7 Tips to Long Lasting Bright Blonde
HI!
I’m Jae owner of Alfa Jae Salon, I am a master colorist & blonde specialist & I want to help you have and keep beautiful blonde hair!
Keep Your Blonde Hair Radiant: Unleash the Magic of Maintenance!
At Alfa Jae Salon, we completely understand the concerns of our blonde bombshells who contemplate going dark due to the persistent upkeep. But don’t worry we got you! We're here to reveal the secret formula for maintaining your gorgeous blonde, ensuring it remains head-turning, and worth every minute & dollar invested. So get ready to learn some surprising facts about blonde and touch up on some things you already knew!
1. Banish the Dullness with the Right Shampoo Schedule:
Say goodbye to dull and lackluster blonde hair with purple shampoo! We love Milkshake_ purple or black shampoo & recommend it to all our clients (make sure to purchase from a professional source, like your salon). Make sure you are NOT USING the purple shampoo until your toner starts to fade. Using purple shampoo too soon will strip your toner faster. Using it every 3rd or 4th wash will help neutralize any unwanted brassiness/gold and revive your hair's shine. Remember* if you like gold tones in your hair AVOID purple shampoo & instead opt for non purple blonde enhancing shampoo. Purple shampoo is one of the major components for keeping your blonde bright. Designed specifically for those with blonde hair, this shampoo helps combat the yellow tones that can develop over time. With its violet pigments, purple shampoo helps neutralizes warm tones, giving blondes a cooler hue. Correct use of purple shampoo not only keeps the color fresh and crisp but also adds a beautiful shine to the hair. It is important not to over use purple shampoo, this will cause build up and dulling of your blonde hair.
I highly recommend the use of clarifying shampoo to prevent build up on your blonde hair. Clarifying shampoo is a specialized product designed to deeply cleanse the hair by removing any buildup of styling products, minerals, oils, toning shampoo, or impurities that can accumulate over time. A good clarifying shampoo is gentle yet powerful & works by gently lifting the cuticle of the hair, & allowing for thorough cleansing and rejuvenation. We love Un-Do Goo by Malibu C. Regular use of clarifying shampoo greatly enhances the effectiveness of your hair care routine, as it provides a clean and fresh base for nourishing treatments and styling products. Whether you're aiming for a sleek and smooth look or trying to revive your color-treated hair, clarifying shampoo is essential to achieving & maintaining healthy, beautiful, and radiant hair.
Hair that has been lightened needs moisture & strength. It is important to use a keratin or strengthening shampoo every 3rd or 4th shampoo. Then when you are not using your keratin, purple, or clarifying shampoo you should be using a salon quality moisture shampoo. I love the Milkshake_ Moisture Plus shampoo as well as the Milkshake_ Integrity shampoo.
2. Get Rooty - On Purpose:
We understand how annoying dark roots can make you want to swear off your beloved blonde. Going for a balayage or a root melt will make your roots much less noticeable if noticeable at all. Having some dark next to your blonde will bring out the brightness of your blonde as well & make it stand out with dimension. This will help stretch the time between lightening appointments & you can schedule toning & haircut appointments in between. Choosing a root color that matches your natural color is best, or leaving your natural color at the root in general.
3. Toning- Tips & Tricks:
Super ashy toner can look much darker than warm toners even if they are technically the same level of lightnes, ash does not reflect light very well. Try a neutral or more golden toner to switch it up without doing a full lightening service (or paying the price of a full lightening!). A common mistake blondes make is going in with purple shampoo immediately after a lightening service…NO! Back away from the purple shampoo! Do not start using purple shampoo until your toner starts to fade. Purple shampoo can strip your toner faster because of all of its pigment, so it best to wait until you start to see the warmth show up.
4.Water - The Most Important Factor:
Hot water is a major culprit when it comes to damaging and fading bright blonde hair. Exposing perfectly lifted and toned blonde hair to high temperatures will cause the cuticle layer to expand, leading to the color molecules from your blonde toner being washed down the drain. The heat strips away the natural oils in your hair, leaving it dry and prone to frizz, which will make it look more dull. To make your blonde/toner last longer , it's essential to shampoo with cool or lukewarm water. This helps keep the cuticle more sealed, locking in the toner/blonde color and maintaining its longevity. If you want your blonde to stay bright, radiant, and rich, avoid hot water and opt for cooler temperatures instead.
Hard water with its high mineral content, poses a significant threat to the health and appearance of your bright blonde hair. Its alkaline nature can cause major damage and dulling build-up on your light hair, leading to numerous unwanted tones. Hard water can cause a buildup of mineral deposits on the scalp and down the hair strands, resulting in dull, lackluster blonde hair that is significantly weighed down and doesn't reflect light. Additionally, hard water tends to strip away the natural healthy oils, leaving the hair dry, brittle, and susceptible to breakage. The stubborn minerals present in hard water can interfere with the effectiveness of hair care products, leading to decreased efficacy and potential ineffectiveness. Accumulation of minerals can clog hair follicles and hinder optimal hair growth, exacerbating issues like hair loss, thinning & breakage. If your home has extremely hard water or well water, I highly suggest in investing in a filter for your water system or shower.
5. Schedule Regular Salon Visits:
Stay ahead of the game by scheduling regular salon visits – nurture your hair like the treasured gem it is. Your stylist will keep your blonde looking fresh, with precise trims/cuts, expert blonding/toning touch-ups, and personalized advice on home care techniques. This way, you'll always step out of the salon with a smile and bright, healthy, envy-inducing beautiful blonde.
Remember your commitment to maintaining your blonde hair is worth every second spent or you will literally wash your investment down the drain. The upkeep may seem daunting, but with the right tools, tricks, and now reading these tips, your beautiful bright blonde hair will continue to shine.
6. Drop It When It’s Hot:
Hot tools are fun to play with & style your hair. Most of us love to flat iron our hair, add some curls or waves, or sometimes even crimp it like the good ole 80s, but fried hair is NOT in style. Heat protectant should be your best friend, always use heat protectant before blowdrying & before using hot tools. Keep your heated irons and wands at a medium temperature and avoid leaving to the heated plates or barrel on the hair too long. High temperatures can lead to brassy/extremely yellow or burnt blonde hair, as well as causing split ends, breakage, & dry feeling hair. If you are using hot tools more than once a week I highly recommend doing a deep conditioning treatment weekly.
7. Protect Your Investment:
As a blonde (really anybody) you should not be shampooing your hair everyday. You should not be shampooing your hair more than every other day AT MOST! Make a good shampoo schedule and plan wash days around events. You should be using the products your stylists recommends to keep your blonde hair healthy. Your stylist may recommend products like: shampoo, conditioner, leave in conditioner, deep conditioner, curly products, hair spray, styling products, thermal/heat protectant, tools.
A common occurrence in the salon is clients having breakage from repeatedly wearing their hair in a ponytail. The breakage is usually in the middle of the hair and super visible when styling which makes the hair look unhealthy and frizzy.
Protective styles are good to avoid putting heat on your hair often. Braids and buns are good just be sure to avoid using any skinny elastic bands, instead opt for bobble hair ties (they look like old school telephone cords) or even scrunchies, the softer the hair tie the better.
In conclusion:
This is how we recommend taking care of your beautiful blonde hair to ensure it stays nourished, shiny, and full of life. By following these essential steps, you can maintain its health, strength, and undeniable brightness that leaves everyone in awe. With a routine tailored specifically for your blonde, you will be able to embrace your hair's natural radiance and feel confident in its luscious, mesmerizing allure. Trust me, these easy yet impactful measures will make a world of difference in keeping your blonde hair looking and feeling its absolute best.