Going Blonde? Your Questions Answered by William Guy Hair Salons in Ringwood, Romsey and Westbourne

Key Takeaways

  • Blonde can suit everyone, but the right shade depends on your skin tone, natural hair colour and lifestyle.
  • The colouring technique matters as much as the shade of blonde. Your colourist will recommend the best approach for the look you want to achieve.
  • Going blonde doesn't need to damage your hair when carried out professionally. Our colourists use Davines gentle colour and aftercare products.
  • Brunettes can safely go blonde, but it takes time. Lifting dark hair safely to a true blonde may need several appointments.
  • Brassiness can be prevented with the right aftercare.  We will advise you on the best products and treatments to use.
  • Your blonde hair maintenance regime will depend on the technique used - we will discuss this at your initial consultation.

Going blonde is one of the most transformative things you can do with your hair, and getting it right takes genuine skill. Whether you have your heart set on soft balayage, a rich honey blonde or a full platinum look, the colour team at William Guy will work with your hair, your skin tone and your lifestyle to find a shade that feels completely right for you.

We use Davines professional colour across all three of our salons in Ringwood, Romsey and Westbourne, chosen for the quality of its results and its commitment to sustainable, responsible beauty. Every colour appointment begins with a thorough consultation, because everyone's hair is individual.

Here's everything you need to know before you book.

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Davines Blonde Hair

Will Blonde Hair Suit Me?

The short answer is yes. Blonde comes in a vast spectrum of tones, and the right one for you will depend on your natural colouring, skin tone and lifestyle. At William Guy, every colour journey starts with a consultation, during which your colourist will take the time to look at your complexion, your current hair condition and the result you have in mind.

As a general guide:

Lighter skin tones tend to suit golden, strawberry or pale, cool blondes beautifully. Medium skin tones are often best complemented by honey, golden or beige blonde, with warmer undertones to add radiance. Deeper skin tones look their most striking with rich caramels, warm golden blondes and earthy honey tones, which sit in harmony with the skin rather than against it.

If you've spotted a shade you love on social media or in a magazine, bring the image along to your consultation. It gives your stylist an excellent starting point.

What Types of Blonde Are There?

Blonde is anything but one-dimensional. These are the most popular looks our clients ask for, along with a little guidance on who they suit.

Ash blonde hair

Ash Blonde

A cool, understated shade that sits beautifully on those with cooler skin undertones. Ash blonde is relatively natural-looking and lower maintenance than some lighter shades, and when looked after well it holds its tone with real elegance. A touch of Davines OI Oil adds a lovely sheen to ash tones that might otherwise appear a little flat.

Balayage Hair Colour Ringwood

Balayage and Soft Highlights

If you're after a sun-kissed, lived-in look, balayage remains one of the most requested techniques in all three of our salons. Colour is painted freehand through the hair, following its natural fall and your individual bone structure, to create depth, movement and dimension. The result is never uniform, which is precisely the point.

Highlights using foils or babylights can achieve a similar brightening effect, and both techniques work equally well on warm and cool blonde shades.

Platinum Blonde Hair Westbourne Salon

Platinum Blonde

Arguably the boldest blonde choice, platinum is a full commitment to lightness. It requires the most processing and the most careful aftercare, but when done well it is genuinely show-stopping.

If you're thinking of going platinum, it's crucial to work with your hairdresser - don't try simply bleaching your hair at home!   Our expert colourists will maintain the condition of your hair during the process.  We can also add areas of slightly deeper, natural-looking tone at the hairline and roots if you wish, which soften the overall effect and keep it from looking flat.

Honey Blonde Hair Westbourne

Honey Blonde

One of the most flattering and enduring blonde shades, honey sits somewhere between golden and caramel, and picks up the light beautifully on wavy or longer hair. It's wonderfully versatile, tends to be lower maintenance than lighter blondes, and suits a wide range of skin tones.

Our colourists can blend honey tones seamlessly through the hair, slightly lighter around the face to brighten the eyes and complexion, with more depth towards the back.

Lived in Blonde Hair Ringwood

Lived-In Blonde

Rather than aiming for a uniform, freshly-done finish, lived-in blonde is all about creating a look that appears effortlessly natural, as though your colour has simply evolved over time. It's relaxed, it's wearable every day, and it grows out gracefully.

The technique typically combines soft balayage or babylights with a carefully chosen root tone, so that the transition from your natural base to the lighter lengths is seamless rather than stark. The roots are intentionally left darker, removing the pressure of regular touch-up appointments and making regrowth part of the look rather than a problem to be solved.

Blended Bronde Hair Colour Ringwood

Blended Blonde and Bronde

A bronde (a blend of brown and blonde) or a blended ash blonde is an ideal first step for darker-haired clients. A blended blonde is also great for those who want to soften their grey rather than hide it altogether.  

We can weave delicate creamy blonde tones through your natural hair colour, creating something that evolves beautifully over time and requires very little maintenance.

Will Going Blonde Damage My Hair?

Not when it's done by a skilled colourist using quality products. Advances in professional haircare mean that lightening and bleaching no longer have to compromise the condition of your hair, providing the right in-salon treatments and home maintenance routine are in place.

At William Guy, we use Davines professional colour and aftercare throughout the blonding process. The Davines Heart of Glass range has been specially developed for blonde, lightened and bleached hair.  The Intense Treatment, used once a week at home, helps to restore strength and nourishment to the hair fibre. And when blow-drying, Heart of Glass Sheer Glaze provides the heat protection lightened hair needs.

Speak to your colourist about the best products to maintain your blonde colour and condition at home.  We stock a full range of Davines products at our salons in Ringwood, Romsey and Westbourne.

Heart of Glass by Davines available at William Guy Salons Ringwood Westbourne Romsey

Ready to Go Blonde

The team at William Guy Hair Salons would love to help you find your perfect blonde. Whether you're after something subtle and low-maintenance or a full, dramatic transformation, we'll take the time to discuss your ideas and get your colour just right.

Book your complimentary colour consultation at William Guy Hair Salons in Ringwood, Romsey or Westbourne.

Please note: a patch test is required at least 48 hours before any colour appointment.

 

Blonde Hair FAQs

What is toning?

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Toning is a service that refines your hair colour by neutralizing unwanted tones (such as brassiness in blonde hair) or adding depth and shine. It's often used after highlighting or lightening services to perfect the final shade.

Do I need an allergy patch test?

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Yes.  Your safety is always our top priority, and although we use gentle hair colours from Davines, if you’re new to William Guy, or haven’t had your hair coloured with us in the last 3 months, you’ll need a quick allergy alert test at least 48 hours before your colour appointment.

It’s a simple patch test behind the ear.  Just pop in to the salon or give us a call to arrange a time if that's easier for you.

Do you recommend purple shampoo for blonde hair?

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No, at William Guy we discourage clients from using blue and purple shampoos at they can make your hair look dull and dry.  We don't sell them in our salons.

Instead, we recommend the Davines Heart of Glass range for blonde hair, which is illuminating and strengthening.  Speak to your stylist for more information.

 

How Do I Stop My Blonde Going Brassy?

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Brassiness occurs when the warm, yellow undertones that naturally sit in hair are exposed by the lightening process. It's very common and entirely manageable with the right approach.

In the salon, your colourist will apply a toner after lightening to neutralise those warm tones and create exactly the blonde shade you've discussed At home, a colour-safe shampoo is a straightforward way to keep brassiness at bay between visits.

We offer a variety of in-salon toning treatments that can refresh your colour in between full appointments, whether you want to maintain it, boost it or soften it slightly.  Speak to your colourist for  more advice.

At William Guy we do not recommend blue or purple shampoos for blonde hair as these can leave your colour look dull and drab.  A simple colour-safe shampoo is a better option.

How Often Will I Need to Come Back to the Salon to Maintain my Blonde?

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This depends on the technique and the level of contrast between your natural hair and your blonde shade.

All-over colour typically requires a root touch-up every six to eight weeks. Highlights need attention every eight weeks or so, though a T-section is often sufficient. Balayage and blended techniques are the most low-maintenance options, since the colour is designed to grow out gradually and naturally. Many clients with balayage find they're comfortable leaving it for twelve weeks or longer.

Between colour appointments, regular toning and glossing visits keep things looking fresh. Your stylist will advise the best routine for your specific look.

How Much Does Going Blonde Cost?

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The cost varies depending on your current hair colour, the length and thickness of your hair, and the technique being used.

The most accurate way to find out is to book a complimentary colour consultation at your nearest William Guy salon in Ringwood, Romsey or Westbourne. There's no obligation, and it gives you the opportunity to discuss your goals in person before committing to anything.

Can Brunettes Go Blonde?

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Yes, though it's important to have realistic expectations about timing. Lifting dark hair to a true blonde takes skill and patience, and depending on the starting depth, may require more than one appointment to achieve the target shade safely, without compromising the condition of your hair.

Your William Guy colourist will talk you through exactly what's involved at your consultation, including the number of sessions likely needed, the expected result and the ongoing maintenance.