5 Tips to Go From Red to Blonde Hair

It’s safe to say red and blonde hair are two of the most eye-catching options for any mane. If you have red hair, you’re probably used to people staring — and for good reason. A crimson hue looks positively stunning on every skin tone. But, if you find yourself itching for a change in the new year or simply asking yourself, “What would I look like with blonde hair?'', it might be time to take the leap. It’s a major modification, but it is possible to go from being a redhead to a blonde sans damage, as long as you follow the proper steps. Read on to find out how to go blonde like a pro and what to keep in mind before you start any hair dyeing.

Tip 1. Pre-Select Your Shade Of Blonde Ahead Of Time

Just as there are varying shades of red hair, there are countless blonde hues to choose from. If you don’t want to be surprised by your new shade (and who would?), be specific about what you want. Don’t wing it in the chair. Do you prefer a strawberry blonde, or are you more of a platinum blonde beauty? Perhaps you’re a golden child. 

The L’Oréal Paris Hair Color Genius virtual try-on tool is a great way to see what you’ll look like in all these different hair colors. Just upload a photo of yourself in your current hair color (this is important!) or use the live camera for a real-time view, and have fun. Beware: you may get hooked on trying different hair colors so maybe carve out time to do this on the weekend.

Tip 2. Be Prepared For Multiple Applications 

When it comes to making a dramatic change — like going from red to blonde hair — it isn’t often that it can be accomplished in a single session. Don’t expect to step away from the first session with all your hair color wishes fulfilled — you may need multiple applications depending on the color you desire. Just be mindful of how much time you need to put between colorings to prevent unnecessary damage to your tresses, especially if you’re attempting this at-home.

Tip 3. Be Ready To Bleach Your Strands 

To lighten your hair, bleach is a must. Keep that in mind when you’re deciding just how light you want your hair color to be. The L'Oréal Paris Feria Hyper Platinum Advanced Lightening System Bleach can lift up to eight levels to give even the darkest browns a desired platinum. It includes castor oil, sunflower seed oil, grape seed oil and avocado oil to nourish hair and offset dryness that can occur when bleaching.

Tip 4. Opt For Highlights As A Happy Medium 

If you still don’t feel blonde enough after all your sessions, highlights are a great way to achieve a baby blonde look — they can really tie everything together. You can add babylights throughout your hair for a youthful, sun-kissed style. If you really want to have some fun and play with both your red and your blonde hues, you can try some looks that combine the colors. Try red hair with blonde balayage, a more simple red hair with blonde highlights look, or a red to blonde ombré. 

Tip 5. Choose To Go Pro Or DIY — Or Both!

If there’s one thing we all learned from various quarantines over the last couple of years, it’s that at-home hair care and hair color are possible. Though, many professionals will tell you, going blonde — especially from a scarlet hue — is not simple. You can opt to put your hair in the hands of a professional or switch up your hair color on your own at home. 

If you’re new to coloring you may want to at least consult with a pro before you start. The L’Oréal Paris Hair Color Concierge lets you schedule a virtual session with a professional colorist or chat online with a live expert before you’re elbow deep in at-home hair color. Once you feel confident and you’re in the mood to get crafty with your color, try the L’Oréal Paris Féria in Ultra Pearl Blonde or Dark Gold Blonde for a DIY dye job that will give you the sparkle and shine you want.

Editor’s tip: Even if you feel confident enough to dye your own hair you may be a novice at bleaching. In that case, you may want to leave that process up to the pros. Go to the salon to get your color stripped down, then after a couple of weeks you can DIY your blonde hue at home.

How To Care For Your Blonde Hair

Once you’re officially a blonde, you’ll need to show your strands some extra love in order to help maintain that stunning color. Start using products formulated for blonde color-treated hair, including the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Strengthening Color Care Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Strengthening Conditioner. They’re both formulated to strengthen hair inside and out by reinforcing weak hair bonds that can be the result of excess bleaching and coloring.

If your hair starts to get brassy over time, opt for the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Brass Toning Purple Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Brass Toning Purple Conditioner, which are enriched with purple pigments to neutralize brass and help keep color vibrant in between colorings. You can also follow up your shampoo and conditioning session once a week with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Anti Brass Purple Mask Treatment to deeply nourish your blonde strands if they’re starting to feel a bit dry.

Finally, don’t forget to boost your color with a hair color gloss like the L’Oréal Paris Le Color Gloss One Step In-Shower Toning Gloss. It enhances tone and deeply conditions your hair in just 15 minutes — saving you a salon visit and plenty of coins. 

Next: How to Strip Hair Color to Get Back to Your Natural Hair

Edited by: Shalwah Evans, Photo Credit: IG/@sabrina.hge