Holiday hair trends: Celebrity colorist Cherry Petenbrink talks on and off set, from Emma Thompson to Jennifer Lawrence

Celebrity hair colorist Cherry Petenbrink is credited for coloring Jennifer Lawrence in the first Hunger Games blockbuster. She's also had 30 years of experience and continues working with Hollywood's A-list actresses: Annette Benning, Nicole Kidman, Emma Thompson. Plus, Tom Hanks in the just-released Saving Mr. Banks.

Cherry works with celebrities on and off set. We landed an exclusive interview with Cherry so she can give you the scoop on how celebrities look so stellar at the high point of the holiday season. She dishes the winter trends so you can look just as hot. 

What are some of the inspirations for your celebrity clients' hair choices over the holidays (because many times people look to celebrities for their inspiration!)? 

Many celebrities make subtle changes with lots of impact for the holiday season. Extra balayage highlights around the face for brightness, creatively placed brighter strands can easily transform any hair color into a brighter, fresher look. Color balancing for over lightened ombré is another popular easy way to brighten, deepen, and refresh color transitioning dull, dehydrated hair into gorgeous, healthy locks for the winter months.  

Is there a color of the winter season, or is "what's hot" always a case to case basis for that individual?

We often see "it" hair color trends, however there are often a few popular techniques happening at once. At this time I think interior dimension "Flash Effects" are what's hot now! Easy to maintain, minimal upkeep with major impact! Balayage is classic it most emulates what the sun would do so always it will stay hot! 

Do celebrities have more freedom to change their look over the holidays because the entertainment industry gets less busy? 

The holiday season is often a great time for celebrities to make changes as shows go on hiatus and a lot of movie productions also go on break allowing some freedom for change. 

Do you ever give a celebrity a new look for a personal party versus a movie/work-related event?

Anytime an actor makes a personal change versus character changes it's more fun and exciting because it's for them as themselves. Character changes that are a transformation to become someone else probably are less pressure because it's not a choice but a commitment to their craft.

Jennifer Lawrence didn't come in to have me change her from blonde to brunette because she thought brunette would be fun or look better. It was to become Katniss Everdeen. She didn't have to approve the color, production did. Same with Emma Thompson for Saving Mr. Banks (blonde to mousy brown and a perm) to transform into PL Travers.