How to Get Icy Blonde Hair

ICE ICE Baby is popular again; who knew? But this time, we’re talking about hair – icy blonde hair. Also known as platinum or silver, this cool-toned trend is still hot, turning heads everywhere. So, if you’re dying to have your tresses make a cool comeback this year, we have tips on how to get icy blonde hair and maintain your new look.

Beauty doesn’t happen overnight, and this is especially true when achieving icy blonde hair. It may take several sessions, so time and money are two big factors that need to be considered. This is not meant to discourage you but rather to set realistic expectations for this journey.

Since this is often a several-step process, it should only be done by a professional who knows how to lighten hair with minimal damage. Be sure to discuss using a bond-strengthening formula with your colorist. This product can help nourish your strands and reduce damage throughout the bleaching process.

If you’re making the brunette to blonde leap, this means even more time in the salon chair, so come prepared with a book, a venti coffee and a lot of small talk. If you have dark hair and are concerned about maintenance, you don’t have to go solid silver! A balayage or ombre can give you the icy blonde hair you’re after while blending in your roots, saving you time and money.

How to Maintain Icy Blonde Hair

Once you have your icy blonde hair, you probably want to keep it looking that way. Here are 7 easy tips to keep it healthy and more manageable.

1. Use the Right Shampoo and Conditioner

Investing in the right products can go a long way when it comes to your hair. Bleach-safe products, such as purple shampoos, can help prolong the brightness while eliminating brassy or yellow undertones. Steer away from moisture-stripping/blocking additives, such as sulfates and silicones, as bleached hair needs lots of moisture to avoid looking fried.

Bleach-safe products, such as purple shampoos, can help prolong the brightness while eliminating brassy or yellow undertones.

2. Try Deep Conditioners or Hair Masks

Bleached hair is often craving moisture – and it shows. A deep conditioner can help nourish and strengthen distressed strands and bring back their brilliant shine. Hair masks work similarly but also restore damaged hair and create new bonds, resulting in strong, protected locks.

3. Avoid the Sun

The sun can damage even the strongest hair, zapping the moisture right out. This means that your icy blonde hair, which is likely more delicate from the bleaching sessions, should remain nicely hidden under a sun hat. The sun can also cause your icy blonde mane to fade, so it’s just best to avoid direct sunlight if you can.

4. Limit Heat-Based Styling

Over-use of heat is known to damage hair, but did you know this damage can also cause your color to fade and brassy tones to appear? This is true with any form of heat, but especially with heat-based styling. Now is the time to rest your locks and explore heat-free hairstyles. If you do reach for a styling tool, use a heat protectant first.

5. Schedule Frequent Trim Appointments

Keep the ends and the rest of your hair healthy by getting frequent trims. If left untreated, split ends will travel up the hair shaft, resulting in the need for a big chop you might not be prepared for. No, it won’t make your hair grow faster, but it will remove damage, resulting in hair that looks healthy, shiny, and full.

If left untreated, split ends will travel up the hair shaft, resulting in the need for a big chop you might not be prepared for.

6. Avoid Chlorine

Bleaching your hair removes the color from it, leaving it porous and prone to absorbing and holding in more water. This means your hair absorbs chlorine water like a sponge when you swim. This turns your hair into straw, pulls out brassy tones, and causes the color to fade more quickly. If you have colored hair, especially icy blonde, stay out of the pool if you can.

7. Tone to Maintain the Icy Blonde Color

The tone sets icy blonde hair apart from a more traditional blonde. Icy blonde has a cool tone, while other blondes have a warm tone. To keep it looking icy, alternate your regular shampoos and conditioners with a toning conditioner or shampoo, typically in the violet or purple family, or visit the salon for regular toner sessions. This will keep the brassy at bay and keep your strands looking salon-fresh.

How to Find the Right Icy Blonde Toner

Icy blonde isn’t a low-maintenance look, and it can be a little finicky to keep so cool. This is where hair toner comes to save the day. Toner for icy blonde hair will help you manipulate your color and prevent your yellow or pale blonde undertones from becoming brassy. Toner can come in the form of shampoo and conditioner, glosses or demi-permanent color. Before you go crazy with the purple shampoo, however, we recommend alternating it with your regular shampoo and starting small. Toner can also be a lifesaver for those battling an orange mane, commonly seen if the pigments are not fully bleached out of dark hair.

Toner for icy blonde hair will help you manipulate your color and prevent your yellow or pale blonde undertones from becoming brassy.

Depending on the color that you have dyed your hair, you can find the best toner for the job.

So whether you’re hoping to turn your blonde up a notch or ready for a drastic change, know that this may be a long, expensive process not for those who want a no-frills hairstyle. If you’re committed and ready to book your salon appointment, remember that with some maintenance and the right toner, you’re going to rock those icy blonde locks.

Check out more blonde hair tips and tricks here!