So I’ve been asked this question a lot, how did you get your hair this blonde? What did you do?  To be honest, it did not happen overnight. 

I spent 2-3 years applying different shades of blondes, highlights, and toners. I must also add that it went through a lot of damage and my hair was brittle at times and I’ve had to cut the ends more often than I would have liked. My hair is currently two toned blonde, meaning it’s slightly yellowish on top and from mid length to the end white or pearl. I am currently struggling to get the top part to be more white for my grays to blend in better. 

So let me tell you how I got here.

First things first – let’s manage those sky-high expectations. Is white blonde hair something that anyone can achieve? The short answer is no. It is a process and you need a lot of patience? Yes. Is it costly? Most certainly yes. 

You may not be able to achieve a true white-blonde if you:

• Currently have permanent hair color on
• Currently have a vivid temporary hair color
• Have chemically processed your hair a lot
• Have extremely damaged, weak, or brittle hair. 

Virgin, unprocessed hair is the best candidate to go white-blonde but that doesn’t mean your hair must be virgin to go white-blonde.

Many women have colored, permed, chemically straightened, or relaxed their hair at least once in their lifetime and ended up with the lightest shade of bright, white blonde. The real key to ensuring your hair is a good white-blonde candidate is the overall health and condition of your locks. If your hair isn’t currently dyed (or if you’re willing to cut off any grown-out permanent color) and it feels soft and healthy, the chances are good that you’ll be able to achieve that bright white hair color.

How to look after and maintain your blonde is also very important. 

Here are a few tips : 

1. Protect your blonde from heat.
2. Keep it hydrated.
3. Make your color long-lasting by using a purple shampoo (I prefer Milkshake’s silver shine range).
4. Keep it out of the sun.
5. Trim your ends every 6-8 weeks. 
6. Don’t skip deep conditioning and conditioning your hair. Eg. A good hair mask for hydration.
7. End your hair wash with a cold rinse.
8. Take caution with oils.
9. Read the labels and avoid sulfates at all costs. 

If you have any questions, its best to speak to your hairdresser. 

Are you struggling to maintain your Blonde hair and keep tones in tune?

Create the Perfect Icy Blonde or Cold Brunette – Think Milkshake

Milkshake presents five shades dedicated to hair that tends to have warm tones to obtain cool/neutral color tones, ideal for your clients who want neutral or cool hair color, reducing the unwanted yellow/orange and brassy melanin that comes through as residual pigments and result in unwanted warm tones in the hair.

Ice cold maintenance range for clients – help them keep their color cool.

Icy Blonde Shampoo and Conditioner – Ideal for very light blonde or platinum blond hair.

The special black pigment contained within the new milk_shake® icy blonde range:

• neutralizes and counteracts unwanted yellow/orange or brassy tones in blonde hair
• gives delicate ash tones to very light blonde hair or platinum blonde hair
• prolongs the effects of grey or silver toners

This range is specifically designed for blonde hair with active ingredients to enhance the natural beauty of hair, leaving it soft and shiny, with icy fresh cool tones, keeping color fresh between services. 

Each carefully selected ingredient works together to create manageable, silky, shiny hair full of youthful life and long-lasting color. The sweet and evocative grape fragrance makes application a pure joy. 

Cold brunette shampoo and conditioner – ideal for natural or color-treated brown, light brown or dark blonde hair.

The blue pigments contained in the new milk_shake® cold brunette range:

• counteract red/orange tones in brown hair
• remove unwanted warm tones
• make cool toning treatments last longer

The active ingredients enhance the natural beauty of the hair leaving it soft and shiny, removing yellow and red tones, resulting in cool shine and healthy hair. Our formulation uses only ingredients chosen for their nourishing, conditioning and fortifying actions, all creating manageable, silky, shiny hair.

All with a sweet and enveloping sugar fragrance making application for both you and your client sheer deliciousness.

5 Causes of Dry Hair:

1. Over-Use of Heat Styling Tools

Whether you love blowouts or can’t go anywhere without your curling iron in tow, applying too much heat when styling is a major factor of dry, dull-looking hair. 

2. Using the Wrong Hair Care Products

Using a hair care product that’s not formulated for your hair type can have consequences, like dryness. When selecting a shampoo and conditioner, always check the hair care product label before purchasing. 

3. Excessive Hair Washing

Maintaining proper hair hygiene is important, but washing your hair too often can strip it of its natural oils, so cut down washing. 

4. Over-Use of Hair Dyes and Bleaches

 If you color your hair regularly, look for gentle shampoos and conditioners specifically formulated for color treated hair.

5. Environmental Factors

Overexposure to the sun, extreme heat, cold winds and low humidity can all take a toll on your hair.

First of all, blonde hair fades differently depending on underlying tones, hair porosity and aftercare.

These tips can help you maintain the condition and colour between appointments:

• Build up of purple shampoo – this one is a biggie! I do recommend purple shampoo for at home toning. However, I see so many clients over using it and the build up dulls and dries out your hair. It also makes it hard for us when it comes to your professional appointment. Try to use it once a week if you are a regular washer or once every two weeks if you go longer. 

We recommend Milk Shake Silver Shine Shampoo

• Hydrating mask makes your hair silky and shiny, meaning it’ll be reflecting more light, making it feel brighter & healthier. 

We recommend Milk Shake Integrity Intensive Treatment mask

• Hair oil – make sure you use a light or clear oil as yellow oils can make hair warmer. Also, the heavier the oil, the more build up you will get, making your hair appear darker. We recommend Milk Shake Argan oil. It is a 90% cold pressed oil, meaning no heat is used to extract oil, which keeps it in its purest form.

• Professional shampoo and conditioner – Non-professional, store bought (drugstore) shampoos can weigh your hair down and strip toner quicker than expected. 

• Avoid heat or ensure you are using heat protection. High heat can burn hair and cause it to go yellow over time! We recommend Milk Shake Thermal Protector

• Tangle teezer – using a tangle teezer will change your life. It is gentle on tangles which will help prevent snapping. Blonde hair is generally more porous so it is very vulnerable when wet! You need to be gentle when brushing. 

• Regular toning – a toner Is recommended every 4 weeks. Popping in for a toner and blow dry is a good way to keep your blonde bright professionally. It’s also a nice little treat! 

• Filter shower head – not only do these feel amazing on your body, they also filter out color stripping minerals that can dull hair colours.

For more information about our products and hair care contact Isabel’s Place at 081 308 9269

Follow these steps below to wash your hair

1) First, you’ll want to make sure to select the proper shampoo and conditioner for your hair type. 

2) While in the shower, make sure your water is warm, but not too hot. Shampooing in water that is too hot can strip your hair and scalp of essential oils, so shower using the coolest water possible. Thoroughly wet the hair.

3) Apply a bit of shampoo into the palm of your hand and work it through the hair. If your hair is longer, use your fingers to reduce tangles. 

4) Using the tips of your fingers, work in a firm circular motion from the front of the scalp down to the back of the neck and then up the sides towards the temples. Continue this motion for several minutes. This will stimulate and exfoliate the scalp. 

5) Rinse the hair completely and, if hair is longer, use a wide-toothed comb to remove tangles and smoothen the hair. 

6) Apply a conditioner in the same manner you applied the shampoo. Allow the conditioner to remain on for 3 to 5 minutes, then rinse the hair with cool water and comb through it again.

7) Dry the hair with a towel using a patting or stroking motion. Never rub the hair back and forth or in circles with a towel as this will cause damage to the hair. 

Using the proper shampoo and conditioning technique each time you wash your hair will help keep your scalp healthy and your hair looking its best. 

Happy Hair!