Do you want to try out very trendy white blonde hair? With the release of Netflix’s adult-only Marilyn Monroe film Blonde next week, it appears the golden hue is a popular issue. While we love a good hair change as much as the next person, there are a few things to consider when it comes to this shade in particular.
Many people went nuclear on their hair during the lockdown. After wearing pink for the first time, Dua Lipa coloured her strands “orangina quarantina.” Hilary Duff went from blonde to ocean blue, and hundreds of people attempted a DIY dye job on TikTok’s “just did a bad thing” challenge. Some worked out fantastically. Some, though, did not.
Thankfully, I resisted the impulse to bleach my dull roots at home, instead embracing months of re-growth (gritted teeth) in anticipation of salons reopening. I scheduled an appointment as soon as expert assistance became available to restore my hair to its bleachiest state.
Taylor Swift, of course, inspired my own colour journey in 2018. She was mousy, like me, one minute and then displayed this stunning white blonde haircut, completely altering herself in the process.
Taylor’s hair may have returned to its safe place several years – and one striking, metallic Met Gala appearance – later, but my obsession with those show-stopping strands had not subsided since I first paid a visit to top London salon Larry King to meet Harriet Muldoon, hair colourist to the stars (including bleach-queen Pixie Lott) and all-round blonde expert, to take the plunge.
Now, several years later, and still converted (and completely devoted to Harriet and the rest of Larry King’s epic staff), here’s my 8-step guide to what you should know before acquiring white blonde hair…
Consult your calendar
This is not a decision that should be made on the spur of the moment. Having a brilliant white head of hair is a significant shift that will take some time to adjust to. I spent the first 24 hours terrified that I would never recognise myself in the mirror again, and it took me at least a week to realise how much I adored it.
Fortunately, I had a peaceful week with no major commitments. If you have a wedding or a family function coming up in the next few days, I wouldn’t recommend diving in. Aunt Joan will almost certainly gasp, and you’ll need to be completely confident in your performance to handle it.
There are various shades of white
This is not a decision that should be made on the spur of the moment. Having a brilliant white head of hair is a significant shift that will take some time to adjust to. I spent the first 24 hours terrified that I would never recognise myself in the mirror again, and it took me at least a week to realise how much I adored it.
Fortunately, I had a peaceful week with no major commitments. If you have a wedding or a family function coming up in the next few days, I wouldn’t recommend diving in. Aunt Joan will almost certainly gasp, and you’ll need to be completely confident in your performance to handle it.
I chose a creamier blonde because I believed lilac tones would make my fair skin seem too cool. There are numerous websites where you may virtually experiment on different colours – try Redken’s Virtual Hair Color Tool or L’Oreal’s Style My Hair app.
It’s not a quick transformation
My appointment lasted 4.5 hours, during which time you can hear a lot of technical language that you don’t understand. Harriet had already broken down the procedures for me so that I knew exactly what goods were being used and what they did:
Apply Redken Flashlift, always incorporating pH Bonder, to mid-sections, roots, and ends – a bonding service to ensure hair integrity during the procedure.
Separate each portion with foil to keep moisture and heat in, which will aid in the lifting process.
To neutralise yellow tones, tone with Redken Shades EQ 9V and finish with PH Bonder part 2 for ten minutes.
It’s seriously high-maintenance
I’m not just talking about the salon. It’s a good idea to pre-treat your hair with plenty of protective oils before your visit because, unexpectedly, bleach can be damaging.
Your hair will have been stripped of a lot of its goodness (pigment, protein, and oils) and may feel weak and damaged after the appointment, especially if you have a very fine texture or light blonde tones. Intense conditioning treatments like Redken Extreme Strength Builder or Shu Uemura Art of Hair’s Ultimate Remedy Masque can increase moisture and nutrients.
And if you notice any yellow shudders, get a bottle of silver shampoo like Pro:Touch voke’s of Silver or Bleach London’s Silver Shampoo & Conditioner. If you’ve coloured your hair all the way to the root, you’ll probably need a touch-up every 6-8 weeks.
Beauty is pain
For some reason, I never considered that applying layers upon layers of bleach directly to my scalp may be a little painful. So when I started feeling a burning sensation in the back of my head, I thought I was having an allergic response.
Fortunately, I wasn’t, and that was a completely typical aspect of the procedure. It’s not painful, but I’d leave the knitwear at home because it can become a little hot. On the plus side, it takes the cool hair rinse/head massage to new levels of bliss.
And if you want to go back…?
You must be patient. You could go bald and grow it out, but if your original hair colour is darker than a mid-blonde, the root line will be too prominent.
The greatest approach would be to progressively colour it darker shades and then allow your natural root to grow through. It will take time in either case.
It can be expensive
Even without the upkeep and maintenance, the initial consultation is an investment, with rates beginning at £250.
However, I strongly urge against doing it on the cheap. The only thing scarier than bleaching your hair dazzling white is doing so in an unsafe environment.
You won’t regret it
Despite my initial worry post-bleach, I believe this is the hair I was born with. (I was born with it, but it vanished when I was 11 sob.)
If you’ve been thinking about it for more than a fleeting minute, there’s no better time than now to harness your inner Xtina.
