Getting ready for summer is not just about trimming down or fitting into swimwear. It is also about how you feel when you step out the door. At Colour Rush in Sunninghill Square, self care is not a luxury. It is the groundwork for confidence, carried in your skin, your hair and the way you present yourself.
Hair stylist Darelle Gardner said this season’s look is steering clear of flat, poker-straight styles. “Curls and big blowouts are making a comeback. Think of the 80s with all that bounce and volume. Longer hair is still popular, but now it’s about layers and texture. Side bangs are in again, especially the curtain bang that frames the face and opens it up softly.”
Colour is moving in the same direction. “The icy blondes are on their way out. Warmth is coming back into the palette. Butter blondes, golden blondes, copper and tan are all being asked for again. Grey is no longer something to hide. Women are choosing to go grey, and we are working with different shades so it looks modern and stylish. It often looks fresher than blonde that has gone brassy.” She added that another favourite this summer is mushroom brown. “It’s a matte, earthy shade. A lot of clients are asking for it because it’s easy to wear and suits most skin tones.”
According to Gardner, none of these trends are accidental. “Fashion goes in cycles. What we’re seeing now is a return to the late 80s and early 90s. It’s the same looks, just with new names. Big hair, movement, texture — it’s all back.”
While hair is the headline act, beauty treatments provide the base for self care. Beautician Petro Steyn said that looking after yourself is less about chasing perfection and more about being comfortable in your own skin. “Self care has taken over what the beauty industry used to represent. Something as simple as a wax makes you feel better about yourself. You can put on a dress, feel confident and get on with your day. Skincare has also become more accessible. Many women are doing their own facials at home, but coming into the salon means you can do everything in one go.”
Permanent makeup has also evolved. “It’s no longer about bold, heavy lines. Women want a natural look. Lip blush or lash enhancements are popular because they make the eyes and lips stand out while still looking soft. It saves time too. Not everyone has an hour to do makeup every morning, and with permanent makeup you can look polished without foundation.”
Steyn said body treatments are another part of the picture, especially as summer gets closer. “Slimming technology can help, but the machine cannot do everything for you. We usually recommend ten sessions, and by the fifth most clients can see results. But you also need to eat properly and exercise. Weight loss is a mental thing as much as a physical one. If you are going to snack at home, the treatment won’t give you the results you want.”
Men are no longer sitting these treatments out. “Absolutely, men can do them too. It’s not just for women. We have more male clients who want to look after themselves, and self care is just as important for them.”
Tanning has also taken a new turn with the arrival of collagen beds. Steyn explained, “It’s a standing treatment with a gentler UV light, combined with red light. The red light works for anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory benefits, so you get more than just a tan. It’s a ten-minute session, and athletes even use it for recovery. People who normally burn easily can also use it and still come away with colour.” Packages often include collagen creams to help the process along. “It’s affordable, and with the extra creams you boost the collagen in your skin while you tan.”
At Colour Rush, the idea is not about chasing trends for the sake of it. It is about balance. Hair, skin and body care are tools that help clients feel lighter, brighter and ready for the season. Summer, after all, is best enjoyed when you feel good in your own skin, and that is where self care begins.
