Hollywood’s most sought-after colorist and co-creator of “The Rachel,” Michael Canalé, is revitalizing Jennifer Aniston’s look once again, responsible for her latest custom gloss color (Canalé Cool Blue Gloss) as seen in Netflix’s latest hits DUMPLIN & MURDER MYSTERY and on her recent covers of Elle and Harper’s Bazaar.
Consistently pushing the standard in the hair industry Canalé is also the man behind some of the most famous locks including, Heidi Klum, Kate Hudson, Shakira, Penelope Cruz, and Carolyn Murphy, and now expanding the way the beauty world views hair color – proving that it really is an art form. Best known for being Jennifer Aniston’s long-time colorist (he, along with stylist Chris McMillan, created the coif that later became known simply as the “Rachel”), Canalé is frequently called upon by celebs, models, and industry elite for his innovative technique and keen eye.
Women Fitness joins Jennifer Aniston’s go-to colourist, Michael Canalé for some quick tips on creating some of the best Hollywood hair.
1. What colors are trending this Summer heading into Fall 2019?
Fun colors are always good for kids to young adults – anything from platinum blonde to bright red or bright blue! I prefer “tipping” the colors, so when school starts – or summer vacation is over for the adults – you can just cut off the color. Summer is the best time to go lighter and brighter: cool-toned blonde, golds, and strawberry blonde are really fun. For fall, we’ll ease the color back to a more natural hue, maybe some lowlights.
2. Can you tell us a little about how you’ve colored Jennifer Aniston’s hair this year?
For the last seven months we’ve been highlighting Jennifer’s hair with mild, feather-thin highlights around the face, and then sealing it with the cool blue gloss from Canalé products, which lasts up to 20 shampoos with a UV sunblock and keeps her camera ready!
Actually, if you look back over her hair color over the past few decades, it actually hasn’t changed very much. I met her right before “Friends,” when Chris McMillan and I took her from a medium brown to a sun-kissed, feather blonde look – all these years later, she’s deviated from that very little. I think she’s become such a style icon because she doesn’t go trendy. She skews toward the completely natural, sun-kissed look, and doesn’t force anything – it’s what I love about her. And in a world of always evolving trends, Jennifer is not following them – but leading the trend by staying classic.
3. How did you color Kate Hudson’s through her pregnancy?
Kate was sent to me to ease her back into blonde from the very short haircut she had last year. For her – as I do for all expectant mothers – I highlighted her hair by pulling the foils away from the scalp. First, as I did with Kate, I utilize a technique where chemicals never touch the skin. My salons are always well-ventilated, I use special “dome” dryers, and I make sure nothing is touching the scalp – whether foil, bleach, or color. I have a special “comb-up” technique, where I pull the color and bleach away from the hair follicle, and away from the scalp. I do the same thing when women are post-partum and still nursing. Hair can still be treated during pregnancy and post-partum – and all done safely, with health always in mind.
When any expectant mother comes to me, the first thing I think about is what’s the best thing for her and the health of her baby. I have had expectant mothers not color their hair for the full 9 months of a pregnancy, but I know there is a safe and healthy way around that.
4. Tell us a little about your celebrity approved glosses?
I developed a blue gloss specially for Jennifer Aniston years ago, and I decided to bring it to market for all of my clients. This new, modified version lasts 20 shampoos and has a UV sunblock. I also have a soft gold sun-kissed gloss made for hair that’s been over-exposed to sun and chemicals. I created these colored glosses to counter-balance the color over time, and to lock it in to last longer!
My full line of hair care products on www.canale.com. I devised each one to ensure that color not only lasts, but hair looks incredibly healthy, shiny, and strong in between visits. Shiny means healthy, and healthy looks great – and my shampoo, conditioner, foaming conditioner, vitamins, and new gloss have been researched and designed to do just that.
I think what’s cool about creating a line like this is that it was done from a foundation of my working for decades on hair – and then delivering on the science of what works best for it – because I’ve seen what less-than-great, mass produced products can do to hair!
