Molly Sims On What It’s Really Like To Go Red

Just getting highlights can be a nerve-wracking experience — but, hitting the salon for a full color makeover? That's a whole new level of scary. No wonder Molly Sims, new spokeswoman for Nexxus hair care, was shaking in her boots when she landed in celebrity colorist Aura Friedman's chair with the plan to go red after a decade of being blonde. "I was nervous, for sure, but I was just really excited for a change," says the model/actress. "I was either going to completely chop off my locks, or go for the color — and, in the end, color won out!"

To prepare for the big day, Sims and Friedman spoke multiple times to make sure that they were on the same page in terms of what shade would work best. "I knew that going from blonde to red would be shocking for Molly, so in the end, we decided to skip a dark auburn and instead go for a golden copper that would emphasize the golden undertones in her skin, and the brightness of her eyes," explains Friedman. "Basically, I wanted to look like Amy Adams!" laughed Sims.

This big change was all in honor of the launch of Nexxus' new Color Assure line, which includes sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner, a spray glossing tonic, and an innovative new product dubbed a pre-shampoo primer. The primer is a serum that is applied to dry hair before it is washed so that the color molecules are sealed into the cuticle, and water is kept out. The result? According to the brand: Hair color that lasts up to two times longer than if it was treated with regular shampoo and conditioner.

Sims will be the official guinea pig for the new line, as she aims to preserve Friedman's expert work and keep her copper locks bright for as long as possible. We caught up with the model a couple of days after her treatment, and she reported that she's already loving the regimen. Sims joked that she's thrilled that the pre-shampoo primer will mean that she can go longer without a touch-up. "No offense to Aura, because I love her — but, as little time as I can spend in the salon, the better!"

Nexxus Color Assure Hair Care Line, $9.99-$17.99, Nexxus for salon locations.