Beauty
Considering going blonde? Find the right shade with these tips!
Beauty
Considering going blonde? Find the right shade with these tips!
Do blondes have more fun? There's not a lot of science to back up the statement, but it's worth finding out, right?
No, you aren’t imagining things—nearly all of your favourite celebrities are dying their hair blonde. From increasingly popular icy-white hues to shiny golden locks, blonde hair is everywhere—and for good reason. “Blonde is one of the most sought-after shades,” says Amber Fairlie, chief stylist and the owner of The Manor Boutique Salon in Toronto. “We love blonde hair because it adds dimension, especially when it comes to braids and curls,” says Fairlie. “Besides it being so fun, it’s also a good way to disguise greys coming in.” That alone may tempt you to grab the nearest box of hair dye. But before you do, keep reading to find out which blonde shade works best for your skin tone.
FAIR
There is no shortage of blonde shades that look good on fair complexions. Cool, ashy tones are especially popular. If you're looking to make a dramatic impact, Fairlie suggests dying your hair a silvery blonde shade. Not sure where to start? Identify your undertone and then chat to your stylist about the most flattering shades. For example, “warm blonde shades work well with pink undertones,” says Fairlie, so think golden and strawberry blondes.
Michelle Williams Image by: Getty Images
MEDIUM
Sandy blondes that walk the line between blonde and brown (bronde, anyone?) pair beautifully with olive or medium-toned complexions. Whether your undertone is warm or cool, Fairlie says sandy blonde tresses are the way to go. Looking for something else? Try a caramel blonde tone, which is also a great match with olive skin.
Jennifer Lopez Image by: Getty Images
DARK
Like those with olive complexions, caramel blonde tones look gorgeous against dark complexions. The main thing you want to remember if you're feeling timid or adverse to high-maintenance shades, is to “avoid going too light within this shade family,” says Fairlie. You risk making your blonde look dry and brassy without some pretty intense upkeep. Instead, think about dynamic shades that include techniques like balayage or ombre.
Laverne Cox Image by: Getty Images
CAN I GRAB THE BOX DYE NOW?
Well, you could, but Fairlie wouldn’t advise it. “You always want to go to a professional when taking the hair lighter to ensure you’re not overdoing it,” she says. Sorting out what type of bleach and peroxide you should use to lift your hair and how much your hair can handle, are all matters that are better off left to the pros. If not, Fairlie warns that do-it-yourself-ers could potentially burn their hair off or worse, burn their skin. Yikes.
It's also important to remember that dark hair takes more processes to lighten, which puts you at risk of hair breakage. But blonde is possible to achieve on darker hair—case in point, Kim Kardashian and Jessica Biel both successfully went lighter without damaging their strands. Just remember that the darker your hair, the more likely you'll have to commit to a few appointments to get your hair blonde—a necessary journey if you want to keep your hair healthy.
COMMITMENT ISSUES?
A change of hair colour is big deal for most people, but when it doesn’t turn out as you hoped, it could be a traumatic and costly ordeal. Fairlie recommends sitting down for a consultation before sitting in a salon chair to avoiding making a costly mistake. “If you’re not having a proper consultation and going through all the steps then you won’t get the right colour,” she says. Another tip is to skip the heavy makeup on the days of your consultation and appointment. That way your stylist can see your true skin colour and undertone and match your new hair colour accordingly.
HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR BLONDE
Dyed blonde hair tends to be drier than unprocessed hair. To help keep tresses hydrated and lively, get regular moisturizing treatments and swap your moisture-absorbing cotton pillowcase for a silk one. You’ll also need to buy the right products to ensure that you’re not stripping the colour from your hair, adds Fairlie. Colour-safe purple shampoos are key to removing unwanted brassy tones and maintaining a great colour for longer.
Fairlie’s favourite is Oribe Bright Blonde, $55, amazon.ca.
Still not sure if you’re ready to commit? Take it for a test run. “You could always go to a wig store,” says Fairlie. Trying on a few different wigs in different shades of blonde will give you a better idea of how you’ll look with a blonde mane before the bleaching process even begins.
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