Join the blonde hair boom

Before you reach for the bleach, here are the experts for top tips, writes Katie Wright.

WHEN Kim Kardashian West unveiled her dramatic new do at Paris Fashion Week in March, brunettes the world over wondered: Just how did she get her dark locks so light?

And with Lily Allen and Carol Vorderman recently taking the peroxide plunge too, salons have seen a spike in calls from would-be blondes.

“We’ve already had so many calls from people who are desperate to copy Kim’s look, particularly darker brunettes who are looking for a complete colour overhaul, rather than blondes who just want to go a few shades lighter,” says Marc Trinder, art team director at Charles Worthington Salons. “Kim seems to have inspired a newfound colour confidence in many women.”

But despite regular root touch-ups (all captured on Instagram, of course), Kim reverted back to her usual ebony shade within three weeks.

Does that mean such high-maintenance hair is unsustainable, even for a millionaire who has her own glam squad on hand?

“The lightening process from very dark to very light blonde is heavy and strenuous on the hair,” warns Claire Bonney, senior technician.

“It involves bleaching the hair, pushing it as light as it will go, possibly a double application, and of course, a much-needed toner to knock out any brassy tones.”

DON’T DYE THIS AT HOME?

So is Kim’s black-to-blonde bleach job achievable with an off-the-shelf dye?

“I would not recommend this as DIY, I have seen too many disasters,” says Tracy Hayes, global head of technical training for Fudge Professional.

“Always have this process done professionally, to keep your hair in the best possible shape.”

If you have warm brown or ginger hair, you should avoid the peroxide too — unless you want to end up with orange locks.

“The red pigment is really hard to lift,” says Nice’n Easy colour advisor Jonathan Long, but medium to dark brown hair can be lightened: “I would always recommend shifting a shade within one to three shades of your current hair colour.”

If you are tempted by the DIY route, then the greasier your hair is, the better, as the oils will help protect your scalp.

Follow with a toner to avoid a brassy finish: “Lightened hair tends to pick up pollutants that can make the hair appear yellow in colour. To neutralise these tones, I would recommend using LIVE Toner Mousse Icy Platinum M01,” says Sian Hickson, Schwarzkopf brand manager. Aftercare is crucial too.

“Use shampoos and conditioners specifically for either colour-treated hair or dry and damaged hair, and use a treatment once or twice a week,” says Hickson. “Towel-dry the hair before applying conditioner, as this will ensure that the conditioner penetrates further into the hair, and avoid using excessive heat on the hair, be it straighteners, wands or tongs.”

DIY DYE BUYS:

* Schwarzkopf LIVE Color XXL HD 00A Absolute Platinum Permanent Hair Dye, €6.99 (Boots.ie)

* Schwarzkopf Live Color XXl Toner Mousse Icy Platinum M01, €6.99 (Tesco.ie)

* Blonde Sexy Hair Sulphate Free Bright Blonde Violet Shampoo, €12.40 (BeautyBay.com, free shipping on orders over €14)

* Fudge Clean Blonde Violet Toning Shampoo and Conditioner, €14.50 each (BeautyBay)

* Fudge One Shot Treatment Spray, €11.80 (BeautyBay)

* Charles Worthington Colour Enhancer Heat & UV Protecting Cream, Charles Worthington Colour Enhancer Heat & UV Protecting Spray €8.99 (Boots)

TIME TO GO PRO?

So your natural hair hue is too dark for at-home application, but what next? There’s still a lot to consider before you book in for your big blonde makeover.

“This is a huge job and will need the eye and attention of a colour specialist. Getting an even result on previously coloured hair can be difficult, depending on the history of the hair,” says Claire Bonney.

It’s not cheap, either and you’re looking at touch-ups every six to eight weeks.

“The process is chemically drying on the hair, so using professional products at home is imperative, as you must feed the hair the protein and moisture it needs. Regular haircuts are important too,” Bonney advises.

With that level of upkeep, no wonder Kim didn’t keep her new colour for long.

But that’s not to say you can’t realise your own blonde ambition, Hayes says, “as long as you are prepared to spend the time and money to keep it looking good.”