Highlights for 2011 With George Papanikolas

My personal colorist of choice, Andy Lecompte Salon celebrity haristylist and Joico Celebrity Stylist, George Papanikolas, dishes on the hair trends for 2011.

Inspired by his holiday in Miami, Papanikolas declares that “South Beach Highlights”—natural-looking, beach-kissed color sported by celebrities like Mila Kunis and Jessica Biel (below) and supermodel Gisele—are all the rage.

“Less is more with this type of color,” Papanikolas explains.  “You don’t place a lot of highlights, but you place them very strategically, on the surface of the hair where the sun would lighten it naturally.  And each highlight should be fine at the root, becoming chunkier on the midlengths and ends,”  using a hand-painting technique called balayage.  To complement the color, George suggests creating tousled waves by curling the hair with a one-inch curling iron, then misting it with Joico Design Collection Texture Spray for casual, “day at the beach” texture.

Papanikolas also revealed the emergence of the trend toward shorter, blonder locks.  He cited celebs like Jenny Garth, Ashley Simpson and Emma Watson as trendsetters for the look, and named his own client, Nicole Richie (above) as a pioneer.  “Lighter hair works well in the winter months,” he explained.  “It brightens up your complexion and it offers great contrast to dark winter clothes.”  For hair that is slightly longer, complete this look by creating modern waves with a flat iron.  “Once hair is waved,” suggests Papanikolas, “you can mist it with Design Collection Texture Spray for a rough and ready matte finish, or smooth on Joico’s K-PAK Color TherapyRestorative Styling Oil for chic shine.”