From brown to blond to purple to blue, Nicole Richie has experimented with the color spectrum when it comes to her hair color. Summer is, in fact, a great time to toy with the idea of infusing your mane with a fresh hue, but it’s important to do so with caution. We spoke with Kyle White, a celebrity colorist at Oscar Blandi who has been singled out in New York Magazine’s “Best of” issue multiple times and has been featured in Allure’s “Best of the Best Directory” a record-setting ten times, to get his tips on how to safely achieve Nicole’s bold blue color.
“With the recent addition of at-home blue and violet hair color, achieving this look is simple,” says White. “The thing to keep in mind is whatever color your hair is before applying the violet or blue will determine how vibrant the resulting color will be.” He goes on to explain that if you’re a dark brunette, then you may only see a hint of blue whereas if you’re a light blonde, then the blue will be glowing. White suggests that if you want a bright silvery blue like Nicole, you need to pre-lighten your base color with a lightening agent before applying the blue/violet dye over it.
“It’s key to get the hair white without any orange or yellow before applying the blue,” White explains. “If you’re naturally dark, then you may require very strong chemicals and should have the color done by a professional. If you’re naturally light, then you may be able to do this yourself. Remember to use an oil-based bleach that will be gentler on your scalp and keep hair healthy.”
Once you have your new color, don’t forget to protect it from the sun and other environmental factors with a heat protecting spray and to use shampoos, conditioners and hair masks specifically designed for color-treated hair (Oribe has great color protecting products). For added luster, Oscar Blandi has also released two great new products, Vivid Clear Shine Glaze, a post-conditioning treatment designed to protect hair from color fading while adding shine (you can also add a few drops to your conditioner) and Polish Glossing Creme, a styling product designed to tame frizz while imparting shine.
