Start With Prep
Every bright future starts with Prep.
Most guests start here, unless you're a unicorn. 🤭 Prep is where we clear away what's holding your blonde back, dig into your goals and your routine, and build a real plan, so every visit after this one moves you forward instead of starting over.
This is for you if…
- Your blonde turns brassy, dull or muddy no matter what you use
- Your toner fades in a couple of weeks
- You've switched stylists and keep ending up back where you started
- Your hair feels dry, rough or hard to manage
- You want consistency, not a surprise every visit
- You're ready to do your part at home, not just in the chair
Why your blonde needs a detox
Hard water minerals, purple shampoo and product buildup pile up on blonde hair wash after wash, dulling and weakening it over time. My vitamin C based detox pulls that buildup out of your hair and your scalp, right down to your follicles. Then we can see where your hair really stands.
Living in the Milwaukee area?
Milwaukee-area water is hard, and if you're on well water or out toward Waukesha County, it's often very hard. Those minerals build up on blonde hair a little more with every wash.
Sometimes Prep is the glow-up
Once the buildup is gone, your real base is sometimes better than expected, which can mean a smaller blonding session than you planned. Either way, you'll know exactly where you're starting.
Detox or color remover? Your hair decides.
Most guests get a detox. If you're already blonde (highlights, balayage, or all-over blonde) and your hair looks brassy, dull, or won't hold toner, buildup is usually the problem, and a detox clears it away.
Color remover is only for darker color sitting on top of your hair, like lowlights, box dye, or an all-over brown or red. If you want to go brighter, your Prep includes a color remover instead. It's the same visit, we just go a little deeper to lift that old pigment.
It's vitamin C based with no bleach, and it only targets artificial color, so your natural pigment stays put. Think of it like pre-treating a stain. Expect a soft, subtle shift of about 1–3 shades.
Not sure which you need? Don't worry, I'll figure that out from your pre-visit form and confirm before your appointment.
What to expect
Plan for about 3 hours. This isn't a quick in-and-out. We're having a real conversation, building your home-care plan, and mapping out your next blonding visit so you're moving toward your goal.
1.
Let's chat (30–45 minutes).
We go over your pre-visit form together and really dig in: your struggles, your home care, your everyday life, your hair goals, and what's realistic for maintaining your blonde. Then we start building your plan and finding solutions for your hair.
2.
Hair analysis.
I take a close look at your hair to see what we're working with.
3.
Clarifying wash.
We break up the surface buildup first.
4.
Detox treatment.
Then the detox goes on, and you relax under the dryer for about 45 minutes. Seasonal coffee treats and good music included.
5.
Back to the bowl.
Shampoo, then a deep conditioning mask to put moisture back in.
6.
Blow-dry.
Because you know how I feel about air-drying!
7.
Haircut, included.
We'll get your cut where it needs to be so everything feels healthy before your first blonding visit.
You'll leave with fresh, clean hair, a home-care plan, a clear picture of where your blonde stands, and your next visit booked.
Don't worry, you won't leave looking worse.
A detox clears buildup from your hair and your scalp, so you'll leave with hair that looks brighter and feels softer, and a scalp that feels fresh and clean.
Getting a color remover? This is where your color correction starts.
Some guests only need one color remover session. Others need more than one, and that's part of committing to the process. We'll talk through your options together, so you know what to expect before we go any further.
How I blonde: the FUTURE Method
F : Foundation First (Prep)
Before any lightener touches your hair, we clear buildup or old color and see where your hair really stands. Everything else builds on this.
U : Understand the Goal (Prep)
We talk through the blonde you want, your everyday life, and what's realistic to maintain, so we're working toward the same picture.
T : Thoughtful Lightening (Blonding visit)
I lighten strategically, low and slow when your hair needs it, always protecting the integrity of your hair.
U : Use What the Hair Needs (Blonding visit)
Treatments, products and techniques are customized based on your hair's condition, never one-size-fits-all.
R : Refine the Result (Blonding visit)
Tone, dimension and finish are perfected so your blonde looks intentional and bright.
E : Establish the Future (Every visit)
You leave with a home-care plan and a maintenance schedule, including your detox rhythm, so your blonde stays bright between visits.
Your part starts at home with the BRIGHT Method. More on that in Shop Our Favorites!
Real Prep. Real results.
No lightener, no toner. Just clearing away what was hiding underneath.
This might not be the right fit if…
- You want a dramatic new look every visit
- You'd rather skip Prep and go straight to blonding
- You're not ready to change your home-care routine
- You want to reach a big goal in one day, no matter what it does to your hair
“Viv is exceptionally gifted in crafting the best blondes! She blends so well that the grow-out isn’t harsh, and she educates her clients about hair care beyond the chair. She will straight up tell you if something will be too damaging, then pivot to helping you get your hair where it needs to be. Viv will never compromise a quality job for a quick fix. If you want the best-of-the-best for your blonde, you have to go with Viv.”
Where do I start?
Not sure if you're a unicorn?