A look into the future for hair: 10 minutes with Redken's Louise Pilkington

A highly respected hair stylist and all round great lady, Louise Pilkington is the owner of Servilles salon on Ponsonby Road near my home. She has also been named as the Redken Creative Director at the upcoming iD Dunedin fashion event in the city of the same name, and recently returned from New York Fashion Week, where she worked on the Marc Jacobs show (pictured) as part of the Redken team. All of this makes her a great person to quiz about the upcoming hair trends going into the Southern Hemisphere Winter, as well as how the bejesus to fix that all-too-familiar post-Summer frazzle.

First up, going into winter the average person is going to have damaged hair. What is the quickest way to repair that damage? It is definitely too late for prevention!
An effective way to repair damaged hair is definitely with in-salon conditioning treatments as this process keeps hair healthy. A new, fresh style from your stylist is also a great idea going into Winter as this will get rid of unhealthy ends, give you a new look and will help to keep with the formal style of Winter fashion.

Summer was all about long, beachy, wavy, "mermaid" hair. Is long still a great option for winter?
It completely depends on the person. If you are a person who likes to change your style a lot and likes to evolve with fashion, I would suggest going back to or sticking with short hair as you can team shorter hair with the latest styles easier. However, if you do wear your hair long, long is always going to be in fashion – it will never go out! The look for long hair in Winter is more polished and groomed with tongs and hot rollers whereas long hair in summer was more casual. Therefore long hair is still hot for winter however the look is more groomed.

What is a great product to keep long hair in great condition?
Redken Anti-Snap (RRP$33.00) is an amazing leave-in treatment that is great for helping to repair damaged hair.

What are some short styles that are dominating?
There is a trend coming through that moves back to a quite structural shape in short hair – a heavy fringe with an asymmetrical short cut. This type of hair cut is great as while it can be structured and sleek, with the right product it can also be made higher and a bit more ‘floppy’. This cut can also be scrunched to give a bit more of a wave and make for a look that is more moveable and casual.

It's widely assumed that hair colours get darker as the days get shorter. Does that mean we're all going from summer gold to something a little more chestnut in colour, or can your favourite colour be subtly adjusted to fit the cooler season?
Yes, your favourite colour can definitely be subtly changed to suit the season – you don’t have to change your colour altogether or go darker. However, if you are someone who likes to evolve with seasonal changes and trends, a darker, cool shade for winter could be good for you. Again, it is completely up to the individual.

What are some trends for colour this winter?
There is a trend coming through from Europe of cool grey, mauve, pale pink and silver toned blonde hair. As well as in blondes, there is trend towards cooler, iridescent shades in dark hair also.

Should you change your shampoo and conditioner as the weather changes?
It is always good to change up your shampoo and conditioner and yes, this can be done between seasons. There are specific shampoos and conditioners which contain more of a UV filter than others and while these are great for protecting your hair during summer, they are not needed so much during winter.

Are regular hair treatments still a good idea when it gets cooler, to keep hair in tip top condition?
Absolutely. While treatments are very important to keep hair healthy during summer, it is definitely a good idea to keep getting treatments throughout the year so your hair stays strong and beautiful all year round.

And lastly, what is a great new product that has really grabbed your attention?
Although it has been around for awhile, Redken Woolshake (RRP$43.50) is one of my favourite styling products as it is ideal for giving a style that second day, lived in look.