Move over ombre…there's a new cutting-edge hair trend in town for fabulous highlights called ecaille, French for tortoiseshell. I recently visited celebrity colorist Kari Hill from the famed Meche Salon in Beverly Hills who gave my hair this fresh look for Spring. I asked Kari to share her secrets with us on how to achieve and maintain the perfect tortoiseshell highlights.
MM: Describe the tortoiseshell hair color trend and technique.
KH: 'Tortoiseshell' hair-color is upon us! As we loved the 'Ombre' or 'Sombre' trends of the last few years, we have basically taken both of these techniques and almost 'morphed' them into one! Tortoiseshell or 'ecaille' is a color or hue more than an exact technique. It ties the boldness and extreme look of ombre and marries it with the darker root while remaining soft and subtle. This look can also be compared with 'sombre' which was a play on words of a 'soft-ombre'. What I love about this new trend is the layering of natural and beautiful tones that can compliment either a brunette or a darker blonde. As in the color of the actual tortoiseshell, you'll find the tones in the haircolor to 'almost' mirror it. Warm shades like a golden caramel, honey, and chocolate are tones you're likely to see in this technique. I like to describe this as a 'layering of color' so it looks soft and natural, and, like ombre, requires little upkeep as having a bit of a root and is still a trend which can also be a part of this look.
MM: What products do you recommend to get this look if you color your hair at home?
KH: L'Oreal Paris has some great options for at home use to achieve this result. Being that this is a combination of trends, you have the option to use all or just one of the L'Oreal Paris highlighting kits. Feria Ombre, Preference Ombre Touch, and the new Preference Glam Lights kits are user-friendly with applicators that help your at-home result have a salon like outcome.
MM: What are some tips for prolonging your color and to prevent hair from turning brassy?
KH: Once you've achieved or received your desired haircolor result, it is a MUST to have the proper haircare products at home to help preserve and prolong your new haircolor. I like to use the L'Oreal Advanced Haircare Color Vibrancy line as it has some of the best products for helping your haircolor last longer (it has UV filters and anti-oxidants to help restore moisture and shine). If your haircolor oxidizes and has a tendency to 'yellow' or 'dull,' L'Oreal offers a new Everpure Brass-banishing line that is gentle and sulfate-free. It also has the first of its kind toning treatment, which I love. I usually suggest that my clients wash their hair, at the most, every other day--great if you can even go another day. If you absolutely have to wash every day, it's a must to have the correct products on hand!
Before: Ombre highlights
After: Tortoiseshell highlights
Kari Hill, L’Oréal Paris Consulting Hair Colorist
With more than fifteen years of experience coloring some of the most well-known manes in Hollywood, Kari’s artistic perspective lends to her mastery of varied hair coloring techniques. She will be lending her insights and expertise to trend forecasting, product development, content creation and consumer education for the brand. Throughout the course of her career, Kari has worked at Hollywood’s most premier salons including Frederic Fekkai, Chris McMillan, John Frieda and Neil George. She has built an impressive roster of celebrity clients including Charlize Theron, Zooey Deschanel, Anna Faris, Karlie Kloss, and Taylor Schilling among others. Her indelible reputation and innate talent have made her one of the most in-demand colorists in Hollywood, with her hair color work regularly gracing the covers and pages of top beauty and fashion magazines. From show-stopping highlights and beautiful balayage to complete hair color transformations, Kari is well-known for her diverse abilities to subtly enhance or completely transform hair. Gathering inspiration everywhere from the red carpet and runways to even her own clients, she loves experimenting with hair color and helping women achieve their most perfect hue. She believes in the power of hair color to help women feel their most beautiful and confident selves.