I Just Bleached My Virgin Hair. Here’s the Products I’m Using to Keep It Soft and Healthy

I would call myself a hair chameleon. I’ve done it all.

In fact, my toxic trait is spending years growing out my bleached hair and revelling in the glory of FINALLY having healthy, virgin hair… And then immediately bleaching it again.

I’ve spent months doing the curly girl method to restore my natural curls.

I’ve done an ill-advised permanent hair straightening treatment (yes, my hair fell out).

I’ve been bleach blonde, bronde, darkest brown and - my favourite - balayage blonde.

I’ve had super short hair and then spent years growing it long, only to chop it all off again.

More recently, I decided to grow my hair out to restore it to its natural curl and colour.

In September, I had a final trim to cut the last dregs of bleached hair.

I was using mostly Olaplex products to counteract any damage from my heat styling and had started using my Dyson Airwrap to style my hair at home.

This combination meant my hair was soft and healthy with very minimal breakage.

By November, I was bored so I booked into the hairdresser for a blonde transformation.

After five long hours in the chair, I emerged with bouncy, balayage blonde hair.

Do I regret yet another hair transformation? No way! I love changing my hair and I’m so happy with how the colour turned out (let’s just hope I don’t get bored again).

The first day of a blonde transformation always looks the best - nothing beats a blow wave at the hairdresser.

Unfortunately, once I washed my hair, I was faced with ultra-dry, frizzy hair.

Bleaching damages the hair’s protein structures, causing dry, brittle hair prone to breakage and split ends. Fun!

This isn’t my first rodeo. I know bleaching means it’s time to bring in the big guns.

I needed a new haircare routine to add love back into my bleached ends.

Here are the products I’m currently using to keep my hair as healthy as humanly possible...

1. Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo.

What: Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo 250ml

Fast facts:

• Formulated with Olaplex’s patented bond-building technology, which has been formulated to repair broken disulfide bonds in the hair.

• Suitable for all hair types but especially for coloured-treated and heat-damaged hair.

• Improves manageability and softness and leaves hair looking healthier.

• Helps prevent breakage and split ends.

My mini Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo review:

I’m obsessed with Olaplex products and I’ve been using the No.4 Shampoo for years.

Even if you don’t colour your hair, this shampoo repairs damage from heat tools like straighteners and curling irons.

It lathers beautifully and, while it may seem a little pricey for a shampoo, you only need a small amount - the bottle really does last.

2. Kérastase Blond Absolu Masque Cicaextreme.

What: Kérastase Blond Absolu Masque Cicaextreme

Fast facts: 

• An intense hair mask for hair that has been damaged by bleaching.

• Formulated with hyaluronic acid to deeply moisturise and edelweiss oil to smooth and strengthen.

• Hydrates and plumps the hair.

• Works against breakage.

• Reduces frizz.

My Kérastase Blond Absolu Masque Cicaextreme mini review:

One reviewer of this product called it a “hydration bomb” and I completely agree.

Since bleaching my hair, it has felt straw-like. This mask instantly made it feel softer and made it more manageable to style.

I always think of hyaluronic acid as a skin hydrator… Who knew it also worked wonders on dry hair? It's a big tick from me.

3. K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil.

What: K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil

Fast facts:

• Lightweight, non-greasy hair oil.

• 24-hour frizz control.

• Minimises split ends by 78%.

• Acts as a heat protectant up to 232°C.

• Formulated with K18’s peptide technology to repair and strengthen hair from within.

• Suitable for all hair types and textures.

My mini K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil review:

Everyone in the Adore Beauty office raves about this oil, and I can see why!

I love how lightweight it is - it doesn’t leave any greasy residue on the hair.

I have frizzy hair, so I loved how this oil smoothed and added shine.

I already know how good the K18 peptide technology is, having used their cult repair mask (more on this product below), so I like that this oil also works to repair and strengthen hair from within.

4. Olaplex No. 4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo.

What: Olaplex No. 4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo

Fast facts:

• Purple shampoo to neutralise brassiness and brighten colour.

• Very strong toning effect.

• Sulfate- and paraben-free.

• Formulated with Olaplex’s patented ingredient to help repair damaged hair.

My Olaplex No. 4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo review:

How to use Olaplex shampoos?

Purple shampoos can be drying, but this one has the added repairing benefits of Olaplex’s technology.

I recommend pre-washing with Olaplex No. 4 to remove any product buildup and then using NO. 4P to neutralise any brassiness.

I usually leave it on for 3-5 minutes.

Follow this with a deeply nourishing hair mask to counteract the drying effects of the purple shampoo.

This shampoo is highly pigmented and I only use it when I can see my hair needs a refresher - it’s not something you use every wash.

Final Verdict…

These were all the products I packed with me on a trip to Bali, where I knew my hair would frizz up from the humidity.

I do also have some special mentions below for products I keep on rotation at home:

• Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask is one of my favourite hair masks. It smooths, softens and repairs without leaving any weight in the hair.

• K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Mask 50ml is a patented peptide treatment, unlike anything I’ve ever used. You can read more about this magical repair product here.

• ColorWOW Dream Coat Supernatural Spray is a styling spray designed to combat frizz for a sleek at-home blowwave.

• Davroe Blonde Platinum Shampoo 325ml is my favourite affordable toning shampoo option.

I was lucky to get my desired colour transformation in one sitting.

My hairdresser mentioned it was virgin hair that helped the colour to lift so well. All those years restoring my hair to its natural state weren’t in vain after all.

If you’re thinking of going blonde or doing balayage, I recommend incorporating products designed to repair hair from the inside out.

For me, Olaplex is the GOAT when it comes to blonde hair repair.

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