Blondes have more fun….. or do they?
The most common complaints we hear from our blondes is “my hair looks yellow and brassy”, “my hair feels dull and dry” “my blonde doesn’t last and stay bright”.
I feel like it is time we talk about highlights and blonde hair. Just as a beautiful rich chocolate brown or vibrant red hair colour fades and needs refreshing, so do our blondes. When we lighten hair, we are removing pigment from the hair. This pigment is raw and exposed and often needs to be neutralized (or toned) to achieve the exact “Blonde” we aim to achieve. This is often referred to “toning” the hair. Whether it is a bright buttery blonde or a cool ashy blond you are looking for, this is where toning is used in your blonding service. These toners are not permanent and usually last between 4-6 weeks. So if you are used to going every 3-4 months to have your highlights or balayage refreshed and want to keep it looking great the whole time, you might consider coming in and having a toner refresh midway. As your toner fades, and you have washed and styled your hair, your blond will not be looking as fresh and bright as you may want it to.
When this happens, we often go reaching for the coveted “purple” shampoo, but that could actually be doing the opposite of what you are hoping to achieve. Purple shampoo or “toning shampoo” can be helpful but also hurtful to your blonde hair. It’s purpose is to neutralize unwanted yellow/warm tones.
You don’t want to start using a purple shampoo until you notice your toner fading (usually around 4-6 weeks post service). If you reach for the purple shampoo prematurely it will accelerate the fade. Purple shampoos are a “treatment shampoo”, the PH is generally higher and more alkaline which, if overused, can make the hair feel like straw and strip away the natural oils from your hair and scalp. They were never intended to be used as a daily shampoo.
Another major culprit in leaving unwanted tones in our blondes is HEAT! TURN down the heat! Heat essentially “toasts” the hair. Think about what happens when you put a piece of white toast in the toaster, the longer you toast it, the darker it gets. I am not saying not to use heat on your hair, but use it wisely. Turn the temperature down, don’t use it everyday, and USE HEAT PROTECTION. Heat protection is like sunblock for your hair.
Wash your hair, just not everyday. Unless you are rolling around in the mud all day, washing your hair daily is really not necessary (especially if you are caring for blond hair). Everyday washing is hard on the fragile hair and also accelerates the fading of your toner. Always wash and rinse your hair in cooler water VS super hot. Make sure you are using the proper shampoo to care for your hair. If you have any questions about what you should be using to care for your hair needs we are here to help you pick the right product and educate you on how to use it best. Your hair is an investment and when cared for properly will give you a better return.
