Thinking of going lighter? Here's what to consider
When it comes to hair transformations, lightening your hair can create a fresh and vibrant new look.
Whatever your base colour, when you find that perfect golden shade you'll feel incredible - just ask Ariana Grande, who swapped her usual brunette hue for honey-blonde locks nearly two years ago and hasn't looked back since.
Rihanna is another celebrity who's shown off a variety of lighter looks recently, from caramel coils while unveiling her haircare range to glossy strawberry curls on the cover of Perfect magazine, while pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter is all about her signature beigy-blonde tresses.
As Ari and Riri prove, this season is all about golden girls, with Scandi-inspired platinum blonde taking a backseat in favour of more subtly chic shades.
"Clients are definitely moving away from those icy tones and opting for something more natural," says creative director Charlotte Lewis.
"I'm loving 'teddy' blonde at the moment. It's similar to 'bronde', with a cool chocolate brown base and warmer blonde pieces throughout. I've had a lot of requests for that, it's very much on trend and will continue to be throughout autumn and into winter."
There's never been a better time to embrace your inner blonde bombshell, but you've got to be careful when lightening your hair, especially if you're starting with a dark base.
It's important to understand what you can achieve, what kind of shade will suit you and what it will take to maintain the look.
Here, our colourists talk through everything you need to consider before going lighter…
SELECTING A SHADE
Thinking about hair trends, our colourists agree that bright, Barbie blonde is out and warmer shades are in.
"I feel like I've been saying it for the last two years - my clients predominantly want gold over cool tones," says creative director Joe Savine.
However, there are so many different shades along the blonde spectrum, and it's crucial to find one that complements your skin tone and eye colour.
"I often talk to my clients about what jewellery they prefer, silver or gold," says Charlotte.
"That's always a good indicator to reveal whether warm or cool tones will work for them."
Our colourists always encourage clients to bring in any photos from social media of the kind of look they want, as terms like 'ashy' or 'caramel' might be interpreted differently. It's key to make sure you're on the same page about your desired look before you begin your blonde journey.
HOW WILL IT AFFECT MY HAIR?
You might think that going lighter is simply a matter of applying bleach and letting it get to work, but at Paul Edmonds London our colourists use a more tailored approach.
"It depends on how light the client wants to be, how dark their hair is and the condition of hair," Joe says. "We might take different paths depending on those factors and use different products."
While TikTok 'before and after' videos make blonde transformations look easy, an experienced colourist knows that 'lifting' the hair several shades takes time.
"If you're a natural medium brown base you're not going to be globally blonde on your first appointment," Charlotte says. "You're going to have to come back a few times before you achieve the result you want." That's why a thorough consultation is essential before any colour appointment.
She continues: "If the hair's not in great condition then I might suggest some treatments first before colouring. What we can achieve on hair that's in optimal condition is very different from a situation where the hair's broken or dry."
In most cases, a toner will be applied as the last step in the process to bring the hair to the desired shade of blonde.
MAINTENANCE MATTERS
To keep your beautiful new hair 'do looking fresh, the team recommend top-ups in salon and targeted products at home.
"I always recommend a gloss two or three weeks after, because sometimes the colour's not stable," Joe says.
A gloss treatment (also known as a glaze) restores shine, making the hair look more vibrant, and can also contain pigment to refresh the colour.
Charlotte says: "If a client tells me their blonde has gone a bit warm or brassy after about three or four weeks they can come back to the salon and have another toner put on it."
She also stresses the importance of aftercare: "If you are planning to go lighter then you should be using professional products at home - that is a massive factor in terms of the colour and how your hair feels."
How to keep your blonde looking fresh for longer
For thorough cleansing, Joe recommends you start your hair washing with a double shampoo: "Two shampoos and conditioner, then a mask about once a week, depending on how often you wash your hair. If you wash it four times a week use a mask once. I would also suggest heat protection and UV protection to help maintain the toner colour."
At Paul Edmonds, we stock a wide range of cleansing and styling products aimed at different shades of blonde.
"From Shu Uemura you've got your Yubi Blonde family and Color Lustre," Joe explains.
"Davines do a great range, the Alchemic Gold, they're toning products. From Oribe I love Hair Alchemy for strengthening and brightening blonde hair."
FIND A COLOURIST YOU CAN TRUST
The Paul Edmonds London team are second to none when it comes to colour transformations, which is why you know you're in safe hands with our colourists when you want to go blonde.
"We're proud of our education, knowledge and heritage," Joe says. "Paul has been in the industry for 40 years and creative colour director Tracey has worked with him for decades. There's a long line of knowledge and trust within the company and I think that's what our clients like - that loyalty."
Charlotte, who has been with the salon for 19 years, says the team pride themselves on being honest and open with clients: "We'll never do something that's going to compromise the condition of the hair. Our colourists are confident enough to say, 'Actually, this is not going to work.' For example, with a client who wants to go blonde, I might say, 'Let's do it a bit more slowly over three or four appointments."
The team continue to learn new skills and techniques throughout their careers.
"We're always upskilling and no one gatekeeps," says Joe, who has recently returned from a two-day training course.
"Anything that anyone learns on courses, or an idea that they have, as a team we always share it. We're happy to take other people's opinions. I think that's really important."
Lighten up
Inspired by celebrities like Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter, golden blonde hues are having a moment right now.
The 'teddy' blonde is the perfect summer-to-autumn shade, but there are several important factors to consider before taking the plunge, particularly if you've got a dark base colour or any hair damage.
Following our colourists' expert advice will help you decide on your perfect shade, whether it's achievable for your hair, and how to maintain it with pro products and salon top-ups.
Ready to become a blonde babe? Book a colour consultation at Paul Edmonds London.