Your Next Salon Visit: What Should I Do?

Changing your look is a big decision, and sometimes it’s daunting to have to make a (semi)permanent choice that you might want to hide under a hat (no — we won’t let you leave feeling UGLY) Here is a simple, friendly guide to help you walk into your next appointment feeling confident, prepared, and excited! Let your stylist take care of the rest.

How to Choose Your Next Hair Service

If you’ve ever stared at a salon menu and thought, “Wait… what do I actually need?” you’re not alone. Choosing the right service is really about two things:

1. What’s going on with your hair right now

2. How you want it to look and feel after your appointment

Start by asking yourself:

• Do I want a big change or just a refresh?

• Am I trying to fix something (color, damage, shape)?

• Do I want something low‑maintenance or something bold?

Once you know your goal, the rest becomes way easier. Let’s break down the most common choices so you can match your vision to the right service.

Trend‑Forward Styling – How Should I Cut It?

We’re sure you’ve already combed over all the Instagram and Tik Tok trends for haircuts, but not everything that’s modern or “in” is necessarily going to fit your face shape and overall style. Your stylist is going to have some knowledge and opinions on what direction to take, but it’ll help if you aren’t completely trapped in a loop of uncertainty. Haircuts aren’t one‑size‑fits‑all, and you should think about your lifestyle first.

• If you want low‑maintenance: go for lived‑in layers, long bobs, or soft shags.

• If you love styling: blunt bobs, curtain bangs, and wolf cuts give you room to play.

• If you want movement: dry‑cutting techniques or texture‑focused cuts can bring your natural shape to life.

Bring photos, but also be open to your stylist’s suggestions — they can tailor the cut to your face shape, hair texture, and daily routine. Don’t want an extreme cut or change to your current look? No problem! Sometimes a simple trim and shaping is all you need.

Choosing a New Color

Picking a new color is exciting but can often be the hardest choice. What will look best? Should I go natural? Bright and colorful? There are so many possibilities, but it helps to think about:

• Your skin tone (warm, cool, neutral)

• Your maintenance level (root touch‑ups vs. grow‑out‑friendly)

• Your hair history (previous color affects what’s possible)

If you want something soft and natural, think caramel, honey, chocolate, or chestnut.

If you want something bold, think vivid reds, coppers, or platinums.

And remember: the healthier your hair, the better your color will look! So if you’re worried about the state of your hair, consider getting a k18 keratin repair treatment (we offer these at Richard Penna Hair) instead of a full coloring.

Color Correction

If your hair color didn’t turn out how you hoped — or you’ve been experimenting at home — color correction is your best friend.

This service can fix:

• Brassiness

• Uneven tones

• Box‑dye buildup

• Over‑lightened or over‑darkened areas

Color correction often takes time and may require multiple sessions, but it’s the safest way to get your hair back on track without causing more damage. We’ve done a color correction or two in our day at Richard Penna so don’t worry, we definitely have your back.

Highlights vs. Lowlights: what even is that?

These two services sound similar, but they do totally different things. And no: these things are NOT the same thing as balayage (read a little farther and we’ll explain the difference).

Highlights

• Add brightness

• Create dimension

• Lighten your overall look

Lowlights

• Add depth

• Reduce brassiness

• Make blonde look more natural

If your hair feels too flat, highlights will give it some body.

If your blonde feels too bright or washed out, lowlights bring balance.

Blonding vs. Balayage: What’s the difference

Sometimes in hair styling, techniques sound like they’re almost exactly the same, but understanding how the services are performed will better help you chose what you want. Your stylist will know what to do based on how you describe the look you’re going for, but knowing what services types do might help you know exactly how you want your service to go. Both blonding and balayage yield gorgeous results — the techniques just have different vibes.

Blonding

• Usually done with foils

• Creates a brighter, more uniform blonde

• Great for people who want to be REALLY, truly blonde

Balayage

• Hand‑painted technique

• Soft, blended, sun‑kissed look

• Grows out beautifully with less maintenance

If you want bold, go blonding.

If you want natural and low‑maintenance, go balayage. Boom

Curl‑Specialized Haircuts and Products

Curly hair is a whole project on its own and needs its own approach. A curl‑specialized cut focuses on:

• Cutting curls dry so the stylist can see your true pattern

• Shaping curls individually

• Reducing bulk while keeping volume

• Enhancing definition

Curly hair LOVES moisture and product, so after your appointment is over, you’re going to need to make sure you have some products to take home with you to achieve the look your stylist created for you. Pair your cut with curl‑friendly products like hydrating creams, gels, and leave‑ins to keep your pattern defined and frizz‑free. At Richard Penna, we carry ample Curl WOW products that really are just some of our favorite products period what we just can’t recommend enough. If you live in the New Haven area, stop by our salon in Hamden and check out what we have in our retail section.

Smoothing and Frizz Control Treatments

Speaking of k18 kertain treatments, let’s talk about the benefits of smoothing your hair instead of getting something intense like a new color. If humidity is your enemy — or your hair feels puffy, frizzy, or hard to manage — smoothing treatments can definitely help.

Popular options include:

• Keratin treatments

• Brazilian Blowout

• Bond‑building smoothing systems

These treatments:

• Reduce frizz

• Add shine

• Make styling easier

• Last for weeks or months depending on the formula

They’re great for wavy, curly, or frizzy hair that needs a little extra control. Talk to your stylist about these options as well!

In short…

Your next salon visit doesn’t have to feel overwhelming — in fact, it should be exciting and relaxing! When you understand the basics of cut, color, and treatments options, it’ll be easier to choose the services that match your goals and lifestyle.

If you’re looking for the best salon near you (if you happen to live in Hamden or nearby in one of the areas surrounding New Haven), consider Richard Penna Hair! We’ve been around since 1978 and love nothing more than making you look amazing. Call us or fill out an appointment request form to book a free consultation with one of our many experienced stylists. Let’s get you beautified!

Perfect Your Summer Look

Tailored Hair Color Recommendations for Blondes, Brunettes, and Redheads

Summer 2025 is set to be a season of daring hair transformations, with trends guaranteed to elevate your look and boost your confidence. As the temperatures rise, why not refresh your style with the latest summer hair colors? Whether it's the captivating allure of pastel shades or the timeless appeal of natural highlights, there's something for everyone. Whether you're a blonde ready to embrace beachy brights, a brunette looking to integrate warm tones, or a redhead eager to explore fiery copper accents, we've got you covered. In this post, we'll guide you through the hottest styling techniques for summer, like soft waves and sleek updos, ensuring your style turns heads. If you're in Hamden, Connecticut, or near New Haven, consider this your invitation to visit Richard Penna Hair and discover the perfect summer style waiting for you!

Trending Summer Hair Colors

As we dive into summer 2025, hair trends are heading in exciting new directions. Let's uncover the most sought-after color trends and styling techniques that will make you stand out this season.

Vibrant Pastel Shades for 2025

Vogue's 2025 hair color trend report underscores the rise of vibrant pastel hues. These soft yet striking colors add a whimsical touch to your summer look.

Leading the pastel parade are lavender, mint, and peachy pink. These shades offer a refreshing twist on traditional blonde and brunette tones, allowing for playful self-expression.

To maintain these delicate tones, invest in color-safe shampoos and conditioners. Regular touch-ups every 4-6 weeks will keep your pastel hue vibrant all summer long.

Embrace Natural Highlights

Natural-looking highlights are staging a strong comeback this summer. This trend enhances your natural hair color with subtle, sun-kissed accents.

Achieving this look hinges on the balayage technique, which creates a seamless blend of lighter tones throughout the hair. This low-maintenance approach grows out beautifully, requiring fewer touch-ups.

For a truly natural effect, choose highlights just two or three shades lighter than your base color. This subtle contrast mimics the natural lightening effect of the sun, resulting in a fresh, effortless summer look.

Styling Techniques for Summer

Summer 2025 embraces effortless, beachy styles that complement your new color. Tousled waves and textured updos are particularly popular this season.

To achieve that perfect beach wave, try the "scrunch and go" method. Apply a sea salt spray to damp hair, scrunch gently, and let it air dry for natural-looking waves.

For those hot summer days, experiment with loose braids or messy buns. These styles not only keep you cool but also beautifully showcase your new hair color.

Tailored Color Recommendations

Choosing the right summer hair color depends on your natural shade. Let's explore the best options for blondes, brunettes, and redheads to enhance their look this season.

Beachy Brights for Blondes

Blondes can elevate their summer look with beachy bright tones. Perfect Corp's hair color trend guide suggests adding golden honey and platinum highlights for a sun-kissed effect.

For a more daring look, consider pastel pink or blue accents on your blonde base. These playful pops of color create a unique, eye-catching style, perfect for summer festivals or beach parties.

Remember to use purple shampoo once a week to maintain the brightness of your blonde and prevent brassiness from sun exposure and chlorine.

Warm Tones for Brunettes

Brunettes can embrace the warmth of summer by adding rich, golden tones to their hair. Caramel, honey, and cinnamon highlights create depth and dimension, bringing life to darker hair.

The "bronzing" technique is particularly popular this season. It adds warm, golden tones around the face and through the lengths of the hair, creating a natural, sun-kissed look.

To maintain these warm tones, use color-depositing conditioners and avoid over-washing your hair. This will help preserve the richness of your new summer color.

Fiery Copper Accents for Redheads

Redheads can turn up the heat this summer with fiery copper accents. We Are Oof's 2025 hair color trend forecast predicts a surge in rich, vibrant reds.

Consider strawberry blonde or bright copper highlights to create a multi-dimensional, blazing effect. These warm tones complement the natural richness of red hair and add a stunning glow in the summer sunlight.

To keep your red vibrancy, use color-safe products and limit washing to 2-3 times a week. When you do wash, use cool water to seal the hair cuticle and lock in color.

Chic Styling Techniques

Once you've found your perfect summer hair color, it's time to showcase it with chic styling techniques. Let's explore some trendy ways to style your newly colored locks.

Soft Waves for Effortless Glam

Soft waves epitomize summer hair, offering an effortless, glamorous look, perfect for any occasion. This versatile style works beautifully with all hair colors and lengths.

To achieve soft waves:

1. Start with damp hair and apply a heat protectant.

2. Use a large barrel curling iron, wrapping sections of hair loosely around the barrel.

3. Allow the curls to cool, then gently run your fingers through them for a more relaxed look.

For a beachier effect, spritz some salt spray onto your waves and scrunch gently. This adds texture and enhances the natural movement of your hair.

Sleek Updos for a Polished Look

When the summer heat peaks, a sleek updo offers both style and comfort. These polished looks are perfect for showcasing your new hair color while keeping cool.

Try a high, glossy ponytail for a chic daytime look. For evening events, a sleek low bun or twisted chignon adds elegance and sophistication.

To achieve a smooth, frizz-free updo, use a small amount of hair oil or serum before styling. This will tame fly-aways and add a beautiful shine to your hair.

Local Hair Salon Expertise

For personalized advice on summer hair colors and styling techniques, nothing beats the expertise of a local hair salon. In Hamden, Connecticut, and nearby New Haven, you'll find skilled stylists in Richard Penna Hair - ready to help you achieve your perfect summer look!

Local salons offer:

• Personalized color consultations

• Expert application of the latest coloring techniques

• Custom styling services to complement your new color

Don't hesitate to book a consultation with us to discuss your summer hair goals. One of our professional stylists can assess your hair type, skin tone, and lifestyle to recommend the best color and style for you.

Remember, the key to great summer hair is not just the color, but also proper care and maintenance. We at Richard Penna Hair can provide you with the best products and tips to keep your hair looking fabulous all season long.

For more inspiration on stunning blonde shades for 2025, check out this curated Pinterest board. Whether you're looking for a subtle change or a bold transformation, there's a perfect summer hair color waiting for you! When you get inspired, call us at 203-281-4345 to set up your consultation or appointment to make all your summer hair dreams come true.