It can take years to reach your ‘right’ shade of blonde, especially if you’re shifting from warm to cool: silver hair, why play so hard to get? With all that time and hard-earned cash invested in our locks, watching colour fade is a heartbreaker. To make you blonde hair last as long as possible – and maintain that fresh-from-the-salon vibrance – here’s what you need to do.
By Rachel Spedding
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1 Use a UV protective spray
UV rays can alter colour, dry out strands, and cause split ends. Make sure to spritz in a UV hair protectant to hydrate your locks and save them from the sunshine. Scalp protector is a thing too, so if you’re heading for sunny climes, layer it on your part to avoid damaging the skin.
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2 Invest in purple shampoo
This will keep your colour from going brassy (unlike other shampoos that aren’t formulated for blonde hair specifically). Use it once a week – between a colour treating shampoo – and your blonde will stay toned to your liking. Wash it before things turn lilac. Unless that's what you're going for.
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3 Deep condition often
Bleached hair has been stripped of colour and moisture, so it's thirsty for nourishing. Avoid straw-like locks with a deep conditioning treatment. A head massage feels pretty good too, so head to the salon for your treatment.
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4 Leave in condition
DIY it at home too. Opt for a leave-in conditioner once every week or so for an extra dose of hydration to the ends of your hair. Apply your spray or cream straight out the shower and brush through with a wide tooth comb before styling. Easy.
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5 All hail dry shampoo
The queen of all hair products. Invest in a good one, and make your two-day hair go even further. Frequent washing can gradually fade your colour, so turn to the bottle instead for a little freshen-up (it'll spritz on white too, so will probably mask root regrowth – just saying…).
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6 Protect from the pool
If you’re about to take a dip, use bottled water to wet your hair first. It sounds a little extreme, but it’s true. If you hair is already wet when you hop in the pool, it won’t soak up as much chlorine from the water. Save yourself from unwanted green hair transformations and get dousing that Evian.
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7 No more heat
Take care with heat styling. Remember that blonde hair is dried out to begin with, so curling, straightening, crimping (pardon?), and hair drying will take their toll on your locks. Always use a protective spray, and leave your locks natural now and then.
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8 Dry it gently
Instead of a towel, use a t-shirt to dry your hair post-shower. Towel friction can cause frizz and brittle strands, while the soft cotton of a t-shirt will help to maintain your hair’s natural moisture.
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FAQs
How can you protect your blonde hair from the sun?
Use a UV protective spray to shield your blonde hair from harmful UV rays. Sun exposure can fade colour, dry out strands, and cause split ends. Spritz a UV protectant for hydration and always consider scalp protection when spending time outdoors.
What does purple shampoo do for your hair colour?
Purple shampoo helps keep blonde hair from turning brassy and maintains your preferred tone. Use it once a week, alternating with colour-treating shampoo, to ensure your blonde shade stays fresh and vibrant. Avoid overuse to prevent lilac tones.
How often should you deep condition bleached blonde hair?
Deep condition your hair regularly to restore lost moisture and avoid straw-like strands. Bleached hair is especially thirsty and needs frequent nourishing treatments. A salon head massage during conditioning can also enhance the experience.
Can leave-in conditioner help your blonde hair last longer?
Yes, a leave-in conditioner adds hydration and helps maintain colour-treated hair’s vibrance. Apply it once a week after showering, brushing through with a wide tooth comb for best results. This extra moisture keeps the ends healthy and looking fresh.
Why is dry shampoo better than frequent washing for blonde hair?
Dry shampoo helps extend the life of your colour by reducing how often you need to wash your hair. Frequent washing can cause faster colour fade, so using dry shampoo instead keeps your hair fresh and even helps mask regrowth at the roots.
How can you protect your hair during swimming?
Wet your hair with bottled water before getting in the pool to limit chlorine absorption. Pre-wetting your hair prevents unwanted colour changes, like green hues, keeping your blonde shade looking its best after swimming.