6 Common Mistakes Women With Blonde Hair Make

From the red carpet to your Pinterest beauty boards, gorgeous blonde hair colors are everywhere right now. Unfortunately, many women jump into having light locks without realizing the amount of upkeep and care they take. If you have blonde hair, take note:

1. Using the wrong shampoo

Knowing which types of products you need to stock your shower with is extremely important. If you're a platinum or ash blonde, you may already know about the miracle of purple hair care products. Purple-tinted shampoos and conditioners balance your hair color, adding cool undertones and preventing it from getting brassy or gold between touchups. However, if you have warmer blonde locks and want to add more shine to your hair, pick a gold-enhancing shampoo instead.

2. Assuming dry and damaged hair is the same

Many women with processed hair assume that it's inherently damaged as a result, but this is not necessarily the case. "If you have blonde hair, you need to know the difference between it being damaged versus being dry," says Meri Kate O'Connor, senior colorist at Eva Scrivo Salon. If you're using a shampoo for damaged hair but your hair is simply dry, you could be doing more harm than good. "If your hair has enough protein, and the reparative shampoo for damaged hair you're using is protein-based, you're going to over-deposit protein in your hair, making it more brittle and likely to break," warns Meri Kate. The solution: Ask your stylist to recommend the proper haircare route for you.

3. Waiting too long to touch up your roots

It's easy to put off getting your roots done for a few extra weeks when your schedule is particularly busy, but this could cause you a big headache later on. According to Luis Payne, artistic director at Hairroin Salon, your scalp emits heat approximately 3/4 inches from your head. And since heat causes bleach to develop more quickly, you'll need to get your roots done before your hair has grown out past the 3/4 inch mark, approximately every four to six weeks, lest you be left with an unevenly developed dye job once you head back to the salon. While your stylist might be able to correct the problem later on, it could take a lot of time — and money.

4. Picking color-tinted hair care products

"A lot of blondes use hair oils of all different colors — argan oil, Moroccan oil, olive oil," says Meri Kate. "When you put a tinted oil or another colorful hair care product on blondes, it might add a tint to the hair that you don't necessarily want." As a result, Meri Kate recommends picking white or clear products for your hair to preventing tinting it. Purple- or gold-tinted products like the ones mentioned in #1 are fine provided you know which ones to use for your needs.

5. Forgoing your trim

"People who are highlighting their hair should get it trimmed every six to eight weeks," recommends Meri Kate. "Blonde — natural and dyed — hair tends to be finer, so if they're not trimming properly and they have split ends, that split will travel all the way up to the root." Even if you're growing out your hair, it's important to keep it healthy by getting regular trims.

6. Skipping the SPF

Think you only need sunscreen on your skin? Think again. Your hair can get damaged from the sun just like the rest of your body, leaving it dry and potentially fading your beautiful hair color. Be sure to use a UV protectant spray on your hair during the summer to protect it from the sun's harsh rays.