While you may think platinum or bleached hair is reserved for the fairer sex, some famous male faces have rocked it during their ever-changing hairstyle histories. Think Brad Pitt’s coveted surfer mane, Adam Levine’s golden do, Ryan Gosling’s short bleached hairstyle and all manner of other celebrities including Jared Leto and Justin Bieber, whose undercut do was something many guys should attempt to imitate.
But bleaching takes guts. Once the peroxide is on, shaving your head or cutting the bleached hair off is really the only way to return au naturel. And if you like your newfound fun as a platinum blonde? Terms such as ‘brassy’ and ‘roots’ could take you down – hard and fast.
To get you bleach-ready this season, we’ve curated several ice-cool ways to rock bleached hair, and included some easy tips and tricks to help you decide if you’re up for the challenge.
In this story…
Simple Things To Consider
Skin Tone
Super fair skin tones look washed out with bleached hair and blonder hair will highlight things like acne and scars so if you’re pale or have facial blemishes that you’re insecure about, don’t bleach.
Hair Density
Bleach coats the hair follicle which subsequently makes it feel thicker, but if you’re something who has hair that is thinning out, bleach increases the chances of breakage and could lead to some hair falling out. Balding or trying to grow your hair out? No bleach, please.
Hair Colour
Dark brown or black will more likely need more than one bleach process, and you put yourself at greater risk of your hair turning orange or brassy instead of platinum. Natural blonds will naturally have an easier time with the bleach. Sorry guys who are rocking the afro.
Anti-Bleach Areas
You bleach hair, not your eyebrows or beard. Going bleached means going bold so there’s no need to conceal the fact that your hair is not natural, obvs. The contrast hair-to-brow colour will give an exotic edge too and add some light and shade to your face.
Seek Professionals
Once decided, hunt down a hair bleaching professional and research salons that do blond hair well (including blond hair for men). Not only will a hair colourist apply, tone and style bleached hair well, but the pros can also give guidance for maintaining your new blond locks.
Basic Blond Tools
Purple shampoo counteracts the hair’s ability to go orange or brassy so use in moderation with a normal men’s shampoo. Use a hair treatment conditioner after washing too, to replenish the moisture zapped out by the bleach – to reduce the risk of the hair looking fuzz and fried.
All Bleached Out
Not happy with the platinum look? Or seeking a change? A buzzcut is pretty much the only way to get rid of your newly bleached hair. We don’t recommend growing it out, sir ombré. So be certain you’re up for the distinct bleached look. Once it’s on, your natural hair colour is done for.
Final Word
Bleached hair is hard work. It’s hard to get right, and once you do have that perfect platinum shade, you’ll need to invest time in styling it – and some money in products – maintaining the white tone and moisturised health of the hair.
But – like most things that are hard to attain and uncommon (riches and abs) – you’ll stand out like a hair god. Platinum is a high-value metal in the jewellery market and now your hair can be the same.
Above all else? Seek professional help. There’s absolutely no shame in that.
Expert Opinion – Sam Overton
“Bleached hair on a dude? It’s a tough one to rock and you not only need to be confident to pull it off, you need to go to a good hairdresser! When bleaching your hair, the tone is so important. It should complement skin tone and eye colour, or be the total opposite for a real statement.
Personally, I think this colour works best for short hair. Bleach adds texture to the hair and being shorter, it’s easy to style. Lastly, you need a good shampoo, conditioner and to apply a treatment at least once a week. When you bleach hair, you strip all the colour and hair can become dry. Replacing the lipid content in your hair is vital and reapplying moisture.
“This is important so not to damage your hair. Also, when getting to roots done again go to a good hairdresser. If the colour gets overlapped, you’ll end up with bland and uneven colour.”
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