How to Go from Red Hair to Blonde Hair

It’s safe to say red and blonde hair are two of the most eye-catching options for your mane. If you have red hair, you’re probably used to people staring—and for good reason. A crimson mane is positively stunning. But what if you’re ready to make an adjustment to your hair color? More specifically, what if you want to put the theory that those with blonde hair have more fun to the test? Go for it! It may be a major modification, but it is possible to go from red to blonde hair, as long as you follow a few key steps. Here’s how to go blonde like a pro, as well as a few red and blonde hair color ideas just in case you want to rock both shades at once.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN GOING FROM RED TO BLONDE HAIR

Ready to take the plunge and trade in your fiery red hair for blonde locks? Keep these five pieces of info in mind before you get to dyeing.

1. YOU’LL HAVE TO SELECT YOUR SHADE

Just as there are varying shades of red hair, from strawberry blonde to scarlet, not all shades of blonde hair are the same. That’s why it’s not quite as simple as walking into a salon and declaring you want to go blonde. Unless you want to be surprised by your new shade, it’s best to be more specific. If you aren’t sure whether you’re better suited to golden blonde or platinum blonde, try looking at images of celebrities with a similar skin tone to yours. Another option: You can make a quick detour to read our article, The 50 Best Blonde Hair Colors for Every Skin Tone, for inspiration.

2. IT WON’T BE A ONE AND DONE SCENARIO

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 out of the salon with all your hair color wishes fulfilled after one appointment; you may need multiple sessions with a colorist to reach the exact color you’ve been dreaming of.

3. BLEACH WILL BE NECESSARY

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.

4. HIGHLIGHTS CAN TIE EVERYTHING TOGETHER

Still don’t feel blonde enough? Highlights are a great way to achieve a baby blonde look. Add babylights throughout your hair for a youthful, sun-kissed style.

5. IT’S UP TO YOU TO SEE A STYLIST OR DIY

There isn’t just one way to become a blonde. You can opt to put your hair in the hands of a professional or switch up your hair color at home. If 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.

3 RED AND BLONDE HAIR COLOR IDEAS TO TRY

Torn between a red or blonde mane? We understand your dilemma. If you want to rock both shades at once, consider giving one of the following red and blonde hair color ideas a try. (These options can also be a great option for gradually transitioning to a completely blonde mane!)

Red and Blonde Hair Color Idea #1: Red to blonde ombré. Allow your red hair to transition into your blonde shade of choice with a gradient of color from roots to ends. This red and blonde hair color option is low maintenance as it allows you to keep your natural hue at the top of your head—no need to worry about root touch-ups!

Red and Blonde Hair Color Idea #2: Red hair with blonde highlights. Love the idea of an all-over blonde mane but still want to keep hints of red? Highlights are a great option as they’ll add blonde dimension to your red locks without taking away from their fiery hue. For inspo, here’s How to Get Red Hair with Blonde Highlights.

Red and Blonde Hair Color Idea #3: Red hair with blonde balayage. Another highlighting option, blonde balayage is a low maintenance red and blonde hair color. With each highlight expertly placed, your red hair will be left with a sun-kissed touch.

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR NEWLY 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. Follow these three tips to keep your shade in shape.

TIP #1: START USING PRODUCTS FORMULATED FOR COLOR-TREATED HAIR

No matter how much you loved the products you used as a redhead, those days are a thing of the past. Now that you have blonde hair, you should make the move to a shampoo, conditioner, and hair mask formulated for blonde, color-treated hair. Try the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Blonde Shampoo, L’Oréal Paris EverPure Blonde Conditioner, and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Blonde Shade Reviving Treatment to help neutralize unwanted brassy tones while hydrating over-processed hair. Gently massage the shampoo onto wet hair, then rinse and follow up with the conditioner. Leave the conditioner on for one to two minutes before rinsing again. Swap out the conditioner for the treatment once a week, applying it after shampooing. Leave it on for three to five minutes before rinsing.

TIP #2: KEEP BRASS AT BAY

Speaking of brass, your new blonde hair is likely to get brassy over time. When you notice brassiness starting to make an appearance, swap your hair care system for the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Purple Shampoo for Color Treated Hair and L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Purple Conditioner for Color Treated Hair, which are enriched with purple pigments to neutralize brass tones and help keep color vibrant in between colorings.

TIP #3: EMBRACE HEAT-FREE HAIRSTYLES

Make your blonde hair a little less high maintenance by taking a break from heat styling. Take your pick from one of the three heat-free hairstyle options below.

HEAT-FREE HAIRSTYLE #1: AIR-DRIED WAVES

After showering, towel dry your hair before applying a wave spray. Spritz the product onto your hair, scrunch, then let it finish air drying. Wavy hair doesn’t get much easier than that!

HEAT-FREE HAIRSTYLE #2: MESSY BEDHEAD

Who said a perfectly styled mane had to be, well, perfect? Messy ‘dos are all the rage at the moment, and they’re a great option for styling your blonde hair sans heat. First, take a bit of hair pomade (try the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Overworked Hair Putty) and rub it between your fingers. Keep in mind that less is more when it comes to the amount of product you use! Then, work the paste throughout your mane to define your texture and create a messy, piecey look. Hello, beautiful bedhead!

HEAT-FREE HAIRSTYLE #3: FRENCH BRAID

Of course, one of the easiest ways to style your hair sans heat is to rock a braided hairstyle. Rather than creating a traditional three-strand braid (though you can totally do that, too), consider putting your locks into a slightly more intricate French braid. Rusty when it comes to your braiding skills? Don’t worry—we have you covered. Head on over to our article, Braiding Basics: How to French Braid Your Hair, for a step-by-step tutorial.

TIP #4: PROTECT YOUR COLOR FROM THE SUN

Don’t forget to switch out your finishing hair spray, too. Look for an option that offers protection from the sun’s UVA and UVB rays, like the L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray Extra Strong Hold with UV filter for Color-Treated Hair. Spritz, spritz and you’re all done.

Now that you know how to go blonde, you may be curious about how you can get back to your crimson tresses (should you want to return to an au naturale beauty look). Read our article on How to Get Back to Your Natural Hair Color for everything you need to know.