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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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).
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.
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).
