If you haven't heard of the name Denis de Souza, you've definitely seen his work – with the renowned "King of Color" responsible for colouring the locks of some of the industry's top stars – think Olivia Wilde, Zoe Saldana, Mila Kunis, Rachel Bilson, Nicole Richie, and Lucy Hale among others.
To find out more, BD chats to de Souza about his claims to fame, current celeb hair trends, and which products he uses on their strands.
Why are you known as the “King of Color”?
I think it’s because hair colour is my passion and my specialty. I also owe this title to the success of the “ombre” technique that I developed.
How did you build up your celebrity clientele?
It all started with Rachel Bilson eight years ago when I was highlighting her hair for a shoot. She was amazed by the way I could highlight her hair without it looking brassy and so she then came back for more. That day when she left the salon with the dark roots and blonde highlights – that was the beginning of the “ombre”. With so many paparazzi outside capturing her new look, our phones did not stop ringing for the next four years asking for the “Rachel Bilson hair”. That was the beginning of it all, and that is what put me on the map. From then on magazines began doing features on me and this “ombre” look and that's when the other celebs started coming to me for this.
What are the current main trends celebrities are looking to when it comes to colouring techniques?
I don't believe it's necessarily a “technique” they are looking for; rather I feel they come in to the salon and put trust in you. Unless there is a particular look they have to achieve for a movie role, e.g. they have to go blonde. They really just sit on your chair and let you do what you feel would look best on them. Not just celebs, but every customer looks best when they can trust their colourist and know they are choosing what would suit them best.
Does your celeb hair colouring work with your Joico commitments?
I only use Joico products. I have been using Joico for eight years but I have only been on contract with them for three, so I have been using the brand long before I even signed up with them. I was always a big fan and the colours have never disappointed.
Do celeb hair trends reflect consumer or runway trends or do they initialise the trends?
I believe they initialise the trends. The world is extremely celebrity-obsessed! It’s not just America anymore but everywhere you go – it’s all about celebrity and celebrity looks.
Which Joico products do you use on your celeb clients?
In salon, I use the Joico colour line LumiShine on all my clients. I then always recommend clients to take home a treatment such as Joico’s K-PAK Color Therapy Luster Lock, which repairs coloured hair and provides incredible shine. Also, for highlighted brunettes I recommend Color Balance Blue (shampoo and conditioner), which protects hair colour and prevents brassiness. Then for the same effect on blondes, I will recommend Joico’s Color Balance Purple.
