She's a High Maintenance Gal
We've all envied this meticulous type with green eyes. Her life revolves around weekly schedules of mandatory pedicures and manicures, followed by a rush to the hair salon. She's quick to notice any new wrinkles and regularly indulges in facials, body wraps, massages, and attends Botox parties. You'll cast a begrudging glance at her as she diligently works out on the weight machines, her body, face, and nails all seemingly perfect.
This girl is the only person I know who can smile without moving her mouth, a result of her efforts to prevent laugh lines. There's no way this woman will hold a garden shovel or dig a hole to plant a tree, fearing she might break a nail or mess up her hair. She avoids sun exposure, aware that it could lead to premature aging, and prefers to get her vitamin D from a bottle. What most people don't realize is the effort and cost involved in maintaining such a pristine appearance, akin to a new Mercedes — and in this case, she happens to be a blonde.
The maintenance of blonde hair depends on what the individual has done to it. Some 'always well-groomed ladies' simply visit the salon for a touch-up with a high-volume dye once a month. Others allow their new growth to appear for a month or two before touching up. Then, there's the desire for a variety of blonde colors, rather than that pale washed-out look that has been prominent yesterday, today, and undoubtedly tomorrow too. Having a variety of colors is much more attractive, although it can be expensive and high-maintenance if you want to maintain that Barbie-perfect look. The range of warm golds, strawberry blondes, and lighter neutrals can be impressive.
Be Careful with Bleaching
Thin, weak hair is much more prone to developing problems when bleaching is applied. Even if the bleach contains oil or moisturizer and the company advertises its safety and effectiveness, there's still a risk of extreme dryness, brittleness, and possible breakage. The hair isn't strong enough to handle continual bleach use, regardless of the product. If you have fine, weak hair and desire to be blonde, perhaps tinting would be more suitable for you.
And don't be afraid of the red tones, as they will naturally appear in your hair. Your hair colorist will likely use a medium to low volume developer for safety. Over time, as you need touch-ups, accept this process gradually. Additionally, regular use of moisturizing conditioners will help maintain the health and integrity of your hair.
Natural redheads can lighten their hair too. I would suggest using a high-volume tint to foil your hair with two lighter colors. The hues will likely be golden and a lovely strawberry at the beginning. This gradual evolution of tones will flatter your hair and probably give you a confident strut in your walk.
Be Aware of the Cost
Have you considered the price of this service? The longer and thicker your hair, the more time and money it will require. Especially with long, thick hair, the costs could be significant, perhaps even requiring you to take out a second mortgage on your home.
But that's just the beginning; there's also the upkeep to consider. This depends on whether you want to maintain your salon-fresh look or are willing to compromise until you have about an inch or two of new growth for your colorist to work with. You see, when someone comes into the salon with an inch of new growth and requests a touch-up, they expect the result to match the rest of their hair.
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