So, you want to go blonde, but are worried about the damage that often comes with bleach? Don’t worry, you CAN get the golden locks of your dreams without compromising healthy hair! As someone who just celebrated her one-year “blonde-iversary”, here’s everything that I’ve learned.
- Go slow
It may not be what you want to hear, but trying to achieve that bright mother-of-dragons blonde in one session is just not realistic or good for your hair. Going blonde slowly will significantly reduce the risk of hair breakage and help you maintain your hair health. Experts recommend keeping dyeing/coloring to once every 8-10 weeks, so let your hair rest in between. In the meantime, have fun experimenting with light browns and/or dark blonde shades!
- Get into a routine
People think I’m crazy when I say that my hair got healthier when I started bleaching it, but I swear it did! Having colored hair forced me to start taking care of my hair, which was something I never used to do before. It doesn’t have to be a super long routine with expensive products, just something that your hair reacts well to and you can stick to. I like to keep it simple with a moisturizing cream, hair oil, and a hair mask every other day.
- Tone, Tone, Tone
Bleaching is only half of the battle; the real key to going from brassy to blonde is toning. We all know that every blonde needs her purple shampoo, but if your hair tends to pull orange after bleaching like me, blue shampoo/conditioner is your best friend. Whenever you notice your hair looking a little brassy or yellow, it’s time to tone. Blue/purple shampoos/conditioners do tend to stain though, especially the lighter your hair is, so keep your eye on the clock!
- Stay true to your roots
Every bottle blonde knows the struggle of keeping up with her roots. A way to go longer between touch-ups is doing a shadow root or root smudge, which blends your natural color with the blonde. Not only does this create a more natural look, it saves time and protects your hair from over bleaching. A win-win!