If you’re looking for an on-trend way to upgrade your classic buzz cut, you may want to consider embracing a new hue—specifically, platinum blonde. A bleach-blonde buzz cut combines the ease of a cropped cut with the intrigue of a fantasy hair color, creating a simple yet striking look that feels very fashion-forward. But while the day-to-day upkeep of this edgy style is fairly minimal, regular salon touch-ups and a proper at-home haircare routine are essential in maintaining the sharp and vibrant look. Ahead, stylists Kendra Alia and John Mosley from SalonCentric’s It Takes A Pro teamed up to show us how to get a modern bleached buzz cut. Keep scrolling to watch the transformation and discover a few of their best care and styling tips.
How Often Should You Touch Up Your Buzz Cut?
A buzz cut is one of the shortest chops out there, just shy of fully shaving your head.
However, this sought-after cut is somewhat of a paradox in low-maintenance hairstyles: It requires little to no daily styling time, but its sleek and sharp appearance hinges on its precise length. As such, frequent trims are often necessary to ensure the crop looks neat and polished.
Generally, you’ll need to touch up a buzz cut every two to four weeks, depending on how quickly your hair grows and your desired length. Those who prefer a shorter buzz cut may need to trim it more frequently, closer to every two weeks. Anyone with a slightly longer buzz cut, on the other hand, can wait a bit longer, around three to four weeks. To give the top of your style some structure and texture, Mosley recommends emulsifying a bit of Redken Brews Cream Pomade in your hands and sliding it through your hair, working from back to front. You can then take a wide-tooth comb to brush hair into place or control any unruly flyaways or cowlicks. (This trick is also great for concealing overgrown roots and giving your cut a purposefully messy, undone vibe.)
How Often Should You Touch Up Your Blonde?
“Wait about six weeks before you touch your roots up,” says Alia. “Whenever you want to go platinum blonde, too much new [hair] growth will actually hinder the service and create banding, so you don’t want to wait too long.”
As a quick refresher, banding in hair bleaching occurs when uneven lightening creates noticeable horizontal lines (aka bands) of different shades in the hair. This often happens during touch-ups when previously bleached sections overlap with new growth, leading to inconsistent color results. As such, Alia recommends penciling in a blonding appointment when you have about an inch of hair growth. This way, you can keep banding at bay and ensure your platinum strands remain vibrant.
It’s worth noting that bleaching your hair to a near-white shade can cause brassy yellow or orange undertones to appear over time. If your hair appears yellowish, pick up a purple toning shampoo, like the Shu Uemura Art of Hair Yūbi Blonde Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo, to offset those unwanted pigments. Those with more pigmented orange tones should reach for a blue toning shampoo instead. Our pick: Matrix Brass Off Toning Shampoo. These haircare formulas can help your bleached blonde hue look it's best and brightest between salon appointments. If you’re unsure which formula to use, ask your stylist—they’ll be able to point you in the right direction.
Next Up: 18 Trending Low-Maintenance Haircuts For Men
Header photo credits: SalonCentric
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