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Fancy venturing into the super chic white blonde arena? With Netflix’s Marilyn Monroe film Blonde debuting for adults only next week, the platinum hue seems to be a hot topic. And while we love a hair transformation as much as we love the next person, there’s a lot to consider with this color in particular.
Lockdown saw many people go nuclear on their hair. Dua Lipa dyed her tresses “orangina quarantina” after rocking pink at first. Hilary Duff went from blonde to ocean blue and on TikTok, the Just did a bad thing challenge saw hundreds of people try their hand at a DIY dye job. Some things worked out wonderfully. Some…didn’t.
Luckily, I resisted the urge to lighten my dull roots at home and instead embraced months of regrowth (through clenched teeth) in anticipation of salons reopening. As soon as professional help was available, I signed up to restore my hair to its palest form.
My own journey of color was sparked in 2018 by none other than Taylor Swift. One minute she was mousy like me, the next she revealed this standout white-blonde bob, completely transforming in the process.
A few years — and a flashy, metallic Met Gala appearance — later, Taylor’s own hair may have returned to its safe place, but my obsession with those show-stopping tresses hadn’t abated since I first attended London’s top salon Larry King Meet She Harriet Muldoon, Hair Colorist of the Stars (including bleach queen Pixie Lott) and all-around blonde expert, to take the plunge.
Now, a few years later and still converted (and totally devoted to Harriet and the rest of Larry King’s epic team), here’s my 8-step guide to the things you should know before going white blonde…
This article originally appeared on glamour.com
#1: CONSULT YOUR CALENDAR
This is not a decision that should be made impulsively. Having a head of brilliant white hair is a serious transformation that takes some getting used to. I spent the first 24 hours in a mad panic that I would never recognize myself in the mirror again and it took at least a week to admit how much I really loved it.
Luckily I had a quiet week with no big plans. I wouldn’t recommend stepping in if you’re planning to attend a wedding or family event in the next few days, for example. It’s very likely that Aunt Joan will gasp, and you need to be 100% sure to put that upside down.
#2: THERE ARE DIFFERENT SHADES OF WHITE
If you thought there was only one shade of white, you need to do a little more research before settling into the salon chair. From a warm, creamy bleach to an almost purple, pearly white, it’s a good idea to think about what look you want.
Your hairstylist can help depending on your skin tone, but the last thing you want is to hope for creamy Poppy Delevingne-esque ends and go with a silvery sheen.
I went for a creamier blonde as I thought lilac tones would make my pale complexion look too cold. There are plenty of places to try different colors virtually – try Redken’s Virtual Hair Color Tool or L’Oreal’s Style My Hair app.
#3: IT IS NOT A RAPID TRANSFORMATION
My appointment lasted 4.5 hours, during which you might hear a lot of technical jargon going through your head. Harriet broke down the steps for me beforehand so I knew exactly what products were being used and what they were doing:
Always apply Redken Flashlift including pH Bonder to the mid-sections, then to the roots and finally to the ends – a bonding service to ensure we maintain the integrity of the hair throughout the process.
Separate each section with foil to seal in moisture and heat to aid in the lifting process.
Tone with Redken Shades EQ 9V to neutralize yellow tones and finish with PH Bonder Part 2 for ten minutes.
#4: BEAUTY IS PAIN
For some reason I didn’t even consider that applying bleach directly to my scalp might be a bit uncomfortable. As I started to feel a burning sensation in the back of my head, I panicked that I was having an allergic reaction.
Luckily I wasn’t, and it was a perfectly normal part of the process. It’s not a pain, but I’d recommend leaving the knits at home as they can get a little warm. On the plus side, it elevates the cool hair conditioner/head massage to whole new heights of deliciousness.
#5: IT’S SERIOUSLY MAINTAINABLE
And I don’t just mean in the salon. Before your appointment, it’s a good idea to pre-treat your hair with plenty of protective oils since, unsurprisingly, bleach can take its toll.
After the appointment, your hair is stripped of a lot of its good qualities (pigments, proteins and oils) and can feel weak and damaged – especially if you have a very fine texture or light blonde tones. You can add moisture and nutrients with intensive conditioning treatments like Redken Extreme Strength Builder or Ultimate Remedy Masque by Shu Uemura Art of Hair.
And if you start to see hints of yellow, run and find a bottle of silver shampoo like Pro:voke’s Touch of Silver or Bleach London’s Silver Shampoo & Conditioner. If you’ve got the color to the root, you’ll likely need to touch up every 6-8 weeks.
#6: AND IF YOU WANT TO BACK…?
You have to be patient. You could go cold turkey and let it grow out, but if your natural hair is darker than medium blonde, the root line will likely be too dramatic.
The best way would be to gradually dye it into deeper shades and then let your natural root grow through. Either way, it will take time.
#7: IT CAN BE EXPENSIVE
Even without upkeep and maintenance, the first order is an investment with prices starting at £250 at Larry King.
However, I would seriously advise against doing it cheaply. The only thing scarier than bleaching your hair brilliant white is doing it in a place that doesn’t have proper care.
#8th: YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT
Despite my initial panic after bleaching, I feel like this was the hair I was born to have. (I was actually born with it before it faded sobs at the age of 11).
If you’ve been thinking about taking the plunge for more than a fleeting moment, then there’s no better time than now to channel your inner Xtina.