Hair's the Scoop

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Lauren Conrad recently put to a vote whether or not she should experiment with multi-color tips. And, as you can see above, she decided to go all out!

... For a day or two, anyway. The reality-star-turned-author-turned-designer was then snapped sporting her signature style at Sunday's Dinosaur Ball in NYC (inset). 

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Whether to cover never-before-seen grays or transform a look, switching hair color can be be a life-changing experience.

What's been your most dramatic change in color? Have you ever gone for a look-at-me hue,
like Lady Gaga's?

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Jennifer Lawrence models a dramatically darker 'do at Thursday's taping of the "Late Show with David Letterman."

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Q: I'm a brunette and recently colored my hair using a cool, medium brown (28-day). The color oversaturated and now my hair is almost black. Is there any way to fade the color faster (without causing major damage)? Thanks! — Clare F., Washington, D.C.

A: Sorry to hear, Clare! I've asked celebrity colorist Rita Hazan for her expert advice:
"Definitely! Use a clarifying shampoo. Or if you don’t have one on hand, you can use dish soap, such as Palmolive. Wash a few times over and over for a few days to a week, and it should help strip some color out. But be sure to use a very hydrating conditioner — you don't want to dry out your hair!"

Have a beauty-related question that you've been dying to ask? Drop us a line at hair@lifetimetv.com.

Brand

Celebrity cinemercials have become the go-to promotional tool for luxury fragrances, but at-home hair color?
Now, that's a first.

In honor of the largest launch in John Frieda history — Precision Foam Colour — the brand has teamed up with Katie Holmes to release a short entitled “The Decision.”

Described as "a vivid depiction of a universal experience with which nearly every woman can identify: Is cheating on your colorist really worth the risk?," this much-hyped film promises to "illuminate the anxiety and uncertainty behind at-home hair color."

I'll be reporting LIVE from tonight's red-carpet premiere, so be sure to follow @AlltheLooks for The Scoop!

Splash News

"Vajazzling" and candy-colored streaks, like Katy Perry's, are two trends I'd love to see go for 2011.

What tops your list of the year's most questionable beauty trends?

Richie Buxo/Splash News

Five quick and easy ways to keep your color "first-day" fresh:

Hold Out
Though your locks may look and feel renewed, coloring can take a toll on even the healthiest of hair. To avoid breakage and moisture loss, avoid cleansing again for at least 48 hours after your initial rinse.

Opt for a Color-Depositing Cleanser & Conditioner
Winter weather can dull your newly tinted tresses in a matter of days, so stock-up on a hue-enhancing duo — like Bb's low pH, extra-mild formulas ($22 each, BumbleandBumble.com) — to extend the life of your color.

Add SPF to the Mix
SPF is a must 24/7/365, so amp up your daily conditioner with a tablespoon of your favorite lightweight SPF (per bottle; face or body).

Laminate Your Locks
A weekly intensive treatment — like Kelly van Gogh's Rich & Delicious ($48, KellyVanGogh.com) — will help rebuild, restore and protect your hair against everything from caustic water to environmental pollutants.

Seal Each Strand
Protect your color before using heated styling tools with a thermal guard formulated for your specific hair type.

Michael Murdock/Splash News

3 easy ways to achieve luminous, healthy-looking hair color, like Jessica's:

Seek Products for Color-Treated Hair
Whether you dye your entire head or opt for a few seasonal streaks, color is color. Be sure to stock your shower with shampoos and conditioners formulated for color-treated hair, and skip shampoo every other wash (simply rinse with water then follow with conditioner).

Guard Your Tresses
Your skin's not the only surface that requires shielding from the sun's harmful rays. To help keep your highlights looking their best, spike your daily conditioner with a dollop of inexpensive SPF and opt for styling products that boast built-in UVA and UVB protectors.

Deal With Damage
Sun, surf and chemicals can all take their toll on color-treated hair, so be sure to proactively treat your tresses throughout the summer months. Weekly: Prolong your highlights with a detoxifying shampoo and hydrating mask. Monthly: See your stylist for a trim.

Have any tips/tricks of your own? Do share!

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From the pages of Vogue and Harper's Bazaar to the set of "Oprah" to the heads of Hollywood's hottest stars, there's not a hair color Gina Gilbert hasn't been able to amplify, correct or perfect. The NYC-based colorist dishes exclusively to Hair's the Scoop on everything from her A-list clientele and mentor Serge Normant to her favorite at-home conditioning treatments and color kits. Plus, check out Gina Gilbert's lookbook on summer's hottest trends.

Most colorists have a specialty, but you've created red-carpet looks for everyone from Drew Barrymore to Julia Roberts and Jennifer Connelly. Is there a color you like working with the most? How about least?

I love brunettes, blondes and reds equally. But I do dislike when darker brunettes want to go double-process platinum blonde.

Which of this season's color trends makes you happy?

I’m excited for everyone to let the sun bring out natural highlights this summer season. Think sun-kissed!

What color-care products are worth the splurge? And when should someone save her money?

It’s important to spend on a great conditioner. Spend less on a shampoo, but make sure you get one formulated for color. With treated hair, you can shampoo less frequently — just two or three times a week — but rinsing and conditioning is necessary.

What is your all-time favorite look you've created for a client?

I loved changing Faith Hill from blonde to a more natural look with highlights for her "Fireflies" CD cover.

Now that we've covered the basics, it's time for our "lightning round" of questions:

Favorite treatment mask? Kerastase anything!

Most inspiring client? Ellen Barkin

Person you’d most like to meet, past or present? Madonna

Guilty pleasure? White wine

Most beloved at-home color kit? Clairol Root Touch-up

Funniest moment at a photo shoot? When my boss, Serge Normant, tries on wigs/hair pieces.

Most trusted colorists (other than yourself)? Harry Josh and Tracey Cunningham

Favorite holiday spot? Any place with a beautiful beach.

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Robin Williams debuts a new, darker 'do at the LA premiere of "Old Dogs."