If there’s one thing everyone can agree on is that blondes certainly have more fun! But as every blonde knows well, being blonde is also a full time job. The process is long, complex and depending on how dark your hair originally is or how light you want the final result to be, going blonde can quickly become a month-long type of thing. Although people think the lightening process can be done in one visit, many forget that it is way more complicated than just adding color all over your hair — it requires skill, patience and experience. So let’s squash it all up and start clarifying the many myths, truths and concerns of going blonde. Shall we?
TRUTHS
- Let’s put it plain and simple: sometimes going blonde can cause severe damage to your hair. Of course there are many factors that influence the final result (your stylist’s level of skill and experience, your hair type and texture, your original tone, the products being used and how well and quick your hair lifts color) but when it comes down to it, going lighter always calls for some intense chemistry that can deeply damage your hair. Be aware of the consequences before jumping right into the blonde train.
- Being blonde can be fun but it certainly isn’t cheap — it’s indeed the price of beauty. Before you decide to join the club, consider that being blonde is a high maintenance lifestyle that requires multiple appointments an year and extra money spent on good products to keep your hair healthy. If you’re going from dark brunette to blonde, you will need several appointments (about every 4 weeks) in order to achieve the desired color. After that’s done, you will still need to come in for touch ups every 5-10 weeks depending on the contrast of the tones. Budgeting and keeping it realistic is essential when figuring out how blonde you really want to be.
- One of the biggest secrets of keeping your blonde hair healthy is investing in great products before and after the process. The only way to avoid dull, weak hair after going lighter is to frequently deep condition it and make sure you’re using quality products that will clean, hydrate, condition and maintain your color bright and shiny. Using purple shampoo is also highly recommended — these types of washers cut out the yellow tones in your hair since purple is the direct opposite of yellow on the color wheel. One of my all-time favorite products is Olaplex : an amazing hair repair line that focus on damaged hair from excessive bleach and reconnecting broken sulphur bonds from the lightening process. It can be used with bleaching products to minimise damage or as a separate treatment on towel-dried hair.
MYTHS
- The word “bleach” seems to immediately scare people away but the reality is that if you’re trying to come to the light side, you will have to get used to the idea of it. One of the biggest myths of the lightening process is that bleach isn’t always needed in order to go blonde. Let’s get it straight: if you already have box color or any type of color at all in your hair, your stylist will have to use bleach for you to go blonde. Color does not lift color, leaving bleach as the only option for the transition.
- Although many people like to say that anyone can easily go blonde, not everyone knows that your hair texture plays a major role in the process. Someone with coarse, curly hair needs to be aware of the fact that due to the density of their hair, the lightening process will take much longer and probably be more expensive. It’s also important to know that curl patterns can also change after going lighter — because you’re adding chemicals to your hair, there’s always a chance it will cause your hair to become straighter. Pro tip: Olaplex is also a big helper when trying to get back to your original hair texture!
- If you’re trying to go blonde and your stylist tells you that they only need a picture of your current hair and a reference of the expected result, consider going to someone else. I can’t stress this enough: in person consultations are a MUST when going blonder! It is essential for the colorist to analyse how thick or thin your hair is, understand your hair history and also see the current shade in person to know if what you want is even possible.
CONCERNS
- Going blonde is all fun and games until your hair becomes dull and damaged. One of the biggest tips for successfully joining the blonde club is understanding that time plays an essential role in the lightening process. If your hair is already severely damaged or you’re going from one extreme to the other, you need to ask yourself and your stylist if it’s a good idea to go blonde. If your final answer is still ‘yes,’ then proceed with caution: it is crucial to gradually (and slowly!) lighten your hair in a series of sessions that can span the period of a month (or more) rather than risking your hair to break off. Yes, you wont get the color you want in one session but trust me, you will thank me later!
- When it’s about going blonder, always rely on a professional rather than trying it at home. Although there are many kinds of box colors and hair lighteners out there, the chances of you ruining your hair trying to go blonde on your own are extremely high. Before you decide to go on an adventure to the pharmacy and turn yourself into a blond bombshell, consider the hair breakage and the unwanted brassiness that can come from this decision. Plus, color corrections are some of the most expensive processes at salons so let’s avoid that all together, girl.
- This goes for any color and kind of hair but mainly for blondes: be extra careful with heat as blow drying your hair with frequency is the number one enemy of healthy hair. Avoid using them every day so you don’t get split ends, breakage and brittle hair. Because blonde hair is more fragile due to the chemicals used in the lightening process, it’s better to go natural or always use a heat protector before blow drying.
