{the many blondes of summer}

It's getting hot outside and starting to feel more and more like summer... you know what that means? 

Blondes are back in full force!

Everyone is starting to get their blonde hair a little blonder, or adding highlights to their darker color. So I'll give you a little walk-through the many varieties of blonde... as displayed in my history as many, many shades of blonde.

*Each picture through each stage of color probably has a year, at least, from one to the next, so they are not pictures from the same coloring session.

So, we will start with the lightest:

Platinum Blonde

Platinum looks best on cool skin tones, meaning you have a pink or blue undertone to your skin. Another good hint: if you burn before you tan, platinum will look good... if you are super tan platinum can look a little trashy - best to keep it on the golden side. DO NOT DO THIS AT HOME: you will regret it. I promise you, and it's waaaayy more expensive to get it fixed than it would be to get it done right the first time. Also remember, your hair may not want to get this light and a good stylist won't force it and risk the integrity of your hair... and it may be a process that takes a few visits to get it this light. Also, consider getting a purple or silver tinted shampoo/conditioner. It will keep your blonde from getting yellow or brassy. I love Davines Alchemic Silver Shampoo & Conditioner. This is also a pretty high commitment, even if you do have naturally blonde hair.

super duper platinum, hints of gold & icy platinum

platinum highlights, all-over platinum

And then we have the ever so popular...

Golden Blonde

Medium Skin tones look best with a golden blonde, too light and you'll look washed out. A little gold is good to keep your coloring nice, bright, and healthy. I love me a good golden blonde, they are so beautiful and to me - say summer. Davines Alchemic has a golden tinted shampoo & conditioner that helps keep your hair nice and golden - no worries, it won't get brassy.

super gold!, golden and light blonde

The chunk of dark in the bangs helps grow-out with naturally darker hair.

And a color that has a special place in my heart...

Strawberry Blonde

I don't think strawberry blondes get enough credit - they are so pretty! In my opinion, it looks best to have all over strawberry/golden red/copper hair with blonder highlights rather than adding strawberry into your hair - it stays so much longer and is SO much richer. I tend to go red every year, so I get the fun transition back to blonde, voyage through strawberriness every year or so: I love it.

Both are my first highlight after being red, embrace the strawberry warmth!

Maybe my favorite color of all-time, strawberry copperish underneath, verging on platinum on top.

AND the best tip ever: Look at pictures of yourself as a kiddo

{I generally stick with having a bit of gold in my hair - just like it was when I was a cute little girlie}

Go with a blonde that is similar, even if you have naturally dark hair, I would recommend only going a shade or two {tops} lighter than what you had as a child. And if you want to go lighter - this is a good time to try the 'ombre trend... the blonde tips without the darkness around your face or the maintenance. 

And honestly, ask your stylist! If you don't trust their opinion - find a new one. Ask some of your blonde friends where they go: referrals are the best way to find a new stylist... even if the referral is from some random stranger on the street with amazing hair!

<3 Sarah