E! illustration/Paul Mitchell
We don't know about you, but we're feeling blonde-curious this summer. There's something about the heat, the sun, or maybe even that upcoming Legally Blonde prequel series, that has us wondering... do blondes really have more fun?
We tapped celebrity colorist and blonde expert, Tauni Dawson, to answer our most pressing summer-related hair color questions. From her go-to lightener and what she recommends for at-home maintenance to whether or not we even should go blonde, the colorist behind some of our favorite blonde celebrities breaks it all down for us.
In general, people tend to gravitate towards bright and lighter hair colors during the spring and early summer. That being said, the best time is when you feel excited to be blonde. "The best time to go blonde is really when you’re ready to commit to both the look and the maintenance that comes with it so that it fits your lifestyle," Dawson told E!.
For Dawson, going blonde starts with the lightener. "I always focus on controlled lift using a bond-supporting lightener, like Paul Mitchell’s Pre-Bonded Lightener, to help maintain the integrity of the hair as you lighten," she said.
Never been blonde before, but curious if it's better? Dawson recommends not going platinum off the bat. Instead, start with a softer color and more dimensional shade first, like a caramel, honey, or a 'lived-in' blonde. "It allows the client to ease into being lighter while still keeping depth and dimension, which tends to feel more natural and lower maintenance," she told E!.
While the Paul Mitchell lightener is sold out, this one by AGE Beautiful features blue-toned powder and a bonding technology built into the formula that promises to gently lift up to 9 levels.
Naturally, the summer inspires people to go blonde. The lighter and warmer hair are natural complements to the bright, sunlit, and fun energy of the season. "There’s something about golden, glossy blonde tones that just feel synonymous with summer," Dawson told E!. Many of her celebrity clients are moving away from icy blondes and opting for warmer, healthier-looking shades like Hot Honey Blonde.
For Dawson, though, it’s all about how you get to that color. "Blonde starts with proper lift and tone, and using the right lightener and approach makes all the difference in how the hair looks and feels," she explained. "I always prioritize achieving clean, even lift, and then toning appropriately to create a shade that feels customized and wearable."
"I really believe there’s a version of blonde for everyone, it’s more about customizing the tone correctly," Dawson told E!. Customizing that blonde should start right from the beginning, not just for the color and tone stage. "If the lift isn’t clean and controlled, it makes toning much more difficult and less predictable."
She recommends warmer skin tones and olive undertones to opt for a honey, caramel, or golden blonde. While cooler undertones pair best with neutral or beige blondes. The issue comes when that blonde tone doesn't complement your complexion.
"For example, going too ashy on someone with a lot of warmth can make the skin look dull, while overly yellow blondes can sometimes overwhelm cooler complexions," Dawson explained. "The goal should always be balance and dimension, not chasing one universal blonde trend."
"I definitely don’t think people need to be blonde this summer," Dawson told E!. "As a colorist, I’m seeing clients move away from overly cool, high-maintenance tones and gravitate toward richer, healthier-looking color overall."
Even when her clients are going blonde, the focus has shifted. Right now, it's less about getting as bright as possible and more about getting a healthy lift and tone that looks natural and dimensional.
The trend we'll be seeing this summer is hair that looks strong, glossy, and effortless. "Shades like honey blonde, golden brunette, and soft caramel are going to be huge because they feel healthier, shinier, and lower maintenance than cooler, high-lift colors," she explained.
In the trendy shade Golden Blonde, the Gloss+ by dpHUE features a semi-permanent, conditioning formula that deposits vibrant color almost instantly. Plus, it leaves your locks soft, glossy, and moisturized.
This hair mask by Wella in the shade Caramel Glaze promises to give your hair a quick color refresh. It features a conditioning and strengthening formula infused with avocado oil that delivers a healthy shine.
Looking for delicious brown shade, instead? The Keracolor Clenditioner is a conditioning cleanser that infuses the Mocha shade with every wash. Formulated with Keratin and nourishing oils, it'll leave your locks shiny, soft, and vibrant.
For Dawson, a great blonde starts in the chair. Still, home maintenance is just as important. "I always recommend a hydrating, sulfate-free routine because strength and moisture are everything for blondes," she told E!.
For her clients, Dawson recommends purple shampoos and conditioners that gently cleanse the hair, while removing unwanted brass. Still, don't go overboard with the purple shampoo. Sometimes you want the brass.
"Honestly, when it comes to maintaining warmer blondes like Hot Honey Blonde, less purple shampoo is more," she explained. "You want to preserve that rich warmth and dimension, not completely neutralize it."
She also recommends multi-masking hair masks to keep the hair stronger and nourished. For Dawson, a good shower filter is the ultimate hidden gem to maintain your hair's health and color.
For those with a warmer blonde, don't use a purple shampoo. There are plenty of shampoos available for you, but this Amika one is formulated with antioxidants and omega-rich ingredients to leave your locks glossy, protected, and nourished.
"I’m big on multitasking hair masks to keep the hair hydrated and help maintain that softness and shine," Dawson told E!. This mask promises to deliver 15 benefits in one use with its formula of mirabelle plum and activated botanicals.
In collaboration with celebrity hair stylist Chris Appleton, this Color Wow hair mask is the essential "prep step" to any look with its hydrating and strengthening formula filled with Mediterranean-derived ingredients.
"I always talk to clients about the impact of their water. Hard water can really dull blonde, affect tone, and contribute to dryness," Dawson told E!. "Something as simple as a shower filter can make a noticeable difference in keeping blonde [hair] looking brighter and feeling healthier."
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