If anyone knows how to pinpoint your most flattering and ageless hair colour, it’s Jo Hansford MBE. She’s been Queen Camilla’s hair colour guru for the past 40 years, and has skilfully adjusted Her Majesty’s shade over time to best suit her skin tone as she’s grown older.
As Jo points out, ‘Everyone's skin tone changes as they mature, so you have to soften the hair colour in line with this’. In the case of the Queen, for instance, Jo has made her tone ‘much warmer now, more honey than white blonde. The colour really suits her and if you see it in real life it looks much softer.’
This clever, age-adaptive approach is the hallmark of colour appointments at Jo’s award-winning salon, and it’s a strategy she believes can help anyone to find their most flattering hair shade. While the arrival of a new season will inevitably prompt autumnal hair colour trends, Jo approaches them with a slightly sceptical eye, preferring to put real-life faces over fashion fads.
‘While trends can be inspiring, the most beautiful colour is one that is tailored to you, enhancing your natural features and fitting seamlessly into your everyday routine,’ she tells GH.
She adds: ‘The most flattering hair colour starts with an in-depth consultation. At Jo Hansford, your colourist will take the time to understand your skin tone, eye colour, natural hair colour and lifestyle before creating a bespoke shade that is uniquely yours.’
It sounds complicated but it's underpinned by a few simple rules you can follow yourself. An easy starting point, Jo says, is to look carefully in the mirror and assess your skin's undertones. Once you understand those, it becomes much easier to find a shade that will suit your skin right now.
If you have pink undertones
‘These are beautifully complemented by cooler shades such as ash blonde, ash brown, mocha and cool mink, which help balance the complexion,’ says Jo.
If you have yellow undertones
‘This skin tone suits richer, deeper shades like chestnut and deep brunette, adding warmth and depth without looking brassy,’ says Jo.
If you have pale, creamy skin tones
You’re in luck. ‘This skin tone can wear an array of colours, from icy platinum blondes and soft coppers to rich, deep brunettes,’ says Jo. ‘It's one of the most versatile complexions for colour.
What else should I consider when finding the right shade?
Once you’ve identified your skin undertones, you can start to think of other factors that will ensure you find a hair shade that works perfectly for you, says Jo.
Hair texture plays a surprisingly important role when it comes to hair colour, according to Jo, and it’s one that should be considered as we get older, since hair often becomes thinner.
‘Fine hair often benefits from a more solid colour for added depth, while thicker hair can beautifully showcase techniques such as balayage and soft highlights,’ advises Jo.
Finally, she advises thinking about upkeep – no hair colour will look youthful and flattering if it’s not properly cared for.
‘How much maintenance you are happy to commit to is just as important,’ says Jo. ‘If you prefer a lower-maintenance routine, lived-in colour techniques will grow out more seamlessly than full-head tints or high-lift blondes.’
So think of the three Ts – tone, texture and time – and you can't go wrong.
