When we see a celebrity wearing their hair in a new style, we usually discount it as nothing more than an interesting decision. By the time the second and third hunky celebs are trying it, it’s a trend. That’s certainly the case for bleached hair on men, which has celebrity men booking salon appointments (or at-home sessions) left and right. Curious why your favorite stars are all going platinum and how blonde hair for men can work in your life? Read on.
Bleached hair for men isn’t new at all—think of it as a trend coming full circle in a modern way. While women began showing off their “bottle blonde” in the 1930s, the color transformation didn’t happen for men until decades later.
The 1970s saw the rise of surfer culture and the conclusion of the “free love” era, which meant plenty of tousled, natural highlights from time spent outside. During the last years of the decade, the birth of punk meant an end to traditional haircuts and colors for many would-be rock stars. Musicians, artists, and the like began experimenting with their personal style, trading trousers for ripped acid wash denim and Ivy League cuts for platinum blonde shags. As far as toning technology goes, we’ve come a long way since the days of ultra brassy blonde hair for men!
By the 1980s, seeing a punk idol with bleach blonde spikes was practically de rigueur. Clad in leather and denim, these rebellious men used platinum as a way to escape the standard for masculine looks their families would likely have taught them. As the decade waned, even flannel-wearing grunge icons took a seat in the salon chair to buck societal norms and establish a sense of individuality.
Throughout the ‘90s and ‘00s, the trend continued: Male celebs bleached their hair when they wanted to reinvent themselves or take ownership of a new persona. Whether it was a boy band member dying to stand out from the group or a tween pop star aging out of his family-friendly roots, lightening their hair was always the right answer to their self-image worries.
That brings us today and the sudden rash of male stars showing off icy, near-white strands. Many of these celebs are in tumultuous relationships or just coming off a very public breakup—the same way women cut post-breakup bangs, it seems famous men hire a professional to take bleach to their strands. The resulting look is always edgy and unexpected. Bleached hair basically declares a desire to start fresh.
If you’re dying to take a stab at blonde hair for men, be warned: Platinum locks aren’t for the faint of heart (or the lazy). Lightening your hair is a delicate process, so it’s important to schedule a consultation with a professional who’s trained to achieve maximum hair color impact while maintaining the integrity of your mane. Those with naturally dark hair should prepare to return to the salon for several sessions before reaching your dream shade.
Once your hair is blonde, expect to return to the salon with some frequency to make sure your roots aren’t showing. At-home care is crucial for platinum, so invest in salon quality products (like a purple shampoo) that can keep brassiness from sneaking into your icy shade. We love Redken's Color Extend Blondage, a purple color-depositing shampoo. Paired with its Color Extend Blondage Conditioner, the products act as a toning and strengthening system for blondes.
Still feeling nervous about attempting the celeb-beloved trend? Be honest with your stylist. The more information you give them, the more they can customize the blonde to suit your lifestyle.
For a personalized hair color consultation, use our salon locator to book an appointment with a stylist near you.
