors mentioned above and veer toward a cooler (in more ways than one!) more organically natural shades. Instead the old warm tones (think the orange-red undertones) have been replaced by chicer, more-bitter chocolate type of palettes. So Gina masterminded a 10 shade, double-processed (read: my hair was first lightened to help the hair quench the desired color molecules, then washed, dried and then recolored) highlight, lowlight, base colors that are truly heart stopping. Set on a background of bad girl black with a blue undertone, each highlight color is inspired by nature and landscape recalling things like fresh soil, aubergine eggplant and bark (I know it doesn't sound sexy but trust me it looks damn hot). 7 hours later (yes you read that right!), I emerged from Gina the Great's chair with a edgy, sexy look only complimented by my rocker, layered cut. I find myself staring at my hair in different lights, captivated by the range and glints of these new sophisticated, cooler tones. I don't know if I will ever be able to go back those caramel-hued highlights! As the recent British Vogue said, "Brunette hair has the ability to look, if not more expensive, then certainly more luxurious than even the most sunkissed of blonde hair" and all I can say is "Yes we can!"

Usage tip: These new cool tones are more flattering to the paler, vampire-inspired winter skin tones. Flaunt your new color with dark black voluminous lashes, bold eyebrows, a hint of pink blush and the new merlot/vamp lips. And if you're in the Denver area or are willing to catch a plane stop by Blondies and pay Gina the Great a visit!

The result: Rock star edgy, uptown chic, lingerie sexy hair! Move over blondes it's time to let someone else have some fun!