Black women go blonde, and they do it oh so well. Savannah James, Ciara, Zendaya and Beyoncé lead the list of notable Black women who are showcasing the beauty of going blonde. Itching to try the bold shade? Here’s everything Black women should know about blonde hair maintenance, with expert advice from celebrity hairstylist and entrepreneur Angela C. Stevens.
How Do Black Women Go Blonde?
If you want to find your signature blonde color, it’s important to do some research. This includes understanding the chemical dyeing treatment and the maintenance needed to keep your hair healthy.
“If you want to be blonde, be blonde. Just go about it in a way that’s conducive to your hair texture and hair type,” Stevens told 21Ninety.
The stylist has worked with Rihanna, Keke Palmer, and Rita Ora. She says going blonde is about finding a color that compliments your skin’s undertones, which for melanated skin usually falls into the cool category.
“The word ashy in the Black community is considered a negative thing, but, when it comes to ashy [blonde] hair, that’s a win. The cooler the blonde is, usually, the more natural it looks, and the better it looks on brown skin,” Stevens said.
Whether you’re looking to dye your natural hair or your expensive extensions, here is a list of products for blonde hair maintenance
- Best Leave In: K-18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
- Best Heat Protectant For Blonde Hair: Living Proof Triple Bond Complex Leave-in Hair Treatment
- Best All-In-One Set For Blonde Hair: Redken Bonding Shampoo, Conditioner, & Leave-In Treatment Set
- Best Protein Treatment For Thin Natural Dyed-Blonde Hair: ApHogee Two Step Protein Treatment 16 oz
- Best Gel For Natural Hair Dyed-Blonde: Olaplex Bond Shaper Curl Defining Gel
- Best Pillowcase To Keep Your Blonde Hair Frizz-Free: Slip Silk Pillowcase – Standard/Queen
- Best Purple Wash Set For Blonde Bundles: Luseta Color Brightening Purple Shampoo & Conditioner Set
Best Leave In
K-18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
K-18 is a professional-recommended brand for color care, including its Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask. The mask will keep your hair soft and smooth from bleach, color and chemical services.
Best Heat Protectant For Blonde Hair
Living Proof Triple Bond Complex Leave-in Hair Treatment
If you want to straighten your color treated blonde hair, a bond-focused leave-in is a must. Nothing can make chemically treated hair drier than extra heat. Living Proof offers a bond complex leave-in treatment that doubles as a heat protectant.
Best All-In-One Set For Natural-Dyed Blonde Hair
Redken Bonding Shampoo, Conditioner, & Leave-In Treatment Set
If you’re looking to dye your natural hair blonde, first consider your hair type and hair porosity.
“A lot of people think that tighter hair is stronger [to go blonde] but the tighter the hair the more fragile it can be,” Stevens said.
She recommends the Redken hair care trio, which contains citric acid to keep naturally-dyed blonde hair hydrated and not break off.
Best Protein Treatment For Thin Natural Dyed-Blonde Hair
ApHogee Two Step Protein Treatment 16 oz
ApHogee offers a great treatment for thin curl types. The brand’s Two Step Protein Treatment prevents your hair from getting brittle and weak after intense dyeing processes. For best blonde hair maintenance results, use with a hooded dryer.
Best Gel For Natural Hair Dyed-Blonde
Olaplex Bond Shaper Curl Defining Gel
Olaplex has been growing in popularity among Black women, and Stevens agrees the brand is beneficial for Black hair. One of her favorites is the Bond Shaper Curl Defining Gel, which repairs the bonds broken from dyeing natural hair.
“If you’re a natural going blonde, this has everything in one. They have products for the chemical part of the bonding repair, but they also have products for curls too,” Stevens shared.
Best Pillowcase To Keep Your Blonde Hair Frizz-Free
Slip Silk Pillowcase – Standard/Queen
Other aspects outside of hair products cana affect the health of your blonde-colored hair, including your bedsheets. If you’re always finding your silk bonnet on the floor, invest in the Slip Silk Pillowcase instead to keep your hair friction and frizz-free.
Best Purple Wash Set For Blonde Bundles
Luseta Color Brightening Purple Shampoo & Conditioner Set
Just because you are using colored hair extensions, doesn’t mean you don’t have to take care of them.
“Try to prevent using heat as much as possible, because the hair is already color treated. The additional heat deposit is going to make it drier and a bit harder to manage,” Stevens advised.
The Luseta Brightening Purple set will protect the hair cuticles and retain moisture in the shaft, which is great for maintaining the life of blonde human hair extensions.
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