What to Know Before Going Platinum Blond

Perry's motto when it comes to dyeing hair platinum blond is to "go low and slow, which means a lower developer and then a longer processing time." By nature, the platinum can be damaging on hair, but this helps make the process a little easier to tolerate.

"When taking the steps to get the ultimate platinum blond, you must assess what you are working with — whether it's hair that's been processed before or hair that is virgin," Castellanos says. Her tip is to do a patch test on a couple of pieces of hair to ensure the desired color is possible and there's no leftover gloss or dye on the hair that could interfere.

Dyeing Color-Treated Hair Platinum: If you're starting with color-treated hair, Castellanos says you'll likely have your head foiled, which can take anywhere from three to five hours. "I start with the mids and ends and leave an inch of roots for root application, which I do afterward," she says. "Since the roots are the one guaranteed part of the hair that will turn platinum, it needs extra care and to be taken care of separately."

Dyeing Virgin Hair Platinum: To take virgin (natural, undyed) hair platinum, your natural base color will impact the method used. "[It] can be done by applying free-handed bleach to the mids and ends of the hair," Castellanos says. "I process these parts of the hair first because they don't receive body heat like the top of the head. Then, bleach the roots once the mids and ends have lifted to a brighter color."

Whether you're working with virgin or colored hair, the processing time will vary from person to person. "Each part of the hair needs a different amount of time to process," she says. "You cannot apply bleach to the entire head and expect an entire head of hair to look the same."

This is why it's an absolute must to see a professional if you want to dye your hair platinum. Repeat after us: don't try this at home.

Once you leave the salon feeling good and in love with your new hair color, the real work starts. "Platinum blond is the most damaging and the most high-maintenance color that you can request," Perry says. Here are expert tips for keeping your color in the best possible shape.

Platinum-Blond Tip 1: Maintenance Is Key. Consistent touch-up appointments are key — not just to keep your color in good shape but to ensure your hair stays healthy throughout the process. "To maintain platinum hair, you must be consistent with maintenance to make sure you are not overwhelming the hair in one appointment because you've gone too long without retouching," Castellanos says. Perry adds: "If you're a busy person, I really wouldn't recommend it because you have to be in the salon every five to six weeks, depending on your hair growth."

Platinum-Blond Tip 2: Keep Heat Styling to a Minimum. As with any dyed hair color, heat is not exactly your best friend and can dull your color. "Heat styling is something you don't really want to do too often," Perry says. Castellanos adds: "It's necessary to keep the cuticle of your hair as closed as possible." You'll want to try to rely on air-drying techniques as much as possible, and if you do have to heat style, use a reparative mask like Olaplex or a leave-in serum to give your hair some TLC.

Platinum-Blond Tip 3: Avoid the Sun and Chlorine. The sun isn't just dangerous for your skin — it can also fade your hair color. "If you're in the sun, you're going to want to protect it by wearing a scarf or a hat," Perry says. Luckily, you can make these fun accessories a chic part of your look as a new platinum blonde.

Platinum-Blond Tip 4: Use Toning Shampoos and Conditioners to Fight Brassiness. Toning shampoos and conditioners, like purple shampoos, are great for keeping your color looking fresh at home. "They balance out any unwanted yellow in the hair," Perry says.

To find out if going platinum blond is an option for you, schedule a consultation with your hair colorist. They'll be able to give you an idea of what the process will look like for you.