blonde

Why Can't I Be Blonde?

Khloe Kardashian... Patience is needed when going light!

Khloe Kardashian... Patience is needed when going light!

Blonde Blonde Blonde Blonde Blonde, Colourists everywhere are even dreaming about blonde!

Summer is just around the corner and i'd say half our enquiries are about achieving that perfect blonde.

Of course you can be blonde....... but not right now.

Unless you are lucky enough to be naturally blonde and you were very fair as a child, the ultra ash light blonde is often difficult and tricky to achieve.

On a base darker than a 6 (light brown to the untrained eye) there are more orange pigments present that can be more difficult to remove, the darker the hair, the more orange and red pigments will be lurking in your hair. The more red and orange pigments = more lightening sessions and the longer it will take. If the hair is damaged to start with, we will have to take it really slow to ensure your hair can take it. Its great to have a goal but when achieving blonde after you have been darker requires a lot of time, treatments, money and above all... pacience!

Homer Simpson

When in the midst of colour correction, the number 1 goal for the stylist is that you leave the salon with your condition of your hair.

Number 1! above anything else, there is no point getting the 3 hairs left on your head platinum is there? After all you didn't bring in a picture of Homer Simpson! #homerhairgoals

No matter how much you plead, cry, shout, stomp and beg, the strength of your hair will determine how long this process will take and what is possible in one session.

But the girls on Instagram can?!

Ok, some people can do it in 1 sitting, but did the instagram picture say how long that transformation took? 9 hours? 10? That's 10 hours of a 1-1 session with a colourist totally dedicated to you. Can you afford a 10 hour 1-1 session, thats roughly "5 sets of highlights" and cuts as @SophiaHilton01 @notanothersalon accurately pointed out. So if you can't afford it in one go, you start the journey with your stylist.

Even if you can afford it and have bags of cash like Khloe Kardashian, sometimes it just can't be done in 1 sitting, see the picture above, her's took 8 sessions! (that we know of). Bear in mind Khloe is wearing extensions, if you want to preserve the length and won't have what your stylist recommends cut off then it will take longer, remember those bright blonde foils you had 3 years ago, yup they're at the ends of your hair and too much lightening will make them fry!

 


Our Top Tips to getting that blonde

1) Cut off what your stylist recommends, they know how to speed the transformation up, would you rather lose 3 inches and save 2 colour appointments and £500?                             

2) Use professional home care, the more you do at home the more we can do in salon, invest in a professional Moisture and Protein mask and use them as much as you can! Ask your stylist what is best for your hair.          

3) Don't pressure your stylist. They want that blonde as much as you do, a stressed flapping, over pressured stylist won't perform to the best of their ability. Tactfully spending 30 mins repeating ourselves that you wont get the blonde this time will only waste time and stresses everyone out.... we know!!!!!  It will happen so much quicker if we spend more time doing your hair than having to explain the process for the 10th time, we love you very much but please trust us!              

4) Upgrade to Vitaplex or Olaplex, this will protect and rebuild the bonds in your hair while you lighten giving you better lift and condition. Remember Kim Kardashian West's Platinum? That was thanks to Olaplex!                                                                 

5) Remember We all want to be skinny on the first day at the gym,,, no matter how much we want it, without investing time, money and knowledge and patience it just wont happen!!!!!

 

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Summer Colour Trend Vintage Pretty Is Here!

 
 

VINTAGE PRETTY COLLECTION

Tracey Devine Smith, Affinage Uk


There is such a buzz around pastels and metallics in the hair world right now and Affinage's latest collection encapsulates that perfectly.  The past vintage themes were so strong on the catwalk and in the bridal scene, this blend of the two is perfect for summer and gives a sofer and extremely wearable interpretation of the colour bringing something fresh in 2017.

We just love love love this collection, it's the whole teams favourite by far from Tracey and the Affinage team. All of these beautiful tones can be created over a pre-lightened base of a very light pale blonde, They are labour intensive with often a tri colour application (3 colour applications in one appointment) but they are worth the investment of time and money to have such stunning hair!


If you're in love with Vintage Pretty, get in touch for a free consultation and estimate.

T: 01332 292129

See The Full Affinage Shoot!

Hayley's Top Tips For Changing Your Hair Colour

balay10.jpg

So, you're fed up with your hair....

It's been ages since you tried something new and you're ready, ready to take the plunge and change your hair colour.

The preparation when going lighter and darker is actually quite different.

If your wanting to go lighter, the main thing you need to think about above all is the health and condition of your hair and upping your hair care routine. Do you have at least 20 mins a week to dedicate to a hair mask and be prepared to use products to preserve your locks as straightening and bleaching without using protection is a sure way to end up with very little hair.

However, if you don't like your new, lighter you, it is very easy to go back to black dare we say... Going back to your darker hair colour will be very easy and relatively inexpensive.

On the other hand, if you wish to go darker, you have much more to consider. Clients don't always realise this but if you don't like your new darker reflection when you look in the mirror, it will take a lot of time, home care and money, especially if you we're very blonde before to go back to blonde or sometimes even a mid brown if you have gone very dark.

This is the reason hair colourists think box home dyes are the work of the devil because they are so hard to get rid off, not only do they dye the hair they stain it too! (we will be posting on this soon) If you have salon colour on your hair it is much easier to lift out.. easier meaning quicker and cheaper for you.

Think it through...

When you are going for a big change always bring a picture, in fact the more the merrier. Bring pictures of what you like, love and don't like to make sure your stylist know what look you're after and that you've really thought about it. I sometimes make sure my clients ask me on 2 consecutive appointments before I will do something drastic. Ok, so I have some clients who are always changing their hair but others realy don't do impulsive when it comes to hair as they usually regret it.

TOP TIPS

1. Take pictures.

2. Remember, you aren't going to look like the person in the picture unless we stick it to your head and if you bring a 20 year old picture in of a darker / lighter you ... Chances are you're not going to look like you did then... Sorry.

3. Think about the maintenance needed for you new colour, think about time and money you will need to invest to keep it looking amazing.

4. Use the right masks for your hair in the run up to the transformation, this will make your colour last longer and lift better. Ask your stylist which is best for you.

5. Listen to your stylist, we don't like saying no, but sometimes we have to and if a stylist doesn't want to do it, there must be a good reason for it so listen and find out more...

6. Don't be disheartened if it can't be done in 1 day if Khloe Kardashian took 8 sittings maybe you will.

7. Find a good salon who have a good reputation and if you need something advanced expect to be passed on to a senior stylist or director to ensure you get a good job.

8. Use the recommended home care, shop shampoo will not keep your new beautiful colour looking good. Expect you use a shampoo, conditioner, mask (sometimes 2) and leave in treatments and sprays if lightening.

9. Re-book, if your stylist is a good one, rebooking is essential, if your colour is even a week late it can cause banding or uneven colour, so ask your stylist how long they recommend before you visit again. For block / global colours expect 4-6 weeks, highlights 6 weeks and balayage is very low maintenance but your glaze and cut will need redoing at 6 weeks if you are prone to excess warmth or have yellow phobia! Weekends and evenings are always mega busy, sometime you will have to book 2 in advance if this is your preferred slot.

10. Nothing lasts forever so go on and try something new and if you don't like it we can change it... Happy Colouring!