How to Dye and Maintain Blonde Hair at Home

Should I go blonde? What to consider when dyeing hair blonde at home

It’s a fact, hair grows. And, regardless of how well you’ve maintained your blonde, as your locks get longer, your roots will begin to show. Now’s the time to get your dye out and touch up your blonde.

The first thing to consider when dyeing your hair blonde at home is the shade you want to go. Not all blondes are made equal, and the colour that will best suit you depends largely on your complexion and the effect you’re going for.

As a general rule, those with paler skin can pull off the more dramatic ashy and platinum blonde shades. If your skin tone is warmer, opt for honey hues and caramel tones. Picking the perfect shade for you is easier than ever with the Garnier Olia range – from perfect silver hair dye to always-on blonde shades, we’ve got you covered. 

Garnier Olia 112 Super Light Beige Blonde is a great option for anyone looking to achieve a bright, vivid blonde with staying power. This permanent hair dye is ammonia free for a pleasant smell and is 60% oil powered for maximum colour performance.

It is important to ensure the shade you have chosen is absolutely right for your hair type. We recommend only going one or two levels up, or down. 

Choose a shade which is close to the one you have currently. Hair dye cannot lighten previously coloured hair, therefore if you are trying to go lighter, or you have dark hair and are trying to go blonde, you will need to bleach.

Interested in knowing what your favourite shade will look like on you? Don’t forget to use our Virtual Try-On feature to see what shade best suits you. 

How to dye your hair blonde at home 

So, you’re ready to dye your hair blonde at home, it’s time to get your dye on. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to achieve maximum impact with minimal effort. 


1.  Always read the instructions on the box before you begin dyeing your hair at home. Now’s the time to check the back of the pack to make sure the shade of blonde is definitely right for you.

2.  First, do a patch test by applying some of the colourant to your skin behind your ear at least 48 hours before you use your chosen hair dye. Never skip this step, even if you’ve used your chosen colour before.

3.  Open up your box and lay out all your equipment. You should have an instruction pack, some gloves, a mixing bottle, a bottle of developer cream, colourant cream and a deep conditioner for afterwards. You’ll also need a towel, a hair brush, a hair clip and some moisturising cream.

4.  Apply the moisturising cream to your hairline to avoid the dye staining your skin. If you do get some dye on your skin, remove it with a cleansing wipe as soon as you can.

5.  Put the towel over your shoulders to protect your clothes.

6.  Squeeze both the colourant and the developer cream into the mixing bottle and shake it well so they combine. Then immediately remove the cap and begin applying to your hair.

7.  Part your hair and apply the product directly onto your roots, spread the cream evenly over your hair. Repeat this until all your roots are covered.

8.  Wait 30 minutes…

9.  If you also want to refresh your lengths and ends, apply the dye on the rest of your hair 10 minutes before rinsing.

10.  Rinse under a warm shower until the water runs clear.

11.  Use the multi-application conditioner to keep your hair feeling soft and looking shiny.

12.  Rinse again until the water runs completely clear

13.  Towel dry your hair

14.  Apply a hair mask of your choosing. We love the Honey Strengthening Mask because of its strengthening and replenishing qualities, perfect for hair that’s feeling a little frazzled from dyeing.  

15.  One final rinse and you are good to go

How to maintain blonde hair at home

It’s a well held belief that dyeing your hair blonde ruins your hair, but it doesn’t have to be that way. A careful colour care routine will help to maintain your blonde hair for longer, extending the length of time between colouring.

1. Wash your hair less

Washing your hair will cause the colour to fade faster and can cause your hair to become more brittle and prone to breakages. For optimum blonde hair maintenance, avoid washing your hair too regularly -- we recommend aiming for no more than 2-3 washes a week. 

2. Choose a good blonde shampoo

When you do wash your hair, opt for a shampoo that’s specifically formulated for blonde hair. We love the Garnier Ultimate Blends Argan Oil for Coloured Hair shampoo for full blonde illumination. Ultimate Blends has been sourced from nature and blended with love to enhance your blonde tones and leave your hair silky soft to the touch. 

3. Try a purple shampoo for brassiness

If you notice your blonde is going brassy, alternate your blonde shampoo with a purple one, which will help with hair colour-correction. Hair dye consists of red, yellow and blue pigments. The smaller blue particles leave the hair cuticle first, which is why dyed blonde starts to look a bit orange. Violet or purple pigments compensate, so use purple shampoo a few times a week along with your regular products to help nourish and hydrate your hair.

4. Rinse with cool water

This is a hair care trick everyone can benefit from. Simply finish your wash with cool water, which will help to close the hair cuticles, minimising fade and promoting shine.  

5. Use a weekly hair mask

Blonde hair tends to suffer from dryness and needs daily moisturising. Use a leave-in treatment that leaves hair fortified from root to tip. Garnier offers a specialist hair mask for coloured blonde hair. You could also leave your conditioner in for an extra 10 minutes before rinsing off. Your hair will feel even silkier!

6. Have a monthly trim

This may sound like an extravagance, but if you want to keep your blonde hair looking healthy and shiny, there's no substitute for a regular trim to keep it in shape.

7. Use a hair heat protectant

Coloured blonde hair is particularly prone to heat damage from hair dryers, curling tongs and straighteners. Try and lay off the styling tools as much as possible and use a heat protection styling spray before you start. The colour will stay vibrant for longer too.

8. Filter your water

A good shower filter can work wonders by keeping out chlorine and iron deposits that can deplete or discolour those precious golden pigments. Some filters even replace those everyday pollutants with healthy, pH-balanced ions, so your blonde hair feels even softer.

9. Tasteful Toning

Adding specialist toners will harmonise hair colour and make sure your blonde stays beautiful for longer. They're usually ammonia-free, so perfectly safe to use between colourings.