Platinum Blonde Is Back And This Is How To Do It!
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Platinum blonde is the ultimate cool-girl hair color and it’s making a major comeback. We’ve seen it on all our fave celebs over the past couple of years but thanks to Dua Lipa’s edgy AF bleached blonde, black root combo, it’s the beauty world’s latest obsession. Plus, the cool icy tones are perfect for the winter season.
But before you hop onto the bleached bandwagon, there are some hair care need-to-knows because as you’d expect, platinum blonde is pretty hella-taxing on your hair. For all the hair coloring tips, we got in touch with hair coloring expert Maria Dowling, Dubai’s award-winning colorist. Here’s what we learned:
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What you need to know before you book your appointment
Maria insists that the most important thing to consider when you’re dying your hair platinum blonde is the salon you’re going to; “Always bleach your hair in a reputable salon that is used to working with full head bleach, and always go for a consultation first. A good colorist will assess the condition of your hair and make recommendations that will minimize the damage to the hair.”
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Maria also explains that you need to be realistic with your requests: “A good colorist will also be honest about what is achievable. Be realistic – if you’re currently a full head black, you’re not going to become a sun-kissed bleach blonde in one sitting.”
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When you’re looking for a good salon, it’s important to enquire about the products they use: “Make sure your colorist uses Olaplex No.1 in the bleach and the No.2 treatment in the salon, which will protect the strength of the hair,” explains Maria. To find out, simply call up and ask if this treatment is available – it will cost a little extra, but trust us, if you want to keep your hair from breaking, this is necessary.
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How to prep your hair pre-appointment
Once the appointment is booked at a good reputable salon, Maria says, “It’s important that your hair is strong and in good condition. Ideally, I would advise having an Olaplex No.1 and 2 treatment in the salon and start using No.3 at home for a month before your bleach to strengthen the hair. The better the condition of your hair, the better color result you will get.”
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If Olaplex pre-appointment is an extra expense you don’t want to pay out, try our ultimate DIY hair mask; it’s super hydrating and full of fatty acids that’ll seal and strengthen the hair cuticle. Simply combine 2 tbsps of coconut oil, 2 tbsps of argan oil, 1 egg, and 2-3 drops of peppermint essential oil, or lavender oil in a bowl. Apply the mask evenly over damp hair (towel-dried), paying particular attention to the ends of your hair. Leave in for an hour or more (or sleep with it in), then double shampoo and condition.
How to care for platinum blonde hair
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We won’t lie: platinum blonde hair is a high maintenance hair color. You need to treat it regularly with masks and oils to maintain a fresh, crisp color. Plus, you should be buying good quality shampoo and conditioner to prolong the color and restore your hair so that it doesn’t become brittle. Maria spilled her fave haircare products for platinum blonde hair.
Source: Olaplex
Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector, $28: “If your colorist has used No.1 and 2 in the salon, then you should be using Olaplex No.3 at home regularly. This follow-on treatment has to be used after 1 and 2 to get the full effect. Leave the treatment on for as long as possible. Ideally, overnight if you don’t mind going to bed with wet hair. I often advise my clients to get their hair and apply No.3 as a masque before going to the gym. When they’re finished they can wash their hair thoroughly.”
Source: Kerastase
Kerastase Elixir Ultime Oil Serum, $50: “Kerastase Elixir Ultime is the perfect nightly oil that should be applied from mid to ends before you go to bed as it works on softening and repairing split ends overnight.”
Source: Kerastase
Kerastase Blonde Absolu Anti Brass Shampoo, $33: “To prolong the color and keep that cooler tone for longer, I would advise using the Kerastase Blond Absolu Range of Anti Brass Shampoo, Strengthening Conditioner, $44 Hair Masque, $59, and Heat Protecting Serum, $39. Many of our bleach blonde clients use the masque once a week with really great results.”
Platinum blonde hair care tips
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Beyond hair care products, Maria still insists there are other dos and don’ts when it comes to platinum blonde hair. Here are Maria’s tips:
Be careful with heat: “Be careful when using heat appliances like straightening irons and hairdryers and always remember to use a heat protector.”
Use toners regularly: “Be prepared for the maintenance that comes with having a full head of bleach. Toners will be a regular necessity as will root touch-ups to keep the result looking fabulous,” says Maria.
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Finally, we asked Maria how often you can bleach your hair and she said “Every individual is different in terms of how often they will need to bleach their hair. Some people can’t stand having roots, others quite like the fashionable root regrowth. It all depends on the strength of the hair and how quickly it grows.”
For more hair coloring tips, check out our guide to dying your hair at home.
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