11 Things You Need To Know Before You Go Blonde

Guys, I’m doing it. I’m finally going blonde. Remember how I recently decided to change my boring, blah hair and asked all of you for your advice on it? Well, one very smart reader pointed out that because I’ll need to go blonde on my way to blue anyway, I might as well stay at that stage for a while and enjoy it!

Next week, I’ll be visiting Hairroin Salon here in New York to have its artistic director Luis transform me from mousy “meh” hair to a cool shade of ash blonde. I think it’ll be a fun change that will make for lots of style explorations straight into autumn, even though I am admittedly nervous. If you’re thinking of making a similar transition into being a blonde, here are the things you need to think about first. After all, you can never be too prepared when it comes to doing a dramatic style shift!

1. What kind of blonde you want to be.

I don’t mean “are you a Marilyn or a Veronica?” in personality (though I am hoping I’ll settle somewhere around Mae West) so much as the actual type of blonde hair you want. Do you want lots of highlights and lowlights or all one shade? Would you like to blend different shades of blonde or have them separated in big chunks?

2. The “temperature” hair you want.

If you want a “warmer” hair temperature, you’ll be looking more for a golden or honey blonde. These shades do not flatter my complexion in the slightest, as I am very pale with blueish undertones in my skin, so I’ll be aiming for a cool ash tone that will compliment my skin and features. If you’re a redhead (or just wish you were), you could give strawberry blonde a try!

3. Whether you’re going professional or doing DIY.

Look, you know we are all about saving money around these parts, but I firmly believe there are some things you just shouldn’t skimp on. For example, don’t do your own eyelash extensions if you are not a trained professional, and even then, it’s probably not the most wise choice. Don’t attempt to shape your brows if you have never even plucked or waxed them yourself before. Don’t do chemical peels on yourself! There are plenty of beauty processes that are simply best left done to professionals.

Yes, you can DIY your transformation into a blonde. But as somebody who has personally done that jump on my own more than a few times, I can tell you that it is very difficult to do well. I’ve dyed my hair blue, purple, orange, red, brown, black, neon ombre (remind me to get photos of that for here someday…), but none were as complicated as going blonde. If you plan on doing this, be sure to consult a trained pro and do lots of research in order to get the best advice on which products work, how to use them, and how to avoid hurting yourself.

4. There’s a risk of getting burned.

This is one of the main reasons I do not advise folks to go blonde by themselves. I have burned my scalp before when bleaching my own hair, which was probably one of the most awful beauty experiences I have ever had. Yes, there are lots of measures you can take in order to avoid this type of negative consequence, but it is obviously much more difficult to check out what’s going on towards the back of another person’s head than your own. And if you’re overly cautious, you risk not actually getting all the hair and winding up with cheetah spots (which are awesome for manicures, not so much for hairstyles unless it’s totally intentional).

5. You need to do your research if you opt to go to a pro.

While going to a salon may minimize some of the nasty risks, they do not eliminate them–especially if you go to somebody who’s not reputable. Be sure to check Yelp reviews or get a recommendation from a reliable friend (i.e. not your buddy who exclusively uses $20 Living Social deals and has low standards for cleanliness).

6. You should have some examples ready.

While your stylist will consult you at length regarding the result you want and will customize the process to your hair and face, it can be helpful to bring along a few reference photos to show to him or her. Pinterest is an invaluable tool for finding loads of images that can help you pinpoint the shade you’re searching for.

7. You won’t be able to wash your hair as often.

The more you cleanse your locks, the more quickly your shade will fade. Instead, pick a great dry shampoo (I’ve been using Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo lately) and stick with it, or make your own if you’re so inclined.

8. When you do wash, you’ll have to use blonde-specific shampoo and conditioner.

Not all beauty products are created equal for blonde hair, so do your research and find ones that not only work for your hair texture (thin, coarse, curly, etc.) but also your new blonde hair. A solid color-saving shampoo and conditioner set could save you lots of money on upkeep! And make sure to deep conditioner regularly–though it’s good to do this no matter what hair shade you’ve got–because going blonde can be a stressful process for your hair.

9. You’ll have to do a lot of upkeep.

Just like getting a pixie cut, dramatically changing your hair can require quite a bit of upkeep. If you have fairly light hair, the shift between your natural and unnatural shades may not be as noticeable, but darker brunettes or redheads will have to deal with annoying roots. My hair grows unreasonably quickly, so in the past, I have wound up requiring upkeep every four or so weeks, but many women I know go to do maintenance between six and eight weeks.

10. It can get expensive.

Because of the aforementioned upkeep issue and the fact that it’s simply more expensive in most salons than all-over regular dye, doing maintenance on your blonde hair can get pricy. If you’re lucky enough to work at a salon, date a hairdresser, or have really awesome stylist friends, you may be able to reduce how much this costs, but otherwise, count on dropping some cash every six or so weeks on doing your roots.

11. Your wardrobe and makeup might have to change.

Suddenly, shades that looked amazing on you before might look a little weird–changing your hair sometimes does that. Even though it’s a little awkward at first to figure out what hues look great with your new hair color, it will also be a ton of fun to play around and experiment!

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