What it Means to Go Blonde

We have all seen those people who have that 'scary blonde' and by that I mean it looks awful. Their hair looks fried and broken, it is super brassy or yellow, it is far from natural looking and it just doesn't fit them. Honestly, I have been that person and WHY was I that person? Because I didn't understand what it truly meant to go blonde and how to maintain it.

Everyone wants blonde. WHY? Because that is the society that we live in. We love everything blonde. BUT we don't want brass or yellow or too white or grey BUT blonde. Let me let you in on a little secret (All hair pulls warm when it is lightened there is no way around it and it is all about what you do after lightening that will determine how it will look). Let's walk through the process!

You want to go blonde. You come in with several Pinterest photos of these stunning celebrities with Platnium, white as can be white white hair. I ask you what you like about these photos. You tell me that you like that it isn't warm, there is no brass but it's not too ashy to the point where it is grey or silver. I'm stumped because I'd love to tell you that with your hair that would be 100% achievable. I would love to wave my magic wand and have you have white hair. Unfortunately the process is long and it's going to be a lot.

The process is long and hard IF you're doing it right. To healthily go blonde, (depending on your starting canvas) you will want to do it in sessions so that way your hair won't be off of your head by the time you're done. Yes going in sessions can be frustrating because you won't be able to reach your end goal in the first go but the outcome will be much more rewarding because you will have much healthier and more natural looking hair. Waiting in between appointments can be tough because depending on your hair and how fragile it may be, you will want to give your hair plenty of time to recoup from being lightened. I recommend anywhere from 6-12 weeks in between lightening sessions depending on your hair type and texture.

Maintaining at home is ESSENTIAL. If you are not using the proper at home care, your blonde will be warmer, less strong, have a harsher grow out and look less natural. Here is the list of the products you SHOULD be using:

-Purple Shampoo ( I prefer the Redken Color Extend Blondage, Pureology Best Blonde )

- Color Safe shampoo and conditioner that add moisture and protein into the hair ( I prefer Redken Color extend magnetics shampoo and All soft conditioner or Pureology Hydrate Conditioner)

-Leave in Conditioner ( I love the pureology 21 benefits or the redken one united)

-Argan Oil ( I love the Matrix exquisite oil, the Redken All soft oil or the Frizz dismiss oil)

-Heat protectant ( I love the Redken Iron shape, It's a 10 miracle leave in, Joico IronClad, Wella Eimi Thermal image or Redken extreme play safe)

-Dry Shampoo ( I prefer the IGK first class direct flight)

Between Appointment Glossing: This is crucial to keeping your blonde fresh, natural looking and soften the grow out. You should be glossing your hair about every 6-8 weeks if you are going longer than 10 weeks between full coloring appointments.

Going blonde is a lot of work. Anyone CAN go blonde but that doesn't mean you necessarily SHOULD. If maintaining the color, using the correct products and doing the correct services at the needed times then perhaps being blonde isn't for you. You must understand that the process takes time to make sure your hair is still on your head by the end. It means a lot to go blonde but it is worth it if you are willing to correctly take care of it.