Although admittedly, getting to blonde and staying a healthy blonde is no walk in the park, especially if you have jet-black Asian hair.
Going blonde is a commitment – from the hours you spend in the stylist’s chair to daily treatments post-dye, this is a colour not for the faint of heart.
But if you’re willing to put in the work, boy does it pay off – just check out these IG stars serving up some real blonde inspo. New year, new hair, anyone?
Gone are the days where your roots showing was the worst thing you could do to yourself.
Not only does it look natural-chic, leaving your roots also prevents blonde tones from washing you out.
We’re stanning Francis Lola’s textured beachy waves here too – washing bleached or coloured hair too often can lead it to becoming dry and dull, so swap out a couple washes a week with dry shampoo instead.
This has the added bonus of giving your hair extra volume and texture without requiring additional product. We love Batiste’s Brilliant Blonde Dry Shampoo for this.
The tinted formula blends perfectly with lighter locks and even adds a subtle sheen for healthier looking hair.
Photo: Instagram/ flamcis
ALSO READ: REVIEW: WE TRY OUT MI THE SALON’S NEW TREATMENT TO REPAIR FRIZZY, OVER-DYED HAIR
We’re loving this icy shade on Kim Jones, and if you inspired to go as pale, take note that platinum blonde is one of the hardest blondes to maintain as the colour tends to turn brassy and dull after a few weeks.
We recommend using a special purple shampoo, like this one by Sachajuan once a week.
The shampoo helps counteract and neutralises yellow and golden tones with violet pigments, and the formula is also enriched with UV-protection to protect your locks from the sun.
Photo: Instagram/ kimcamjones
ALSO READ: REVIEW: WE TRY OUT MI THE SALON’S NEW TREATMENT TO REPAIR FRIZZY, OVER-DYED HAIR
So a general rule of thumb about going blonde: the longer the locks, the more effort you should expect to put in to keep them looking healthy and shiny.
We don’t need to tell you how harsh the bleaching process is, and it’s usually the tips of your hair where it shows.
Fight the frizz by treating your locks to a much-needed deep moisture treatment once every 3 days for 2 weeks post dye, and once weekly after.
We stan this regenerating mask treatment formulated with nourishing prickly pear seed oil by Christophe Robin.
The formula is deeply absorbed into your hair and helps to restructure and reinforce each strand from the inside, and also helps to protect and revive pigments from colouring.
Photo: Instagram/ roses_are_rosie
ALSO READ: REVIEW: WE TRY OUT MI THE SALON’S NEW TREATMENT TO REPAIR FRIZZY, OVER-DYED HAIR
Songstress and Singapore Social star Tabitha Nauser rocks the blonde ‘do so well, we’d believe if she had told us it was her natural hair colour!
The tawny gold perfectly complements her skin’s warm undertones, and by keeping her brows au naturale, allows her features to be even more striking.
Keep bleached hair as shiny and healthy looking as hers by applying a weekly Olaplex No.3 treatment.
The powerful formula helps to strengthen and repair the bonds in your hair that get broken during a colouring process, allowing your hair will regain its natural luster over time.
Photo: Instagram/ tabithanauser
ALSO READ: REVIEW: WE TRY OUT MI THE SALON’S NEW TREATMENT TO REPAIR FRIZZY, OVER-DYED HAIR
If you frequently style your hair, you should be using a pre-styling protectant – if you frequently style your hair and are blonde, you should definitely be using a pre-styling protectant.
Styling tools like straighteners, curlers and hair dryers can cause serious damage to hair that has already been weakened by bleach, so you’ll want to use a product like Living Proof’s Restore Smooth Blowout Concentrate.
The heat-activated formula not only shields hair from heat, but also helps your hair dry faster, meaning less exposure to damage.
The product also contains the brand’s patented Healthy Hair Molecule (OFPMA), leaving hair softer and shinier.
Photo: Instagram/ vanessahong
ALSO READ: REVIEW: WE TRY OUT MI THE SALON’S NEW TREATMENT TO REPAIR FRIZZY, OVER-DYED HAIR
Blonde hair with icy and grayish tones complements fairer and paler skin tones like Sunny whereas warmer honey blonde hues would suit medium complexions like Hyo Lyn. When picking a hair colour, always factor in how your hair will look under natural lighting before making a decision.
Photo: Sunny/Instagram
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Even though that box of dye says “bleach” on it, it will not turn your hair blonde after the first rinse especially if you have dark hair. Manage your expectations and be patient because it will take a couple of trips to the salon and several coats of bleach and toner before you reach the desired tone.
Photo: Hyoyeon/Instagram
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As a rule of thumb, always stay within two to three shades from your natural colour. Because of the high levels of red pigment in and thickness of Asian hair, it is more challenging for the hair to hold on to colour. If you try to lighten it too much, you might wind up with brassy hair. The best way to go blonde? Do it gradually.
Photo: Jacelyn Tay/Instagram
ALSO READ: HOW TO STYLE YOUR SHORT HAIR TO LOOK AS PRETTY AS YOUR FAVOURITE KOREAN STARS
Compared to other hair types, Asian hair has less of a cuticle protecting each strand. That is why it is important to be diligent in maintaining the colour and condition of your hair. Make sure you get a deep conditioning treatment at least once a month for bouncy and shiny locks.
Photo: Elly Ahn/Instagram
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Most hair colourists agree that you should avoid shampooing your hair immediately after bleaching it. Shampooing makes your scalp more sensitive. It’s a good idea to stick to dry shampoos for a couple of days after bleaching your hair.
Photo: Bora/Instagram
ALSO READ: SMELL LIKE YOONA AND JEANETTE AW: 10 CELEBS AND THEIR SIGNATURE SCENTS
While your bleached hair is the perfect canvas for playing around with hair colours, you should hold off dyeing your hair until your hair texture is healthier and stronger. This could take between four to six weeks depending on how porous your hair is.
Photo: Kasper/Instagram
ALSO READ: HOW TO STYLE YOUR SHORT HAIR TO LOOK AS PRETTY AS YOUR FAVOURITE KOREAN STARS
There is a reason why purple shampoo is an essential in every faux blonde’s arsenal. A purple shampoo neutralises the undesirable orange brassy tones that you get from washing your bleached hair. Besides washing your hair with purple shampoo, you can also create your own leave-in treatment by mixing your purple shampoo with your hair conditioner.
Photo: Irene Kim/Instagram
ALSO READ: LEE HYORI AND IRENE KIM’S MAKEUP ARTIST SHARES HIS BEAUTY TIPS
If you just bleached your hair, avoid heat styling your hair as the heat from hot tools like curling irons and hair straighteners could weaken the bonds in your hair and damage your hair.
Photo: Jessi/Instagram
ALSO READ: HOW TO STYLE YOUR SHORT HAIR TO LOOK AS PRETTY AS YOUR FAVOURITE KOREAN STARS
Keep those pesky roots from showing by concealing them by dusting on some eyeshadow that matches your hair colour.
Photo: Jimin/Instagran
ALSO READ: SMELL LIKE YOONA AND JEANETTE AW: 10 CELEBS AND THEIR SIGNATURE SCENTS
Blondes do have more fun! Aside from being able to change up your hair colour at a moment’s notice, going blonde also gives you more room to experiment with different fashion and makeup styles. There is also something about the contrast between bright red lips and blonde hair that makes it look so effortless and stylish.
Photo: Hyuna/Instagram
ALSO READ: HOW TO STYLE YOUR SHORT HAIR TO LOOK AS PRETTY AS YOUR FAVOURITE KOREAN STARS
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