A Brunette's Guide to Going Blonde, According to Hair Pros

 


We've all been there: tired of our hair color and craving a serious change. But going from brunette to blonde isn't adequate to isolating three inches, adding layers, or maybe getting bangs. it is a major transformation. it's definitely doable for (almost) everyone, but you ought to be armed and prepared with all of the knowledge you would like before lightening up.


Lucky for you, we did the research and consulted top hair color pros about this big change. Keep reading for the last word guide the way to go from brunette to blonde hair — without completely damaging your strands.


So can anyone go from brunette to blonde?

Yes, anyone can, consistent with Kattia Solano, founder and lead colorist at Butterfly Studio Salon in ny City, as long as you think about a couple of key factors:


Your hair color history. once you visit the salon, "be clear about your expectations and discuss your required look, your hair texture, and hair history," Solano advises. Be thorough about your hair’s history within the consultation, albeit you think that something is irrelevant. "Sometimes old color (even from a year ago or longer) may have to be removed before a service like this alternatively the hair won’t lift evenly and will potentially cause damage," says Samantha Garrone, colorist at Salon AKS in NYC. Plus, the sort of dye you used (in salon or box color at home) can affect the way your hair will fancy the lighter color.

Your time. "Your colorist should be transparent about how long and the way many visits it'll take supported your hair," says Solano. "Do not rush into it: Take some time , especially for those with an extended color history, as keeping hair as healthy as possible is usually the most priority." the amount of salon visits and total time taken will vary counting on your current color, desired shade, and hair length, texture, and history. "It can take one appointment if the hair gods are in your favor, but it typically takes about three to urge you to where you actually want to be," says Nikki Lee, Garnier consulting hair colorist. That's a time investment you've got to think about before making the plunge.

Your budget. "This are often a costly service but it is best to not skimp on price when it involves a serious color change if you're ready to . If you’re getting to roll in the hay , it is best to try to to it right the primary time, so you do not need to then enter for extra 'fixing' appointments. While prices can vary everywhere the country, i might say this service can range anywhere between $300-$600 or higher in ny City," says Garrone.

Your skin tone and features. "You can have the foremost beautiful, perfectly done blonde hair, but if it doesn’t work together with your skin tone and eye color, it won’t do anything for you," says Garrone. She advises to consult your colorist when it involves choosing the proper shade as they need all skilled serious training to possess the power to work out this. Lee may be a big proponent of using your eyes to assist choose the proper shade. "Take a glance at your eye color—if there's more warm or cool tones—and match your hair tone thereto . this will be a really helpful guide, as your skin tone can change with the seasons. Your eye color will always be a real indication of what tone you ought to be."

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How long does it fancy go blonde?

Set aside a minimum of a couple of hours. "If you've got virgin (uncolored) hair, it'll always be easier to travel from brunette to blonde," Solano explains. Virgin hair is healthier and stronger than pre-colored/processed hair, and is therefore more ready to handle a process like this. it'll lift evenly, whereas pre-colored hair can lift to different levels in several places, meaning it are often harder to form the colour even. "If you've got permanent color your hair history, it's still possible, but you are going to possess to form sure you and your colorist set an idea ."


First and foremost, once you get to the salon, "a strand test [where the colorist tests the hair coloring on alittle hidden strand of hair] is additionally a requirement ," says Lee. "Depending on your previous color, this may give the stylist a thought if the goal for your hair color are often made a reality." A strand test will tests the porosity and elasticity of hair to point out you ways easily (or not) your shade of brown will lighten. This usually takes 15 to 30 mins and can help assess what level of lightening your hair can handle.


The actual process for going blonde differs supported many factors: Your initial brunette shade, desired blonde shade, hair history, and more. Hair's natural texture can affect the way it lifts and what it can handle, Garrone adds. "Kinky hair are often more fragile, but may lift really fast, thick or coarse hair are often stronger, but take longer to lift," she says. But generally speaking, "going two shades lighter than your natural brunette color would require you to use bleach," Solano says. And "if you would like to try to to a double process blonde (bright blonde or platinum) you will probably need two bleach applications back to back, which takes at the very least four hours."


What do you have to do before your salon appointment?

"Treatments, treatments, treatments," says Lee. "Hair color loves healthy hair, and hair will accept color with open arms when it’s healthy as well; when your hair is broken and you are trying to lighten it, it'll break." Garrone adds, "Hair that's healthy will usually lift the simplest and quickest." That's why you would like your hair to be in its best condition before going blonde. Solano recommends using deep conditioning treatments for a month before, like OGX Extra Strength Hydrate & Repair + Argan Oil of Morocco Hair Mask, and in-salon bonding treatments, like Olaplex, which all three colorists recommend. Also attempt to minimize heat styling the weeks before going blonde.


Come with hair that's not freshly-washed. regardless of what level of blonde you're going for, you ought to always "come with hair that's not too clean and not too dirty," Garrone explains. "If your hair is washed that day, the merchandise can irritate your freshly cleaned scalp, and if your hair is just too dirty, its natural oils can interrupt and stall the lightening process." The happy medium? "Hair that was washed two to four days before your appointment," she says.


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Pro tip: Bring pictures to the salon to point out your colorist your required hair color!


How does one go blonde gradually?

Highlights are the simplest thanks to go blonde gradually. "Start off slow with alittle amount so your hair and eyes can get wont to it and slowly add a touch more whenever until you're at the blonde you’re looking to realize ," Garrone advises. this is often an excellent option for fewer damage, but requires longer (and patience) to form the change.

Balayage, in which"highlights are hand painted everywhere your head," Garrone says. "This look will offer you more of a pop and a much bigger contrast between highlights that also grows out gradually."

Ombré, where "the highlights are focused more on your ends and around your face, leaving your natural brunette color at the highest ," Garrone explains. "This may be a great way to satisfy within the middle because you get some blonde, but still have your natural color to enrich your skin and eye color, and it is also pretty low maintenance and fewer damaging to hair."

Can you dye brown hair blonde at home?

Not usually, all of our pro colorists agree. there's tons of room for error and you'll find yourself damaging your hair. "Box dye would be fine for a gradual transition but not brunette to blonde," Solano says. "It's tricky because it tends to cause damage, often leaves brunette shades brassy, and may be hard to figure with afterwards."


Instead, use box dye for DIY touch-ups reception , after you've gotten your initial color wiped out salon. "You can start by adding some lighter pieces throughout your ends," Lee says. "Take small sections and tease them, painting the ends with the lightener so you will not have any harsh lines in your hair." She recommends using Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Color Blondes Balayage Lightening Creme for this look.


Can you go from brunette to blonde without bleaching?

All of our colorists agree: Not easily. "Color (without bleach) can lift your hair, but only a couple of levels, which can presumably leave your shade looking orange and brassy," Garrone explains.


How are you able to maintain your blonde hair and keep it healthy?

Cut down on heat styling and let your hair air dry the maximum amount as possible.

Lower the temperature on your hot tools to stop damage and always apply a heat protectant everywhere strands prior.

Try a shower filter, like Raindrops, to assist keep your blonde from getting dull.

Introduce purple shampoo and conditioner, like Solano's favorite Kérastase Blond Absolu, into your haircare routine to fight brass and orange tones.

Use deep conditioners and hair masks weekly to stay your hair hydrated. Lee recommends the nice and cozy and funky blonde Garnier Nutrisse Color Revivers which will treat the hair and convey back vibrancy.

Try a toner, a treatment which will make the blonde color cooler and cancel any brassy tones. Sometimes, immediately post-color, it's going to take two toners to urge the proper effect.

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