Of the 65% of women who have blonde hair, only about 10% are actually born that way. Which means that the other 55% need to be doing some damage control to keep their lightened strands healthy, strong and shiny! Other than seeing a professional for any and all highlights (the most important rule!), the following are 6 essential tips to protect your platinum investment:
1. Wash With A Repairing Shampoo
Despite the beautiful shade it creates, bleach is truly a hair's worst enemy. The stress it causes can leave hair looking dull and lifeless…not to mention, breaking! The best way to remedy this is to use a repairing shampoo. We recommend Kerastase's Bain Densite ($39). It is specifically formulated for "life-stressed" hair and works to restore hair's youthful beauty.
2. Use a Nourishing Oil
Oils deserve the hype they have been receiving lately…they work because they act as funnel, allowing nutrients to sink in where they are needed most. The best oils are multi-functioning oils, like Bumble and bumble's Hairdresser's Invisible Oil ($38), which features a luxurious blend of six oils that add softness and shine, tame flyways, and contain a UV filter to protect the hair from future damage.
3. Shampoo Less
With the invention of dry shampoo, there's really no reason to lather up everyday. We love Bumble and bumble's Pret-a-Powder ($26) because it not only dries up oil; it also adds volume and conceals re-growth!
4. Tone + Condition
There are lots of purple-hued products out there, but we love Shu Uemura's Cool Blonde Color Lustre Balm ($58) because it deep conditions the hair as it tones. We recommend replacing it with your usual conditioner once every 4 weeks to keep brassiness at bay.
5. Prime Your Canvas
You've heard of priming your skin before applying make-up, but did you know you should be priming your hair as well? Primers create a foundation for the hair, aiding in detangling, nourishing and equalizing the hair shaft. They in turn allow styling products to perform at their highest potential. Bumble and bumble has just come out with Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Primer ($26). It's truly the perfect primer for blondes because it protects against breakage, heat styling and UV rays.
6. Ditch Your Rubber Hair-Ties
Fabric hair-ties are a blonde's best friend. Emi-Jay Hair-Ties ($11.99) won't tug on hair or leave a crease!
