If you’re looking to go blonde, but worried the process will damage your hair, then this article is for you! We found five steps to prepare you to go blonde the healthy way.
From researching which tones of blonde suit your skin tone to using a bonding agent like Olaplex, there are plenty of ways to help keep your hair healthy when lightening it.
Photo by Taylor Heery on Unsplash.
5 Steps to Go Blonde the Healthy Way
1. Don’t lighten at home.
The first step to go blonde the healthy way is don’t try it at home. At-home lightening and colouring products won’t have the same strength as salon dyes and can result in quite a bit of hair loss. Trained professionals have the knowledge and experience to use hardcore lightening products and will be able to advise you of how to get the colour you want and what the best way to achieve that colour is.
Furthermore, professionals will know which toning products to use to combat any yellow or brassy tones to achieve the look you want. Or, they may suggest highlights instead of a full scalp bleach.
2. Research the colour you want.
Researching what colour you want is the first step to help you decide which shade of blonde is best for you. Although it’s easy to look at a photo of Jennifer Anniston or Rihanna and say, “That’s the shade for me,” it’s better to consider a few other factors first.
- How different shades of blonde suit your skin tone.
- How often you can pay for and attend appointments for upkeep.
- What haircut you want with your colour.
- How long it will take to achieve a big colour change.
How to pick the right shade of blonde for your skin tone.
Nicola Clarke, celebrity stylist for stars like Margot Robbie, Kate Moss and Jennifer Anniston, claims, “Your eye colour and skin tone are all factors when deciding on hair colour, whether that be light or dark.”
Different shades of blonde complement different skin tones, so by researching which shades suit your skin, you can narrow down your options.
You can collect photos of the shades of blonde you like best and talk it through with a professional colourist to help decide which style and shade will suit you best. However, you may have to go with a different version of that shade to better suit you, your budget and your lifestyle.
Drastic changes, such as going from a dark brown to sandy blonde, takes multiple sessions and can be high-maintenance, so it’s important to assess how much money and time you want to spend on your hair.
Is my skin tone warm, cool or neutral?
If the base tone of your skin is gold or yellow, you have warm undertones. Furthermore, if you turn your arm over and see green veins where your wrist is, then this confirms you have a warm skin tone. On the other hand, if you see blue veins when turning your arm over, you have cool undertones.
Another way to determine your skin tone is to hold a white piece of paper up to your face. If your skin looks blue when compared to the paper, you’re cool toned and if it looks yellow or goldish, then you are warm toned.
A misconception is people with fair skin cannot have warm tones and people with dark skin can’t have cool tones. An example of someone with darker skin having cool toned skin is Alek Wek, while Beyonce has warm toned skin. Celebs with fair skin include Cara Delevinge for cool toned skin and Jennifer Anniston for warm toned skin.
3. Expect multiple sessions.
Going blonde can be achievable for anyone, but you don’t have to be all-over blonde. Dying your hair will already compromise your hair’s texture, so it’s best to start with less lightening and add onto it each salon visit to keep your hair healthy as you progress its colour.
If you are going from dark to light, it’s going to take time. By gradually lightening your hair over time, you can get the colour you want without putting your hair at risk. This can take up to four sessions, depending on the shade of blonde you’re going for and what colour your natural hair is.
Furthermore, box dyes can actually make the process longer, with stylists having to strip back the colour and moisturise your hair to ensure it’s healthy and the new application of colour can go on dye-free hair.
4. Protect your hair.
When looking for a salon, see if the hairdresser specialises in blondes and research the products they use. Another bonus is salons using Olaplex or K18, which help keep strands from becoming damaged during the lightening process. The multi-step additive is usually recommended during your salon lightening and offers other treatments to help maintain your hair’s health and colour between salon sessions.
Sally Hershberger stylist Lucille Javier recommends using the bonding agent to fill any gaps in the hair stand when lightening. This helps ensure the hair is hydrated and soft after bleaching the hair, which can damage and dry out hair.
5. Toner.
Toner is another must-do when trying to go blonde the healthy way. This step keeps your hair from going brassy and you can either book in for toning sessions or purchase a toner to use weekly at home.
It’s important to be clear on the look you’re going for, which will depend on the toner the hairdresser uses in the basin. Toners can make hair more white, silver, platinum, golden etc. in addition to different toners for short-term pinks, purples and other colours. When leaving the salon, your hairdresser may recommend toners for at-home use, or even make you a custom toner for your hair.
Tips for Post-Salon Treatment
- Moisturise your hair with a treatment the first week and keep it hydrated with masks and oils.
- Be gentle on your hair in the shower. Use a professional colour-safe shampoo and conditioner to protect your lightened hair and be gentle when shampooing and drying your hair.
- Avoid swimming in chlorine for at least two weeks after your salon appointment. If you do decide to go in a pool, take a shower beforehand, leave in a colour-safe conditioner and tie your hair up in a bun (this helps block chlorine from getting in your hair).
- Get a cleansing shampoo, which removes built-up toner which can make your hair colour change over time.
Thinking about going blonde? You can find local hairdressers on Localsearch.com.au!
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