I have been blonde for a year now. For my bleach-blonde blondies out there, you know how much time and money have been dedicated to my hair in the last 365 days. It is no easy task to maintain that bright, white, icy blonde we all strive for. The amount of foils my poor hair has been in is scary for me to even think about! Let me tell you, hair does not like being bleached; stripped of all its natural color and oils, it’s left feeling very dry and more prone to breaking. Making the decision to go blonde is a lot more than meets the eye. I was definitely shocked at the upkeep required to be as blonde as I wanted. Because I’m now definitely a blondie who thinks they can never be blonde enough, I’ve had to learn how to take care of my hair. Investing in products to maintain the longevity of being a blondie is just as important as investing in a $300 hair appointment. I promise, following these tips and tricks will make those bank breaker hair appointments few and far between.
#1 Invest in a good shampoo and conditioner
My whole life, I have used whatever suave or dove shampoo and conditioner my mom bought us from the grocery store. I had naturally wavy (more like poofy) brunette hair. The first time I did highlights a year ago, was the first time my hair had ever seen bleach. After that, it was time to invest in some better shampoo and conditioner. The damage that bleach causes to hair requires you to give it a little extra love and care. My personal fav is Olaplex, a lot of blondes use this bonding shampoo and conditioner. Not only does it repair your broken hair, but it also works to maintain the bright, icy tone of your hair. Investing in a good shampoo and conditioner will result in fewer trips to the salon.
*** Bonus tip: reducing the number of times you wash your hair to about once or twice a week will also help maintain the color you strive for! Washing your hair too many times strips all of the natural oil your hair produces leaving you with dry, yellow hair.
#2 Find a purple shampoo that actually works!
In my first few months of being a blondie, I was for sure a rookie. I didn’t even think about using purple shampoo which meant I was seeing my hairdresser literally every two weeks. Purple shampoo is the perfect alternative for the toner that your stylist uses in the salon. I was always skeptical of purple shampoo until I became too sick and tired of making appointments twice a month and decided to invest in the Olaplex purple shampoo. Let me tell you, it changed my life! Purple shampoo works. You just have to find the one that works best for your hair! Don’t be alarmed when it looks like literal purple paint. Paint your head, girl, and let it sit for a few minutes. You will get out of the shower feeling like you just walked out of the salon.
#3 Oil it up
Last but certainly not least, arguably one of the most crucial parts of my hair care routine: a good oil. I have used a few different brands of hair oil: Olaplex, Oi, and the one I’m currently using, Biosilk. No matter the oil, applying it to your hair each morning and night will literally be what your hair needs. Oil has become my best friend as a blondie. It hides all of those broken pieces and is helping to repair them at the same time. I notice a huge difference in my hair health when I am using oil vs when I’m not. And don’t worry, you’re not making your hair greasy by using oil. Focus on your ends the most, they will suck it right up.
Being a blondie might be a lot of work, but I’ve come to enjoy putting time into the health of my hair. Your hair is important! It’s seen every day. Don’t feel guilty for investing in it.