Wanting to change your hair color always requires some consideration and especially if your desired change is something dramatic – like going from dark to light. It’s certainly a big decision to go blond and there are some major considerations before you take the plunge.
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1. Take Note of Your Natural Color
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If you laid out hair colors on a scale from 1 to 12, the darkest level of black would be 1 and the lightest blond would be 12. Among the many things to consider before going blond is the your natural hair color, which is the starting point on the scale for the purpose of going blond and eventually returning to your natural shade. It may be a long time before you'll get to see your natural color again, so perhaps clipping a small strand off and keeping it safe as a color sample may not be such a bad idea. Otherwise, when asked by your colorist what color level you'd like to return to, you won't remember.
2. How Blond do You Want to Be?
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There are different degrees of blond. Choose from cool or warm shades, depending on your natural coloring of skin and eyes. Cut out a few pictures from magazines of blonds whose hair you like and show them to your colorist. Use only realistic, well-lit pictures.
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3. Look for a Color Specialist with a Focus on Blond
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If you happen to meet or see somebody with a blond hairstyle that you'd love to copy, ask them politely if they used a colorist and if so, who did their hair. Equally, you could approach somebody with a brassy blond mop and ask them the same question - that way you know which salon to avoid. And if you see the colorist wielding a plastic cap and crochet hook, be a smart and legally blond customer and reschedule with another salon. Your colorist should be a specialist who knows exactly what process is needed – will you just need highlights, a base breaker or a single process? A bit of research before you attend the salon is a good way to prepare.
4. What is Your Budget for Going Blond?
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Going blond initially is not cheap - and maintaining your blond tresses will continue to drain your checking account. Before embarking on this drastic change in appearance, be sure you can afford the maintenance of your ultra cool Blondie look every 4 to 12 weeks.
5. Expect to Change Your Shampoo and Conditioner Routine
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Going blond is also more expensive on the shampoo and conditioner front, as bleached hair requires a higher level of ammonia or bleaching products. The process will change the texture of your hair and you'll need more conditioning but less shampooing. Use a gentler, sulfate-free shampoo and a reconstructive and protective treatment mask to pamper your stressed hair and scalp. You could also use natural remedies such as lemon juice or beer, which will save money, be good for the environment and your hair.
6. Decide if You Want a Glaze
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A glaze is a non-peroxide treatment with sheer shade options. It will assist with the perfect blond nuances you are after and will seal in an extra 4 to 6 weeks of shine. You should consider whether you are going to ask your colorist to apply a glaze after bleaching your hair blond.
7. Be Ready to Change Your Makeup Routine
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Going blond means you will need to change your makeup. Even though your skin tone won’t change, the way your makeup reacts with your face overall when it is now framed by blond hair needs consideration. You might not like your favorite palettes now. Have fun experimenting with new colors.
Changing your hair color should be fun but not if you hate it or regret it. It’s therefore best to think about it and consider the aspects mentioned above. Have you ever gone from dark to blond or are you considering it now?
Comments
Jackie: Yep, in stages safely. I'm a level 4 & the bottom of my hair now is about a level 10. I want it to be a 12. But it's already dry. When I get it trimmed and back to health, I'll go a lil blonder.
Alyx: @kailee yes it's really horrid for your hair. It's drying, damages the hair follicle on the inside, and just brings out orange and red tones, which cannot be toned to a blonde without bleaching that pigment out first, which is basically as damaging as doing 3-4 bleached depending on how much lemon was used. It's drying like crazy and damages the entire hair strand, not just the outside like bleach does. It goes deep into the hair and every time you go out into the sun or bright lighting you are basically deep frying your hair. It's damaging overtime, and the only way to stop it is to cut it off. And I never said you get what you pay for, I said as long as you go to someone who knows what they're doing, it won't be that damaging. I get my roots done by someone for 8$. She does a better job than some people charging 150$. It's all about training and how comfortable they are with bleach. And if you actually read what I said, I don't use expensive shampoos, and I have bleached WHITE hair from my NATURALLY DARK brown hair. But thank you for the insults and you being completely ignorant. :)
Thelma62913: I've been told I look like Holly Madison, but as a dark brunette. I was like oh wow maybe I'll go blonde!! (but it's not happening...I can't keep up with color like that and find it an unnecessary expense.)
peony: Yeah try it you might like it
Nia: I been thinking about going blonde lately 💭
Alyx: @kailee lol, wow you just impress me more and more of how utterly incompetent you become after insulting and attacking me, and not having a comeback when I call you out on it. I answered your attack (which as I said, it you reread it, it would make sense, which applies here too, clearly) but instead you defend yourself more and again insult me rather than simply saying sorry I misread or sorry I shouldn't have attacked you for no reason, but I guess someday you'll learn that or you can continue to blame others countlessly. Have a great week.
Kailee: @Alyx, seriously? How old are you? I was referring to your comment about lemons and I have no idea what you're going on about, do you not have anything better to do? Darling, ignorant I am not.
Alyx: Agreed with Rhiannon. Lemon juice is horrid for the hair. Also, you don't need to use expensive shampoos or anything. I use a 10$ bottle of shampoo and conditioner, and it lasts me six months. My hair is naturally a very dark brown almost black, course and thick, and my hair is white. As long as you go to someone who knows what they're doing, it won't be much damage, even on black hair. Especially if you do it gradually. The only difference from brunette hair hair is that you may need to use a toning conditioner/shampoo. Which you can get for like 4$ and is usually only needed every few months unless you want very ashy hair.
Rhiannon: Lemon juice is the only bad idea in this article (I have no idea about beer) because all it will do it dry out your hair and may even give it an orange tinge. But the rest of the article is definitely something to thing about for people considering going blonde. Especially if you're wanting a cool ash blonde, you may want to invest in a purple shampoo to keep away brassy tones.
Princess: Blonde. Not blond 😂
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