Beauty Hacks For Blondes

Blondes may have more fun, but maintaining that colour is notoriously er, NOT.

Not all strands are created equal – and as evolution would have it, light hair is naturally thinner and therefore more prone to damage. Add bleach to that, and your hair becomes as porous as a pair of 10-denier stockings.

“Going lighter means you are removing pigments and opening up the cuticle, so hair can feel cane feel slightly drier and is susceptible to environmental damage from sun and salt water,” explains three-time Australian hairdresser of the year (a handsome bottle blonde, himself), Joey Scandizzo.

Our point? Blondies, there are some very specific things you should be doing for your hair colour and here they are/pass it on/tell the boys:

1. USE A PURPLE-BASED TONER TO KEEP YOUR BLONDE RADIANT

When dullness or brassiness strikes, and it will, use a purple-based haircare product to get your dirty blonde back to the carat-gold or platinum shade you intended. Purple sits opposite yellow on the colour wheel so it works to neutralise any cheap and nasty yellow/orange hues that may develop.

2. BUT DON’T OVERDO THE PURPLE, OTHERWISE YOUR HAIR WILL TURN SILVERISH

In fact, overusing purple-based products can turn your blonde an ashy, silver shade. Too much colour correction can be counteractive, so avoid using toners in every single product (i.e. use a purple-based shampoo or conditioner, not both) or use it in ever second wash. Sometimes, all blonde hair needs is a bit of TLC, health and hydration.

3. CHOOSE SULPHATE-FREE AND UV-FILTERING

In addition to a purple-based product, if your hair is especially colour-weakened, go for something that’s also sulphate-free. With milder detergents and less foaming action, it won’t dry out hair or strip colour from strands.

4. SUPER FINE HAIR NEEDS VOLUME AND TEXTURE

Like we said a few paragraphs ago, blonde hair is naturally finer than other shades. Factor in sweat and sebum and you’ve got yourself some limp-ass hair that’s no good to anyone. If you’re a sandy blonde, get your hands on the tinted Bumble & Bumble A Bit of Blondish Hair Powder to enhance colour. Everyone else, try the lightweight and colourless Klorane Leave-In Spray with Flax Fiber.

5. A QUICK FIX FOR GREEN HAIR

Seeing green after a swim? This happens when metallic compounds build up in the hair cuticle and oxidise. Scandizzo instructs rinsing hair immediately after swimming, “Don’t let your hair dry with the chlorine in it. Shampoo your hair twice and allow the shampoo to sit for a couple of minutes so it can cleanse the surface of your hair.” If that’s ineffective and your hair is too far gone, you’ll need to see a colourist. Speaking of which…

6. DO YOURSELF A FAVOUR, COMMIT TO A COLOURIST

At the end of the day, “you’ve just got to commit to it!” says Scandizzo. Go to an expert colourist and stick with them. In return, they’ll lovingly but sternly steer you towards your blonde goals; they won’t highlight your entire head only the bits that they know they haven’t done already, and last but not least, they’ll be able to continuously monitor and tend to your hair health.