Photo: Courtesy of Color Wow
MAY 29 2:30 PM by REBECCA MOSS
Gail Federici is a problem solver. When frustrated by her own unruly frizz, she brought an innovative line of frizz-control products to the hair care marketplace. Partnered with legendary stylist John Frieda, the duo also launched the first line of products—Sheer Blonde and Brilliant Brunette—that upended the one-size-fits-all model to tailor hair care based on hue. Now, Federici is going back to her roots, literally, with Color Wow, a line of color care hair products intent on preserving the life and look of color-treated hair.
"All these girls and women out there have this issue, if we can resolve that, that makes us feel good," Federici said.
The line feels like makeup for your hair, with bright-colored foams and on-the-go compacts. A root-concealing powder is brushed onto roots and only comes off with a shampoo (but stays intact for swimming). The formula has a glittering sheen that helps to blend with the hair color and mirror the way hair naturally catches in the light. Lavender and turquoise colored mousses are targeted at balancing the orange or red hues that pop up as color begins to fade, and the Pop & Lock "crystallite shellac" locks in hair's moisture to protect hair color (much like the top coat of a nail polish). The line also includes shampoo, conditioner, and a one-minute transformation cream.
"We are trying to do everything to age victoriously," said Federici. "People's appearance really affects how they approach the world."
For Color Wow, Federici teamed up with celebrity colorist Denis De Souza (whose clients include Rachel Bilson and Nicole Richie), and organic chemist, Dr. Joseph J. Cincotta. ELLE.com caught up with De Souza, who is also the artistic director for the line, to learn more about Color Wow and his prescription for keeping color bright all summer long.
Do you have a favorite summer hairstyle?
I like it to be natural. It’s summertime you’ve got to look beachy, undone, a little bit on the road.
Do you recommend people take breaks from coloring to strengthen their hair?
I have so many clients who come every two weeks to get a little touch-up. The other products on the market right now [for root correction] are so gunky—when you put it on it doesn’t feel good, it’s waxy and doesn’t match the color perfectly. [Color Wow] will make color last, even if it's just another two or three weeks that you can extend, you can actually save hair from coloring—and your pockets.
How does the root cover up work?
It adheres to the hair, and it’s the same base as the shampoo, so it attracts the hair and doesn’t come off until you shampoo with detergent.
What are your hair care tips for summer?
I tell my clients to avoid shampooing their hair too often because you don’t want your hair to fade or change. A good sunscreen that I’ve been recommending is organic raw coconut oil. Just apply a little bit before you are going to the pool, just on the ends. It is not only coating your hair like a sunscreen, but also hydrating your hair because it is an organic oil. It’s a little heavy for daily use, but a great trick for the beach or the pool.
Do you recommend a daily sunscreen?
Yes, always. The [Color Wow] shellac actually has an SPF in it that protects hair from the sun.
What’s your favorite summer color?
I love the modernized ombre that I’ve been working on right now. The difference of the color is not as drastic, it’s not so dark and bright. I’ve been doing it on Mila Kunis, even on Rachel Bilson—it’s a little more subtle but you still have some brighter pieces on the bottom. That works not only for brunettes, but blondes as well; I’ve been doing that on Nicole Richie and Ashlee Simpson.
What do you think ombre adds to a look?
It’s a good way to enhance your color, because you are not changing drastically, you are really just adding lightness to the hair. You are still going to be a dark blonde, or whatever your natural color is, but you can pretend you went to Hawaii for a month and highlighted it naturally from the sun—but nobody can go to Hawaii for a month so you get it at salon. It looks natural and enhances what you have without looking too done. The upkeep is also not that bad, most of my clients go every four or five months.
The Color Wow line is available at Ulta and ulta.com for $18-$34.50. The Root Cover Up is also available on QVC.
Read more: COLOR WOW Hair Color Products - Gail Federici on the COLOR WOW Line - ELLE
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