Of course, the trials and tribulations I faced after the apocalypse were long enough and detailed enough for a novel, but the long story short, in the end, I was still able to save my blonde hair. despite epic damage ratio. I spent hours and hours researching, babysitting after check-in on rehab products, even more hours and checking babysitting at another salon, getting trims , treatments, and consistent TLC. (The morning after the disaster, I went to an Aveda salon, where – I don’t think so – I became a project worker and is still remembered to this day.)
It took about three years for my hair to grow back, and until five years ago – around the time I moved to LA to become a beauty editor – I was convinced that my hair would never be the same. . I still struggle to grow it out, and even though I’ve cut back on my highlighting appointments (I think I’ve gone at least six months without much impact on heat or peroxide after the injury) , the colorists never seem to get the right tone and my hair is forever like straw.
Until, I met my first two hair godparents, famous hairstylists Cervando Maldonado and celebrity colorists Cassondra Kaeding. I met Cervando the first week when I was assistant beauty editor for Byrdie, and (bless him to infinity) he took me under his wing and helped give me my hair healthy and long that I never thought possible as a blonde. He’s the only person I’ve allowed my hair to touch, style, and trim wise, since arriving in LA, and I credit his amazing trimming talent and practical hair tips (take avocado or coconut oil and apply to the ends of your hair as much as possible) to revitalize my hair over the past two years.
That said, even though my cuts and lengths were on the right track, I was frequently disappointed with my colors (even when in a town as popular as LA), and it wasn’t until Maldonado introduced me to Kaeding, it really felt like I had found my long lost soul mate. I’ve met countless color celebs through my day job, but Kaeding is one of those the colorists are the most sought after in the industry right now, and she’s also a total globalist when it comes to her art, technique, and reputation as a colorist. In short, she’s the only type of person you’d want to entrust your delicate hair with.
Unlike that colorist back in 2013, Kaeding actually told me she wouldn’t touch my hair with any color on our first date (she’s the one with integrity and refuses to do any risky behavior that might weaken or damage my sensitive hairs) and despite my disappointment I waited three more weeks at the top 10 I waited so she could use your magic. And, she used. Kaeding not only provides me most beautiful blonde hair job during my 29 years, but she literally left every hair on my head. My hairs have never been this long or blonde, and everyone I meet and talk to (even other famous hairstylists and colorists) is truly in awe of my hair. how healthy it is despite how bleached it is. Kaeding is talented enough to create a mystery for me, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
To celebrate, and since I get so, so many DMs and questions about how to fix my bleached hair, I’m using my own experience to be forever blonde (I call myself a an unofficial official color expert) and Kaeding’s legal expertise to provide the complete — and hopefully helpful — guide to blonde hair care below. Up front, all of our roundup of best tips on how to care for and fix bleached post-apocalyptic blonde hair. Keep scrolling!
