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E! Illustration/BlondMe
What's the hottest hair color for spring that everyone wants right now? '90s blonde of course!
It's a warm and golden shade of buttery blonde that looks effortlessly chic (and instantly recognizable), with pops of a brighter blonde that bring in brightness seamlessly.
So, what exactly makes the '90s blonde different than the blondes we typically see walking out of salons today? To answer all of our burning questions, E! exclusively talked to celebrity colorists Tracey Cunningham and Kari Hill about everything you need to know, and what products to use at home, to nail the trending look.
"In the ’90s, blonding was all about intentional, high-contrast highlights — very different from the “lived-in” looks we see today," says Cunningham.
Thankfully, gone are the days of blonde being "high-maintenance," Hill adds. "Once you’ve reached your ideal shade in the salon, it can be tailored to fit your lifestyle. At home, focus on using high-quality, color-safe products that strengthen and protect the hair between appointments to maintain brightness, shine, and overall hair health."
For all of the exclusive products and even more tips from Cunningham and Hill that are going to leave your blonde looking better (and feeling healthier) than ever, keep reading.
How to Maintain the Color and Health of '90s Blonde Hair
"Blonde hair requires weekly hydration and strengthening treatments, and it’s important to stick to color-safe formulas and avoid over-washing. To maintain brightness and healthy strands between salon visits, I recommend nourishing masks and treatments designed to protect and strengthen blonde hair," says Cunningham.
Hill adds, "Just like you wouldn’t leave the house without sunscreen or apply makeup without moisturizer, your hair needs protection after a blonding service. Using nourishing, color-safe products — like Schwarzkopf Professional’s BLONDME care range – reinforces hair structure, maintains tone, and keeps it looking polished and radiant between appointments."
BLONDME Bond Repair Nourishing Shampoo
This shampoo deeply hydrates and gently cleanses blonde hair while repairing internal bonds. Ideal for maintaining healthy and vibrant hair, it strengthens and restores shine.
BLONDME Bond Repair Nourishing Conditioner
Detangle your locks while reinforcing strength and shine with the coordinating conditioner.
How to Get '90s Blonde at a Salon
"As a professional colorist, I always recommend going to a colorist you trust to achieve a true ’90s blonde and pairing the service with great products that protect it. Not all bleach is created equal, and what you put on your hair matters — especially when lifting to brighter, lighter levels," Hill suggests.
Ask for the "Foiled Cashmere" technique created by Hill for Schwarzkopf Professional, which she says is "a two-part method consisting of precise 4x4 foiling followed by customized toning."
"The tight, controlled weave mimics the soft, blended texture of a cashmere sweater, giving the hair that beautifully blended, silky look that leaves you with a cashmere finish," Hill adds.
More Color-Safe Products to Maintain '90s Blonde
“I recommend Olaplex No.3PLUS — it’s a 3-minute pre-treatment that strengthens hair from the inside out. It repairs all three hair bonds, smooths frizz, and makes hair softer and stronger,” says Cunningham.
“For maintaining a ’90s blonde, I recommend using products designed specifically for lightened hair,” says Hill.
BLONDME Bond Repair Sealing Balm
“The BLONDME Bond Repair Sealing Balm not only smooths ends but also serves as a heat protectant, which is essential to apply when styling color-treated hair,” says Hill.
BLONDME Bondfinity Deep Repair Mask
Hill adds, “To keep hair strong and resilient, the BLONDME Bondfinity Deep Repair Mask rebuilds bonds and prevents keratin loss, while a nourishing shampoo and conditioner detangle, hydrate, and maintain softness without weighing hair down.”
“For added shine and polish, a lightweight repair oil smooths porous strands and protects against heat styling,” Hill explains. “Together, these products help keep blonde hair silky, healthy, and radiant between salon visits.”
BLONDME Bondfinity Deep Repair Oil
This lightweight, leave-in oil protects blonde hair, delivers frizz control and shine, without leaving your hair feeling heavy.
But it's not just about the color, there's styling involved too, says Cunningham. "To give your blonde the perfect '90s look, I always recommend finishing with a voluminous blowout, which adds bounce, movement, and glossy shine to make the color truly pop."
How to Remove Hair Dye From Your Skin
In the salon, your colorist should “apply a barrier cream around your hairline to protect your skin,” Hill says. But if you still have stains “they can be gently removed at home with an eye makeup remover, or your preferred toner,” she adds.
Why is My Hair Turning Orange or Gummy?
Sometimes, your hair may turn orange or even develop a "gummy" texture when coloring at home. "Orange usually means the hair hasn’t lifted enough," says Hill. "And gummy or stretchy hair signals over-processing."
Cunningham adds, "It’s important to use a bleach or lightener that has bonding technology within the formula. This will safely lift the hair to the desired color while maintaining the health and integrity of the hair."
How to Prevent '90s Blonde Hair from Turning Brassy
Brassiness is a warm, almost orange or yellow tone that can develop in blondes or lightened hair as toner fades, but can be prevented with proper products and maintenance at home.
"At home, color-safe products help maintain tone, but professional toning is key for multidimensional, high-contrast results," says Cunningham.
BLONDME Bond Repair Purple Shampoo
To prevent brassiness, Hill suggests this purple shampoo, which "gently cleanses while neutralizing yellow tones."
BLONDME Bond Repair Purple Mask
Pair the shampoo with this toning and strengthening mask, which "provides deeper toning while nourishing the hair for a soft, healthy feel," says Hill.
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