It’s that time of year again where hundreds of clients come into our salon looking to lighten their locks for that quintessential summer look. As we proudly put the integrity of your hair above profit, we won’t just take you to bright blonde if your hair can’t handle it. Instead, we take a slower approach, going lighter over time.

Our hair experts have put together a guide to going blonder without compromising the health of your hair to help you get the look you want, while still maintaining your hair condition.

The number one thing we would recommend is having a consultation with a professional to see if going blonde is achievable for your hair. It could be that your hair is too damaged, you’ve got previous colour on your hair (especially tricky if it’s a box dye), or the colour you are now is too far away from blonde – or the specific shade of blonde – to change too drastically in one sitting.

Whatever your goal, any hairdresser worth their salt should help you get there without damaging your hair, so you may need to adjust your expectations of what can be achieved in one session ever so slightly. But trust us, you won’t ever regret taking a more conservative approach when bleaching your hair.

We can break the base by trying different approaches, such as highlights or balayage, rather than a full head of platinum blonde to start incrementally going lighter and avoid jumping in to a full head of blonde.

This gradual approach not only minimises damage but also allows you to ease into your new look, giving you time to adjust and ensuring a more natural transition. Opt for face-framing highlights or strategically placed balayage to add dimension and brightness without over-processing your hair. This is a great way to get that natural sun-kissed look, too.



Following on from this, at your next appointment your stylist can then add to your recent appointment to build on your blonde by summer.

Realistically, this depends on several factors for your hair, including:

• Your natural colour
• The quality of your hair
• If any dye is present
• How drastic a change you want

But definitely get in with your stylist in the spring to see what you can achieve by summer. Styling consultants can talk you through a step-by-step plan of the process to follow.

The products you use on your hair when bleaching will make a huge difference to the quality long term. From pre-wash treatments, salon-quality shampoo and conditioner and products – you want to nourish and protect your hair.

Products we recommend:

• Matrix Colour Obsessed Shampoo and Conditioner
• Matrix Brass Off Shampoo and Conditioner
• Olaplex No.3 Bond Repair Treatment
• Olaplex No. 5 & 6 Shampoo and Conditioner

Look for gentle lightening formulas enriched with conditioning agents and botanical extracts to help minimise damage and keep your hair looking healthy and vibrant. Additionally, invest in a good quality purple or blue shampoo to neutralise any brassiness and keep your blonde looking fresh between salon visits.

The sun can change your hair in a few different ways, from lightening the colour the drying up the moisture, so we regularly talk about the importance of sun protection for hair as just like your skin, hair can suffer from sun damage too.

We see a lot of clients post summer with dried-up locks that require a big chop when protecting your hair from UV and sun could prevent such a significant cut so be sure to take care of your hair through the summer months, especially if you’ve had your hair bleached.

The right products can create a barrier against environmental aggressors while keeping your hair hydrated and shiny.

Products we recommend:

• Neal and Wolf Rapid Blow Dry Mist
• Matrix Keep Me Vivid Leave In Velvetizer
  

Now you know that going blonde is not a one-and-done approach so to keep your blonde looking fresh and vibrant, schedule regular salon visits for touch-ups and maintenance. Your stylist can assess the condition of your hair and make any necessary adjustments to ensure your colour remains flawless.

Each appointment will take you closer to the finished summer look you want, and in doing so, you’ll maintain healthy and soft hair.

Additionally, when you’re in the salon, ask for recommendations on salon professional products specifically formulated for blonde hair to help maintain its glossy shine between appointments.

Remember, the key is to prioritise the health of your hair and work with a professional stylist who can guide you through the lightening process with care and expertise.

You can’t rush perfection.

If you’re not looking to go blonde, but you want to add some warmth and dimension to your brunette hair, we’ve put together a detailed guide on how to lighten your brunette hair for summer, designed to help you understand how to add depth to your hair whilst avoiding brassy or red tones.