Have you noticed the small change in my hair colour as of late (hint: it’s a big one!)? Yes – I went blonde! I’ve been wanting to make this change for awhile now, and earlier this year I decided to make it make it happen. It did put my hair under a lot of stress, but thankfully my hair has since returned to its previously-excellent condition.
I have received a few emails wondering how I did it, especially how I minimized the damage. In response, I thought I’d share the process that I went through so that if you’re thinking of making a similar change you can learn from what I’ve already been through.
(although, I’m not a hairdresser and I cannot guarantee that by doing the same as I did that you still won’t lose your hair. If you have any serious concerns, please ask your hairdresser!)
1. I got it done professionally
When it comes to my hair, I’m a big advocate of leaving it to the professionals. I’ve recently started using a new hairdresser (Michael Kent Hairdressing in Takapuna, Auckland) and I feel so much more confident with them than I ever have with my previous hairdresser.
2. It took 2 goes to get the result I wanted
Blonde didn’t happen for me overnight, although this was hardly surprising considering how dark my hair was when I started out. I had an in-between period where my hair was partially blonde, partially brown and partially red, and I waited three weeks before undergoing the second round of bleach.
3. I opted for the protein treatment
It’s a (little) bit extra, but I think it’s worth it considering the amount of stress you are about to put your head under. Play it safe, it’s better to be out $30 – $40 than to be out of a head of hair.
4. In the weak that followed, I deep conditioned and stopped using heat
Actually, initially I went at my hair with a hair straightener for three days until I noticed that it was feeling like bubble gum in the shower. After a quick Google search, I learned that this means it is basically fried. I stopped applying heat immediately, and and deep conditioned twice that week, but…
5. I started using Kerastase shampoo and a heat protecting serum
…and it wasn’t until I started using Kerastase that I started to see a real difference in the health of my hair. I used two products, the Bain De Force shampoo and the heat protecting serum, Ciment Thermique. I totally recommend these products, especially Ciment Thermique which I religiously apply after coming out of the shower before I blow dry and straighten my hair.
Putting the initial stress, and a few still frazzled ends, my hair has made a pretty remarkable recovery and I am completely happy with the result.
If you are considering then going blonde, then I hope you find my experience somewhat useful, and GOOD LUCK. Life is too short to wish for a different hair colour when it is so easy to make it happen. 🙂