As someone who used to bleach their hair Gwen Stefani style, I love this look BUT I know how it can potentially ravage your hair and sizzle your scalp. So when I saw Kim Kardashian had taken the plunge, all I could think was "meeeeeep!" It must have taken nuclear amounts to sort her out.
It's hard out here for a platinum pimp! Thank you @FredericMennetrier for touching up my blonde!
A photo posted by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on Mar 9, 2015 at 5:17am PDT
If you're toying with the idea yourself, I say do it. But make sure you avoid the Sisqo-circa-1999 look! Colour expert Pamela Sullivan from Aviary Lane hair salon on South Anne Street knows how to do it right!
A: Who can bleach their hair? Does it matter if you're very pale or very dark?
P: Anyone can bleach their hair but it only looks good on people who are fair or who have naturally light brown bases. Any darker and it will always look brassy and manky!
Here's a sneak peek behind the scenes of #BabyDontLie Premieres tomorrow! 👶🚫🙊🎶
A video posted by Gwen Stefani (@gwenstefani) on Oct 20, 2014 at 7:36pm PDT
All hail Gwen Stefani The Queen of Bleach
A: How tough is it on your hair? Will it make it thinner?
P: Yes it's the most aggressive procedure you can have done on your hair, but the less it has to be lifted the less damage there'll be to naturally lighter hair. If it's over processed or overlapped it will cause thinning from breakage!
A photo posted by Rita Ora (@ritaora) on Feb 22, 2015 at 10:09pm PST
A: How much investment is needed?
P: It will need to be reapplied roughly every six to ten weeks depending on the growth of your hair, and it can cost anything from €80 to €110. It depends on whether you need toner or not.
A: In my experience, you always need toner (to get rid of the yellow brassiness) and that will cost you extra, so it's best to factor that in. I also found I had to go to the salon every six weeks. Doing that for two years turned out to be a serious chunk of change!
A photo posted by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on Mar 7, 2015 at 5:06am PST
Toner keeps the colour cool and white, rather than brassy and yellow.
A: Is there a difference between bleaching your hair like Gwen Stefani and lots of high-lights like Ellie Goulding?
P: Highlights are never as damaging as a bleach up, as you still leave strands of natural colour. You wouldn't need to get it done as often either, because it grows out softer thus giving the hair a break.
A photo posted by elliegoulding (@elliegoulding) on Feb 24, 2015 at 4:33pm PST
A: What products should you use to keep bleached hair in good condition / stop it going brassy?
P: The better the condition of your hair, the better the colour looks. If the hair has more moisture it will hold the toner in for longer (which is what neutralises yellow) so the key is to use treatments which contain moisture and amino acids. You won't get this from conditioner. An excellent one for bleached hair is Minu Hair Mask by Davines, which we stock. It costs €21.90 and you would use it for a few minutes every week.
via davines.com and amazon.com
A: Using purple shampoos designed specifically for blonde hair will also keep the yellow tones at bay. You don't need to spend a lot. This John Frieda one is about eight quid in Boots!
Another all Givenchy look for Paris Fashion week!
A photo posted by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on Mar 12, 2015 at 5:23pm PDT
Kim K's locks eclipsed only by her boobies!
A: What do you need to tell your hairdresser, in order to get the look you want?
P: Pictures are a great way to communicate what you have in mind. It leaves no room for error if you're someone who struggles to articulate themselves. And unless your hairdresser is a total muppet they should get what it is you want! It also means they can suggest something more suitable for your skin tone!
Twitter: @AviaryLane Insta: @AviaryLaneDublin Facebook.com/AviaryLane
Throw back to the BAFTAs last year #williamvintage
A photo posted by Fearne (@fearnecotton4) on Feb 8, 2015 at 12:07am PST
Fearne Cotton keepin' it real with black roots
On a final personal note, I think it's important to flag that perfection is unattainable unless you have Kim, Gwen, Rita and Ellie's money. You won't be able to keep the look as clean as they do unless you win the Euromillions. Embrace black roots because they're unavoidable. Channel Fearne Cotton - she's way more rock chick anyway!
@AideenFinnegan
