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Why Honey Blonde Hair Is the New Platinum

Selena Gomez
Celebs like Gabrielle Union and Selena Gomez are opting for honey blonde to freshen up their look, rather than platinum. Gabrielle Union/Instagram; Getty Images

Move over platinum locks! Despite an onslaught of celebs going ice-blonde in the spring and early summer (looking at you, Taylor Swift, Kristen Stewart and Kate Mara), plenty of stars are choosing a more subtle hair color.

Related: PHOTOS: See All the Stars Who Went Blonde for Summer 2016

Gina Rodriguez, Gabrielle Union, Selena Gomez and Dakota Johnson (to name a few) have instead opted for honey blonde. It’s a decision that gives them the brightness they’re looking for in a color that’s universally flattering. 

Related: And With Kylie, All of the Kardashian-Jenners Have Gone Platinum Blonde at Least Once

Taylor Swift
(L-R) Emma Roberts, Taylor Swift and Kristen Stewart went platinum blonde at the beginning of summer 2016 Design by Christina Baez; Getty Images

While platinum can look a little less natural and wash out certain skin tones, honey blonde complements one and all. “It can pretty much look great on everyone!” the celeb colorist behind Rodriguez’s sun-kissed strands, Stacy Heitman-Schlag, tells Us Weekly

Related: PHOTOS: 5 Shampoos to Solve All Your Hair Problems

Gina Rodriguez
Gina Rodriguez Gina Rodriguez/Instagram

She adds, “You can make the color super light or [go] darker. It’s so versatile.” Reese Witherspoon‘s warm-tone shade, for example, flatters light eye colors and skin tones, the colorist explains, while someone with a medium-to-dark complexion and eyes will look great with a little brunette sprinkled in.

Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon C Flanigan/FilmMagic

If you want to hop on the honey blonde train, follow her advice below!

Don’t Expect to Make the Change All at Once

In other words, take it slow. “Sometimes you can’t achieve a look in one session, and [clients] need to come back multiple times…When I am taking someone with naturally dark hair to a lighter honey blonde tone, I suggest three sessions of highlighting,” Heitman-Schlag elaborates. “You never want to compromise the condition of your hair.”

Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Union Gabrielle Union/Instagram

Prepare for Lots of Maintenance

“If I color someone all-over with honey-blonde, they may need to come in every 4-6 weeks for a root touch-up,” Heitman-Schlag, who also works with Robin Wright, explains. She also recommends purple-tinted shampoo meant to stave off brassiness. For similar results, try Joico’s Color Balance Purple Shampoo ($16, ulta.com).

Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez Kevin Winter/Getty

Roots Aren’t Necessarily Bad

If you’re into an ombre look, however, the upkeep is minimal. “Leaving a root always has more of a low-maintenance feel,” the L.A. based stylist shares, adding that she may not have to see a client for months if they leave roots at the top. 

Dakota Johnson
Dakota Johnson AKM-GSI

Think Before You Shampoo

Combat dulling dye by upping your shower game. “The less you wash, the slower your hair color will fade,” she says. “I always recommend a color-safe shampoo and conditioner, using a mask for color-treated hair once a week and using a heat protector before styling if you blow-dry or style your hair [with hot tools].” To get your shower honey-blonde ready, we suggest Dessange’s Salon Color Restore Shampoo ($10, target.com) and conditioner ($10, target.com) along with Oribe’s Masque for Beautiful Color ($62, net-a-porter.com).

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