Experimenting with a new hair color can be a fun and easy way to freshen up the look. If when you look at yourself you imagine how blonde you would look and you are dying to change, do not rush to the hairdresser to compare the various shades, at least for now: first you have to consider many other factors. Blond hair can be gorgeous and shiny, but dyeing it properly comes at a cost. This color requires serious commitment, so it is necessary to give it love and care. The process of dyeing your hair in your favorite tone can ask a considerable price to pay, both on the health of the hair and on the wallet. The good news? It doesn't matter your skin tone or undertone: surely there will be a tone of blonde that will flatter you. So, if you are ready for this challenge, start informing yourself to do the dye.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Evaluating Your Interests and Personality
Step 1. Consider your lifestyle
Blond requires much more care than other colors. For example, you can't jump into the pool without thinking twice. Blond hair absorbs chlorine and other chemicals, so it can turn green after a swim. Also, washing them with water rich in copper or iron will sooner or later turn them into a reddish-orange or green hue. As for the shampoo, it is recommended to do it every three days to have healthy hair and the right tone.
If you absolutely have to wash your hair every day, dyeing it blonde can be contraindicated
Step 2. Consider if this color suits your personality
Blondes are said to have more fun, but that can also attract unwanted attention and insults. If you make this transition, make sure you have tough skin to deal with possible offensive jokes. They are not usually done maliciously, but they can be rude and in bad taste. In addition to negative attention, blonde hair can also attract others positively, so, in any case, be prepared to feel eyes on you more often than before.
Step 3. Ask your friends to give you an opinion
If you're not sure if you're ready for this big change, your friends and family can give you some helpful advice. Tell them that you are thinking about dyeing your hair and evaluate the different reactions. If they all seem supportive and curious, this could be a positive stimulus. If they have reservations about it, try to find out why.
Take their opinions and suggestions into consideration. Regardless of what they tell you, make sure you make the choice that makes you happy
Step 4. Try to figure out what blonde hair would look like using Photoshop
There are many specialized sites that allow you to upload a photo and change the color of your hair to be able to see how you would look before actually dyeing it. This is a great way to play with different tones and cuts, so you can find ideas on styles that are right for you.
Part 2 of 3: Choosing the Right Blond Shade
Step 1. Find out what your skin tone is
This is one of the most effective ways to find a shade of blonde that flatters you. If you try to dye your hair using the wrong tone, the color may give you a washed-out look. There are two main categories of undertones, but remember that they do not depend on the skin type. Most people have a warm or cool undertone, while some have a neutral undertone. Here are the most useful indicators to understand which one is yours:
- Those with cool undertones usually get sunburned and have porcelain, rosy beige, pink, olive, dark or ebony skin. The color of the veins of the wrists is bluish-purple. The cool undertone turns blue or pink.
- Those with warm undertones tan more easily. The skin can be golden, peach, diaphanous or a yellowish hue. The veins of the wrists have a green tint. The warm undertone is yellow or olive green.
- Those with neutral undertones are halfway between warm and cool, so they have characteristics of both. If this is your case, you can choose almost any shade of blonde, so feel free to experiment to figure out which one is right for you.
Step 2. Choose a blonde that looks good on you
There are many shades to choose from. Once you have identified your undertone, you can start examining them.
- If you have a cool undertone, choose a blonde with an ash or green base to enhance your face. An example of this is vanilla or dirty blond. Avoid shades that resemble brass, as they can harden your features and give you a washed-out look.
- If you have a warm undertone, you need to opt for a blonde with a red or gold base. For example, consider golden blonde, caramel, or pink / gold.
Step 3. To orient yourself, consider your natural color
If your hair has shades closer to ash or deep brown, without hints of red, you should go for cool blonde shades. If they have warm reflections, for example red or gold, you should choose a similar shade. Taking into account your base color will allow you to have a more natural result.
To be able to understand what the natural undertone of your hair is, try to observe it by exposing it to sunlight
Step 4. Consider your phototype
If you choose a color that allows you to create a deeper contrast between skin and hair, you will have a better result. The trick to choosing the right shade of blonde is to find a color that creates contrasts, but that still suits you.
Avoid choosing a color that comes too close to that of the complexion
Step 5. Try the highlights instead of dyeing your hair completely
This is a great way to brighten your face. With highlights, you get the same effect as blonde, but without all the damage that a full dye entails. Plus, you have an added benefit: maintenance will be less. When you have some regrowth, it won't be very noticeable, so you'll have to go to the hairdresser less often. You can choose between subtle or thick highlights, but you can also decide whether to do them all over the head or just on the strands that frame the face.
- The highlights allow you to have a more natural look than the full color.
- The highlights can give depth and body to the hair: it is a great advantage especially if you have it particularly fine.
Part 3 of 3: Taking Care of Color
Step 1. Find out how far you are willing to take care of color
Blond hair requires more attention than others. Remember one thing: a color that lightens or darkens the hair by more than two tones implies a greater effort to be maintained. The moment you start to have regrowth, you always have to go to the hairdresser to touch it up. If you're not going to spend a lot of time on your hair, go with lead feet when deciding whether to dye it or not.
Step 2. Contact a professional to bleach and dye your hair
Don't try to do this at home. The bleach is an extremely aggressive chemical that unbalances the balance of the hair follicles and weakens them. You have to go to a salon to switch to blond and to maintain it. The DIY procedure can be a cheaper solution, but with a home dye you risk a bad result that will take time and money to fix.
You can practically fry your hair, turn it orange, or lose all the volume. To be on the safe side, you need to be able to afford professional treatment
Step 3. Regularly touch up the regrowth and tone of the hair
To maintain the desired shade and roots of the same color, you need to do a touch-up every four to six weeks. When you start to see regrowth, you need to bleach and dye it to match the rest of your hair. Also, you have to trim your hair almost every time you go to the hairdresser, as this color causes split ends.
If you go to the hairdresser for touch-ups (which is highly recommended), the expense involved in this treatment is not low. Consider the amount you will spend in the long run and make sure you not only have time to go to the salon, but also the money needed to maintain this color
Step 4. Consider how long it will take to go blonde
Dyeing your hair in one go is not recommended. It is normal to look forward to having them blonde, but it is important to proceed step by step before getting a homogeneous color. Depending on the current state of the hair (starting color and any damage), the hairdresser will decide how to proceed. Chances are she'll prefer to gradually dye them starting with highlights, then slowly work up to the final color. This prevents the hair from being subjected to severe shock and breaking.
- Most hairdressers will refuse to completely bleach them right from the start - it is well known that this can be quite damaging to your hair.
- The hairdresser will ask you questions about the treatments and colors you have done in the past. It is important that you are aware of the damage done to your hair follicles and that your hair can withstand this change, so be honest.
Step 5. Plan the cost from a financial point of view
Before you get the blonde you want, you'll need to go to the hairdresser multiple times, so this won't be cheap. It is helpful to make a rough calculation so that you can prepare for expenses.
- You can try calling different salons to inquire about prices. In general, however, to get a precise idea, hairdressers need to see you and examine your hair, in order to understand which would be the right treatment for you.
- Once you have explained what result you want and discussed the best way to achieve it, the hairdresser can give you more detailed information regarding the total costs of the treatment.
Step 6. Look for quality hair products
The chemicals that allow you to achieve a beautiful blonde are also quite harmful to the hair follicles. To replenish essential vitamins and minerals, you need to use quality products, which will also help you regain hydration. You should buy shampoos, conditioners, deeply nourishing treatments, heat protectors, and leave-in moisturizers. If you want your hair to look healthy, you need good products.
- Ask your hairdresser what products they recommend for blonde hair.
- It is important to regain hydration and strengthen the hair to remedy the damage caused by the bleaching. After dyeing them, you may observe a change in texture, so you should use additional products to regain shine, volume and softness.
Advice
- If this is your first time making such a drastic change to your hair, see a professional.
- Go to a colorist and ask if the blonde you want is right for you.
- Professionals can also give you tips on how to style your hair, creating hairstyles that make the desired color stand out even more.
