When I finally decided to go platinum, I was excited about many aspects of it — how being blond would change other people's perceptions of me, how bleach would make my hair texture rougher and cooler, and most importantly, how many new products I'd be able to test-drive. As a girl with a previously low-maintenance hair routine, I was excited to up the ante in a major way. The world of purple shampoos and reparative masks was beckoning!
After a ton of research, I called in a bunch of products and got to testing. With my new bleached strands, I now wash my hair roughly twice a week — once with a purple shampoo and conditioner, and once without. Over the past month, I've sifted through my haul and narrowed it down to the formulas I adore most. And while a lot of the platinum guides I've seen on the internet are chock-full of products, I've made a list of my ultimate favorites. Because, really — are you going to use more than one or two shampoos or conditioners? I'm sure as hell not.
Click through for the holy-grail products that have kept my blond strands in tip-top shape. And, as always, leave your questions below. I'm here for you!
When I first made the decision to go platinum, our beauty features director Megan McIntyre told me to buy stock in coconut oil. "You're going to need it," she said. And how right she was. On the days when I use my purple shampoos and conditioners, I work a palmful of coconut oil through my strands an hour or so before I get in the shower. Or, when I have errands to run, I use the oil before dashing out the door. Because coconut is thicker than some botanical oils, it doesn't slip or slide, so I don't have to worry about it running down my face while I'm at the gym or the market.
Kopari Beauty Organic Coconut Melt, $36, available at Kopari Beauty.
On days when I'm feeling ultra-luxe, but am just hanging out around the apartment, I work Leonor Greyl's oil through my hair as my pre-shampoo treatment. I've also taken to putting it in my strands when I'm out by the pool. The oil forms a light, protective film and contains natural UVA and UVB sun filters, so my strands are safe from both sun and water. Also? It smells like the Riviera and softens my slightly stressed strands.
Leonor Greyl L'Huile de Leonor Greyl, $59, available at Leonor Greyl.
Once I dyed my hair, I tested a huge range of blond-specific shampoos and conditioners, and this duo is the cream of the crop. Unlike the purple shampoos and conditioners that are a deep eggplant, Sunset Blvd is a dusty lavender. That's perfect, because since I prefer my platinum a bit on the ashy side, the muted hue prevents things from looking too yellow. These two brightened my hair better than others I tried, and kept it silky-smooth.
R+Co Sunset Blvd Blonde Shampoo, $29, available at R+Co; R+Co Sunset Blvd Blonde Conditioner, $29, available at R+Co.
I recently got back from a trip to Austin, Texas, where I spent a lot of time in the sun. That meant I needed to break out the heavy toning guns (or risk coming home to an ill-advised strawberry blond.) Davines Alchemic is a darker purple than the R+Co, so it balanced out my color in a single wash. I don't use this every time, but it's a great option for brining neglected color back to its baseline.
Davines Alchemic Shampoo Silver, $24.50, available at Davines; Davines Alchemic Conditioner Silver, $28.50, available at Davines.
On the days when I don't use a purple shampoo or conditioner (so, every other wash), I use New Wash from Hairstory. It's a detergent-free cleanser that's loaded with essential oils, so it gives my thirsty strands a boost of hydration. The oils also work to rebalance my dry scalp. And since it's so moisturizing, I don't have to use a conditioner, which cuts my shower time in half.
Hairstory New Wash, $40, available at Hairstory.
If your hair is already platinum or you're considering the swap, you've likely heard of Christophe Robin's bright-purple mask. That's because it is, at least in my opinion, a miracle handed down from the hair-color gods. This conditioner is intensely hydrating, and neutralizes brassiness in a snap. I typically leave it in for about 20 minutes after I shampoo with a purple product. After rinsing, my hair is palpably silkier and brighter. Yes, it's expensive. But a little goes a long way, and once you see how your hair looks after using it, you'd actually be willing to pay double. So it's a great deal!
Christophe Robin Shade Variation Care Nutritive Mask with Temporary Coloring in Baby Blond, $51, available at Sephora.
On the day when I tone my hair — usually a Sunday, so I can take my time — I also use a mask. So far, my favorite is this one from BLNDN. In five minutes, the ultra-thick, hydrating cream revives my strands and makes them feel completely unprocessed. It strengthens and softens with the help of camellia-leaf extract (which fights oxidation — a platinum blonde's worst enemy) and pomegranate-seed oil.
BLNDN Repair You Hair Mask, $48, available at BLNDN.
The most interesting thing about platinum hair is how much product it can actually hold. I used to skip leave-in conditioners out of fear that they'd leave my locks greasy and heavy. But Save You has become my beauty BFF. I work it into towel-dried hair, and it leaves my brittle, dry strands pliant and quenched.
BLNDN Save You Balancing Cream, $36, available at BLNDN.
It used to be that Shu Uemura's Essence Absolue was for my body only. But after hearing other platinum babes sing the gospel of this stuff, I started adding it to my routine. After my leave-in conditioner, I mist the lightweight oil on my wet strands from root to tip. It adds shine, protects, and conditions, and since it's a dry oil, it doesn't leave a greasy residue. On dry days, I use it alone for extra shine.
Shu Uemura Essence Absolue Nourishing Oil for Body and Hair, $68, available at Shu Uemura.
Having platinum strands means that I've pretty much retired using heat tools in favor of natural waves. Hairstory's Hair Balm defines my curls while they air-dry, preventing frizz and hydrating the shaft with essential oils. I use about three pumps and work it in from root to tip on wet hair. Once my strands are dry, I'll redefine the waves with one more pump.
But I also use this product in another way, as instructed by my hairstylist Wes Sharpton. I dissolve three pumps in water in an atomizer. On mornings when I don't wash my hair, but my curls need a boost, I spritz the mixture wherever I need it. It adds life back to my hair, helping it look like it does on wash day. Basically, there's nothing this stuff can't do.
Hairstory Hair Balm, $36, available at Hairstory.
Since my scalp is still dry and recovering from the dye job, I try my hardest to stay away from dry shampoo. But on some days, when I take a particularly sweaty yoga class or need a volume boost, I have to give in. Shu Uemura's Color Lustre Dry Cleaner absorbs oil, but doesn't leave my hair chalky like some formulas. Just a few spritzes and my strands are clean, lifted, and not one bit greasy.
Shu Uemura Color Lustre Dry Cleaner, $39, available at Shu Uemura.
On the days when I shower but don't wash my hair, I need a good cap. This one is adorable and keeps my strands super-dry, so it's a win-win.
Shhhower Cap The Not Basic, $43, available at Shhhower Cap.
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