Your blonde looked perfect when you left the salon. So what happened?
You know that fresh-from-the-salon blonde - bright, beautifully toned, glossy and exactly how you want it? Then a few weeks pass and somehow it’s looking a little warmer, a little duller and not quite as fresh as you remember.
It’s easy to put it down to your toner fading. And while some change between appointments is completely normal, there could be something else affecting your colour every time you wash your hair. Your tap water.
Have you ever heard the term "hard water"? Minerals in our tap water (along with chlorine exposure if you are a pool girl), can build up on your hair over time. And for blondes in particular, that buildup can become noticeable in both the colour of your hair and the way it feels. Whilst we are fortunate to have lovely fresh tap water, Canberra and Bungendore are both "hard water" areas, which is why it's worth some thought about how to look after that lovely hair investment!
What can mineral buildup look like in your hair?
You can't necessarily see buildup sitting on the hair, but you might notice the effects of it. Your blonde may start to look a little duller or warmer than you remember. Hair can feel dry, rough, heavy or harder to manage, and you may find you're washing it but never quite getting that lovely clean, light feeling afterwards. And if summer means plenty of time in the pool, chlorine and other deposits can add another layer of build up.
The important thing is that not every blonde that starts looking warm simply needs more purple shampoo, that can be expensive and not solve the actual issue. Sometimes it’s worth checking the water you are washing your hair with.
So, what can you do about it?
The good news is that looking after your hair between appointments doesn't necessarily mean adding another complicated routine to your bathroom. For clients concerned about what tap water is doing to their hair, we stock Filtered Beauty shower filters in Gold and Black for $89, with replacement cartridges available for $55. They’re an easy at-home option designed to filter the water you’re washing your hair in, including chlorine and other contaminants. You will honestly be surprised what this does for your hair - it's a complete stylist hack!
And if your hair already feels like it needs a reset, our Bungendore team are currently offering a Hard Water Detox Treatment Package using Kérastase Première. The 1 hour 15 minute treatment is designed to help remove calcium buildup from the hair and restore softness, movement and shine. It’s $60 and, for now, is available exclusively at Blonde Poetry Bungendore. Sorry not in Curtin at the moment!
Think of it as a reset when your usual haircare doesn't seem to be doing quite enough.
And what about our water babies?
If you or your children spend half the summer in the pool, you may know that strange combination of hair that somehow feels dry, tangled and still not quite clean after it's been washed. This is where thinking about your hair before you get into the water can help too.
Coastal Grl PRE-SWIM Saltwater and Chlorine Hair Protectant is designed to be applied before swimming to help protect the hair from the effects of chlorine, saltwater and UV exposure. Pop it in the beach or pool bag and apply before getting in - particularly if swimming is a regular part of your summer.
Regular exposure to pool water can leave deposits on the hair, so good washing and care after swimming matters too. If hair starts feeling particularly dry, rough, tangled or coated despite your usual routine, it may be time for a deeper reset.
Our Bungendore team can also offer a gentler version of the detox treatment for younger hair, while a filtered shower head at home is an option worth considering for the whole family.
The idea isn't to make summer hair complicated. Protect it before you swim, look after it afterwards, and reset it when it needs it.
Not sure if hard water buildup is the problem? You don't need to diagnose your own hair. If your blonde isn't behaving the way it normally does, mention it at your next appointment. Your stylist can take a look at the condition of your hair, talk to you about what you've been noticing and work out whether buildup could be part of the picture - or whether something else in your colour or home-care routine needs adjusting.
It might mean an occasional in-salon reset. It might mean changing something at home. Or it might be as simple as protecting your hair differently through swimming season.
We know that professional colour is an investment. Looking after what happens between appointments is part of protecting that.
And, as always, there’s love in the details... even the ones you can't necessarily see! 🤍
