Keen on venturing into the super chic white blonde arena? With Jessica Chastain's Met Gala transformation proving a resounding success, it seems the platinum shade is a hot topic. And while we love a hair transformation as much as the next person, when it comes to this shade in particular there's a lot to consider.
The last few years - during lockdown, in particular - has seen many people go nuclear on their hair. Dua Lipa dyed her strands "orangina quarantina", after first rocking pink. Hilary Duff switched from blonde to ocean blue and over on TikTok, the "just did a bad thing" challenge has seen hundreds of people attempt a DIY dye job. Some worked out brilliantly. Some… did not.
Thankfully I've so far managed to resist the urge to brighten my dull roots at home, instead favouring a professional touch to get my hair back to its bleachiest best.
The actor literally became Karl Lagerfeld.
My own colour journey was sparked in 2018 by none other than Taylor Swift. One minute she was mousy, like me, the next she unveiled this outstanding white blonde bob, totally transforming herself in the act.
Several years – and one striking, metallic Met Gala appearance – later, Taylor’s own hair may have returned to its safe place, but my obsession with those show-stopping strands had not subsided since I first paid a visit to top London salon Larry King to meet Harriet Muldoon, Hair Colourist to the stars (including bleach-queen Pixie Lott) and all-round blonde expert, to take the plunge.
Now, several years later and still converted, here's my 8-step guide to the things you should do and know before going white blonde…
CONSULT YOUR CALENDAR
This isn’t a decision that should be made impulsively. Having a bright white head of hair is a serious transformation and one that will take some getting used to. I spent the first 24 hours in a mad 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 family event to attend in the next few days. It’s highly likely that Aunt Joan will gasp, and you’ll need to be 100% confident with it to be able to take that on the chin.
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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 a warm, creamy bleach to an almost purple, pearly white, it’s a good idea to think about what look you’re going for.
Your hairdresser will be able to help guide you depending on your skin tone, but the last thing you want is to go in hoping for creamy Poppy Delevingne-esque ends and leave with a silvery sheen.
I opted for a creamier blonde as I thought lilac tones would make my pale complexion feel too cold. There are plenty of places you can go to on try on different colours virtually – try Redken's Virtual Hair Colour Tool or L'Oreal's Style My Hair app.
IT’S NOT A QUICK TRANSFORMATION
My appointment took 4.5 hours, during which you might hear a lot of technical jargon which goes straight over your head. Harriet broke down the steps for me beforehand so that I knew exactly what products were being used and what each did:
- Apply Redken Flashlift always including pH Bonder to mid-sections, then roots, followed by the ends – a bonding service to ensure we retain the integrity of the hair during the process.
- Separate each section with a foil to seal in moisture and heat to help with the lifting process.
- Tone using Redken Shades EQ 9V to neutralise yellow tones, and finish with PH Bonder part 2 for ten minutes.
BEAUTY IS PAIN
For some reason, I didn’t even consider that applying layers upon layers of bleach straight onto my scalp might be the slightest bit uncomfortable. So when I began to feel a burning sensation at the back of my head I panicked that I was having an allergic reaction.
Thankfully I wasn’t, and it was a totally normal part of the process. It’s not agony but I would recommend leaving the knitwear at home as it can get a little toasty. On the plus side, it does elevate the cool hair rinse/head massage to whole new heights of deliciousness.
IT’S SERIOUSLY HIGH-MAINTENANCE
And I don’t just mean in the salon. Before your appointment, it’s a good idea to pre-treat 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 Redken Extreme Strength Builder or Ultimate Remedy Masque by Shu Uemura Art of Hair.
And if you start to see any tinges of yellow shudder, run out and find a bottle of silver shampoo such as Pro:voke's Touch of Silver or Bleach London’s Silver Shampoo & Conditioner. If you have the colour all the way to the root, you’ll also likely need a touch-up every 6-8 weeks.
Clean and beautiful.
AND IF YOU WANT TO GO BACK…?
You need to be patient. You could go cold turkey and grow it out, but if your natural hair is any darker than a mid-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.
IT CAN BE EXPENSIVE
Even without the up-keep and maintenance, the initial appointment is an investment with prices starting from £250 at Larry King.
I seriously would advise, however, not doing it on the cheap. The only thing scarier than bleaching your hair bright white is doing it somewhere that doesn't take appropriate care.
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 sob).
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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