What is a Bleach & Tone and How To Maintain It

The A-List Secret to Healthy Blonde Hair: How to Maintain Your Bleach and Tone Like a Pro

Brought to you by Lush Hair Folk Salon in Houston, Texas

Picture your hair as a prized piece of art: vibrant, eye-catching, and worthy of admiration. Now imagine entrusting that masterpiece to an amateur—it’s risky, right? The same goes for achieving and maintaining flawless blonde hair: you need the right technique and proper care to keep those strands looking like they just stepped off the red carpet. Whether you’re aiming for icy platinum or a warm buttery hue, here’s the ultimate guide to bleach-and-tone bliss.

What Is a Bleach and Tone?

Traditional Bleach and Tone

• Bleaching – A chemical solution (often hydrogen peroxide plus ammonia) lifts natural pigment from your hair.
• Toning – A toner is then applied to neutralize any brassiness, refining your final shade.

Pro Tip: This go-to method for bombshell blonde enthusiasts can create dryness or breakage if not done correctly. Enter the game-changing “faux” bleach and tone…

The “Faux” Bleach and Tone: A Healthier Way to Go Platinum

Straight from celeb colorist Tracey Cunningham’s playbook, this technique focuses on lightening only the regrowth while safeguarding previously bleached hair with bond-building treatments.

How “Faux” Bleach and Tone Works

1. Targeted Application: Bleach is only applied to the new growth.
2. Olaplex Protection: The rest of the hair is coated with Olaplex No. 2 (or a similar bond repair treatment) to shield and strengthen strands.
3. Foil Placement: Using foils prevents bleach overlap and reduces overall damage.

Why It’s Better: Think of it as touching up only the “fresh canvas” without repainting the entire picture. Less overlap on already-processed hair means fewer opportunities for breakage and dryness.

How to Ask Your Hair Colorist:

“Can you protect the existing blonde with Olaplex No. 2 while only bleaching the new growth?”

Expert Tips for Maintaining a Bleach and Tone

Blonde hair isn’t a one-and-done situation; it’s a relationship that demands a little TLC. Here’s how to keep that hue looking camera-ready.

1. Choose the Right Shampoo

• Sulfate-Free Shampoo: A gentler formula that keeps hair hydrated and less prone to color fade.
• Purple Shampoo: Use once a week to knock out brassy or yellow undertones. Overuse can leave a purple cast, so don’t go overboard!

Metaphor Moment: Think of purple shampoo as a brightening filter for your hair—it keeps your blonde looking photo-ready at all times.

2. Deep Condition Regularly

Bleached hair tends to be drier, so give it the moisture it craves.

• Weekly Hair Masks: Look for products formulated for color-treated or damaged hair.
• Leave-In Treatments: Lightweight, hydrating formulas prevent tangles and brittleness.

3. Protect Against Heat

• Heat Protectant: Always spritz on a protective product before blow-drying, straightening, or curling.
• Air-Dry When Possible: Minimizing heat exposure keeps your blonde vibrant and reduces the risk of split ends.

4. Schedule Salon Touch-Ups

• Root Maintenance: For that iconic platinum look, plan to touch up your roots every 4–6 weeks.
• Longer Intervals? If your natural hair is very dark, you might opt for 3–4-week intervals instead.
• Extend the Time: Between salon visits, maintain tone at home with purple shampoos and toning masks.

5. Shield Your Blonde from the Elements

• UV Protection: Sun exposure can fade color—use a UV-protectant spray or rock a stylish hat outdoors.
• Chlorine Alert: Pools can turn your blonde brassy or even greenish. Rinse hair before and after swimming, or wear a swim cap if you’re an avid swimmer.