Summer is finally here! And after a year of isolation, we are determined to make it the best summer yet.

But...a year of isolation. For some, it was a year of hair masks, face masks, and self-care. But for others, isolation meant isolation from our hair salons. So, in other words, isolation = nightmare. Our salons were closed, our roots were grown out, our blonde turned brassy, and just when we thought it couldn't get any worse, we tried coloring our grown out hair ourselves, only to be met with reality and a not-so-happy face and lecture when we saw our stylist again. We have all been there. But not anymore. Things are starting to open up, and even get back to...dare we say...normal! Which means people are going to see you. And while the endless amounts of face masks, hair masks, and no-makeup days were great while they lasted, we are entering a new time in our lives. Summer. And not only summer but summer after a year of quarantine. This summer feels a little bit more exciting. The sun feels warmer, the days feel longer, and, of course, our hair is blonder.

When it comes to summer, blonde is everything. Its light, carefree vibe is perfect. But, this carefree vibe is just what it says...a vibe - not reality. In other words, your beautiful blonde does not come without a price and most definitely needs to be cared for. So, what should you do? What should you not do? Well, we made it easy for you. We're going to give you all of the blonde hair do's and don'ts that will leave your hair healthier than ever. Trust us! Summer is finally here, blonde is back, and we've got you covered!

DO's:

1. When you are considering going blonde or blonder, DO find a stylist specializing in hair coloring and has extensive experience with your hair type. Curly hair is not the same as straight in terms of hair structure and texture. So, it is important to make sure your stylist has experience with your hair type so they can handle it with care when creating your beautiful blonde tresses.

2. DO go in for a consultation and ask questions. This is especially important if you are going to a new stylist. You want to make sure you are both clear on what you're asking for and what they can deliver. Even if it is your usual stylist, it is important to have this talk before going lighter. Ask questions regarding cost, maintenance, and what to expect after your first lightening session.

3. DO use natural, moisturizing, and repairing hair products with an occasional blue or purple shampoo. Even when done in the best way possible, going blonde inevitably dries out your hair. But don't worry! Going blonde doesn't have to mean sacrificing your hair's health. To avoid damage and breakage, use gentle shampoos and conditioners that will put nutrients back into your hair. You want to stay away from sulfates and silicones because they strip your hair of its natural moisture barrier! We recommend OGX products. They are non-toxic and contain nature's richest ingredients that will restore your hair to the silky feel we all love without breaking the bank! For all of you "cool blonde" girls, we recommend using a purple shampoo every few washes to pull your cool tones out and keep the brassy look away. However, for the golden blonde girls, this step is not completely necessary. If you feel like your hair is starting to look a little too golden, it is okay to use a purple or blue shampoo, but we recommend limiting it to once in between salon visits.

4. DO protect your hair from the sun. Just like our skin, our hair is susceptible to sun damage. UV rays weaken your hair's protein structure which makes your hair dry, fragile, and breakable. Chlorine and saltwater only make this worse...and we know you are planning that beach vacation as we speak! So, how can you avoid this? Conditioner. Leave in conditioner to style, conditioner before going in the sun, conditioner before going in the water, and conditioner after shampoo! We cannot stress enough how important conditioner is. Second, invest in a cute beach hat. That way, you can protect your hair and skin at the same time!

5. DO get trims often. Ladies...We know you are trying to grow your hair out. But trust us when we tell you, a trim is not going to hurt that process. It is going to help it! Getting regular trims helps prevent split ends from damaging entire hair strands, which in turn will allow you to grow long, luscious hair. You don't have time for split and damaged ends to ruin the gorgeous blonde that you worked so hard to achieve. So, remember, do not skip the trims!

DON'Ts:

1. DON'T go lighter than your natural hair can handle. You want to go to a stylist that you trust, and that has your best interest in mind. They should be able to tell you what your hair can handle. If you have dark hair and want to go platinum blonde, you should know that is not the best choice. Ask your stylist how you can achieve that light summer blonde in a way that is best for your hair type, and hair health!

2. DON'T rush the process. We know it is tempting. You decide you want blonde, and you want it right now! But trust us when we say it is worth the wait. You should gradually go lighter to preserve your hair's health. If you have dark hair that you want to lighten, start a few months in advance! That way, you can go back for multiple appointments until you achieve that perfect blonde.

3. DON'T wash too often. Blonde is your new look, and dry shampoo is your new best friend. The purpose of shampoo is to clean your scalp. It gets rid of all of the extra natural oils that build up in between washes. However, if it is used too much, or is used on your entire length of hair, it can be extremely harmful to your hair's health. It can break down the moisture barrier and natural oils that your scalp creates and leave your hair feeling weak and damaged. So, if you can, we recommend washing your hair once a week. That may seem crazy at first, but you can train your hair to work with you. Plus, there is dry shampoo (thank goodness)! And take it from us - it is worth it!

4. DON'T overdo it when it comes to heated styling tools. We know, you know. We don't even need to say it, but we will anyway. Heat is not good for your hair. We recommend air drying your hair as much as possible. But we get it, sometimes using heat feels like a must. For those days, make sure you are using a good heat protectant and keep using heat tools to a minimum of once between washes. We recommend trying alternative methods like the new air wraps or use curlers! They are more popular than you think.

5. DON'T think that golden means brassy. Embracing your hair's natural warm tones is so trendy this summer! We love seeing the mix of just a slightly warmer blonde with the cooler blonde to give the hair that warm, natural, beachy feel! It is so perfect for the summer months.

So, whether you're a brunette going blonde, a blonde going blonder, or anything in between...we've got you, babe.

Written By: Corrie McHone