Hair Accessories: In The Pink

Introduction

Although Kelly Osbourne pink tresses are so over, glorious renditions of soft bubble gum, cotton candy and Easter peep pink hues have exploded onto the Spring and Summer 2004 fashion scenes.

(Gerard Yosca - Pink Bracelet Cuff w/Rose, Opal & Pearl Hued Stones)

Lets face it, pink is being touted as The Bomb for everything from sequined and silk hair flowers, scarf headbands, pony elastics, barrettes and other hair accessories to lipsticks, blushes and nail hues. Even the sizzling new sash belts, jelly style purses and dazzling candy color shoes come in radiant shades of pink-o-licious.

You can't go wrong in cutting edge pink anything. Right? Well not exactly. Even though pink is the new fashion darling of such respected designing whiz kids like Prada and Gucci, it does have some hue rules to consider.

(Image above: Jane Tran - Pony Elastic w/Semi Precious Petals - Cherry Quartz & Abalone).

Although what was once considered cute is now guaranteed couture class, pink can actually be unflattering to some hair and skin types. If not selected wisely, the chic color can actually be age defining. This age challenging possibility is even more true when the gorgeous hue is worn as a hair or other accessory that bumps right up against the skin.

(Image above:Jane Tran - A Multi-Layered Petal Flower Pin - Light Pastel Pink & White)

Not all pinks are created equal on the pink-o-meter for looking fabulous. Who could know? But don't panic. Before you swear off pink infused shopping sprees at Bendels, Bloomies or HairBoutique.com read on.

Decoding The Pink-O-Meter

One rule of thumb is that muted pinks in the warmer tonal families will generally flatter almost any skin color or tone regardless of age.

(Eve Reid - Leather Suzanne 1" Headband - Light Pink)

While vivid pink candy-colored hair accessories and make-up may flatter the X, Y and Z Gen Fashionistas, the baby boomers may want to move towards the rosier ranges of the pink scale. Medium pinks to dusty roses are also a fabulous choice for the boomers. If you adore pink and don't give a flip about the fact that vivid fuchsia and cotton candy pink may drain precious color from your skin, consider wearing your brilliant pink hair accessories further back in your hairstyle away from direct contact with your face.

Or compromise and follow the less is more rule and opt for smaller hair accessories like barrettes, clips or tiny flowers that you tuck over an ear a tad removed from your face line.

(Image of: Camila - Square Wire Barrette - Deep Rose)

If you can't live without celebrating pink on a daily basis, select accessories that will accent your overall fashion style such as lollipop pink jelly style bags, shoes or the hot new fashion cuffs.

Decoding The Pink-O-Meter

Since fashions constantly change and pink can be fleeting, try to select classic pieces that you can enjoy after the pink fashion panic has subsided. Choose accessories that you can continue to wear appropriately after the rosy glow fades.

(Image above of Jane Tran - Butterfly Leather Pony w/Ponyhair in bright Fuschsia Pink).

Whether you plan to pop on a forehead hugging scarf headband, silk head wrap, newsboy cap or pin in some of the spectacular gem encrusted flowers, select hues that compliment your current hair color.

Consider the following general guidelines:

Blondes - Paris Hilton's white blonde locks look stunning with decorated with hand made brilliant candy pink Michelle Roy flowers. Her hair would look stunning with the hot pink sequined variety from Eve Reid, the soft pink clips from Evita Peroni or even the pink popsicle hued Karina headbands. (Image above - Eve Reid - Sequin Flower Chignon Pin - Hairpin/Pin in hot pink).

Buttery blondes, golden blondes or blondes with a lot of yellow highlights should opt for the lighter pinks. They should select the deep muted pinks, medium to dusty rose colors and even pink berry tones. If brilliant candy pinks are desired, consider selecting accessories with two tones. An accessory with a brilliant pink center that is edged with a darker pink, red or rose would be the perfect compromise. (Image above - Eve Reid - Sequin Flower Chignon Pin - Hairpin/Pin Soft Pink w/Red Tips).

Redheads - While strawberry blondes can wear red-pink tones and peachy pinks, as a rule, anyone with medium to darker red tresses may have a hard time with any brilliant or light pinks. A compromise for ruby hued tresses might be salmon, coral, orangey or apricot pinks.

Brunettes - The lighter the base, the warmer and deeper the pink shades that should be selected. (Image to side - Jane Tran - Butterfly Leather Pony w/Ponyhair in bright Fuschsia Pink).

Light to medium shades of brunette would do well with mauve pinks or pinks that have a dusty or brown undertone. (Image above to side - Jane Tran - A Ponytail w/Hanging Rose Quartz & Shells - Rose w/Chocolate Accents)

Dark brunettes or brunettes with blue-black bases would look great in the soft, sheer and almost nude pinks. Berry pinks would also work for many with the black shades. (Image of: Karina - "No Headache" Frosted Pink Headband).

Gray - When the gray is more white than yellow, depending on other factors from age and skin tones, the brighter pinks could work. For gray that has other tones such as yellow, selected the muted pinks like those recommended for yellow based blondes.

Mixed Colors - If by chance you have purple, green or blue hair you will have to experiment to figure out the most complimentary hookups with your rainbow shaded locks.

Pink Lip Service

Pink foundations, powers and lipsticks will definitely have a direct bearing on your skin's appearance. While I am not a make-up maven, even in my wildest dreams, I can tell you that the general hair color rules translate to makeup. (Image from: Michele Busch - Leather Cuff Bracelet - Rose Quartz & Butterscotch).

When it comes to other accessories from hats, belts, bangles, purses and shoes, the key is to compliment your overall style. Accessories are designed to tie a total look together or compliment it. Not drive it. (Image from: Michele Busch - Choker Necklace - Pink Pearls & Pink & Brown Accents w/Bone Flower Drop)

Closing Pink Thoughts

Pink is officially defined in many dictionaries as "a lighter shade of red". (Image of: L.Erickson USA - 1 1/2" Scarf Headband - 100% Dupioni Silk in Coral).

Pink has come a long way in the fashion world since Italian-born haute couture fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli invented "shocking pink" in 1947 and it became an instant fashion extravaganza eventually rechristened "hot pink" through the years.

Royalty loved pink as witnessed by the late Princess Di who wore the hue with style. So did Di's distant family member, writer Dame Barbara Cartland who made it her signature color. So did the Queen of Cosmetics, Mary Kay Ash. Mary Kay, a known pink-a-holic rewarded her most successful sales consultants with bubble gum colored Cadillacs on a yearly basis.

(Image above: L.Erickson USA - 1 1/2" Headband - Cotton Dot - Hot Pink).

Celebrities have started a variety of pink fashion trends over the years. Gwyneth Paltrow wore a much copied pink gown when she received her Best Actress Oscar award while J. Lo started a pink diamond engagement ring craze in 2003 with her famous ring from Ben Affleck. (Image above: Elizabeth Brady - Amphitrite Bracelet - Cherry Quartz & Polished Blacklip Oyster Shell)

And the most famous doll of all, Mattel's Barbie doll paid her pink dues outfitted in a variety of pink fashion ensembles proving that pink transcends all boundaries.

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- Revised Publication Date: 09/09/10

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