Hair Colour That Fits Queenstown Life

When someone sits down with us for a first colour, half the conversation is about their week rather than their hair. How often can you actually get in? Are you under a helmet five days a week in winter? In the lake every evening in January? The best colour in the world isn't the right one if it doesn't survive your routine.

Here's how Queenstown living affects colour, and the choices that tend to work.

Which hair colour suits an outdoor lifestyle?

Anything that grows out without a hard line. That usually means:

• Lived-in balayage. Lighter through the ends, softer at the root, redone every three to four months.
• A root shadow. A slightly deeper toner at the root ($80) that blurs the line between your natural colour and your blonde, so growth looks deliberate.
• Colour close to your natural shade. Adding richness or shine, or blending a few greys, rather than changing the colour completely.
• A gloss. Shine and tone with no commitment.

Bright, all-over blonde and solid grey coverage look great too. They just ask for more visits, every four to eight weeks. If you know you won't make that, tell us and we'll plan something that holds up.

What does alpine sun do to hair colour?

UV gets stronger the higher you go, and snow reflects a good share of it back up. A day on the mountain in spring can do more to your colour than a week at sea level.

Sun breaks down the toner on lightened hair, so cool blondes drift warm. It fades red and copper fastest of all, and it dries the outer layer of the hair so colour looks dull even when it's still there. A hat or a helmet is the best protection you've got. On top of that, a colour-safe shampoo like Kérastase Chroma Absolu Bain Chroma Respect ($57.12) helps colour hang on between visits.

Lakes, pools and hot pools

Lake water is fresh rather than salty, so on its own it's gentler on colour than the sea. Pools are a different story. Chlorine and the minerals in treated water cling to porous, lightened hair, and very pale blondes can pick up a green tinge.

Wet your hair with fresh water and comb through a leave-in before you swim, so it soaks up less. Rinse straight after. If you swim a lot or your water at home leaves build-up, Kérastase Première Bain Décalcifiant Réparateur ($60.48) is made to deal with calcium deposits, and L'Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox shampoo ($58.08) targets metal deposits in the hair.

How does ski season affect your colour?

Winter is mostly about dryness and friction. Helmets and beanies rub the hair around your face and crown, the air is dry, and heaters at home dry it out further. Colour doesn't fade much under a beanie, but the ends get rough and lose shine.

Two things help. A weekly mask, and a colour that still looks good with three weeks of root showing, because nobody's booking in mid-season when the snow's good. A lot of clients go a little deeper and richer for winter. There's less sun to fade it, and it looks good against the snow.

What's the lowest-maintenance colour, and what does it cost?

The full menu is on our price list. For a breakdown by service, see how often you should colour your hair.

Timing colour around your year

Summer pulls most people lighter, winter a touch deeper. If you've got a trip, a wedding or the start of the season coming up, book your colour a week or two before rather than the day before. It gives the toner a few washes to settle and gives you time to come back if anything needs a tweak.

If you're a blonde dealing with all of the above, our piece on keeping blonde through a Queenstown year goes deeper.

Talk it through first

A colour consultation is free and takes about 15 minutes. We'll look at your hair, ask about your routine and give you options with prices. We're upstairs at Level 1, 22 The Mall in central Queenstown. You can book online any time or call 03 441 8555.