Whether sandy, ash, honey or platinum, maintaining that perfect shade of blonde can prove to be a bit of a challenge. You may have invested both time and money in getting your hair beautifully blonde, but have you invested in maintaining your blonde locks once you left the salon?

As well as the natural elements – such as pollution and sun – over styling and over processing your hair can leave it dry, brassy and prone to breakage. But by putting in a bit of time and effort, you can not only keep your blonde locks looking gorgeous, but also healthy and strong. We’ve put together a list of our top 5 tips for maintaining your blonde hair at home.

 

  1. Hydrate your hair

A lot of us out there have been striving to achieve that perfect shade of blonde – and we all know we put our hair through some hell to get it there! Bleaching/lifting the hair can be a harsh process, particularly if your hair is naturally a dark shade. Colouring the hair can strip the hair of natural oils and nutrients, which results in brittle, dry hair.

By keeping your hair well hydrated, you’ll maintain the moisture level of your scalp and protect it against future processing and styling. Deep conditioning masks and treatments once to twice a week will help with hydration. We strongly suggest investing in a good quality hair mask and/or leave in conditioner to use at home – if you’re not sure which will be best for your hair type, visit us at the salon and we can help.

 

  1. Shampoo your hair less often

After your hair has been lightened, wait at least two days before shampooing – this allows the colour to set in properly. Try not to wash your hair daily after this, as excessive shampooing can remove the protective coating of natural oils and also strip the colour pigments. Aim to wash your hair 2-3 times per week – dry shampoo can help make this routine easier for those inbetween days.

 

  1. Protect your hair from heat

Most of us are guilty of using heated styling tools on a regular basis, whether it be the hair-dryer, straightener or curler. If your hair has been lightened, your hair cuticles have likely been stripped of natural oils and nutrients – leaving your hair susceptible to breakage. When heat is added to this, it can really cause damage and dull your colour.

Try and restrict your heat styling tool usage – give your hair a break every now and then, allowing it to dry naturally. On the occasions that you do use heated styling tools, invest in a quality heat protectant cream or spray and ensure it is applied to each section of your hair beforehand. You’ll be surprised as to the difference it can make long term!

 

  1. Tone, tone, tone!

If you want to keep that pretty shade of blonde that you left the salon with, you’ll need to invest in a good quality toner that you can use at home.  A toner will help to neutralize brassy yellow and orange tones on lightened hair – allowing for a more natural looking hair tone.

While you can find toners at your local supermarket or pharmacy, we do not recommend doing so! The best toner for your locks will depend on your colour appointment and what type of finish you’re looking to achieve – this should be chosen with your hairstylist at the time of your appointment.

Three quality products that we find work for many of our clients are:

L’Oreal Silver Shampoo

Also known as “purple shampoo”, this fantastic shampoo contains a dark purple pigment which acts as anti-yellowing agent and counteracts brassy tones in the hair. It helps to neutralize strong yellow tones, resulting in a beautiful cool colour.

L’Oreal Colour Corrector Conditioner

Another alternative for keeping brassy and yellow tones at bay is the L’Oreal Colour Corrector Conditioner. It works to protect blonde highlights from yellow tones, neutralizing them and leaving a pure, cool blonde. Your hair is left smooth and without that greasy finish.

Kérastase Colour-Correcting Pen

The Kérastase Colour-Correcting Pen is an at-home “ink” treatment formulated to be mixed in with a mask for colour correction in between salon visits. Its violet formula is designed to combat brassiness in blonde hair.

  1. Regularly trim your hair

Routine trims are essential for maintaining healthy blonde hair. A regular trim every 4-6 weeks will prevent the ends from splitting and help improve both the look and feel of your hair.

 

If you have any questions about which products to use to help maintain your blonde locks, our stylists are more than happy to help. Pop on in to our salon at the Summerhill Shopping Centre in Palmerston North for a chat, or give us a call on (06) 357 9966.