Going Platinum: Breaking Down 2016’s Best Blondes

It was a big year for blonde in Hollywood. T-Swift, the Kardashian–Jenners, Queen Bey—many of the biggest names in the biz hit the bleach, and the results ranged from gorgeous icy platinums to creamy vanillas to rooty brondes. After looking back on a year of some pretty magical blonde makeovers, we rounded up some of the most notable. Here are our faves.

Kylie Jenner
Hair by Priscilla Valles

The original goal for Kylie’s Fashion Week makeover last fall wasn’t always platinum. “We had been exchanging photos for months,” Priscilla reveals, “and we were set on a honey blonde. But Kylie’s hair lifted so quickly and so well, it became clear that platinum was an option. I said, ‘You know, Kylie, if you want to go lighter, I think we can do it!’” Of course, Kylie was on board, and her hue ended up making headlines. how Priscilla did it:

1. Prelighten with Redken Flash Lift Lightener + 15-volume developer + Olaplex No.1, 1/4-inch from the root to the ends. Then apply the same formula, plus a few drops of Powertools STB, Stop the Burn, to the new growth.

2. Process for several hours, rinse and apply Olaplex No.2. Rinse and reapply the original lightening formula to wet hair, processing for a couple more hours.

At this point, Priscilla went home, then returned the next day and resumed.

3. Reapply the lightener and treat with Olaplex as before.

4. Tone with Redken Shades EQ 1 oz. 9V + 1/3 9B + 1/3 09P + 2 oz. Clear and process for 8 to 10 minutes. “I rinsed and reapplied the toner a few times,” says Priscilla. “When we were done, we were all like, ‘Oh my God! You’re a shiny, silver, perfect platinum blonde!’ We were so blown away.”

After the process, Priscilla sent Kylie home with Olaplex No.3, Davines Love Conditioner and Ouai Treatment Masque. She had also instructed her to apply Olaplex No.3 on alternate days for a week before the service. When styling Kylie’s hair, Priscilla uses Easilocks Multi-Weft in Ice Blonde for added volume.

Demi Lovato
Hair By Amber Maynard

At the end of her world tour, Demi requested this rooty shade, and Amber was happy to oblige. She started with heavy highlights, using Wella Professionals BLONDOR Lightener with 20-volume developer and 30-volume developer. At the base, she tapped in Redken Shades EQ, equal parts 6T + 7N + 7P; then toned the lengths with Shades EQ equal parts 9N + 9P. To enhance length and volume, she added 16-inch Great Lengths extensions in four shades—9, 10, 11 and 23.

Emma Roberts
Hair by Nikki Lee

To create the “Scream Queens” star’s vanilla blonde, Nikki highlighted with Wella Professionals BLONDOR Lightener + 20-volume developer + Olaplex No.1, lifting the hair to pale yellow. At the shampoo bowl, she smudged the base with L’Oréal Professionnel Luocolor P01 + 25-volume developer and processed for about 3 minutes. Finally, she glossed the hair with L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light 10.21 + Clear + 6-volume developer and processed for about 5 minutes.

Beyoncé
Hair by Rita Hazan

When Beyoncé appeared at a rally for Hillary Clinton in October, her brighter, lighter golden shade was courtesy of Rita, her official blonder and longtime friend. To achieve the look, Rita first lightened the dark brown base with Clairol #30 to achieve a cool, neutral color, processing for about one minute. Then she mixed Clairol Basic White bleach with coconut, jojoba and sunflower oils, applied foil highlights and lowlighted Matrix Logics IMPRINTS Semi-Permanent 10G + 10N, processing 10 to 15 minutes. She skipped toner, saying she never tones Beyoncé, and finished with Rita Hazan Weekly Remedy Treatment, Ultimate Shine Breaking Brass gloss and Triple Threat Split End Remedy. At home, Bey uses Rita’s True Color Shampoo and Conditioner and Breaking Brass.

Kristin Cavallari
Hair by Justin Anderson

To produce Kristin’s fresh, bright blonde, Justin heavily balayaged the back section with PRAVANA’s Pure Light Balayage Lightener + 30-volume developer + Olaplex No.1. Next he heavily foiled the rest of the hair with Redken Up to 7 De-Dusted Lightener + 20-volume developer + Olaplex No.1, and balayaged between the foils. He shampooed with dpHUE Cool Blonde Shampoo to remove warmth, brushed out the hair and applied L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Richesse 1/2 9.11 + 1/2 Clear + 15-volume developer an inch out from the root, creating a seamless blend from the natural base to the highlights. After processing for 10 minutes, he rinsed, shampooed and conditioned with dpHUE Cool Blonde.