While every shade of hair color requires some care and maintenance, none is more finicky than blonde. Here are my ten “musts” to insure you really will have more “fun” and less fuss!
1. FIND THE CORRECT BLONDE FOR YOUR SKIN TONE/EYE COLOR:
Do you look best in silver jewelry, bright whites, and black? Most likely you are cool complected. Are you more of an earth toned, ecru sorta gal who wears gold jewelry? Then you probably fall into the warm category. And, if you vacillate between the two? You are a neutral- which is lucky, as you will look fabulous in any shade of blonde!
COOL:
WARM:
NEUTRAL:
2. CONSIDER THE TIME AND MONEY COMMITMENT:
Have an honest dialogue with your hairdresser about what it will take to upkeep the look you are shooting for- if it’s too much to maintain, it’s better to know that BEFORE you dive in. Hilights grow out much more gently than an all over color, and generally, only need to be touched up every 3 months.
3. INVEST IN A WEEKLY DEEP CONDITIONER/HAIR MASK:
Blonde hair is more fragile, and dry. A weekly deep condition is an absolute, whether done in a salon or at home.
4. GET A FILTERED SHOWER HEAD:
This is probably the most undervalued tip in the bunch. Blonde hair is a literal magnet to attract minerals and chemicals in water. If you live in an apartment or house, with copper or older piping, you will quickly see your blonde hair turning brassy or green. Filtered showerheads are sold online, at home stores, or building supply stores- they make a huge difference is helping to purify shower water.
5. STAY ABOVE WATER IN PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS:
The more bodies in the pool, the more chemical required to keep it sanitary. Play it safe, and keep blonde locks out of the water.
6. USE A TONING SHAMPOO EVERY 3RD WASH.
A shampoo with color added helps to maintain the freshness of your blonde. Choose a golden tone for warm blondes, or a violet-based shampoo to rid hair of brass.
7. NIX AN ALL OVER BLEACH LOOK IF YOU PLAN TO KEEP YOUR HAIR BELOW CHIN LENGTH:
Pick one: bleached blonde hair, or long hair. It’s nearly impossible with natural hair to have both. Bleaching all over weakens the hair shaft, and is best left to pixie or bob length styles.
8. THROW IN SOME LOW LIGHTS ON OCCASION:
After hair has been repeatedly highlighted, it begins to look very solid and monochromatic. Lowlights don’t make blonde hair “darker”, they just help to add some dimension.
9. BEWARE OF BLONDEREXIA:
Yes, you really can be too blonde- just like you can be too skinny or too tan.
10. LEAVE IT TO A PRO:
Blonde is by FAR the most challenging of all the colors, and it takes years of experience to master, even for a licensed hairdresser. There’s too much risk involved to try going blonde at home- so leave it to the experts!
