My own colour journey was sparked by none other than Larissa Love - Joico’s Global ambassador when I went over to Los Angeles in 2019. One minute I was a dark drown; the next, she unveiled this outstanding bleach blonde, Transforming myself in the act. In Vital we it’s safe to say we do a lot and i mean ALOT of blondes. After our recent team meeting it became apparent that the same questions where cropping up. Therefore we have created this guide.
8 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Getting White Blonde Hair:
1. Consult your calendar.
This isn’t a decision that should be made impulsively. Having bright, white blonde hair is a serious transformation and one that will take some getting used to. I spent the first 24 hours in a panic that I would never recognise myself in the mirror again, and it took at least a week to acknowledge how much I really loved it.
Thankfully, I had a quiet week with no big plans. I wouldn’t recommend jumping in if you have, say, a wedding or a family event to attend in the next few days. It’s highly likely that Aunt Joan will gasp, and you’ll want to be 100% confident with it to be able to take that on the chin.
2. There are various shades of white.
If you thought that there was only one shade of white, you need to do a smidge more research before settling down in the salon chair. From creamy bleach to almost a purple, pearly white, there’s a lot to choose from, so it’s a good idea to think about what look you’re going for. Remembering not all hair can be all shades.
Our experts will be able to help guide you depending on your skin tone, but the last thing you want is to go in hoping for poppy Delevingne–esque ends and leave with a silvery sheen. I opted for a Matt silver as I knew creamier tones would make my cool complexion feel too pink. The good news is, you can rely on us to help you understand your skin tone as with all things as we age skin pigmentation will change and need to be compensated for with any hair colour.
3. It’s not a quick transformation.
My first appointment took 4.5 hours, and be prepared to hear a lot of technical jargon, But its important that you are taken on the journey with us or your chosen hairdresser. We always break down the steps beforehand so you know exactly what products were being used and what each does.
First we applied Joico Blondelife cream lightener which is formulated for maximum comfort and hair integrity combined with Olaplex to mid-sections, then roots, followed by the ends—a bonding service to ensure we retained the integrity of my hair during the process. Then she separated each section with a foil to seal in moisture and heat to help with the lifting process. Finally, she toned using Joico Demi-Dimensional liquid colour which will neutralize yellow tones and balance the Ph of the hair, and finished with Olaplex No2 for 10 minutes.
4. Bleach (pre-lightener) is intense.
For some reason I didn’t even consider that applying layers upon layers of bleach straight to my scalp might be the slightest bit uncomfortable. So when I began to feel a burning sensation at the back of my head, I wondered if i was having a reaction as this was the first time I personally ever had colour on my own head.
Thankfully I wasn’t, and it was a normal part of the process. It’s not agony, but I would recommend leaving the turtleneck at home as it can get a little toasty. On the plus side, it does elevate the cool hair rinse and head massage to whole new heights of comfort.
5. It’s seriously high maintenance
And I don’t just mean in the salon. Before your appointment, it’s a good idea to pretreat your hair with heaps of protective oils as, unsurprisingly, bleach can take its toll.
Post-appointment, your hair will have been stripped of a lot of its goodness (pigment, protein, and oils) and might feel weak and damaged—especially if you have a very fine texture or light blonde tones. You can add moisture and nourishment with intense conditioning treatments Like Joico’s K-pak range or Olaplex No4 and No5 shampoo and conditioner.
And if you start to see any tinges of yellow, run out and find a bottle of Joico’s Blondelife Violet shampoo and conditioner this product contains violet tones to keep the yellow at bay whilst nourishing your hair with Oils. If you have the colour to the root, you’ll also likely need a touch-up strictly every six to eight weeks.
6. You can’t quickly reverse it.
You need to be patient. You could go cold turkey and grow it out, but if your natural hair is any darker than a regular blonde, the root line will likely be too dramatic. The best way would be to gradually dye it deeper shades and then let your natural root grow through. Either way, it will take time.
7. It can be expensive.
Even without the upkeep and maintenance, the initial appointment is an investment. I seriously would advise, however, not doing it on the cheap. The only thing scarier than dyeing your hair bright white is doing it somewhere that doesn’t take appropriate care.
8. You won’t regret it.
Regardless of my initial panic post-bleach, I feel like this was the hair I was born to have. (I was, in fact, born with it, before it faded at age 11). If you’ve thought about taking the plunge for longer than a fleeting moment, then there’s no better time than now to channel your inner Xtina.
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