What Should You Know Before Going Platinum Blonde?
Going platinum blonde is one of the most dramatic hair transformations you can make, and it requires serious commitment. The whitest, ashiest blonde does not happen in one session for most people, and maintaining it takes time, money, and the right products. If you are not ready for the upkeep, you will end up with brassy, damaged hair that looks nothing like what you wanted.
I'm Bri, a stylist at The Warehouse Salon in Fairfield. I love creating platinum blondes, but I also believe in being completely honest about what it takes to get there and stay there. Too many people see a gorgeous icy blonde on Instagram and think they can achieve it in one appointment with no maintenance. That is not how it works. Let me tell you about a client who learned what going platinum really involves.
A client named Adriana came to me wanting to go platinum. She was a 27 year old real estate agent in Cedar Grove with naturally dark brown hair that she had been box dyeing black for years. She showed me pictures of bright white blonde hair and said she wanted that exact color.
"I want to look like this by next weekend," she said. "I have a big event and I want a totally new look."
I had to have an honest conversation with her. Getting from box dyed black to platinum blonde in one week was not possible without destroying her hair. We needed to do a strand test first to see if her hair could even handle the process. Then we would need multiple sessions spaced out over months. And once we got there, she would need to commit to regular maintenance forever or watch her investment turn orange.
"I had no idea it was this involved," she said. "Tell me everything I need to know."
The Cost of Going Platinum
Going blonde can be expensive, and platinum blonde is the most expensive of all. Depending on your starting color and hair history, you may need multiple salon visits just to reach your goal. If you are going from dark brown or black permanent color to platinum, you will likely need several bleaching sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. Each session can cost anywhere from $200 to $500 or more depending on your salon and stylist.
Adriana's initial investment to get to platinum took four sessions over five months. We had to go slowly to protect her hair from the years of box dye buildup. Each session lifted her a few levels while keeping her hair healthy. Rushing would have fried her hair and left her with a choppy, damaged mess instead of the sleek platinum she wanted.
Beyond the salon visits, you need to budget for products. Purple shampoo and toner are essential to keep platinum hair from going brassy. Oligo Blacklight Blue Shampoo is what I recommend for maintaining cool tones between appointments. You will also need bond repair treatments like K18 to keep your hair strong after all that lightening. Heat protectants are non negotiable. All of these costs add up, so factor them into your decision before committing to blonde.
The Maintenance Required
Maintaining blonde hair is time consuming and ongoing. Blonde hair fades and shifts tone quickly, so you will need to visit the salon every 4 to 6 weeks for touch ups. If you go platinum from roots to ends, those roots grow in fast and the contrast against bright white blonde is dramatic. You cannot stretch appointments the way you might with a more natural color.
Adriana quickly learned that platinum is a lifestyle, not just a color. She comes in every five weeks for root touch ups and toning. At home, she uses purple shampoo twice a week to keep brassiness away and Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Conditioner to keep her ends hydrated and cool toned. She also uses a heat protectant every single time she styles because bleached hair is more vulnerable to heat damage.
The maintenance is not optional. If you skip appointments or stop using the right products, your platinum will turn yellow or orange within weeks. Adriana saw this happen to a friend who tried to stretch her appointments to save money. The brassiness was so bad she had to come in for a color correction. Staying on schedule actually saves money in the long run because you avoid expensive fixes.
Can Your Hair Handle Platinum?
Not everyone's hair can physically get to platinum blonde. This is the conversation I have that some clients do not want to hear. If your hair is already damaged, over processed, or has years of dark dye buildup, we may not be able to lift it light enough without causing breakage. That is why a strand test is essential before starting any platinum journey.
When Adriana came in, I did a strand test on a hidden section of her hair. I needed to see how her hair responded to lightener and whether the years of box dye would lift evenly. Her strand test showed that her hair could handle the process if we went slowly, but we would need to use bond builders during every session to keep it strong.
During her lightening sessions, we used K18 Professional Molecular Repair Mist before processing and followed up with the mask after toning. This kept her hair healthy throughout the transformation instead of leaving it fried and broken. By the time we reached platinum, her hair was actually in better condition than some people who have never colored because we prioritized health at every step. For more on protecting hair during color services, read my blog on The Truth About Bond Builders & Treatments.
What to Expect During the Process
If you are starting dark, expect the process to take 3 to 6 months or longer. You cannot rush lightening without damaging your hair. Each session lifts your hair a few levels, and then you wait for your hair to recover before the next round. Trying to do it all at once will leave you with gummy, broken hair that has to be cut off.
Adriana's timeline looked like this. Session one lifted her from black to a dark orange copper. Session two brought her to a warm golden blonde. Session three got her to a light yellow blonde. Session four finally achieved the bright platinum she wanted. Between each session, she used K18 religiously and avoided heat styling to give her hair the best chance to stay strong.
During the in between stages, your hair will not look finished. You might have warm tones or uneven color while you are working toward your goal. This is normal and necessary. Adriana had to trust the process even when her hair was at an awkward orange stage. The end result was worth the patience.
Your Platinum Blonde Questions Answered
Can I go platinum in one session?
Only if you are already a light blonde. If you have any darkness, previous color, or virgin dark hair, one session will not get you to platinum safely. Adriana needed four sessions from box dyed black. Rushing causes breakage.
How do I keep platinum from going brassy?
Purple or blue shampoo twice a week, regular toning appointments every 4 to 6 weeks, and avoiding chlorine and hard water without protection. Adriana keeps her blonde icy by following this routine exactly.
Is platinum blonde high maintenance?
Yes. It is the highest maintenance hair color you can have. If you are not ready for regular appointments and a specific at home routine, platinum is not the right choice. Adriana loves her blonde but acknowledges it is a commitment.
Is Platinum Blonde Right for You?
Being blonde is a big decision that requires careful consideration. Before taking the plunge, factor in the cost and the maintenance. The investment adds up quickly, and the upkeep is time consuming and ongoing. However, if you are willing to put in the effort and money, going platinum can be a stunning way to transform your look.
Adriana says her platinum blonde was the best decision she ever made for her confidence. She gets compliments constantly and feels like a completely different person. But she also says she would never have been able to maintain it if I had not been honest with her upfront about what it takes. She was prepared, and that made all the difference.
If you are considering platinum blonde, book a consultation so we can assess your hair, discuss your goals, and create a realistic plan. I will tell you honestly whether your hair can handle it and how long the process will take. Seek a blonding specialist at The Warehouse Salon to inquire about the perfect blonde. Follow me on Instagram @themanebri for more blonde transformations.
Book at The Warehouse Salon in Fairfield at 1275 Bloomfield Ave, Building 1, Unit 3 by calling 973-500-4536.
Platinum blonde is possible. You just need to know what you are signing up for.
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About the Author
Brianna Thompson
Brianna is a highly skilled and licensed cosmetologist, stylist, and color expert at Studio 360 Salon in Chatham, NJ. She possesses a thorough understanding of hair products and the science behind hair and hairstyling.
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