Fall Hair Color by Paris Parker Studio

As summer turns to fall, your wardrobe isn’t the only thing in need of an update. Your crowning glory, your mane, your HAIR, duh, also requires a seasonal revamping. I usually begin brainstorming about my upcoming cosmetic and follicle changes a couple of months before it’s time to exact my plan. My conundrum this season was that I had recently started coloring my naturally soft black hair blacker than the blackest black. We’re talking taking a level 2 black to a level 1, if you know what that means. And if you do know anything about the science of hair color, you will know that you cannot easily lighten naturally dark hair, let alone dark hair with layers of black hair dye. I knew what I wanted for my autumn hair, but didn’t think it would be possible.

Fortunately, I was invited to meet with Angelle at the Paris Parker Studio on Magazine Street (New Orleans). I told her that I was dreaming of level 6 dark blonde accents on each side of my face, hidden under my longest layers for a more subtle look with the added benefit of hiding new growth. During my consultation, Angelle agreed that we may not be able to achieve level 6 or lighter, but she would aim for it. What we did achieve was a pretty, bronze-y auburn shade that takes on new tones depending on the light. If I had to give the shade a name, I would call it Autumn Perfection. See the results for yourself. (*Warning! These pictures are HUGE. I am having resizing issues with my WordPress theme, and have yet to figure out what to do about it. Many apologies in advance.)

So pretty, right? And it’s perfect for my line of work. One day, I may be picking out looks for a fashion spread at a trendy boutique, but another, I might have to have lunch with my boss and her business partners, a situation where I wouldn’t want to stand out too much. I already have a tattoo on my forearm, so in those more conservative situations, I don’t want to appear any more youthful than I already do. (I can’t believe how young some people think I am. It’s a blessing until you need to be taken seriously.)

So, if I want to show off the color, I can. (Amazing earrings handmade by Tressa of Flambeaux Design Company.)

And if I want a more subtle or conservative look, I can hide it.

I bet you think this is a “before” picture, right? Au contraire, mon ami. It is my super stealthy new color in an “after” shot! (Oh. And yet another fab accessory –the bracelet, of course– from Armoire Boutique.)

Ok. That’s about all the pictures of me I can take for the day.

Now, here are a few more things I would like to point out about Angelle’s approach to my hair:

• Angelle had never done my hair before this service. Her consultation was thorough and, even before she knew I had worked in salons before, did not speak down to me or get huffy when she heard the level of enlightenment I was hoping to achieve.
• She did not promise me a certain level of lift. Too many times, I’ve heard of stylists saying, “Yes, we can do that”, and then the client is disappointed when their expectant blonde is actually more auburn.
• Angelle was not willing to compromise the integrity of my hair to achieve a higher level of lift, nor should she have been. I have worked with some very talented ladies in the past that have had to nurture damaged hair back to health after a stylist turned a client’s locks to stretchy threads of gum, all because the client demanded that their hair be lighter. (And yes, that is what will happen to your hair if you leave a hair lightener on too long. It will stretch and then snap off at the weakest point. It’s rather sad, really.)

My experience with Angelle at Paris Parker Studio on Magazine Street was a pleasant one, from her initial offer of coffee, tea or water (I gladly accepted two of those three), right down to my nearly nap-inducing blowout (she truly has a gentle touch). The Paris Parker line of salons and spas are Aveda Lifestyle stores, meaning they use and retail only Aveda products, a line I’ve been a fan of since I bought my first non-drugstore brand of shampoo (Black Malva, of course) back in high school. If you would like to chat with Angelle about what she can do for you and your fall color, see the info after the gallery to schedule your consultation.

Paris Parker Studio | Magazine 

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