The year was 1983, a beautiful balding baby girl made her debut. As the weeks progressed, soft white fuzz began sprouting from her head. That is when they knew, they had indeed procreated a blonde headed child.
That child….was me.
As the years went on, my stringy blonde hair maintained an adorable shade of baby blonde (almost white) hue. These were the glory years for my natural blonde hair. 2 years in a row I was chosen to play the angel in our Christmas recital, because of my angelic blonde hair.
Then, somewhere around Junior High my locks began to yellow. My baby blonde hair had become a golden blonde mess. And for someone with red skin undertones, this was not a welcomed contrast. My stringy hair became curly and so thick I had to have it thinned at the salon.
For the next several years I visited many different stylists desperate to regain my “Icy” white blonde. But time and time again, I left with golden highlights.
I tried using the “Shimmering Lights” purple shampoo everyone raves about, but my hair rejected it. It did almost nothing to cool the yellow in my mane.
After baby #2 I had an identity crisis and left the salon one day with almost black hair. It was gorgeous, but it wasn’t me. It took a solid year and a lot of money to transition back to blonde.
At one point it was auburn, and even my stylist voiced that warm colors are not my friend ?. Then alas, I was blonde again. But at this point my natural color was an “oh so lovely” dishwater blonde. Which, despite its name is not necessarily a bad color. But it is not a good color on me.
Finally fed up, I posted on a local community page, a picture of my hair and a picture of what I wanted. Several people commented telling me how good their stylists were and I responded with, “but how are they with blonde?” You see, blonde hair is an entirely different beast. Every blonde will tell you, it is hard to find a stylist that can give you what you want. I had several other women comment asking me to let them know if I find a stylist that can deliver, because they were wanting the same thing!
{Here is a million dollar idea for all you hair stylists…. A salon specifically geared towards blondes. You will attract EVERY SINGLE blonde and aspiring blonde within a 100 mile radius! Call it something like “Platinum Ash” or “Ice Ice Blondie”. Okay, so those aren’t great names but you can call it whatever you want because if you build it…. Blondes will come!}
On that fateful post I had one stylist boldly comment that she could do it, no problem. After years, of stylists saying, “we can try” and “I can get you pretty close to that color”, I was intrigued by her confidence. Somewhat skeptical but oh so hopeful, I made an appointment with her.
I showed up to the salon with a bit of a chip on my shoulder because I was tired of paying for something I didn’t want. Y’all, this chick was super chill and matter of fact. Not at all cocky, but she had so much confidence in herself and her skills. She didn’t bat an eye or show any fear when I explained to her what I wanted and how I was tired of paying for disappointment. I may or may not have been hungry, sleep deprived, and sassy, but she wasn’t phased.
I walked out of that salon with the biggest smile on my face. ICE BLONDE!!!!! 2 years later and she is still my girl?! But here is the thing. That salon Ice cannot hold up against my well water. My hair wants so badly to be golden that it grabs onto the iron in our water and every opportunity it can to turn yellow?. Fortunately it doesn’t completely regress, but maintaining the Ice “white” blonde between visits is hard.
The next visit she introduced me to my miracle shampoo. She asked if I had tried the no yellow purple shampoo, and I rolled my eyes on the inside but politely smiled and said “yes” (because every blonde knows about the purple shampoo). She paused and looked at me in the mirror and said, “No, the shampoo called NO YELLOW.” I just stared back and said, “oh….no….I don’t know what that is.” Then she gave me the run down and the protocol. This snarky dishwater blonde who thought she had tried, seen, and heard it all, had met her hairstylist match. Girlfriend knew what she was talking about and forever changed my “hair” life that day.
If you live in NW Montana, email me and I will share her info, because if you are wanting ice blonde, she is your girl!
EDIT: I’ve gotten a lot of question about shampoo sizes. I buy the 1,000 ml Fanola No yellow 2-pack from Amazon. which is the best value.
The single bottle of Fanola No yellow is more expensive per-ounce but less overall if you want to try it out.
If you are struggling to capture the Icy blonde or already have the perfect color and just need a way to maintain between trips to the salon, go right now and order a bottle of this No Yellow shampoo! I won’t lie, it scared me at first when I opened the bottle and poured the almost black shampoo into my hand. I mean it is intense and will color your skin?. But I’m usually back to normal by the time I condition and get out of the shower. I sometimes cut it with my everyday shampoo to thin it out and make it last longer.
If you are really yellow, let it soak in for 10-20 min. I sometimes take a “shath” (shower-bath.) And I just soak in the tub with a head full of purple. Occasionally I will have a silvery blue tinge but it looks great too and I always get compliments. After one wash it’s back to icy.
I’ve gotten a lot of questions about what I curl my hair with. I use the Xtava 5 in 1 Professional Curling Iron and Wand Set.
To all of my blonde-ish friends out there, I know the struggle and hope my journey from How I went from Golden Blonde to Ice Blonde saves you time and heartache. ?
I am 64 and my hair has turned almost all white. I have the problem with the yellowing. Will this work for me?
Hi Jackelyn!
I double checked with my stylist and she said “absolutely.” This is definitely more of a toner, so I suggest you wash your hair like normal with your daily shampoo. Then massage this in evenly and rinse out. If you need to leave it on longer next time you will be able to gauge the outcome better. And if you end up leaving it a little too long and it turns more silvery blue, it will wash out after 1 or 2 shampoos. Make sure to condition afterwards, bc like all toning shampoos, it can leave your hair a little dry.
So excited I saw your post, fellow Montanan here!! I would LOVE to know who your stylist is! I live in Fort Benton, but my daughter lives in Missoula! My next visit could be a game changer for me if i can get in to see your gal!! And as if the MT connection isn’t crazy enough, I just ordered Fanola No Yellow cond and shampoo last week and ill be trying it out in the next few days!
So what did the Hair Salon lady do?? Just shampoo her hair? And wala!! Hair was perfect??
Could you tell me the formula she uses to achieve this?! Steps/products! What I want as well!
There is a mask for after use of the shampoo actually. It shouldn’t be used daily either. Maybe 2 times a week. Both are by fonola
Yes mam. I use this as well and I am blown away! This stuff works. Don’t waste ur time or money with the silver lights. This takes the yellow out I only leave mine on for 5 min.
Yes. Or just simply a lightest ash blonde toner from the beauty supply.
Wait what!!!! I used to live in NW Montana- just moved to Denver but found your post after googling – icy blonde highlights. Got my hair colored today and was disappointed yet again- with all the YELLOW! Omg! I cry!
I couldn’t believe it when I saw your post! I’m ordering this shampoo right away!
Best!
Chandra Lutz
I’m in Denver (Castle Rock) also and have the iron/mineral issues from our well water as well. I’ve tried everything! Looking forward to giving this a try…
Where at in mt
I don’t live in Montana but I have been trying to go icy forever can you stylist give me a clue on what to tell my stylist by any chance?
Yes! I want to know what to tell my stylist too! Lol
Thanks for sharing this amazing find.♥️
How often do you need to use this shampoo?
I have the exact same problem! I’m ready to try dark but it washes me out. I’m going to try the shampoo you rec, but what do I tell my stylist to do to achieve the ice blond? I live in northeast Michigan.
I too would like to know the process besides using the shampoo. I would like to know what to tell my colorist.
I live in northwest montana. Missoula to be exact! Can you tell me who your stylist is? I would love to give it a try! I love it! Thanks.
GIR!!!! I live in NW Montana!!! How the heck did I run across your post right when I needed to! I am gonna order the shampoo like now
Has anyone tried Upfront’s Blonde Toner shampoo?
Ah, thank you! I’ve recently started dying my hair super blonde and I’ve noticed that only after like, 3 weeks my roots are already really showing. Thanks for sharing this!
what was her process besides the shampoo for getting you that blonde??
I live in Central MT and have no good salons near me, I am willing to travel anywhere in MT to get the perfect icy blonde! Can I get your stylists info please?!
Hi Misty, thanks for the inquiry. I will email the information!
I live in NW Montana! Who’s your girl?!
I am so happy that I saw your story! I have struggled with this as well for so so long! I really wish I lived there. I have added some lowlights in my blonde to make it more natural. With this shampoo help the blonde to pop and not effect the lowlights?
I feel your pain!! I had blond hair growing up. With each baby my hair got darker and darker. After baby #4 it was pretty dark. Between baby #2 & baby #3 I had the BEST hairdresser, unfortunately, I hit an all time financial low so hair went out the window.
I have found a great salon and I love all the ladies there but much of the time they can’t get me to the white blond I need
The “warm” tones are for sure NOT my friend. I am of German and Scottish descent, the warm tones make me look either copper of freak sunburned!
Have any of ya’ll tried wella t-18 toner? It takes the yellow out and gives that icy ash blond so many look for. Use it with 20vol developer for 15 -20 mins no longer then 30. I’ve had good results from it, it can also be used in between visits to salon to cancel out yellow tones.
Where can I buy that toner & 20vol developer? I live in NY, and only licensed cosmetologists can get that good stuff!
I feel this in my bones. I’ve been trying for years to get that ash/icy blonde (but with lowlights for dimension) to no avail. I’m sick of paying hundreds of dollars for nothing. It’s always yellow. I’m so sick of it. I, of course, use purple shampoo and conditioner but it’s so drying and my hair is very fine and fragile.
Trying to get the ice blonde – left the salon today with purple grey. Will this product tone me down?
Fanola No Yellow absolutely works!! But wear gloves or your fingers will turn a bit purple!!
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