Everything you need to know about going blonde

Because blondes have more fun, right?

Who can resist a hair colour that has been touted as a shade that assists in your levels of fun? Not us. But the road to the lighter life isn't an easy one. One wrong move can see you going from champagne blonde to corn yellow. And bleaching the shit out of your hair isn't the path to Marilyn Monroe's platinum coiffure.

There's a whole lot of blonde hairstyles and blonde shades to take into consideration too. So before you snap on your gloves and reach for that dye, get your questions about blonde hair answered by Nicola Clarke, expert hair colourist and Creative Colour Director at John Frieda Salons and Color Wow.

How to go from brown to blonde:

I recommend doing it slowly and having Olaplex treatments and an at home routine to care for your hair colour. Add a few blonde highlights around your face or on your ends to bump up the brightness. This will give your hair the added benefit of glossy, shiny colour to accentuate your best features.

How to go from red to blonde:

It will depend on your hair colour and skin tone. I think Balayage looks great, but if the red colour in your hair is really strong you'll need to bleach your hair and then add in blonde highlights. This can require lots of time and maintenance, so it's important to discuss the colour and options with your hair colour expert. Keep in mind that you'll need to make regular trips to the salon, because your hair will need topping up every 4-6 weeks, depending on how quickly it grows.

Is it possible to go from dark brown or black to blonde?

It's possible, but I recommend doing it slowly. The best thing you can do for your hair is have Olaplex treatments to improve the quality of hair. It’s particularly useful when dramatically changing your hair colour, because it makes a huge difference to the quality and condition of your hair. A really hot look at the moment is quite blonde hair with dark roots.

How can I work out the most complimentary shade of blonde hair is for me?

The best way to choose a shade is to talk it through with a professional colourist, who will know by looking at your skin tone and what you want. Bringing photos of hair colours you like is a great starting point. Also let your colourist know a little about your lifestyle, for example how often you can visit the salon or how you style and wear your hair. This will help to determine the perfect shade for you.

How can I prevent damage to my hair when it’s coloured?

There are lots of products you can use to ensure that the colour will always look it best whether you are super blonde or transitioning to a darker shade. In salon we use a treatment called Olaplex, which allows us to colour hair without damaging it, while simultaneously re-building hair strength.

At home use a sulphate-free shampoo, like Color Wow Colour Security Shampoo, to stop colour from fading and going brassy. This particular shampoo is also free from silicones, conditioning and pearlizing agents so it's the only shampoo that leaves your hair clean without leaving colour-affecting residue behind. To disguise roots in between salon visits, I recommend Color Wow Root Cover Up, £28.50. It's a professional powder compound that adheres to hair to camouflage roots and has a great shade selection.

I also recommend hair supplements to help reduce breakage and protect your hair against UV ray damage.

Shade: Yellow blonde

Bring warmth to your face with a slightly more buttery blonde.

Shade: Sandy blonde

They don't call this the perfect beach blonde for no reason. It looks like your hair has been kissed by the sun. Ask for slightly lighter around your face to make it look more natural.

Shade: Platinum

Team this old Hollywood shade with a red lip for a classic look. This colour works best with fair skin tones.

Shade: Golden platinum

Slightly warmer than regular platinum, this shade works well with both cool and warm skin undertones. Make sure you rinse through with a toner to balance any brassiness.

Shade: Golden blonde

This shade is rich and warm, so gives more depth to any hairstyle, and works especially well for thinner hair.

Shade: White blonde

This might seem like a daunting shade, but it looks absolutely amazing and will make your skin look glowing.

Shade: Ash blonde

If you have dark brows, try this shade of blonde. It's much softer than golden tones.

Shade: Baby blonde

You know the colour some children have just because, well, they're born with it? Well, you can get it from a bottle too.

Shade: Strawberry blonde

Add warmth to your face with a strawberry blonde shade.

Shade: Caramel

This is THE colour for summer, because it looks outrageously good against a tan.

Shade: Highlight blonde

To make your face look brighter, add highlights around your face.

Shade: Bronde

Keep your roots looking warm and natural by adding buttery golden tones.

Shade: Chocolate blonde

Who doesn't want Gisele Bunchden's famous shade? And because it's a mix of both brown and blonde, it generally works with all skin tones.

Shade: Dirty blonde

Once upon a time we would've hidden our roots under a hat until our next salon visit. Now, we wear them with pride. Embrace it.

Shade: Beach blonde

The key here is to colour your hair so that you look like you've been on the beach all day. The technique of balayage works best for this, because it gives the effect of lighter hair just where the sun hits.

Shade: Dark blonde

You don't get that harsh dark-to-light, so it's a more modern version of an ombré.

Shade: Honey blonde

If you want a rich shade of blonde, try this colour. Keep your brown roots next to your skin to ensure that you don't become washed-out.