Hair contouring: it's a thing and here's why you need to try it

When it comes to hair, I have two styles: worn down if I'm going somewhere fancy or up in a top-knot.

It’s pretty much as low maintenance you can get without having a buzz cut - which let's be honest, I've though about, but I don't have the bone structure of Natalie Portman to pull it off.

The last time I coloured my hair was in Year 7 and my normally black hair ended up orange. It's safe to say I've learnt my lesson and from then on decided I would 1) Avoid DIY hair colouring at all costs, and 2) leave it strictly to the professionals.

So when Edwards and Co got in touch about ‘contouring’ my hair, I jumped at the chance.

Although I was a little bit unsure how she would do that. As far as I was aware 'contouring was something the Kardashians did using make-up to make their noses look smaller. But I was intrigued to find out....

I arrived at the salon and told the colourist, Kathleen Tompkins, I was under her creative control, no pressure.

She explained what 'hair contouring' actually meant: "Essentially hair contouring is the same concept as face contouring.

"It's a more contemporary look. Styles of colour come and go, first there was ombre, then soft ombre, then a natural sun-kissed look, and now it's just the next trend."

Kathleen said that because my hair is so dark and hasn't been coloured in years, she would have to start from scratch and do the whole head.

She said she would go for a "sun-kissed" look that was "low maintenance" and would "bring out my cheekbones". I didn't even know I had cheekbones worthy of highlighting so this was great!

"There's so much you can do [with hair colour]," Kathleen says. "My idea is to preserve depth underneath near your neck so that when your hair is forward, it's a very slimming neck and highlights around your face to accentuate your cheekbone and eye area."

She started by painting foils on my hair before letting it set (around two hours in total, including rinsing time).

After she was satisfied with the highlights, she moved onto the toning part.

"I paint on highlights in desired places then tone it to a more natural colour," explains Kathleen.

Then it was time for the wash and blow dry. Finally I was on the home stretch!

Back in the hairdressing chair, Kathleen began drying my hair and I could see peeks of caramel and honey starting to shine through, which was a huge novelty after having not touched my hair colour since adolescence.

By the time she was done, I was convinced I had wasted the last 10 years of my life by NOT experimenting (with a professional, mind you) with colour.

The subtle highlights gave my face actual definition and it softened up my overall look without going overboard.

I think I'm hooked!

Prices start from $150 (depending on hair length and what you want done), which is relatively reasonable considering just how much time, effort and love goes into transforming your locks.

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The upkeep isn't too high-maintenance, either.

"If you were blonde and a natural-blonde base, you could go every 4-6 months - until you start to touch it without it looking like ombre," advises Kathleen.

"For brunettes I would recommend getting a toner once every two to three months (don't ever do it yourself!). In terms of retouching highlights, every 4-6 months.

"There's no set time - it's all about what you feel looks right."

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