Examples of Platinum Blonde Hair that Actually Look Natural

Platinum hair, also known as the lightest shade of blonde possible, has been popular for decades. The thing is, not everyone looks good in super blonde hair, and very few people actually boast this shade naturally past childhood. It's always best to get this color done in a salon because doing it at home can cause even more damage to hair than you would receive normally. This standout hue can really transform a look but it does require upkeep.

We talked to the masters for you. Enter colorists Alexe from Hershesons Berners Street Salon in London, and Joey Perrotti from Nine Zero One Salonin LA, who told us everything you need to know about what you can expect from the platinum color. The first thing you should know is platinum blonde isn't one standard color but comes in a variety of cool, warm, and neutral shades and tones. This seems quite logical, but really, who knew? (Now we do!)

If you're already blonde, going platinum starts at your roots. If you have a naturally dark base, your hair needs to be by pre-lightening the other way around, which means getting the ends and the middle of the hair lighter first to then go and bleach the roots.

If done well, Alexe says platinum can suit pretty much anyone, though it's not a color that will enhance everyone's skin tone without a bit of effort to create an overall look, he says. Think of platinum, not as a natural I woke up like this moment, but instead as a statement color that you can use to compliment great makeup and a killer outfit.

According to Perrotti, one of the main reasons platinum is so hard to maintain is because the heat source from your scalp helps lift the regrowth. However, if the root is too far off of the scalp it will not lift evenly.

Whether you're using this gallery of platinum blondes to determine if the look will flatter you, if you're just generally curious about the shade, or you're looking for celeb hair inspiration, it's all rounded up below. From at-home maintenance tips to touch-up timelines, plus, how your hair will fare in the long run.

Platinum Blonde Hair

Choosing a Shade: "What you have to keep in mind is the client’s skin tone. Ideal skin tones are usually fair, medium or yellowish tint. A client’s eye color and lifestyle are also important to keep in mind." Joey Perrotti says.

Maintenance Level: It's definitely a high maintenance look. Alexe says it's probably the hardest to maintain and warns your roots will start showing after about 2-3 weeks. Don't go longer than 6-8 weeks without a full-on touch-up.

Similar Shades: White, Pastel, and Silver Blonde.

Price: $200 for pre-lightening and toning, plus roots start at $70, though prices vary depending on the salon.

Cara Delevingne's Platinum Lob

Cara's been dirty blonde, ash-blonde, rose-gold, and now, platinum. Her razor- sharp bob looks especially icy and cool against her bold brows.

Hunter Schafer's Long Waves

Don't pretend you're not obsessed with Hunter's swoon-worthy platinum hair! Seriously, you can't!

Elisa Nalin's Cropped Cut

Italian-born, Paris-based stylist Elisa Nalin's platinum blonde crop compliments her pale skin perfectly. Plus, that statement necklace and berry lip are a swoon-worthy combo.

Mary J. Blige's Short, Slick Style

Mary J. Blige has rocked platinum hair innumerable times, her slick style at 2018's Met Gala being just one of them.

Slicked Back Platinum

Like with Mary J. Blidge before, model India Alexandria's all-over wet style is so in and manages to look even cooler in a platinum hue!

Make sure to schedule monthly or bi-monthly visits to your stylist for a touch-up, because this color grows out fast. Also, invest in at-home protein treatments, and a purple or blue shampoo to help keep your platinum tone from going brassy.

Solange Knowles's Amazing Tone

When Solange stepped out in a stunning variety of platinum styles, from short natural curls at Coachella to platinum braids at NYFW, each new look continuously wowed us. Her beautifully toned afro at the Billboard Women in Music Awards in 2017 sealed the deal, it's now an indisputable fact that Solange can do anything and make it her signature.

Long Platinum Braids

These platinum braids are so cool and look great paired with a pink lip. That's half the fun of going platinum, am I right? A cool new hair color is the best time to try out extra fun makeup looks.

Dove Cameron's Hollywood Waves

Dove Cameron has kept her hair platinum blonde for the majority of her career, and we can totally see why. It really suits her!

Camille Johnson's Curls

YouTuber Camille Johnson has such amazing platinum curls! While it does depend on your individual hair type, Alexe mentions that most people with curly hair have 'quite a dry texture already' and will need extra care after going platinum.

Bleaching from the scalp can leave hair a bit dry and in need of extra hydrating products like masks and serums to keep curls looking extra healthy.

Ashy Waves like Margot Robbie

With a color like Margot Robbie's, Perrotti says you can use a variety of pearl, ash, violet, silver, and titanium tones to get a platinum blonde look. The actress usually keeps to a warmer platinum hue, which often combines ashy blonde tones for a more lived-in appearance.

Gwen Stefani's Icy Looks

The Italian-American beauty has managed to make the bleached look work for her tenfold, pairing various icy blonde hues with a red lip and some serious confidence over the years.

Taylor Swift's Short Shag

Bleachella was an era to remember, as anyone that took notice of Swift's sudden platinum bob in 2016 can attest to. With her typically dirty blonde hair gone, this new platinum shag accompanied an edgier style for the singer, a stark departure from her oft-feminine looks of the past.

Dua Lipa's Blonde and Black Style

Dua Lipa went platinum for her Future Nostalgia album release and it totally suits her. She kept a warmer undertone to her bleached look and dyed the underside a deep black color for contrast. Overall, the two-toned look stands out nicely against her olive-toned skin and dark, bold brows.

Finer Strands like Olivia Coleman

When going platinum, finer hair textures like Olivia Coleman's need to start with a lower developer because it will lift faster than a denser texture. Perrotti says this is why he'll use a higher developer on coarser, thicker hair.

Karrueche Tran's Blonde Bob

It's hard to imagine just a few short years ago actress Karrueche Tran was blonde, but here she is at the 2017 BET awards killing it.

Michelle Williams's Straight Bob

Like Karrueche above, Michelle Williams looks ultra-sophisticated in a platinum blonde bob. The shorter style and deep side part suits her face shape and brings out her naturally gorgeous features.

Soo Joo Park's Iconic Color

Soo Joo is known for her platinum style and matching beached brows. She totally rocks this high fashion look.

P!nk's Platinum Swirl

P!nk's skin borders on olive-toned, and the singer's warmer complexion looks fantastic with her bleached locks.

Haley Jordan's Lived-In Roots

If you want to keep a darker root, like fitness guru and backup dancer Haley Jordan's, Joey suggests a technique called root shadowing. This will make for a softer, less harsh grow out devoid of color separating lines.

Rose Byrne's New Look

Actress Rose Byrne went platinum and we can honestly say we're loving it!

Shakira's Natural Roots

Shakira's worn different versions of platinum hair for a long time. Here, her slightly grown-out roots give her hair an additional dimension, while darker lowlights also bring back depth that platinum and ash-blonde cool tones can strip away.

Portia's Accessorized Pixie

Decorate your platinum cut with a cute headband like model Portia Freeman. Shorter styles are just an excuse to amp up your accesories game!

A Healthy Platinum Lob

Model and L'Oreal Pro Ambassador Ellie Gonsalves has a perfectly styled and healthy lob courtesy of Rockstar Salon founder Brodie.

Cropped like Carey Mulligan

Actress Carey Mulligan's hair has been colored a variety of shades. Here, her platinum hair cut into a short style, from around the time she filmed The Great Gatsby, looks delightfully severe.

Cool Toned Platinum

Model Eva's cool-toned platinum hair is amazing and it looks super healthy. If you want to keep your blonde more ashy and white like Eva, Alexe says the L'Oreal Silver Shampoo ($35) is fabulous. Perotti also loves the Magic Myst ($35) from the In Common haircare line by Nine Zero One founders Nikki Lee and Riawna Capri. The universal elixir has UV protectants, conditioning agents, vitamins to strengthen hair.

Klossy's Blonde

Karlie briefly dabbled in platinum before returning to her usual sandy blonde. We gotta say, the brighter hue is really working for her.

Keeping hair healthy is a number one concern when going this light, and both Alexe and Perrotti tout the Olaplex treatments and shampoo which help add protein back into lightened hair. They're both also fans of L'Oreal's haircare. Alexe loves Smart Bond Strengthening System and Perrotti likes the Absolut Repair Gold QUINOA ($15).

Zac Efron's Almost White Style

When Efron debuted a white/platinum look at Sundance, it was a move nobody saw coming. He's been known to change his hair up in the past, sporting frosted tips or a crimped style back in the day, but this all-over white platinum style was unprecedented for the actor.

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