When it comes to the hair industry, summer always goes hand in hand with blonde – and not just in hair salons, but in barbershops too. With an increasing number of male clients opting to brighten up their hair for the summer months, these are the colour trends to know, from slices of blonde to full-on bleach. What’s more, Jim Shaw, award-winning men’s hairdresser and Director of TONI&GUY Billericay, also shares his tips to keep blonde shades looking their best…
Dirty Blonde Meets Surfer Chic
For male clients who want to embrace a carefree, beach-inspired style, a dirty blonde shade is the perfect choice. This shade mimics the sun-bleached effect of spending long days by the ocean, creating a laid-back and effortlessly cool appearance. I love to use freehand techniques when creating this look, working with a darker, more natural blonde colour palette.
Bleach Blonde
Bleach blonde is a reoccurring men’s blonde hair trend and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. After bleaching, apply a clean white toner to give the hair a super clean, fresh and high shine finish. I love teaming bleach blonde hair with a graphic cut or undercut for a further striking look. Although cooler in tone, ash grey and silver tones will also remain popular this summer too and as an added plus, the grown-out root is also trendy this year, which will allow clients to go longer between appointments while still looking incredibly on-trend.
Blue-grey Blonde
For those looking for an added hint of colour, blue-grey blonde will be another popular colour choice this season. This will involve lightening the hair to a pure white tone before toning with a hint of blue-grey to give the hair a fun, playful feel whilst also enhancing the client’s eye colour. As an added plus, this looks great with a dark root and blends out well too, making it a great choice for clients that have never had their hair coloured before.
Tips on Maintaining Blonde Hair
As blonde hair can be more delicate and prone to damage, it’s crucial that blonde haired clients adopt a proper hair care routine. Encourage clients to use a shampoo and conditioner specifically formulated for colour-treated/blonde hair to maintain the vibrancy of their blonde and suggest that they use a weekly deep conditioning treatment/mask to keep their hair hydrated and to prevent colour fade. Spend ten minutes or so with your client at the end of the appointment to provide them with product suggestions and explain the benefits and how these products will help them to get the most from their hair colour. You can check out some tips on sharing product recommendations and retailing products here.
It’s also wise to encourage clients to book in for a tone and refresh in between full colour appointments, as over time, blonde hair can develop brassy or yellow tones. Booking in for a toner in between colour appointments is particularly beneficial for clients who have opted for a platinum/silver/white hair hue, as it will keep the colour looking fresh and shiny.
Something else that is crucial when it comes to blonde hair is to avoid over-processing. While it may be tempting for clients to continuously come to the barbershop to have their hair bleached to maintain their desired look, it's important they give their hair time to rest between chemical processes. Spend time with your client discussing the process and upkeep of going blonde and creating a plan to achieve their desired blonde, while also maintaining the integrity of the hair as much as possible.
