Hair colouring tips: Going blonde for the first time!
As we come out of the cooler months and the sun starts to shine brightly, it’s natural to want to go blonde to match your lightened mood.
And as they say, blondes have more fun!
But if you’re considering dying your hair blonde for the first time, there are a few things you’ll need to consider before lightening your hair.
Going blonde is a big decision. And we highly recommend you have a colour consultation with one of our Redland Bay hairdressers who can give you the best advice!
You’ll need realistic expectations, as depending on your current hair colour and health, it may take a few visits to your hairdresser to get it to the shade you want. You’ll also need to be prepared for higher maintenance as blonde hair takes some looking after.
To help you decide if going blonde is right for you, we’ve put together this handy guide to help you weigh up your options.
What blonde hair colour do you want?
If you’ve been looking at blonde hairstyles, you’ve probably noticed there are a few different shades of blonde you can choose from.
There’s light blonde, dark blonde, ash blonde, platinum, gold, silver and strawberry, to name a few. It’s almost like a buffet of blonde hair colouring options, and you’re left to choose one! But how?
You’ll need to match your blonde hair colour with your skin tone. You don’t want your new blonde hair to make you look washed out, or worse – older than you are! And what looks good for one person may be wrong for another.
This is where having a colour consultation with a hairdresser who’s highly experienced in blonde hair colouring is essential. They can assess your skin type and show you the blonde tones that match your skin toning.
Create a blonde hair inspiration file
Everyone has different ideas of their ideal blonde hair.
If you arrive at your hairdresser’s and say, I want blonde hair; the result may not be what you have pictured in your mind.
This is where showing your hairdresser your blonde inspiration pictures comes into play. A hairdresser who’s experienced in blonde hairstyles will be able to look at your picture, know the colour used, and let you know if you’ll be able to achieve the same look (based on your current hair colour, skin toning and health of your hair).
Blonde hair colouring techniques to consider
- Traditional foiling/highlighting
- Baby light and micro foiling/highlighting
- Platinum carding
- Full head on scalp lightening
- Balayage
Each has its merits, and some are gentler on your hair than others. For example, your hairdresser may suggest starting with foils to lighten your hair rather than a whole head lightening session that is harsher on your hair (and scalp).
Our top 4 essential tips for dying your hair blonde for the first time
As a trusted hairdresser for the Redlands Coast area, here are our top 4 essential tips for dying your hair blonde for the first time.
1. Don’t attempt DIY blonde hair colouring (please!)
No matter how tempting it may be to buy a supermarket packet and do it yourself – please don’t! Going blonde isn’t as easy as that.
You need to consider your natural hair colour, what products you’ve used to dye your hair (if any) previously, what hair products you use, and the health of your hair to determine how to lighten your hair.
The chemicals used to lighten hair can react with a multitude of things.
Your hairdresser will ask you about these aspects to ensure they formulate the lightening chemicals correctly to save you from hair burnout and fallout!
2. Prepare to be patient with the lightening process
If you’re attempting to lighten dark hair, you’ll need to be prepared for a gradual process (so plan ahead if you’ve got a big event coming up!).
Your natural hair colour pigments will only want to lighten to a certain degree each session, so although you may want instant results, your hair may not co-operate either!
To maintain the health of your hair and prevent breakages and split ends, significant colour changes to blonde hair take time and patience. It’s best to transition by a couple of shades per visit (every 2-6 weeks, depending on your hair health).
As that old saying goes, it won’t happen overnight!
3. Consider blonde hair maintenance
Before you decide to dye your hair blonde, consider your lifestyle and budget. It’s best if you visit your hairdresser at least every 4-6 weeks to initially lighten and then maintain your blonde hairstyle.
If you can’t commit but still want to lighten your hair, talk to your hairdresser, as they could suggest some blonde hairstyles that are easier to maintain.
When you dye your hair blonde, you will need regular touch ups to keep your hair looking fresh. Your hairdresser will touch up your roots and tone your blonde hair to keep it from going brassy.
The last thing you want to do is neglect your new blonde hair and have it turn brassy!
4. Buy salon-quality blonde hair products
Once you’ve achieved your desired blonde hair, you want to keep it looking healthy and fresh.
When you lighten your hair to become blonde, you must replace the moisture and proteins that are lost during the lightening process. Using salon-quality hair products that are specifically designed for blonde hair is essential.
At The Colour Shak, we use and highly recommend:
- A colour locking treatment to prevent colour fade
- Heat protectants and high-quality GHD hot tools
- Blonde shampoo, conditioner, treatment and wet/dry products
Ask your hairdresser if you’re unsure what hair products to buy to maintain the health of your hair.
Looking for a blonde expert hairdresser
in the Redland Bay area?
Kim and her team of stylists are the local experts (and award-winners) on blonde hairstyles. Up to date on all the latest blonde hairstyles, dying techniques and hair health, book a colour consultation with one of the friendly team to get the best advice on dying your hair blonde.
Going blonde is possible! Let us show you how.