Any of you that have been blonde or are blonde will know of the yellows, the frazzled ends, the frizz, the dry-ness and everything else in between. Blonde is so high on the colour scale, that it can do a lot of damage to your hair if it's not done right.
My first tip will be to go to a salon. Don't try going blonde at home (especially if a) you don't know what you're doing, b) are going blonde from dark c) want
something that look decent).
Toner Shampoo
First off, you need a good toner shampoo. Most of the supermarket 'toner' shampoos aren't going to work that well. The toner shampoos that I recommend are Joico's Colour Endure Violet Shampoo and Matrix So Silver. They are both professional shampoos used in salons and can get them from around £8 on Amazon, and they last you a long time. My mother and I both used the Joico Colour Endure 2-3 a week and it lasted us about 7 months. I prefer Joico, but I think that's because it has prettier packaging. They both do the same.
What's so great about this shampoo is that it counter-acts the yellow and brassy tones in your hair. If you want to keep that 'just dyed look' and don't want it turning yellow over time (especially if you like your hair icy/cold blonde), then this is perfect. You use a small amount when needed (when you notice the brassiness) and work it into your hair for a few minutes.
It works straight away, the brassiness is gone, and your blonde just look cool and clean. The shampoo can also be used for gray hair, to make it brighter and less brassy.
Conditioning Treatment
Getting that blonde you want can often leave your hair damaged and dry. A good conditioner is the KEY to getting your hair back on track. I recommend Aussie's 3 Minute Miracle Moisture Treatment and Andrew Barton's S.O.S Help Me! (which is exclusive to ASDA). You can pick up both for around £4 and they will last you a good few months.
You can have a conditioning treatment in a salon, or you could save yourself a bit of money and do it at home. Wash your hair twice with shampoo, to get all the dirt and products out, dry your hair until it is just damp (you don't want it dripping everywhere), and apply the conditioner thickly. You can do this for as long as you want, but the longer, the better.
When I do these treatments, I like to apply a few hours before I'm going to sleep so the conditioner becomes hardened and crusty and then I sleep in it. Whilst I sleep the conditioner soaks deep into my hair structure, repairing the cortex and the cuticle layers. I'd recommend doing it twice a week. You don't want to over condition your hair, or it will be unmanageable.
Conditioning Spray
I swear by conditioning sprays! When your hair is damp, you just spray into your hair, and leave it. Dry and style your hair as usual, and it's still there. I use mine everyday, and I can tell a huge difference when I don't. My favourite one at the moment is John Frieda's Frizz-Easy Daily Miracle Treatment (you can pick it up at ASDA for around £4).
I started using this after I had my hair bleached as part of a colour correction and my hair was screaming for help. It was dry, brittle and frazzled. I used this everyday, and after a few weeks, the condition of my hair was so much better. It made my hair softer, more resistant, and it was viably in better condition.
Even if your hair isn't damaged, I recommend this to you. Another one I like is Alterna's Hemp Volumizing Leave in Conditioner. I love anything from Alterna. It's like food for your hair, because everything they do is organic (and a bit pricey). This spray is usually around £18, but I managed to find a site that does it for around £13, so definitely check that out if you don't mind paying that little bit extra.
Heat Protection
If you use heated products on your hair, then heat protection spray should be a given, and if you're blonde, it should be even more important. Using hairdryers, straighteners, curling tongs and everything in between can really damage your hair, and if your hair is always chemically damaged, it can make it so much worse.
One of my favourite protector sprays is the new GHD Heat Protector Spray (from around £7) from their new re-vamped range. It claims to be the first spray that gives 100% protected against heat, and from what I can tell, it does. Plus, it smells AMAZING. Whenever someone sprays this, I have a little wander over because it smells so sweet.
With protector sprays, instead of spraying the whole head, spray each bit of hair before you use a heated product, holding it about 30cm away from the hair. If you had it too close, it will saturate the hair, and it will frazzle, especially in a straightener (we've all been there).
Another good protector spray (which also smells lush) is Neil & Wolfe's Protector Spray (which is also around £7). Don't bother with those cheap £1-£2 sprays. They probably won't provide much protection for your hair. You wouldn't put your hands in the oven without oven mits, would you?
Re-Growth
Sometimes, nothing look worse than dark roots with blonde hair. However, with the recent Ombre style (dip-dying), roots became a bit of a fashion statement, but that trend is slowly dying out.
If you want your blonde to look great, then I'd suggest getting a root retouch every 4-8 (don't just slap some dye on the whole thing...). If you can't afford that, then not-so-straight partings, headbands and hair scarves are great ways to disguise the fact your roots are showing.
Just remember, visible roots can ruin a your hair colour, especially if you natural colour is dull. It can also make your hair look a bit dirty. If you do have roots, avoid having your hair pin-straight. I think hair that is straightened to death with 4 inch roots on blonde hair isn't a good look.
Avoid UV Rays/Chlorine/Sea Salt
Also avoid getting your hair in swimming pools. They are heavily full of Chlorine to keep them clean, but Chlorine is bad for your hair, especially blondes. It dries your hair out, leaves it feeling nasty and can sometimes turn it a slight green colour (it's not an old wives tale, I've seen it).
When you're on the beach, you can get those lovely beach waves in your hair from all the sea salt in the water/air. Just remember that it can go from being cute to a damaged tangled mess very quickly. Salt absorbs water, so it's going to suck out all the moisture from your hair. Try using a frizz-easy serum, that will keep your tame, and will hopefully lock in that all-important moisture.
Remember, with blonde hair, it's all about the up-keep, condition and protection. We want our hair to look glossy, shiny and healthy, not dull and lifeless. Look after your hair, always use a good heat protector, find a conditioner that works for you, and enjoy it!
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