How to Maintain Blonde Hair: The Complete Guide
It takes a lot of skill to achieve the perfect shade of blonde. So, when your client reaches their dream color, the last thing they want is for their flawless shade to turn brassy or dull. No one is better placed to show them how to maintain blonde hair than you – their colorist – which is why we've pulled together must-have blonde hair care tips you can pass on for their at-home regimen. But, first…
Before You Color Your Client's Hair
Blonde maintenance begins before the hair is colored. It's important that, during consultation, you ask your client how committed they are to follow-up appointments, so you can tailor your technique accordingly. You should also consider their natural starting point and how blonde they hope to go. These details will allow you to recommend a style of blonde that they find easy to maintain.
If they have dark hair and want full-head blonde: Visible regrowth can start to show quicker on brunettes compared to if they have a naturally lighter starting point. The transformation becomes even higher-maintenance when they opt for full-head color. To keep their blonde looking fresh from roots to ends, these clients will require touch-up appointments every four to six weeks.
If they want natural-looking highlights: Opt for babylights. These are micro-fine highlights that mimic the brightness of a childhood blonde. Think soft, sun-kissed and unbelievably seamless. Typically, clients can enjoy this look for eight to 12 weeks before needing to head back to the salon, making it lower maintenance than full-head color or traditional highlights.
If they want a low-maintenance look: Softer still is balayage. Even if you apply it to dark hair for a brunette balayage, the highlights start an inch or more down from the root, resulting in the lowest maintenance blonde. For this look, you can keep the root natural, or you can even add a root tap or root shadow for subtle enhancement. While your client may want the ends toned or glossed regularly, they can go up to four months without needing fresh highlights. Recommend this technique for clients who can't commit to regular touch-ups.
How to Keep Blonde Hair Healthy with At-Home Care: 8 Blonde Hair Care Tips
1. Switch Between Blonde-Boosting Shampoos
There are two kinds of shampoo every blonde client needs: a purple shampoo and a color care shampoo. The purple shampoo (also known as blonde shampoo) neutralizes brassy tones to restore blondes back to their brightest. So, advise your client to use INVIGO Blonde Recharge Color Refreshing Shampoo when they notice their color has yellow or orange tones running through. It's simple; all they need to do is lather up, leave it on for three to five minutes, and rinse out thoroughly.
Then, when they're not using a purple shampoo, your blonde client should be reaching for formulas that care for their color and their unique hair type. So, how do you help them choose their perfect products? Follow this guide...
For Antioxidant Protection: ColorMotion+
All of the Wella Professionals shampoos you’re seeing here are infused with Metal Purifier, so the metals found in tap water, which are notorious for fading blonde shades, are neutralized as the hair is washed. But, if your client lives in a particularly polluted area, they may want extra protection. That's where ColorMotion+ Color Protection Shampoo steps in. Brimming with antioxidants, it keeps air pollution particles at bay, so blondes stay fresher, brighter and healthier for longer. It pairs perfectly with the ColorMotion+ Moisturizing Color Reflection Conditioner; a hydrating cream that gives your client stronger hair¹ with up to eight weeks of color protection².
For Instant Shine: INVIGO Brilliance
If your client has what's classed as 'normal' hair – not dry, damaged or dull – their blonde hair care routine should be all about maintaining healthy shine from wash to wash. INVIGO Brilliance Color Protection Shampoo is their go-to, with Lime Caviar to keep hair strands nourished and glossy. Plus, they can tailor it to their hair texture, with formulas for Fine/Medium Hair and Coarse Hair. Team it up with INVIGO Brilliance Vibrant Color Conditioner for instant detangling and dullness-defying radiance. This dream team guarantees glossiness from root to tip.
For Deep Damage Repair: ULTIMATE REPAIR
If your client's blonde hair is damaged – whether from heat, chemical treatments or everyday wear and tear – only the most sumptuous shampoo will get it looking and feeling healthy again. The ULTIMATE REPAIR Shampoo is the answer. It deeply yet delicately cleanses compromised strands, whisking away dirt and grime that can, over time, lead to hair breakage. It also sets hair up for the bond-rebuilding process. Then, follow with the ULTIMATE REPAIR Conditioner, which features a skincare-inspired blend of ingredients that replenishes hair from the inside out.
2. Apply a Weekly Hair Mask
Moisture is a must for healthy-looking hair, no matter your client's shade. That's why we recommend they treat their blonde locks to a weekly mask that protects against hair damage. ULTIMATE REPAIR Mask is as nourishing as it gets, making detangling 6x easier³. Plus, it features adaptive technology to deliver care where it's needed most through unevenly damaged hair. So, if your client is dealing with breakage through the mid-section, dryness on the ends and dullness at the roots, smart conditioning agents will track down areas of stress and treat hair strands to deep repair.
All your client has to do is smooth the mask through clean, damp hair, allow it to absorb for up to 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with warm water. A final blast of cool water will add a little extra shine.
3. Prevent and Repair Damage in 90 Seconds
The healthier your client's hair is, the glossier their blonde will appear. That's why a treatment that not only prevents signs of stress but fixes them is a must for radiant tresses. Enter ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue, an innovative leave-in treatment that does exactly that, repairing hair damage in just 90 seconds⁴. If your client wants real, visible results they can see and feel after one use, recommend they mist it through clean, towel-dried hair from root to tip. In under two minutes, hair will be 12x smoother⁵ with 99% less breakage⁶. It's called a 'miracle' for a reason.
4. Try a Shower Filter
The water that comes from your shower head is often loaded with an abundance of damaging minerals, all prone to fading color fast and making shades of blonde look brassy. So, suggest clients fit a shower head filter, which will give them cleaner, gentler, purer water that doesn't impact their salon hue. Blondes will stay brighter for longer.
5. Hold Off on Heat Styling
When possible, clients should try to reduce the use of heated tools, giving colored locks a break from blow dries, straightening and curling, which can cause their shade to fade. But when they do use hot tools, recommend they safeguard strands with ULTIMATE REPAIR Protective Leave-In first. This delicate cream protects against the five biggest hair concerns: breakage, UV exposure, mechanical damage, frizz and heat (up to 230°C/450°F). Plus, it helps to smooth, nourish and seal for the perfect finish. A must for blondes who know that extra care = healthier, glossier hair.
6. Protect Hair Against Sun and Swimming
While UV and heat protection sprays are great for safeguarding blonde strands, sometimes clients need extra reinforcement in the face of harsh sun and plunges in the pool. On scorching hot days, they should grab a headscarf or a wide-brimmed hat to shield their blonde locks. Meanwhile, a swim cap is a must to protect their hair from shade-fading chlorine. (Goodbye, chlorine green-tinged ends.) Another trick for protecting hair from pool and sea water: tell your client that, before they take a dive, they should drench their hair in clean water first. Then it won't soak up as much of the chlorine or salt.
7. Finish Styles with the Right Shine Spray
Hair color looks better when it's brimming with shine. However, blonde tones don't tend to reflect the light as well as brunettes, which means they might need a little extra help in the luminosity department. EIMI Glam Mist, a weightless booster, is perfect for veiling locks in gloss and glow. Suggest your clients mist it over their freshly styled hair for instant sparkle. If their hair is dry or coarse (or both), they'll love EIMI Oil Spritz, which teams dazzle with deep nourishment. They can spray it directly onto damp or dry hair, then smooth through with fingertips.
8. Book in for Regular Trims
Snipping off split ends isn't going to do anything to boost color retention, but it is going to make your client's hair look healthier. That's why we recommend booking them in for a cut every six to eight weeks. Stress the importance of these trims for a bouncier blonde that looks fresh and flawless. Combine with a blonde glossing service for a super-speedy hair refresh.
How to Keep Blonde Hair Blonde in Between Appointments
Never underestimate the power of a color glaze. For blondes, it's a must-have in-salon top-up that can be booked in between color appointments to maintain tone and enhance shine. A Shinefinity Speed Glaze is so quick, you can do it on your client's lunch break. Recommend they book one in if their blonde is prone to fading or they're dealing with brassy shades.
Here's how you carry out the service:
Step 1: Shampoo
Start by washing your client's hair to remove any build-up or residue. This leaves locks perfectly prepped for the best results from their hair glaze.
Step 2: Mix
Mix your client's ideal blonde shade (or shades) of Shinefinity with the Bottle Activator, which lets you enhance their color with ultra targeted precision.
Step 3: Apply
On towel-dried hair, apply your client's Shinefinity Speed Glaze from root to tip or, if you're refreshing a balayage or ombre, on the blonde sections of hair. Allow it to develop for up to 10 minutes.
Step 4: Rinse
Finish by rinsing out your client's glaze, then dry and style hair as usual. It's that simple!
Watch a Shinefinity Speed Glaze in Action:
For those who want to refresh their color at home, the Color Fresh Mask is a 10-minute DIY solution that deposits a hint of glossy pigment to ensure hair looks freshly-colored. Warm, golden blondes should opt for the Golden Gloss mask, while cool-toned and platinum blondes will love Pearl Blonde or Lilac Frost. Here's how to use it:
Step 1: Shampoo
Your client should start by washing their hair as usual with their favorite shampoo, then squeeze out excess water until locks are damp rather than wet.
Step 2: Apply
Next, they apply their chosen Color Fresh Mask from root to tip or just to blonde sections, depending on their look. It takes just 10 minutes to develop.
Step 3: Rinse
Once those 10 minutes are up, it's time for your client to thoroughly rinse their hair. There's no need for a follow-up conditioner; their revived locks are ready for drying and styling.
See the Color Fresh Mask Transform Blonde Hair:
Looking for more ways to help your client care for their hair? Discover our complete collection of Hair Care Guides, featuring tips for every type and concern.
¹ When using Structure+ Mask vs. no treatment.
² When using Structure+ Mask.
³ When wet, vs. non-conditioning shampoo.
⁴ When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue.
⁵ Vs. non-conditioning shampoo.
⁶ When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue. Instrumental test versus non-conditioning shampoo.
