Many Indian women wonder if blonde hair would suit their complexion. Going blonde is a big change and commitment, so it’s important to consider how it would look with your skin tone. Here’s a look at the key factors to help you decide if blondes really do suit Indian skin.
What causes the difference between blonde and Indian hair?
The natural hair color of most Indian women is black or dark brown. This is due to the high levels of the pigment eumelanin. Blonde hair contains lower levels of eumelanin and higher levels of the pigment pheomelanin. It is the balance of eumelanin and pheomelanin that determines hair color.
Genetics play a major role in hair color. Most people of Indian descent naturally have hair that is black or dark brown. Going blonde involves chemically altering the pigment levels in the hair strands.
How does skin tone affect how blonde hair looks?
When considering if blondes suit your skin, your complexion or skin tone is an important factor. Indian skin tones range from fair or pale to dark brown.
Fairer Indian complexions with warm golden undertones often suit blonde hair very well. The warm glow of this skin type complements light golden blonde, honey blonde or caramel blonde shades.
Those with olive or medium brown Indian skin tones can also wear blonde hair nicely. Honey blonde, caramel blonde or ash blonde shades work best for those with neutral or cool undertones.
Darker Indian complexions look great with darker blonde shades like golden brown, light brown or bronde. Going too light can wash out darker skin.
How does Indian hair texture affect blonde hair?
Most Indian women have naturally dark, thick and wavy hair. Many also have very coarse strands. This hair texture is quite different from fine, smooth and straight Caucasian hair.
When dyed blonde, thick coarse Indian hair can turn brassy or orange quickly. The blonde color doesn’t grab as evenly compared to finer hair. This means roots tend to show through very quickly. Frequent toning is needed to counter brassiness and keep hair ash blonde.
Thick Indian hair can also be resistant to lightening. It may take several sessions to lift hair to a light blonde shade. Using professional salon products helps lighten resistant strands properly.
Does natural black Indian hair lighten well to blonde?
It is possible for natural black Indian hair to be lifted to blonde shades. But it requires skill and patience. The process cannot be rushed.
Lightening dark hair should be done slowly, over a few sessions. This gives the hair cuticle time to adjust to the chemical change. Rushing the lightening process risks major damage.
Olaplex or similar bond-building treatments should be used with each session. This prevents breakage and repairs disulfide bonds within the hair.
Using purple toning shampoos between sessions keeps brassiness at bay. Always get your hair lightened professionally to avoid disasters.
Are highlights or ombre better for Indian hair?
To get a subtle blonde look, highlights or ombre may suit Indian hair better than overall lightening. Highlights only treat small sections of hair. This places less stress on the hair.
Ombre blends your natural hair color with lightened ends. This means regrowth is far less noticeable. It also creates a pretty, dimensional effect.
Partial highlights or ombre allow Indian hair to be blonde, without the intensive commitment of all-over lightening. The blonde shade can also be tailored to best suit your complexion.
How to prepare Indian hair for blonde coloring
Preparing your hair properly before a blonde coloring service will help achieve better results. Here are some tips:
- Use a clarifying shampoo several times to deeply cleanse hair and remove buildup
- Cut off any damaged ends to reduce breakage
- Fill the hair with a protein treatment to strengthen strands
- Ask your colorist to do a strand test to see how your hair lightens
- Be prepared for several highlight or lightening sessions to reach blonde gradually
How to maintain blonde hair on Indian hair
Once your Indian hair is blonde, maintenance is crucial. Follow these steps to keep brassiness at bay and your blonde hair healthy:
- Use purple shampoo once or twice a week to neutralize yellow tones
- Apply a weekly nourishing hair mask to keep strands hydrated
- Get a toner gloss treatment every 4-6 weeks to refresh color
- Use Olaplex No.3 regularly to strengthen hair bonds
- Protect hair from sun exposure to avoid fading
- Get a trim every 6-8 weeks to minimize visible regrowth
Are there alternative ways to get blonde hair?
Dyeing your natural hair blonde requires commitment. If you want a temporary blonde change, consider these options:
- Clip-in blonde hair extensions
- Blonde hair wig or topper
- Blonde hairpiece for a partial highlight effect
- Blonde hair chalk or colored hair sprays
- Blonde hair mascara for subtle highlights on top
These provide a fun blonde boost without damaging your natural hair. They are great for a special occasion or trial run before committing to permanent color.
Should you bleach Indian facial hair blonde?
Some Indian women also have visible facial hair that they want to lighten. Bleaching facial hair is an option, but must be done carefully.
Always do a patch test first. Bleach can irritate sensitive facial skin. Mix the lightener just like you would for hair, but use a lower volume developer. Monitor closely and rinse immediately once hair lightens to avoid irritation.
Alternatives like threading, waxing, sugaring or laser removal may be safer options for dealing with dark facial hair.
Celebrity examples of blonde hair on Indian skin
Looking at Indian celebrities who have tried blonde hair can help you decide if it may be suitable for your complexion.
Priyanka Chopra has rocked golden blonde hair with highlights. The warm shade matches nicely with her bronze skin tone.
Deepika Padukone has also experimented with sunny blonde highlighted hair. Her cooler complexion works with this bright shade.
Katrina Kaif has tried an overall light ash blonde shade. Her fair skin tone prevents her from looking washed out.
Kangana Ranaut has worn beautiful bronde and caramel balayage hues. Her warm skin tone shines with golden blonde shades.
Shilpa Shetty Kundra has rocked a glorious platinum blonde look. She counters brassiness with purple shampoo to stay bright.
Conclusion
Blonde hair can absolutely suit Indian skin – when done right! Consider your own complexion, hair texture and styling commitment before jumping in. For many Indian women, subtle highlights or ombre may be the best blonde solutions. With proper techniques and maintenance, blonde hair can look gorgeous against Indian skin.
