Barbie or Gaga – In which camp are you?

Blonde is still one of the biggest services supplied by hair stylists – mainly because getting to that perfect blonde that you desire is not easily obtained at home.  Whether it is getting to the platinum blonde without the severe damage like Lady Gaga, or getting to the right tone of blonde, like Barbie, sometimes it’s best to leave it in the hands of a professional.

Platinum blonde does not suit everyone as skin tone and eye colour plays a big role.  Someone like Lady Gaga can pull it off perfectly, but for others a golden, beige or caramel tone enhances their features better.

Let’s look at the differences, as well as how to maintain your blonde easily at home.

The Platinum blonde

Platinum blonde hair refers to a very light, almost white shade of blonde.  It is characterized by its cool, icy and pale appearance.  Platinum blonde hair can be a striking and bold look, and can complement various skin tones, but it tends to look particularly striking on people with fair or cool-toned complexions.

Platinum blonde is achieved by lightening the hair to a very high level of blondness, typically removing most or all of the natural pigment from the hair shaft.  To achieve platinum blonde hair, the hair usually needs to be bleached multiple times to lift the natural and/or cosmetic colour and reach the desired level of lightness.  This process can be challenging and very damaging.  Hopefully your stylist is using a good quality bleach with a built in or added fiber protector like an osmo-protector, Keraveg or another bond protector PLEX.

It is important to note that maintaining platinum blonde hair requires regular maintenance which can be VERY costly.  It also requires proper home care, as even platinum hair tends to turn yellow due to oxidation, the natural underlying hair pigments that remains after bleaching, and environmental factors like hard water and UV rays. 

The Golden blonde

Golden blonde refers to a warm and sunny shade of blonde hair.  It is characterized by its golden, caramel and honey tones.  Golden blonde is a popular choice for those who desire a natural-looking and warm blonde colour.  Golden blonde hair can complement a range of skin tones, particularly for people with warm complexions. 

Golden blonde hair typically has underlying yellow and orange tones that contribute to its warm appearance.  It is achieved by lightening the hair to a medium to light blonde level and then adding golden, beige or caramel toners.  Bleaching is not as severe, as the required level can be a lot lower than that of a platinum blonde.

Maintaining golden blonde hair involves regular maintenance and care.  Because of the remaining underlying red and yellow pigments, hair can easily turn brassy. 

Recommended home-care

We recommend the following products:

The Blondesse Blonde Miracle Shampoo, enriched with Coconut oil and Aloe Vera, is specifically designed to moisturise the hair after bleaching services and to protect the hair against atmospheric pollution and oxidation. It contains chelating agents that combats water hardness, i.e. the activity of the metal ions contained in water. Calcium and magnesium are the main ones.  Other heavy metals include chlorine, sulphates, copper and lead.

Silicon free / Vegan / SLS free / Paraben free / Paraffin free

Click here to read more about this range: https://nebeau.co.za/blonde-miracle-moisture/

To tone down yellow tones in platinum blondes, we recommend the Blondesse No Yellow Mask for coarse hair or the Blondesse No Yellow Mousse for fine hair.

These products are ideal for bleached, blonde and grey hair to obtain a cool tone.  It contains a high concentration of violet pigments that contrasts the yellow tones.

Sulphate free / Paraben free / Paraffin free

Click here to read more about this range: https://nebeau.co.za/no-yellow-no-orange/

To tone down orange tones in golden blondes, we recommend the Blondesse No Orange Mask. These products are ideal for blonde tones on levels 6-7 or for highlighted hair.

It contains a high concentration of blue pigments that contrasts the orange and copper reflections.  The formulation contains ingredients that prevents oxidative stress , detoxify and purify the hair, protecting it from pollutants.

Sulphate free / Paraben free / Paraffin free

Click here to read more about this range: https://nebeau.co.za/no-yellow-no-orange/

To protect your hair from pollution and heat, we recommend the Blondesse Blonde Miracle Drops.

It contains Aloe Vera for a soft & silky touch, and violet pigments to brighten the hair and neutralise brassiness.

Apply to damp hair before styling for heat protection or anytime during the day to dry hair to add shine and seal split ends.

Vegan / Sulfate free / Paraben free / Paraffin free

Remember, blonde hair may require regular maintenance and toning to keep the desired shade and counteract any unwanted colour changes.  Always opt for colour-safe shampoos and conditioners, applying toning products if needed to counteract unwanted tones, and always protect your hair from excessive heat styling or sun exposure.  Use a thermal spray and/or UV protector to keep the hair safe, fresh and vibrant. 

Consult with a professional hairstylist for personalized advice and solutions based on your specific hair type and concerns.