Calling All Bleached Blondes: Here’s My Routine for Healthy & Happy Hair

As a natural brunette, it’s brave of me to bleach my hair.

But I do it anyway.

Braveheart, who?

I consistently book myself in for a half head of foils to attain a gorgeous, lived-in balayage.

With countless appointments over the years – and trust me, there’s been a lot – I’m proud to say I’ve finally finessed a haircare routine that gives me a fresh-looking blonde after every wash.

And now I’m never one to gatekeep, so read on if you’re a bottle blonde like me and want to take your hair to the next level.

In-Salon.

Now before we get into the products, there’s actually a few things I do when I’m getting my hair dyed that help me get a colour that’s both exactly what I want and attainable.

First up, I’m realistic about the colour I can achieve.

Now you might be wondering, 'Uh, Maddy, what do you mean? You want blonde hair, isn’t it as simple as that?'

I mean that the natural tone of my hair leans quite warm, so the blonde I’m going to be able to maintain is warm, rather than ashy.

The key is to work with your hair, rather than against it. This helps the colour last and grow out naturally.

Next up, I go to a salon that understands exactly what I’m after and is honest with me about what I can achieve and what they recommend for maintaining it.

I’m currently going to the amazing Karlie at the phenom LNDN Hair in Collingwood in Melbourne.

In saying that I realise I’m now making it even harder to get an appointment there but like I said, I don’t gatekeep and she’s that good.

Now, on to the products!

Want to hear me talk through my haircare routine IRL? Here's a little video I prepared earlier...

In-Shower.

1. Pre-shampoo spray to help remove mineral build-up.

Introducing the Color WOW Dream Filter Pre Shampoo Spray.

Now, you may be wondering what in the world a pre-shampoo spray is and why you need it.

I’m so glad you asked because this stuff changed the game for me.

It’s a spray that removes colour-distorting build-up from tap and well water, and you apply it to dry hair before you actually step in the shower and use shampoo.

2. High-quality shampoo and conditioner specifically made for coloured hair.

The L'Oreal Professionnel Metal Detox Shampoo 300ml and L'Oreal Professionnel Metal Detox Mask 250ml were a revolutionary addition to my routine.

I don’t think I’ve been quiet about how much I love the range since it launched, and I’m not sorry about it.

The range is similar to the pre-shampoo spray in that it aims to remove metals from your hair - the same metals that dull your colour.

It also smells incredible, if you care about that type of thing (which I do).

3. Purple shampoo once a week - or a fortnight as needed.

While the rest of my hair routine does the heavy lifting in getting rid of the buildup I don’t want in my hair, a purple shampoo never goes astray in a blonde routine.

I’ve recently been using the georgiemane Purple Shampoo 300ml and it’s worked perfectly to tone my hair cooler when I’m after that look.

Post-Shower.

1. Nourishing treatment to treat hair overnight.

You’re going to be sleeping anyway, so why not use the time to nourish your hair?

The Kérastase Nutritive 8HR Magic Night Hair Serum is a fave around the Adore Beauty office not just for its phenomenal smell, but also for its ability to transform your hair overnight.

Waking up with luscious, hydrated locks? Ideal.

2. Hair mask while exercising - ever heard of the Olaplex bun trend?

Let me tell you, the way slicked hairstyles have revolutionised my hair condition is mindblowing.

Who knew that’s all it would take?

My hair always goes up in a bun or back in a plait while I exercise, with a hair mask applied before the final hair tie is secured (my fave to use is the iconic Olaplex Hair Perfector No.3 Home Treatment as a little goes a long way).

3. Wash hair as little as possible.

And I’m not talking about once a week, because that could never be me with my aspirationally-planned workout schedule.

I’m talking about being smart around your hair wash days.

This also involves using products like dry shampoo and leave-in sprays, along with creative hairstyles to stretch out the days between washes.

In a normal week, I’d wash my hair twice using my fave georgiemane Dry Shampoo and my slicked-back bun trick.

4. Air-dry your hair as much as possible.

Unless you have to use heat, in which case use a heat protectant.

I’ve used and love the georgiemane Heat Protectant Spray 150ml as well as the evo icon welder heat protection mist.

They’re both lightweight and do what they say they’re going to do.

Simple. We love.

5. Use silk hair accessories.

This is more for general hair health - because regardless of what you’re doing to your hair, you should definitely be sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase.

I'm currently sleeping on the Kitsch Satin Pillowcase, however it's currently sold out. In its place, I'd suggest the Shhh Silk Silk Pillowcase Queen Size.

Adore also has a bunch of other silk hair accessories like the Silke London Hair Ties - Coco that help reduce frizz and breakage that can come with cotton bedding and towels.

They're also ridiculously good for your skin - but don’t get me started on that.

Final Thoughts.

And there you have it friends, my admittedly long list of things I do to keep my blonde hair nice and fresh.

A routine that has been tried, tested and refined over the years.

Enjoy!

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