Once more unto the bleach? Not with our guide to being blonde
Whether naturally icy or peroxide white, blonde is one of the most sought-after hair colours, but it can be tricky to achieve if you haven’t been blessed by mother nature.
Here, celebrity hairdresser Jason Collier, who has styled the likes of Sienna Miller, Victoria Beckham and Eva Longoria, shares his top tips for braving blonde and lightening your hair.
Be patient
Although we would all love to click our fingers and have blonde tresses, Jason says finding the perfect shade takes time.The process of going blonde, for most, will start with bleach, but it is possible to lighten your locks at home.
“Lightening hair shouldn’t be done too quickly,” explained Jason, who is a brand educator for Jerome Russell Bblonde, the UK’s No 1 blonding dye range. “It takes time and care to nail the right shade.
“Unfortunately, there’s no way to avoid bleach if your hair has previously been coloured, but if you have natural non-coloured hair, you can lighten at home. Use a high lift permanent colour, such as Jerome Russell Bblonde Lightest Blonde 11.0 (£8.99, Boots) to lighten without bleach.”
From dark to light
As easy as Kim Kardashian might make it look, Jason warns it’s not easy to go from dark brunette to light blonde.
He explained:“Lightening dyed dark hair is never a straightforward process, and the only way to achieve the change in colour is with bleach.You will likely need several applications over a period of a few months, and your hair will go through a few different colours before you reach your end goal.”
“Whenever lightening hair at home, remember to always do a patch test first.”
Ditch the damage
Jason has a top tip for ensuring your hair is glossy and shiny rather than broken and dull: “I would recommend a ‘plex’ bonding treatment, which encourages strong, smooth, healthy-looking hair by protecting strands throughout
the chemical process, therefore minimising any damage.”
Long-lasting colour
Jason advised:“Hair grows quickly, so your roots will need a touch up around every four to six weeks for a just-coloured, fresh look.
“Use a colour protecting shampoo and bonding treatment, and I would also recommend regularly using an at-home toner to refresh your colour, improve the shade and overall condition of your home, while also neutralising yellow and brassy tones.
“The key to being a blonde bombshell is the aftercare.” Visit bblondehair.co.uk