Extra LSR: My Journey to Blonde with Beauty Brands.

My secrets to going icy blonde.

I get a lot of questions about my hair– I get it, it’s got a life of its own– and specifically, how I’ve been able to go so blonde over the past year or so without having to cut more than a few inches off. I rocked a warm ombré for several years, but really wanted something different. Like platinum blonde, almost-gray, super iced-out different.

Here’s my journey with some tips + tricks I’ve learned along the way.

Get a stylist you trust.

My stylist, Stephanie, is a master. No, really– she’s a master stylist at Beauty Brands. This means she knows hair. As obvious as it sounds, it’s important that your stylist is skilled in what he/she does in order to ensure your hair is taken care of during the lightening process. (We touched on that in this post.) You have to have an open line of communication with your stylist, first and foremost. That’s the key to getting what you want: you have to talk about it and make sure you both are on the same page.

The stylists at Beauty Brands are pros. You can sit down their chairs and know you’re in good hands. However, know it’s a collaborative process– you can’t just show up and say, “I want Blake Lively’s hair,” and then bury your head in a magazine. Come with pictures, come ready to answer questions– why do you like Blake’s hair? The length? Color? Style? That it’s so shiny? What about her hair do you want for yourself? A mindset like that sets you up for success.

Work that patience muscle.

You cannot go blonde as fast as a Kardashian. Unless you have a crazy amount of cash to spend on product and celebrity stylists, going super light + super fast is going to wreck your hair. And who cares if you’re uber-blonde if your hair is breaking at the root?

Protein gives hair its color, so when you bleach, you are stripping protein– and removing strength. The lightening process has to be slow in order to prevent serious hair damage. I started going blonde about two years ago! It takes time, guys. That’s not always what you want to hear when you’re looking to make a change– but trust me, doing it right is better than doing it fast.

Keep in mind, how long it takes you to go blonde will depend on what color you are now (I was a pretty dark brunette up top, so we had to kick that timeline out) and your hair’s strength (mine is pretty dry + coarse, so while it’s healthy, Steph and I have to be careful when lightening).

Products are important– both in the salon and out.

Beauty Brands uses the Redken pH Bonder system to help them add protein back into the hair while lightening it (very similar to Olaplex). This means that your stylist can be more aggressive with the bleach during a salon visit because the pH bonder is protecting the hair shaft. Steph will also occasionally add in a moisturizing treatment to boost my hair health. Yes, these products add to the bill– but they’re worth it. If your stylist recommends a product, he/she is doing so because your hair needs it.

I also ask Steph what products I should stock my shower with in order to keep my hair healthy between salon visits and then hit the Beauty Brands product floor to stock up. (We covered a few of our must-haves in this video.) For example, I get the non-pro version of the Redken pH Bonder; it’s a pre-shampoo treatment I use about once a week. Quite frankly, you can wash all that money you spent at the salon right down the drain if you don’t treat your hair right. Some other tips:

• Limit hot tools. I usually only blow out the front pieces of my hair and then let the rest air dry. (Hence, lion waves.) I keep straightener and curling iron use to a minimum.
• If/when you do use hot tools, protect your hair. We cover some of the best products here, but you should swing through a Beauty Brands and grab this blow dry spray immediately.
• Moisture, moisture, moisture. Your hair needs moisture to stay healthy. Healthy hair not only looks good (bonus), but it doesn’t break and your color stays vibrant, longer. I love this mask and it smells divine.
• For blondes, grab those toning products. My hair pulls quite warm, so I use a lot of purple shampoo (love this one) and toning masks (this one is Holy Grail Status) to cancel out any brassiness and keep things icy. Note: these products can contribute to dryness, so double up on the moisturization!

Vitamins + collagen are your friends.

I take a prenatal vitamin and a biotin vitamin every day. (No, I’m not trying to get pregnant- they’re more affordable than most hair vitamins and have the same ingredients.) I get the gummy versions (because I’m a child) from Amazon on auto-ship so I never run out. I also add marine collagen to my coffee/smoothies/protein shakes at least a few times a week (if not every day). Collagen is the stuff that keeps your skin, hair, and nails healthy + young, and adding collagen to your diet is nourishing those areas from the inside out. I love this brand; again, Amazon for the win.

Don’t be afraid of a refresh.

I was obsessed with keeping as much length as I could for ages. As it turns out, a little chop really breathed new life into my style. Hello, blunt almost-lob! Not only did this totally change my look, but it also made my hair that much healthier. And healthy hair grows faster, which means I’ll have mermaid hair again in no time!

Linking up with Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, Walking in Memphis in High Heels + The Fashion Canvas, I Do DeClaire, Straight A Style + On the Daily Express, Get Your Pretty On, Rosy Outlook + Seeking Sunshine, and Pumps and Push Ups.

*This post is in partnership with Beauty Brands; all thoughts and opinions are my own.