While blonde remains a summer staple, ‘AI blonde’ is set to be this season’s hottest shade.
This emerging trend combines the elegance of "old money" aesthetics with a modern, supermodel twist. L'Oréal Professionnel Colour Hacker, James Lear decodes the trend and shares his expertise for achieving this look.
What's the difference between AI Blonde and Bleached Blonde?
“This new idea of AI Blonde mimics the seamless, natural look of real hair. This technique focuses on the spectrum of natural blondes with levels 7, 8, 9 and 10. It incorporates subtle, sun-kissed highlights that appear effortlessly natural. For the past decade, "blonde" has often been synonymous with bleached blonde - hair lifted beyond a level 10, ranging from yellow to ashy tones.”
What ‘recipe’ would you recommend to achieve AI blonde?
“If you’re creating AI Blonde, it’s probably because the client has darker hair than AI Blonde. My perfect recipe would be to lighten the hair with super fine baby lights throughout the whole head. Use L’Oreal Professionnel Lightning Balm as it has a neutraliser inside which will neutralise any yellow or gold brassy tones that you get with bleached blonde hair. If the colour is warmer go in and neutralise the colour e.g. if it’s a yellow colour neutralise with violet, if it’s orange neutralise with blue, and if it’s red neutralise with green.”
Tip: L’Oréal Professionnel Vitamino Colour Spectrum Tinted Shampoos are a great option to maintain the in-salon colour.
What are your favourite products for maintaining vibrant, healthy-looking colour?
“L’Oréal Professionnel’s Vitamino Colour Spectrum is the perfect range to maintain vibrant, healthy-looking colour. It helps to lock in the delicate ash colours and restore moisture to the bleached areas. I have also been recommending L’Oreal Professionnel’s Silver Shampoo and Conditioner and L’Oreal Professionnel’s Chroma Creme Blue Shampoo which is amazing for darker bases. These products will keep the colour neutral and keep the highlights staying one colour, toned down and cool.”
Discover more at lorealprofessionnel.co.uk.
Image: Instagram @jameslearhairdressing.