celebrity colorist
joel warren

Looking for a mane muse? “I love Taylor Swift’s blonde haircolor,” shares Warren. “I’d love to give her highlights.”

Can’t decide on a haircolor? Look to this A-list actress for inspiration. “Jessica Alba is always changing her hair from one color to another,” says Warren.
Joel Warren is a master colorist who has catered to a slew of A-list celebrities. As one half of the hair industry’s most legendary duo (the other half being master stylist Edward Tricomi), Warren has long been influencing hair fashion. Together the duo is responsible for the Warren-Tricomi Haircare line and top salons in New York, Los Angeles and Miami Beach. Here, Warren shares his thoughts on how to achieve your hottest haircolor yet!
Warren’s haircolor choices have been inspired by nature and the ethereal colors found within. “The shades are unique and in haircolor, they are going to stand out a little bit,” says Warren, who notes floral-inspired shades boast splices of bold color. “There are some purples, some pinks and some greens. The look isn’t going to be for everybody, but it can work for the woman who wants to try something different to make her hair a little bit more interesting and have her own identity.”
“With things in the economy going on, I think everyone is feeling a little blah,” says Warren. “It’s one thing feeling blah, but it’s another thing to look blah. Now it’s time to feel great and focus on yourself since you can’t really do much about everything else [in the world]. You spend more time taking care of your self and your haircolor is a great way to express that.”
“Normally, everyone is trying to keep costs down, but when you keep the cost down you are eliminating things,” explains Warren. “For example, better ingredients cost more, so it’s rare to find a product that costs a lot but does not have great ingredients.” Warren’s haircolor philosophy also transcends mere cost. “Your overall appearance needs to be balanced,” he says. “You have to take your body size, body shape, face shape and how you dress into consideration.”







I have long black thick hair! It’s very dry and frizzy I’m ready for a different style and color but I don’t what to do??
Hi Belen,
Sophisticate’s to the rescue! Check out the latest issue (the one with Jennifer Lopez on the cover!) and choose your favorite looks. Take the magazine to your stylist and show the mane pro exactly what you want. Also, don’t be afraid to ask if the salon offers any conditioning treatments for dry, frizzy hair.
Hi, I dyed my hair blonde a few months ago, now my roots are really showing. Im thinking of going back to dark brown, my natural color. But that seems to blah for me, I want a shade that really goes well with my skin tone.
I have very light/fair skin, blue eyes, and my natural color is dark brown
Hi Sherry,
Just because your natural haircolor is dark brown, it doesn’t mean you need to have your hair all one color! Check out the February issue of Sophisticate’s and you’ll find many brunettes with caramel highlights or hints of red. And with highlights, you may be able to get away with less trips to the salon for touchups!
I have Medium Brown hair and I am considering going red. I have Hazel eyes and neutral-tan skin and I’m not sure red would work. If I do go red, I want to go Fire red, like Haley Williams from Paramore. Not vibrant red, but a deep red. any advice?
Hi Cheyenne,
We’re consulting our haircolor expert for you and we’ll have an answer soon!
What is Taylor Swift’s hair color and how do I get my hair like hers?
Hi, Brittany!
Taylor Swift is featured in our current issue (the one with Rachel Bilson on the cover!), and we also think you’ll love the blonde shades featured in the “Sophisticate’s Haircolor Selector.” Bring these photos to your colorist, who will be able to help you achieve the same golden hue as Taylor!
Hi, I’m a medium blonde but want more golden tones in my hair. I’ve heard cases where brunettes can buy two shades of hair color and use them both together. Could it be possible for me to use medium and golden blonde hair color together if I’m a dirty blonde?
Hi, Monica!
It’s a good idea to leave the color cocktails up to salon professionals. They have been trained to determine which shades to mix to give you the color you desire. There are also many other factors to consider: Are you currently wearing haircolor or coloring virgin hair? What’s your hair’s texture like? How often do you wash your hair? Visit the salon and set up a consultation with a professional colorist to find your best highlights.
hi, my hair is natural darkest brown (asian), and it is already colored. I want my natural hair back with subtle highlights in the exact same tone like mila kunis had at the sag awards. Is that possible? and it also tursn orangy in the sun, so I was sondering if I do get the same hair color as her, will it still be orange in the sun even though it doesn’t look orange in normal light? don’t know if that even made sense lol.. and does it require bleach to get that color? here’s a link: http://cosbysweaters.com/2011/01/31/how-did-kevin-mccallister-pull-this/
and what do you call the color of the highlights?
THANK YOU SO MUCH
Hi, Taylor!
Professional colorists often mix a few shades together to help you achieve the result you want. You can also ask them advice for maintaining the shade so it doesn’t turn into a brassy There are also many other factors to consider: Are you currently wearing haircolor or coloring virgin hair? What’s your hair’s texture like? How often do you wash your hair? Visit the salon and set up a consultation with a professional colorist to find your best highlights.
hello. i have naturally dark brown/black hair with brown eyes and olive skin. i am greek. would blonde look good on me if i dyed it?
Hi, Holly!
We are consulting with our haircolor pro—visit soon!
My natrual hair is a dark brown almost black and natrually straight and I try and curl my hair with a curling iron and get Lucy Hale’s look from Pretty Little Liars the homecoming episode. and I am having trouble getting it just right. and I want to dye my hair I just don’t know what color.
Hi, Rachael!
For haircolor, set up a consultation with a professional colorist at your salon. The pros often mix a few shades together to create the ideal hue you’re looking for and that can be difficult to achieve at home. For the style part, check out the November/December issue of Sophisticate’s—on sale now! In our special 33rd Anniversary issue, Lucy Hale reveals the secret behind styling her lush waves.
Hi! I want a new look for my hair since school just started for me but I’m pretty much stuck. My hair is dark brown right now so I have no clue which color would go good with my mocha brown skin tone other than my dark brown hair. Any advice on what to get?
-Sincerely,
Lanae<3
Hi, Lanae!
Check out the November/December issue of Sophisticates—the one with Carrie Underwood on the cover—and check out some of the hues of the stars. For example, American Idol contestant Pia Toscano reveals the exact shade she uses to color her hair! Also in this issue, there is a great shot of singer Christina Milian, who’s sporting dark brown hair with caramel highlights.
my hair color is Black. but i really want to switch things up. but really having trouble suggesting which color would match me? .
Hi, Bonita!
There are many factors to consider when choosing a new haircolor. What is your skin tone like? How light do you want to go? How much time do you have to spend maintaining your new shade? Consider these questions and set up a consultation with your colorist. Once he/she sees your natural hair and skin tone and speaks with you about your concerns and desires, you will be able to get a better sense of which shade works for you. And don’t forget to check out the October issue of Sophisticate’s for some inspiration! There is a special feature on this season’s best new browns that may interest you!
okay so right now i currently have blonde hair but i really want dark brown hair, but i have fair skin. So can you tell me some names of celebirties with dark hair with fair skin?
Hi, Jennayyy!
Check out Sophisticate’s October cover girl Selena Gomez. In the same issue, we feature our very special Preview 2012 showcasing the best-styled stars!
Hi, my natural haircolor is a medium brown shade, with some natural blonde higlights, I want to go as dark as possible without black and with some red mixed in. Any suggestions? please and thank you. Heather
Hi, Heather!
We’re checking with our haircolor expert—check back soon!
Hi, Heather!
You have a couple of options. You could ask for the brown you are desiring (like Kim Kardashian or Demi Moore) for your all over base color and ask your colorist for some foil highlights in a deep, rich red. That way, you have both the chocolate and red visible. You could also just go for a Merlot color all over that combines both shades in one formulation. Most colors will take slightly brighter on your highlighted hair than on your brown hair, so the end result may come out looking like dark highlights on that even darker base.
I want to go blonde but dont want to use bleach. They told me to use scruple but don’t know what they are, can you explain please?
Hi, Ema!
Lifting your haircolor often requires professional knowledge, which is why we recommend visiting your salon for your color services. A professional colorist will know how to lift your hair safely and help you achieve the shade of blonde you desire.
My natural color of my hair is dirty blond but i have it highligted every 5-6 months to light natural blonde. I love Sophia Bush’s brown hair color but i don’t know if it would be right for me. Being 26 yrs old i do have a few gray strands in my hair when my roots start going. Would it be safe for me to go brown with my fair skin or stay blonde and have my hair dresser do someting a lttle different next time i see her.
Hi, Melissa!
Being a natural blonde with fair skin, you already know shades of blonde look fabulous on you. While you may be able to pull of brunette hues, the question becomes: How dark can you go? Sophia Bush has had variations of brown shades over the years. We suggest talking to your a professional colorist (not just a stylist who occasionally does color, but someone who has been trained extensively in haircolor), looking at several different pictures in Sophisticate’s and coming up with a hue that will look great on you. A lot of factors go into choosing the right shade, including figuring out if you have warm or cool undertones in your skin. A professional colorist will be able to help you determine your skin tone and help you pick a great brunette shade.
Hi, I have dark blonde/very light brown with natural highlights. I really like Vanessa Hudgens hair but I don’t know if it would work.I want to dye my hair but I don’t know what color.
Hi, Krystal!
When choosing a haircolor, it is important to keep your skin tone in mind. Set up a consultation with a colorist at your salon. The hair pro will be able to help you find a great shade that looks fabulous against your skin. You don’t want to run the risk of going too dark.
Hi, My natural and current haircolor is a medium/dark blonde with a couple highlights. I want to go a different color what do you recommend?
Hi, Sidney!
You have a world of options. However, keep in mind that if you decide to go darker, it’s difficult to to go back to your original haircolor. It can be done, but it takes time in order to maintain the integrity of your hair. Because it’s summer, have you thought of going lighter? Check out the September issue (the one with Lauren Conrad on the cover!) for some shade ideas. In fact, our cover girl loves to switch up her hue by going for the ombre trend (darker crown, lighter ends), playing with funky colors (ever try colored extensions) and more. The possibilities are endless! Try setting up a consultation with a colorist at your salon if you want a professional opinion. Good luck!
Dear Sophisticated Hair,
I have a really, really dark brown shade of hair. I had caramel highlights and now I think I would like something different. I’m getting my hair done in four days, so I would like and answer as soon as possible. Please help, and thank you.
Love,
Aubrey Lee
Hi, Aubrey!
We think you’ll like our original “Haircolor Selector” feature in the September issue—on stands now! Check it out and bring it to your colorist, who will be able to help you choose your best mane shade.
hi i have blonde/brown hair and i really want to dye it golden blonde or punk red. what do you think???
Hi, Brittany!
We’re all for playing with haircolor, but keep in mind that going lighter could be a lengthy process in order to maintain the healthy condition of your hair. Set up a consultation with your stylist to see how light you can go the first time around. Plus, a professional colorist will be able to help you choose the exact shade of gold or red you’re looking for by mixing a few hues together to create your ideal mane shade.
My natural hair color is medium to dark blonde so what color would you recommende for me when i color my hair
Hi, Lisa!
We’re checking with one of our expert colorists and we’ll get back to you very soon!