Itchy scalp, rapid root regrowth, orange tinge, you’ve heard the horror stories. Now it’s time for the truth. It might be the coolest shade of the summer (isn’t that right Leighton Meester?) but going platinum blonde is a big deal – you’ll need to nurture those locks like your first born. Here’s all you need to know about the proper preparation and dedicated maintenance it takes to achieve the look you love without sacrificing your hair’s health.
By Rachel Spedding
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1 Before you go
As the process involves stripping colour, hair becomes susceptible to dryness and breaking, so head for the salon with hair prepped to mighty fine condition, ready to take on the bleach. How? In the week leading up to your appointment, increase your use of hydrating hair masks (I’m talking one treatment every evening), comb through damp hair and leave for thirty minutes, or all night long if you can. The goal is moisture retention, so turn to oils, serums and masks for increased lustre, and step away from anything that could damage the hair condition pre-colouring (I’m looking at you curling wand).
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2 Start with a chat
There’s no one-size-fits-all for colouring, so once your appointment is booked, head to the salon for a consultation: your stylist will be able to advise on cost, conditioning, and the number of appointments you’ll need. That’s right folks, it might take more than one session to achieve the shade you want – especially if you’re going from brunette to blonde.
‘Virgin’ hair? Good news. If you’ve never dyed, permed or bleached before, your hair will take to colour a little easier, so mention this to your stylist and you could go platinum in one sitting *smug grin*.
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3 Once you're in the chair
Get comfy – you’ll be there a while. The process can take around 5 hours, and if you’ve coloured in the last six months, it’ll need to be stripped (that’s the pale orange shade you sometimes spot lurking round the salon). Every stylist works differently, but it’s likely they’ll apply the bleach from back to front – and wash out in that order too – for an even application of bleach all over. Next up, toner. This step is super important: bleaching strips pigment, but toner will determine your final colour (gulp). For cool-white blonde, silver toner will take you to next level icy.
The bleach might feel a little itchy on your scalp but here’s our tip: avoid washing your hair for 48 hours before your appointment, as your scalp’s natural oils will ease irritation.
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4 Get to know Olaplex
The real MVP of bleaching aftercare? Olaplex. The three-step treatment works to heal broken bonds within the hair. It’s a miracle in a bottle (or three), for rebuilding the strength, structure and integrity of your hair. Your stylist will kickstart the process in the salon, mixing the treatment into the bleach before application. Once the bleach is rinsed out, Olaplex Number 2 will be applied, and left to start healing before a thorough wash. The final step is an at-home treatment – just add to damp hair and leave for ten minutes before washing as normal. Aim to apply once a week to really get to work on the health of those locks and ‘reset’ any damage. Add Olaplex as an additonal treatment when making your booking, as the process can take a little extra time. If hair could talk, it’d ask for this treatment.
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5 Make it last
Once you’re washed, blow dried, and staring at the mirror in pure delight, it’s time to start thinking aftercare. Platinum blonde needs TLC. Silver shampoo is your new best mate for fighting yellow tones and brassiness, so get lathering once a week. Follow up with a hydrating hair mask and leave it to work it’s conditioning magic for up to 15 minutes. Natural oils will also boost nourishment: coconut, argan and jojoba are your real allies in preventing dryness, and will help your hair reach show-off standard (who, me?). Keratin treatments are a must if you’re tackling damage, restoring hair with the protein already found within it. The treatment is seriously restorative, adding protein back to the hair in the form of a strengthening serum. Sure, it’s a long process, but worth it for the silky smooth results.
The best part? It’s 2018, and roots look damn good these days (what? It’s a mini ombre). My one request, please don’t do it at home – strands can snap, colour can be patchy, and the bleach-burn feels worse when it’s self-inflicted. Platinum blonde, you’re not so tricky after all; go forth, get bleached, and book it right here.