The Instagram world took a collective gasp three weeks ago when Lena Dunham revealed she’d bleached her light-brown locks to platinum blonde. Now, her pal and GIRLS co-star Zosia Mamet has followed suit and gone full-blonde. “It’s about standing out in the crowd and making a big change,†says Wella Professional Color Ambassador Jennifer J. “Going super blonde sometimes is a big attention-getter, so you will find the trend usually catching on quickly.†We asked her the rules behind getting that attention-grabbing shade.
Rule One: ALWAYS Go Pro
While it may be cheaper and more convenient to bleach your hair at home, Jennifer J. says it’s really not worth the risk. “This can cause serious damage when not done properly,†she says. Bleach is a strong chemical that removes the color from the hair strand, which can harm you and your hair. A professional colorist will be sure not to fry your strands or burn your scalp with the bleach necessary to go platinum.
Rule Two: Ask The Right Questions
Changing your hairstyle should always be a conversation between you and your stylist. While you know what you want, they probably know what will look good on your coloring and hair type. Jennifer J. says that you need to ask your stylist questions regarding how platinum may (or may not!) work for you. “What you need to ask is, ‘can my hair handle it?’ ‘How often will I need to do my roots?’ Do you think it will look good on me?’†says Jennifer J.
Rule Three: Know When It’s Not For You
To avoid the heartbreak of being told the style you have set your heart on is not going to work, take a good look in the mirror. Jennifer J. says that if you have baby fine hair, you should run the other direction from bleach – it will inevitably compromise your locks and cause breakage. If your hair is dyed black, she says it may never get purely platinum, maintaining an orange cast no matter how much bleach you use. Skin tone is important, too! If you have pink undertones, she says platinum will make you look even pinker.
Rule Four: Accept That It May Be Damaging
Completely stripping your hair of its melanin (the pigment that makes your hair brunette) is not a walk in the park. “It’s such a major process,†Jennifer J says. She warns that the bleach, which will have to sit on your hair until it reaches the desired level of blonde, can seriously compromise the integrity of your stands, making it brittle and dry. This isn’t something that will go away after a day or two – it is the new status-quo your strands may have from here on out until you decide to grow it out.
Rule Five: Deep Condition, Deep Condition, Deep Condition
Dry, bleached hair requires extra special care. After going platinum, Jennifer J. says you absolutely need to invest in a good deep conditioner. Thirsty strands will soak up hydrating ingredients, giving the appearance of healthy hair while slowly repairing overtime. “The right ingredients to look for are Keratin and oils such as almond and argan,†says Jennifer J. Her favorite is the Wella Professionals LuxeOil Keratin Restore Mask ($28.60, beautybay.com)
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