A glance on Instagram or the red carpet will show that there are a variety of blonde shades – platinum, honey, balayage, but finding the perfect one for you can be a difficult task.
Understanding colour science is key when working out the colour that will flatter you best. Start by determining whether your skin has cool or warm undertones. ‘Cool’ is defined by pink, red or blush undertones, whereas ‘warm’ is defined by yellow, peachy, golden undertones. You may be a combination of both, what colourists call neutral toned, which you will discover is a huge advantage!
The fundamental rule when choosing your blonde shade is to pick a tone that is opposite to your own skin tone. For cool undertones ashy, creamy or white hues look best; whilst for warm undertones honey, caramel or butterscotch shades will look fabulous.
If you have neutral skin then you’re really lucky as most shades will look great on you. One of the amazing things about going blonde is that it suits a variety of eye colours.
A soft balayage or baby lights will give you the most natural looking blonde and this can be achieved by using a combination of multidimensional hues incorporating warm, cool and creamy blondes with your base colour.
The only time blonde should be avoided is if the hair is extremely damaged. But if you have your heart set on being a blonde bombshell then a plan can be created featuring treatments such as Olaplex, which rebuilds the hair from the inside out. It just might take a little longer than you expected.
Going from black to blonde is possible but only over a number of sessions with your hair gradually becoming lighter in colour. Contrary to what you are implied on celebrity Instagram profiles, such a drastic change will not happen in just one simple salon visit! The main thing you need to expect is that after each session you will only be only a few shades lighter than you were initially at the start of that session. You will inevitably go through the orange / yellow stage. If a salon promises they can take you lighter without mentioning either of the above then I suggest you look at other salons – any stylist who fails to mention these factors either isn’t being truthful with you or he/she does not fully understand the process and what it entails. Remember your hair is your crown you never take off, so your hair needs to be in the best possible hands!