Who doesn’t love a fierce, icy blonde? Platinum hair is such a fun look because there are so many unique shades within itself, from silver to ash to metallic and pearl. But before we dive right in and begin your transformation to a platinum goddess, it’s important to know a few things about what it takes to make this change, the commitment it can be and tips for maintaining the integrity of bleached hair.
Becoming Platinum
Find the educated stylist. Look for a stylist whoโs ahead of the trend. At Exsalonce Chicago, our stylists are constantly engaged in continued education which enables them to grow and adapt their techniques as the color world shifts towards new advances. Not only are style trends ever changing, but the techniques in which those looks are achieved are too. As a client, you should never have to worry that your stylist hasnโt done their research to give you the perfect, modern day look youโre paying for. Going platinum can be a pretty big process, so if you haven’t already, we encourage you to find a stylist you feel inspired by and who isnโt afraid to share new ideas with you. Once you find this person, youโre likely to feel much more confident on your journey to platinum!
1/3 way to platinum
Platinum is a process. Platinum hair is created by stripping the hair completely bare of pigment, which means that the length of this process is going to be unique to you and your natural shade, as well as any previous color you might have had. Unless your natural color is a light blonde, you should plan for at least 2-3 appointments with your stylist to see full platinum results. And to put that into perspective, only 2% of the entire world remains naturally blonde by adulthood. So get comfortable with the idea of going through a buttery blonde or ashy blonde phase before reaching platinum. We tell you this not to discourage anyone, we just like to be up front about the commitment this can involve. As long as you have the patience, we will absolutely get you there!
Donโt cut corners. When making a drastic change like going platinum, our stylists at Exsalonce Chicago will likely recommend an upgraded service or two to treat the hair. Take their advice! We promise you this is not an effort to nickel and dime you. Bleach can be very harsh to the hair, and adding on a $15-25 deep conditioning treatment at Exsalonce Chicago can work wonders to prevent your hair from becoming coarse and brittle.
3/3 Full Platinum
Protect your scalp. When freshly washed, bleaching can cause a painful burning sensation to the scalp because it has been stimulated. To avoid this, we suggest that you skip your shampoo routine for 1-2 days before your bleach and tone appointment. Your scalp produces natural oils which coat the surface of the scalp, hence that โgreasy hairโ feel weโve all experienced. However, these oils can actually protect your scalp from a great deal of unnecessary discomfort during processing time on your way to platinum.
Maintaining Platinum
Platinum perfect products. At home care and the products you use will make all the difference in the longevity of your color and keeping brassiness at bay, so spending a little extra on salon-grade products is definitely worth it if you ask us. Here are some of our go-to favorites at Exsalonce Chicago for maintaining that perfect platinum color:
Tony Odisho Beautiful Blonde Shampoo ($24) – Donโt be fooled by the intense purple of the product, this violet color deposit shampoo works wonders for blonde and gray hair! If youโve never used a purple shampoo before, weโll let you in on a pretty simple but totally awesome trick. Think about where purple and yellow are on the color wheel – opposite of eachother. This means that in order to neutralize brassy, yellow tones that may appear over time, we need products rich in purple pigment such as this by Tony Odisho.
Tony Odisho Beautiful Blonde Conditioner ($28) – Paired with the Beautiful Blonde Shampoo, this violet conditioner by Tony Odisho works as a deep color enhancement and conditioning treatment, while restoring shine and softness. This conditioner is perfect for subtle toning and maintaining the platinum look.
Moroccan Oil Platinum Color Depositing Mask ($28) – This mask is SO fun for those wanting a more intense toning in between salon visits. With color actually depositing into your hair in just a 7-10 min application, this mask will vibrantly boost the platinum you already have, or give a temporary platinum tone to varying shades of blonde. This product can be swapped out for your regular conditioner anytime you feel your color needs a little refresher, and always on freshly shampooed hair. We also recommend using on towel dried hair and pulling through hair with a wide toothed comb for best results.
Moroccan Oil Light Tones Dry Shampoo ($26) – This dry shampoo by Moroccan Oil is by far a top seller at Exsalonce Chicago. Formulated specifically for light hair tones, this UV-protecting, argan oil-infused formula contains subtle violet undertones to balance brassiness in blonde hair and bring out the best in light tones. With ultra-fine rice starch that absorbs oil, buildup and odor, your hair will be left feeling instantly cleansed and refreshed.
Tony Odisho 3-in-1 Mist ($18) – With detangle, shine, and protection benefits all in one, the 3-in-1 Mist makes our top list for just about any hair color and style. This vitamin-packed mist leaves hair soft, healthy and manageable without adding weight or buildup. It blocks UV rays, protects against heat and sun exposure, and adds hydration and shine.
Complimentary consultation. Love the idea of going platinum but still not sure if this process is the right fit for you? We offer a 15 min complimentary consultation, where you can meet with one of our experienced stylists at Exsalonce Chicago to discuss whether or not your hair is a good candidate for this process, a general range on pricing and any other questions or concerns you might have. Just give us a call to schedule your consultation today!
