Blonde is a hair color that ranges from golden to pale yellow. In some languages, such as French, words can have different grammatical genders depending on whether they are applied to men or women, but blond is generally gender-neutral in English.
Some style guides advise against using blonde to refer to people, as it can be seen as a sexist stereotype. But it is still widely used, particularly when describing someone’s physical appearance.
Origin
The word blonde is actually a variant of the word brunette, but it is often used in a gender-specific way to refer to women or girls. It can also be spelled with an E or without, depending on whether it is being used to describe someone who has light hair or something of that color. Adding the E is common when referring to a woman or girl, but some style guides advise against it due to concerns about sexism.
It is believed that blond hair first appeared as a genetic mutation in northern Europe 11,000 years ago. It is also thought that this mutation occurred in the same region that gave rise to blue eyes. Researchers have traced the gene mutation to an area in chromosome 17 that codes for a protein called KITLG, which regulates the production of melanin and determines hair color. This is similar to the way that the mutation that gives some people blue eyes affects the OCA2 gene, which determines eye and skin color.
Types
Many different shades fall under the blonde category ranging from warm tones such as golden, honey or buttery to cool shades like platinum, silver and ash. The blondes with cool undertones look very beautiful on olive skin tones. Dove Cameron and Beyonce are examples of this. Sandy blonde, which has a peachy feel to it, is another popular shade of blonde. This color looks great with dimensional highlights.
If you have pink or blue undertones on your complexion then you should go for a cooler tone of blonde like Dove Cameron’s multidimensional pearl, Jordyn Woods sleek platinum and Sofia Richie’s strawberry blonde. Alternatively, you could try dark brown lowlights on your roots for a richer, more natural look. If you have darker complexion then you can also opt for a light wheat or caramel blonde like Taylor Swift or Zoe Kravitz. Make sure to bring reference photos to your salon appointment so you can clearly explain what you want.
Highlights
Blonde highlights add dimension, brighten the complexion and boost texture. The key is to keep them soft and subtle for a natural look. Experiment with different highlight techniques like balayage and foiling to create a sun-kissed effect. For a bolder effect, try ombre or chunky face-framing highlights. Cool-toned blonde shades like honey and platinum look best on tan skin tones, while warm golden highlights are flattering for darker complexions.
Darker lowlights can also enhance a light blonde color by adding contrast and richness. Caramel and light brown shades are ideal for this.
For a softer effect, you can also opt for warmer babylights (also called ombré), which are made of strands that are lighter than the rest of your hair. They create a natural-looking, multi-dimensional effect and are easy to maintain. They also work well for women with fine wavy hair.
Maintenance
Many people mistakenly believe dyeing their hair blonde ruins it, but it can actually look more vibrant for longer with proper colour care. Suggest your clients use a colour protecting shampoo (leave-in conditioners are a good option) and a conditioning treatment such as Leidi Locks No 3 hair perfector, which is free from sulfates, parabens, phthalates, gluten and DMDM Hydantoin.
Remind your client to keep up with regular trims to avoid split ends, which can cause the hair to appear dull. They can also try toning treatments Opens in new tab every six to eight weeks to prevent brassiness.
Recommend your clients invest in a quality shower filter to eliminate chlorine, iron and other minerals in their tap water that can deplete the hair’s natural moisture and cause yellowing or brassy tones. They can also try a hair mask such as INVIGO Color Brilliance Vibrant Color Mask Opens in new tab to replenish their locks with strengthening proteins and hydrating ingredients that keep the blonde hues they love looking vibrant for longer.
