Are you considering lightening your hair for the upcoming summer season? Maybe you have been bleaching your hair for a while, but feel unsure about the shade you’ve been rocking? The world of blonding can be a daunting one. With so many different shades and tones, it can be overwhelming to know where to start, or to figure out what you should ask for at your appointment. Luckily, Clairol Professional’s Shimmer Lights Ambassador Christine Symonds, has shared her best tips for the process of going blonde. 

When getting your hair lightened, the first step is to determine what blonde shade would be most flattering on you. To do so, start with deciding whether you should opt for a warm or a cool tone. According to Symonds, if you think gold looks better on your skin, then the same goes for hair. Opt for a honey or gold toned blonde in this case. If you are more of a silver person, perhaps you should ask for a cooler tone next time you are in the chair —- maybe a silver platinum or ashy blonde. 

If you are a fan of mixed-metals , or have not given much thought as to which metal flatters your skin more, then Symonds also offers another tip, involving veins. “You can tell your undertone by the color of your veins,” she says. “If your veins are more blue/green, then you’re warm tone. If your veins are more purple/blue, then you’re probably cool tone. If your veins appear undistinguishable, then you most likely have a neutral undertone.”

When it comes to achieving some of the season’s hottest blonde looks, Symonds recommends turning to a few Shimmer Light  products for different desired blonde shades. For a darker blonde, fight brassy tones with Shimmer Lights Permanent Cream Toner in Cool Beige. If you have super light highlights, try Shimmer Lights Permanent Cream Toner Platinum Ice to minimize yellowness. And, Shimmer Lights Permanent Cream Toner in Smoky Pearl is a perfect product for an edgier blonde style.  

While going blonde is a commitment,there are a few things you can do to minimize upkeep. You do not need to book a full highlight appointment each time, as it’s possible to alternate between long, full transformation sessions and appointments that only involve minimal retouches and perhaps face framing highlights. Additionally, Symonds also recommends getting blonde highlights to combat graying, as this is a much more natural and less contrasting way to camouflage them in comparison to dying your hair dark. 

Thinking about lightening your hair soon? Tag us in your post-salon selfies  at @readthetease! And for more blonding tips from Symonds, be sure to follow @christimesymondshair on Instagram.

The 2021 Academy of Country Music Awards was a big night for country newcomer Gabby Barrett, who made her first red carpet appearance since giving birth in January. Not only did the starlet totally slay the stage with her emotional performance of “The Good Ones” and secure a major award win, but she also delivered one of the best hairstyles of the night.

Barrett, who took home her first-ever award for New Female Artist of the Year, entrusted celebrity hairstylist Tarryn Feldman to create her messy twisted bun for the special night.

According to Feldman, both Barrett as well as her stylist Tiffany Gifford were always involved in decisions surrounding glam and that through a fun collaborative experience, they were all able to create a game plan for what the award show hair would look like.

“Her ACM carpet look is such a vibe,” she told The Tease. “ We really didn’t want the hair to take away from any part of her look but work with everything. So, the messy low bun was the PERFECT solution.”

Top of mind for Feldman as a hairstylist was making sure that the style would stay in place all night long. “The most important thing to me is how it will wear,” she said.  Sometimes stylists aren’t allowed to go to carpets. Especially now. So, it’s very important to create a long-lasting killer look.

How to Get the Look

As for how she achieved a long-lasting style for the country singer? “The key to keep a look for the long haul is how you prep the hair,” she shared.

To keep Barrett’s blonde fresh and brass-free at the ACM Awards, Feldman relied heavily on Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights products. She began the primping process just a few days before the award show by toning the star’s hair extensions with Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Shampoo to eliminate any lingering brassiness and match Barrett’s current shade of blonde.

On the day of the show, Feldman gave the singer a blow out, using Clairol Professional Leave-In Styling Treatment to give her locks a silky, shiny finish. Next, she added in her hair extensions, making sure to use both texture spray and dry shampoo to give the hair some grit.

After spraying Barrett’s hair with Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Thermal Shine Spray to guard against heat damage, she then went in with a curling iron to add some texture to the hair. To create the final look, she began by pulling the hair back into a low ponytail, making sure to pull a few pieces out in the front to frame the face. Feldman then twisted and teased the hair in order to pin it up in a semi-loose bun. Finally, once the hair was styled, she set it with a coat of Shimmer Lights Thermal Shine Spray for extra shine before Barrett hit the red carpet.

To see more of Feldman’s show-stopping hair looks, be sure to follow her at @tarrynfeldman on Instagram.

Silver and ice-white platinum colors are in — and we LOVE it. Toners are a crucial step for lightened hair, whether you need global brass reduction and tone refreshing or you just need to touch-up some stubborn highlights. While blondes and silvers get first dibs on most purple shampoos and toners, we have heart eyes for ashy browns too!

Check out our 6 favorite toners and toning shampoos to keep hair cool this spring.

Redken Color Extend Blondage Color Depositing Purple Shampoo

Purple shampoos are a must-have for at-home touch ups in between salon visits. Redken’s Extend Blondage Purple Shampoo is easy to use, hydrating and softening for the hair, and super effective at global cooling! This toner shampoo makes it as if the client never left the salon by keeping their gorgeous color fresh until they see you again. This is perfect for brown hair with ashy highlights or full platinum blondes. Make sure to only leave in for the recommended time — or it might work a little too well!

Get it at Ulta Beauty!

Promising Review from Ulta Beauty: Jordan says “ I have tried many violet color depositing shampoos and conditioners always trying to get my hair to a more ash/neutral as my hair tends to pull a reddish/orange tone. After probably 10 different brands of violet color deposit/toning shampoos, I have finally found “the one”. Thanks Redken and Ulta!!!”

WELLA colorcharm T-18 Lightest Ash Blonde Toner

WELLA colorcharm’s iconic Permanent Liquid Toner line consists of 8 total shades in 3 total families. From Lightest Ash to Medium Beige, any cool blonde tone you could want- they have! This long-lasting and fade-resistant toner works perfectly for double processed blondes. It doesn’t get better than T-18 though.

Get it at Sally Beauty!

Promising Review from Sally Beauty: Briealy says “I was nervous about trying it but I am SO glad I did!! I used the whole bottle of toner, mixed it with the level 10 developer in the recommended 2:1 ratio, let it process for 20 minutes, and miraculously, I now have ash blonde hair!!!!! I have literally never been this happy with my hair color. Ever”

Schwarzkopf BlondMe Tone Enhancing Bonding Shampoo – Cool Blondes

Schwarzkopf BlondMe’s Cool Blondes purple shampoo acts to gently eliminate yellow tones in the hair during wash. The toner’s formula is sulfate free and works to bond the new, cool color to the hair while removing the warm tones. They also have a purple conditioning mask if the hair is too delicate for purple shampoos! While we are big fans of their cool blondes line — if you’re looking to keep a warm blonde color, they also have a Warm Blondes Bonding Shampoo. 

Check out this Cool Blondes shampoo and conditioning mask line at Ulta Beauty!

Promising Review from Ulta Beauty: Chloe says “I have bleached and toned (naturally very dark brunette) hair, so I am bound to get brassy over time in between salon visits. This shampoo fixes all the brass without making my hair too icy/purple. I seriously can’t recommend this enough, especially if you are a natural brunette like myself!”

Sebastian Professional Cellophanes Gloss Ice Blonde

Sebastian’s Cellophanes Salon Service provides 4 weeks of lasting true-to-tone color varying from Espresso Brown to Gloss Ice Blonde, with cranberry and cinnamon reds included too! There is also a clear cellophane color formula, just to get the benefits of the UV protection and shine that these colors leave in your hair. If you’re looking for an icy-toned or a cool espresso-brown look while having healthier and shinier hair — Sebastian Professional’s Cellophanes line is for you!

Purchase at My Wella Store!

Promising Review from Wella: B Parlor’s Salon Owner says “It’s a great add-on service for color and it’s great for clients that want to tip-toe into the color world.”

Clairol Professional’s Shimmer Lights Purple Shampoo for Blonde & Silver Hair

Clairol Professional’s Shimmer Lights Shampoo toner is the perfect all-in-one for maintaining cool silver, blonde, and brown hair. Use this shampoo twice a week and you’ll notice an incredibly beautiful difference! It’s easy to use, hydrating for the hair, and leaves the hair a balanced, cool shade. Whether natural or lightened, this product is ideal for toning while invigorating the hair with it’s protein-enriched formula.

Get it at Ulta Beauty!

Promising Review from Ulta: Liz says “I love this product! Tried other blond shampoos and I always come back. I pair this with a good conditioner and love my hair’s texture and color!”

Verb Purple Toning + Hydrating Hair Mask

Verb’s Purple Toner Mask is ideal for any and every type of hair: from straight to coily, fine to thick, and virgin to color-treated hair. If you’ve tried purple shampoos and it’s a bit too harsh for more delicate hair — Verb gives us this amazing alternative! It’s ultra-hydrating which is ideal for lightened hair, and super easy to apply! Shampoo as normal, and use this mask as a conditioner. Leave it in for 5-10 minutes depending on how intense of a cool tone you desire. The cool tone this purple mask leaves? To die for!

Get it at Sephora!

Promising Review from Sephora: Neysaelle says “Every Verb product I have tried has left my hair beautifully soft, and this is no exception. This toner has helped my 5 month old balayage not look brassy (let’s be honest, there’s no avoiding brass entirely after 5 months and I still desperately miss my hair stylist!)”

Reviews have been edited for length and clarity

We love these cool toners! What do you think? Let us know in the comments!

Blondes may have more fun but, when it comes to hair maintenance, they have it pretty rough. Between the constant root touch-ups and deep conditioning treatments, the struggle is real.

Luckily, Clairol Professional’s Shimmer Lights collection exists to help you boost your blonde. Thanks to award-winning products, like their Shimmer Lights Purple Shampoo and Conditioner, keeping your strands looking fresh has never been easier. And now Clairol Pro has expanded the popular line to include three new styling products to work alongside their color-enhancing shampoo and conditioner.

Here are all of the details on the newest additions to the Shimmer Lights collection.

Shimmer Lights Violet Toning Mask

Pack in the moisture with this Violet Toning Mask that deep conditions and tones blonde, highlighted, and silver hair. Enriched with lavender extract, jojoba, coconut, and Argan oil, this mask will have your strands looking extra bright and feeling silky smooth with every wash. Priced at $10.99, shop it here.

Promising Review: Alexi says, “I was so impressed with this mask! It was so moisturizing and smells like a pina colada! It got rid of all of the brassiness in my hair. It is very affordable as well!”

Shimmer Lights Leave-In Styling Treatment

This Leave-In Styling Treatment is your ticket to smooth, touchable hair styles. Thanks to its nourishing botanical rich formula, the treatment gives your hair enhanced color as well as reduced breakage during styling. Priced at $11.99, shop it here.

Promising Review: Kate says, “This is my favorite product of all the Shimmer Lights products. It smells so good that anytime I use it I get compliments on how good it smells. It does a great job of preventing brassiness without turning my hair purple.”

Shimmer Lights Thermal Shine Spray

Protect your hair from any heat damage with this Thermal Shine Spray. It’s anti-frizz formula promises a smooth and touchable finish as well as color-enhancing shine. Priced at $9.99, shop it here.

Promising Review: Stephanie says, “I’ve never even heard of a thermal spray specifically for blonde hair before this so I was so excited to try. Made my hair look so fresh and vibrant. It smells amazing too! I really love this product!”

Reviews have been condensed and edited for clarity.

Are you excited to try out these products? Let us know in the comments below!

In a world gone meme, platforms like TikTok are experiencing explosive growth. Bored by other ad-heavy, highlight-reel feeling social media, younger Millennials and Gen Z are finding TikTok is all fun and no FOMO.

Recently, TikTokers have been posting about the #PurpleShampooChallenge, which has 6.5 million views. #PurpleShampoo has 86.7 million! The gist is someone records themselves applying purple shampoo expecting a beautiful transformation.

Purple Shampoo is supposed to brighten blonde hair… But that hasn’t stopped brunettes from joining in. In reality, the most popular #PurpleShampooChallenge videos show brunettes drenching their heads and staining their hands with product only to show no difference in the end.  

Bring on the memes

One dark-haired user posted a video poking fun at her participation in the challenge, essentially meme-ing herself.

Another left the shampoo in her hair to take pictures with a purple messy bun, meme-ing Buzz Lightyear in the process:

And then there was Shimmer Lights

One product popping up in most #PurpleShampooChallenge videos is Clairol Professional’s Shimmer Lights. Laura Shaham, Clairol Pro Senior Brand Manager, says she is “thrilled to see participants using Shimmer Lights.” Its formula “renews, and refreshes faded highlights and ash-tones and leaves hair shiny without residue.”

According to Shaham, for best results, “it should be used twice a week and applied to wet hair.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4dMVrtHkuh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Brunettes should go for blue

No surprise, Shaham says, “the purple hue in Shimmer Lights counters unwanted yellow/brassy tones on blonde or gray hair to brighten and enhance color. Purple does not have the same effect on brunette hair.” She only recommends using “if you’re a brunette with blonde highlights.”

So, if you’re a brunette looking for a little shimmer of your own, Shaham recommends using KALEIDOCOLORS Blue instead. “It’s a great lightener. It lifts while it helps counteract unwanted brassy tones.”

Would you take the #PurpleShampooChallenge? Know someone who already has? Let us know in the comments!