If you thought ice blonde was the lightest and brightest hair colour trend around, think again. Nordic blonde is as platinum as platinum gets, pushing blonde hues to their limits with a high-lift, high-impact sheen. The shade may be singular in tone, but that doesn’t make it any less bold and beautiful; in fact, the pureness of a Nordic blonde only adds to its stunning vibrancy. Here, we reveal everything you need to know about creating a Nordic white hue for your clients – featuring pro formulas, ‘before and after’ shots, and tricks for maintenance…
Image Credit: @glambylexx_
Image Credit: @cameronkepford
How Do You Get Nordic Blonde Hair?
No two Nordic white creations can be perfected in the same way, as the journey to this pure blonde hue relies heavily on your client’s starting point. While someone with already light blonde locks could reach these lifted heights in a single session, a brunette will need a few appointments before their hair hits an icy level 10. Assess your ‘canvas’ carefully and make sure that, when lightening, you follow these platinum principles to protect the hair’s integrity…
Image Credit: @thezachmesquit
Image Credit: @ksenia_salonx
1. Know Your Client’s Full Hair History
How your client has treated their hair in the past will affect its blonde future, so make sure you know of any treatments or dyes they’ve used – especially if they’re new to your salon. For example, if they’ve previously switched from brunette to blonde and back again, there may be orange undertones or visible banding that shows up when you apply the lightener. If they have a history of dabbling with red hair colours, there could be some excess warmth and brassiness to tackle. Or, if they’re prone to hair breakage, you’ll need to take a delicate approach to lifting their locks. A big Nordic blonde transformation needs to be planned out with care, so always make time for a consultation to manage your client’s expectations.
2. Choose the Lightener and Prep the Scalp Carefully
Root-to-tip, all-over lifting (to a level 10, no less) requires a special kind of lightening product. That’s why, for bold transformations like a Nordic blonde, we recommend reaching for BlondorPlex. Because it’s infused with our Plex ingredient, it strengthens the internal structure of the hair, while offering up to nine levels of lift to set the scene for a brighter, more luminous blonde. Nordic blonde is a consistently clean hue, so if your client’s hair has some banding, you may need to apply BlondorPlex with a higher volume developer in more resistant areas (but no more than 6% on the scalp). Remember, also, that this trend features very little root shadow – if any at all – so sensitive scalps may need added protection. Use the Marula Oil Blend Scalp Primer to shield delicate skin without compromising on your client’s blonde.
3. Reach for Almost White Shades of Toner
Once you’ve lifted your client’s hair to the correct level, it’s time to add an icy cool toner. Think pure, frosty and almost white. There are many shades like this to choose from in the Wella colour portfolio, but these are just some of our favourites – each Nordic-inspired in their own way:
- Color Touch in 10/81 or 10/6
- Koleston Perfect in 10/16, 10/81 or 10/96
- Color Fresh in 0/89 or 10/81
Allow to develop, then wash out with INVIGO Color Brilliance Color Protection Shampoo, followed by the Post Service Treatment to neutralize. Next, locks will be ready for styling.
6 Nordic Blonde Formulas
We’ve said it before, but it’s worth noting again: every Nordic blonde creation requires a unique approach. These ‘before and afters’ – complete with formulas – are here to serve up some inspiration for your masterpieces…
1. From Rooted Blonde to Nordic Blonde
Image Credit: @karamiaaa
Image Credit: @karamiaaa
It takes time, skill, and a hard-working lightener to go from seven-month regrowth to this Nordic blonde, but Karamia Kebner nailed it using Blondor and Color Touch. On pre-lightened locks, a mix of 10/6 + 9/86 + 1.9% was applied all over, leaving dark roots in the shade. Bonus tip: To save time (for you) and cost (for your client), lighten the mid area first around two centimeters off the root, and then work on the root area. The finish will be flawlessly even.
2. From Dark Blonde to Nordic Blonde
Image Credit: @brianacisneros
Image Credit: @brianacisneros
To create a true Nordic blonde, it’s important to knock out any yellow tones from the hair. For this creation, the starting point was a dark blonde with deep regrowth, meaning just a single process was needed to lighten and brighten. However, because the tone shifted from roots to ends, different BlondorPlex formulas were required. It was mixed with 6% for the regrowth, and 1.9% through the lengths, where not as much lifting was needed. The result? This pure, even, flawless finish.
3. From Ash Blonde to Nordic Blonde
Image Credit: @tpla_hairart
Image Credit: @tpla_hairart
Now, this is what you call a glow-up. From an ash blonde balayage to a Scandi-fresh delight, this blonde bob has undergone one of the cleanest transformations we’ve seen. To reach this hue, locks were first lifted using BlondorPlex, before a toning blend of Color Touch 10/0 + 10/6 + 9/36 + 1.9% was applied to complete the look.
4. Nordic Silver Blonde with a Glaze
Image Credit: @hairbyelisajohanna
Image Credit: @hairbyelisajohanna
With Shinefinity, it’s now possible to glaze your way to a Nordic silver blonde. Here, hair was lifted with Blondor first, then treated to the zero damage shade Silver Pearl 08/98. The finished look is a shimmering dream come true that brims with shine from root to tip, and there’s not a hint of yellow in sight. We are obsessed.
5. From Warm Blonde to Nordic Blonde
Image Credit: @hairbymariad
Image Credit: @hairbymariad
Toning orange hair isn’t always easy – especially when a Nordic blonde is the goal – but by lifting with BlondorPlex or Blondor Soft Blonde Cream, you can start to remove some of that excess warmth. Finish with a toner that has a hint of blue in it (because this neutralizes orange), like Color Fresh or Color Touch 10/81.
6. From Golden Blonde to Nordic Blonde
Image Credit: @hairbyelisajohanna
Image Credit: @hairbyelisajohanna
Going from golden blonde to glistening platinum is possible with patience and BlondorPlex. It’s a flawless demonstration of just how effective our bond-strengthening lightener can be. Here, it was used to lift out a sun-kissed hue and turn it beautifully snow-kissed instead, before Color Touch 9/96 + 10/81 + 1.9% sealed the deal with an extra shot of Nordic iciness.
How to Maintain Nordic Blonde Hair
Keeping Nordic white locks cool isn’t always easy – especially if the hair has underlying warmth. However, with the right tips and products, your clients can maintain their chill until their next appointment. Here’s how…
1. Use a Purple Shampoo or a Colour-Depositing Conditioner
First up, your client will need a product that can neutralize any warmth or brassiness. For this, purple shampoos and colour-depositing conditioners can make a big difference. If they prefer a shampoo, suggest they work INVIGO Cool Blonde Color Refreshing Shampoo into wet hair and leave it on for five minutes. The violet pigments will balance out orange and yellow tones to give them a cooler, cleaner finish. But if it’s a mask they want, the Color Fresh Mask in Pearl Blonde has them covered. All they have to do is comb it through clean, damp hair from root to tip, then rinse out after 10 minutes. Nordic blonde locks will shine.
2. Apply Hydrating and Bond-Strengthening Hair Masks
Coloured hair deserves a little extra support at home, so remind your clients to use a mask once per week to keep their locks in good condition. For internal bond strengthening, the WellaPlex No3 Hair Stabilizer is a must. It contains the same Plex ingredient as BlondorPlex, so it allows them to reap the full rewards of the treatment, while protecting delicate strands from breakage. Meanwhile, Oil Reflections Luminous Reboost Mask will hydrate and nourish colour-treated strands; essential for giving a Nordic blonde the moisture it needs to shine.
3. Book in for a Fusion Amino Refiller Service
To supercharge the condition of their hair, Nordic blonde clients can also book in for a hydrating salon treatment, putting care in the hands of a professional. A Fusion Amino Refiller Service is ideal, as it works to make strands more resilient, while repairing damage for a smoother, softer finish. Before they leave the salon after colouring, ask if they’d like to schedule in the Amino Refiller. It’s also a great treatment in between lightening appointments for those clients who require a few sessions to reach a bright blonde.
With these tips, your client’s Nordic blonde will be giving everyone chills – in the best way. So, lightener at the ready – it’s time to perfect this icy look…
