5 Ways To Maintain Bleach Blonde Hair

Despite the saying, ‘blondes have more fun’, they do have it rough when it comes to maintenance, especially those with bleached-out locks.

But bottle blondes don’t have to struggle through botched dye jobs, bad breakage and seriously questionable texture anymore.

To help the fair-haired among us avoid the aforementioned, we’ve got the scoop on how to maintain it — plus a few recommendations from our bh community to ensure your lighter locks are forever vibrant and miraculously healthy.

How to care for bleach blonde hair

Pick your products

When it comes to choosing a shampoo and conditioner, look for formulas designed specifically for maintaining and protecting your colour. Avoid anything harsh or stripping, and opt for sulphate-free products. Brassiness is a common curse of blonde hair, but it can be easily remedied by washing with a purple or blue-based formula once a week.

Provoke Touch of Silver Brightening Shampoo, $13 at Woolworths

“I’ve used this shampoo since I first went blonde (let’s say about 35 years ago!)and I love it. Occasionally I’ve tried other brands but I’ve always been disappointed with them. Touch of Silver really is amazing – it stops the brassiness and extends the time between colours. It also leaves my hair super soft and smelling great.” – attica

Scott Cornwall Colour Restore Iced Platinum, $15.81 at Amazon

“Having battled for years with the yellow/gold in my hair I was very excited to receive my Scott Cornwall colour restore iced platinum. I had tried everything rinses, masked, shampoos etc but nothing gave me that clean platinum look I so longed for. I must say I was excited and also a bit jaded but I had nothing to lose so I followed the easy instructions and left the product on for the suggested 20minutes and like magic my hair was transformed from a brassy colour too a clean white platinum.” – Sue380

Be protective

Hot tools aren’t great for coloured hair overall, but they’re especially threatening to blondes. Since we’re not advocating a cold turkey ban on heat tools, it’s essential to minimise the damage. Depending on your hair type and preference, try a heat protecting cream, spray or balm to fight damage – and keep colour fading at bay.

Sebastian Professional Trilliant Heat Protector, $45.40 at hairhouse.com.au

Keep out of the sun

You protect your skin, so it’s high time to start protecting your hair – and scalp too. If your hair is going to be in direct sunlight, it’s imperative you prep it using a heat protection product with UV filters. A tortured blonde can point the finger at UV damage, but they really only have themselves to blame.

Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil, $63 at MECCA

Stay hydrated

If you’re not a natural blonde, it’s likely your hair is dehydrated and a little damaged thanks to all that maintenance. When your locks are thirsty, you’ve got to nourish them with a weekly leave-in treatment or restoring mask to repair those stressed-out cuticles. And never underestimate the power of a hair oil to soften your ends for a shinier finish.

Wella SP Hydrate Hair Mask, $42.40 at hairhouse.com.au

“After one use I could already feel the difference and since then I’ve been using it once a week for the past couple of months and my hair is so soft and healthy. To get the most out of the treatment lather your mid-length to ends and comb through then wrap your hair up in a hot wet towel. Leave in for 20mins then rinse. I found a huge improvement, my hair was softer, smoother and had an improved shine.” -loveyourdemons

Avoid going green

Swimming in chlorinated water can turn bleach blonde hair a shade of green. To avoid this, use a clarifying shampoo once a week for deep cleansing. Before swimming, drench your hair in argan oil or a conditioning treatment, or wear a swimming cap, if you can stand it. These small measures will help prevent chlorine absorbing into your hair and turning it green.

Klorane Scalp Detox Shampoo with Aquatic Mint, $12.99 at Chemist Warehouse

“The mint scent and cool mint feel on the scalp is what is best about this shampoo – second to the fact that it also cleanses and refreshes the hair wonderfully. I feel like my hair has had a spa after using this – my scalp and hair feel fresh and clean.” – clearcrystalwater

Do you have bleach blonde hair? How do you maintain it?