Going from brunette to blonde can be a big change. Many factors go into a successful color transition – from your starting shade to your desired tone, your hair’s condition, and proper techniques. With the right approach, you can safely achieve beautiful blonde hair.
Assessing Your Starting Point
The first step is determining your natural hair color and level. Hair color ranges from black (level 1) to lightest blonde (level 10). Brunette hair spans levels 3 to 5. Knowing your exact starting shade helps your colorist formulate the right bleaching and toning plan.
Book a consultation with a skilled hair colorist. They should perform a strand test to analyze the lightness and warmth of your current color. This reveals how many levels you need to lift to reach blonde. Request they take hair from around your face for the most accurate result.
Lighter brunettes with golden undertones only need to lift a couple levels to blond. Darker neutral brunettes need to lighten significantly more. Be realistic about the time and sessions this will require. Understand that some shades may not lighten to pale blonde.
Picking Your Goal Blonde Shade
Once your colorist determines your starting point, discuss blonde goals. Do you want a:
– Honey blonde – warmest of blonde tones with golden hue. Usually flattering on fair to medium complexions.
– Buttery blonde – slightly less warm than honey, but still has golden glow. Works well for pale to tan skin.
– Beige blonde – mixture of gold and ash. Great for those with neutral undertones.
– Ash blonde – cool-toned without brassiness. Best for fair skin with pink undertones.
– Platinum blonde – lightest shade without warmth, nearly white. Hardest to achieve from brunette hair.
Bring inspiration photos to your appointment. Keep your skin tone in mind. Warm golds and coppers tend to flatter warmer complexions. Cool ash tones work best with pink undertones. Something in the middle is ideal for most.
Preparing the Hair
Healthy hair lightens better and holds color more consistently. Prepare your hair weeks before lightening services. Use products aimed at repairing damage, increasing strength, and imparting moisture.
Recommended Pre-Lightening Treatments:
| Treatment | How Often | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Olaplex No. 3 | 1-2 times per week | Repairs damaged bonds |
| Protein treatments | 1-2 times per week | Strengthens strands |
| Deep conditioning masks | 2-3 times per week | Boosts moisture |
Limit heat styling that causes further damage. Get regular trims to remove split ends. Always begin lightening with the healthiest possible hair.
Lightening Sessions
Transitioning from brown to blonde requires multiple lightening or highlighting sessions. Rushing the process risks breakage and brassiness.
For dark brunettes lifting several levels, schedule appointments 4-6 weeks apart. Lighter brunettes need 2-4 weeks between sessions. Highlighting every month allows the healthiest transition.
First appointments focus on achieving the palest base. Later sessions build brightness and dimension. Your colorist should assess your hair before booking follow-ups.
Use a purple shampoo and deep conditioner between lightening. Tone hair as needed to neutralize orange. Be diligent about aftercare to maintain integrity.
Lightener Formulations
The products used make a significant difference in results. Insist your colorist uses professional lighteners designed for safest lifting.
Look for formulas containing conditioning agents like glycerin and nourishing oils. These provide some protection against damage during lightening.
Low-volume developers around 10 or 20 volume minimize stress while lifting. Higher volumes speed up lightening at the cost of hair health.
Olaplex added to lightener repairs bonds during the coloring process. It supports strongest, healthiest results. Alternatives like Smartbond and Brazilian Bond Builder offer similar protection.
Technique
Application technique also determines how smoothly your hair transitions to blonde. Precise sectioning and saturation are key.
Your colorist should work in small sections across your whole head. This allows thorough saturation of every strand. Consistent lightening prevents splotchiness down the road.
Use thinner subsections around the face and hairline. These areas show most and require extra care. Monitor development closely to avoid over-lifting.
Rinse hair thoroughly after the set processing time. Skipping this step leads to uneven brassiness and damage. Always follow with a hydrating conditioning treatment.
Maintenance
Congratulations, you did it! Now it’s time to keep your new blonde looking salon-fresh. Schedule toner and gloss treatments monthly to preserve tone. Use purple shampoo to prevent brassiness between appointments. Deep condition 1-2 times per week for strength and shine. Consider leave-in treatments with protein or olaplex to reinforce bonds.
Limit heat styling, tightly tie hair at night, and use satin pillowcases. Shampoo less frequently and use cooler water. Handle hair gently when wet for reduced breakage.
Get a trim every 8-12 weeks to prevent damage creeping up the strands. Use bond-building and repairing treatments preventively. Preemptively care for hair before tone fades or damage appears.
With diligent at-home care and salon maintenance, your new blonding will stay healthy and beautiful. Enjoy the fun of your bright makeover!
Conclusion
Transitioning from brunette to blonde hair requires preparation, gradual lightening, toning, and maintenance. Assess your natural color, choose a flattering blonde shade, prep hair, and space out highlighting sessions. Use quality professional lightening products and proper technique for the healthiest journey to blonde. Once there, protect tone with glosses and purple shampoo while deeply conditioning. With patience and TLC, you can rock gorgeous blonde locks!
