With the temperatures rising and summer in full swing, so many of us decide that this is the perfect time to go blonde. This might seem like a great decision to make on impulse, I mean, blondes do have more fun right? In this post we delve into everything you need to know before going blonde!
There are many things to consider before taking the plunge and bleaching those locks. In this post we delve deep into the details about what it entails to go blonde and if it’s the right decision for you. Before you consider making the change, ask yourself and your stylist these questions:
| Is your hair strong and healthy enough to handle the lightening process? |
| Have you had any previous chemical processes that could react badly to bleach? |
| How many sessions will it take to achieve the shade you want? |
| What type of blonde would you like to achieve? |
| Will you commit to maintaining your color? |
| Are you willing to make the financial investment required? |
Let’s get into these important questions in more detail:
Is your hair strong and healthy enough to handle the lightening process?
I put this point first because in my opinion, hair health is the number one consideration. Your hairstylist can control the amount of damage caused by lightening to a certain extent. However your starting point is something that your stylist can’t control. This is to say that if your hair is fragile and damaged, you will need to improve the condition of your hair before going lighter. I go into greater detail about hair health and what you can do improve the condition of your hair here.
Have you had any previous chemical processes that could react badly to bleach?
This is something that would have to be discussed with your stylist in a consultation. Most salons offer free consultations. This is your opportunity to discuss your hair history with your stylist. If you’ve colored your hair at home using box dye or you’ve had henna or permed your hair in the past, these are vitally important things to mention to your stylist. Applying bleach on top of certain chemicals can result in your hair quite literally going up in smoke and breaking off. In the case that you or your stylist isn’t 100% sure, a strand test will ensure there won’t be any nasty surprises.
How many sessions will it take to achieve the shade you want?
Understanding shades and tones will greatly help when making big hair changes. Your natural shade will greatly affect the amount of sessions it will take to achieve the shade you want. This is true for any previous color you might have on your hair too. Very often it takes two or more sessions to achieve the desired tone, and for this reason it is important to discuss with your stylist before embarking on the journey. When it comes to lifting the hair more than 2 – 3 shades, it is often advisable to go slowly in order to maintain optimal hair health.
What type of blonde would you like to achieve?
Blonde is a genre, rather than a result. Within the genre of blonde there are many different versions. It is important to understand what type of blonde is best for us. I go into greater detail in this post about the difference between balayage and highlights. It is also important to understand what tones go best with your skin tone. Should you aim for a cool blonde or a warm blonde? Once you’ve determined the answers to these questions, you will be able to make more informed decisions on how to proceed.
Will you commit to maintaining your color?
The further you are from your natural color, the higher maintenance you create. If your natural hair color is within 2 – 3 shades of your blonde, you will have less maintenance. Technique also greatly influences how often you will need to do touch ups. I go over this in greater detail in the post linked above about balayage and highlights. For lower maintenance, go for a softer balayage closer to your natural color. If you’re not afraid of going to the salon frequently for touch ups, go platinum if that’s what you want!
Are you willing to make the financial investment required?
Needless to say, big changes and regular salon trips cost money. That isn’t the only investment required though. One should also consider the costs of professional products and good quality equipment . In order to maintain your color as well as your hair health, you will need to invest in a holistic hair regime and good, healthy habits.
Conclusion
Going blonde is not a decision to make on impulse. Making your hair lighter and then backing out to go darker again causes an enormous amount of damage to your hair. For this reason it is so important to have all of the information before making the change. Have any other questions? Feel free to comment below and don’t forget to share this post with anyone who might need it!
Remember to pin this to your hair board so you can come back to it later!
