The secrets to going blonde over 60
It could have gone so wrong. And yet when Kris Jenner, who turns 70 in November, debuted her new platinum hair on Instagram, it was hard to find fault. That’s no easy feat when your starting point is raven black.
The Kardashian-Jenner matriarch turned to hairdresser, Chris Appleton, who’s well versed in colour transformations, having taken Jenner’s daughter Kim platinum blonde for the Met Gala in 2022 when she channelled Marilyn Monroe, and again in 2024.
Jenner’s colour makeover, which she captioned “Blondie blonde”, is an impressive move but it doesn’t come without a high degree of maintenance. Hence we called the experts for the most flattering tricks to going blonde after 60.
Shiny hair is youthful
“Typically when you go from dark to light it can end up looking brassy and the condition of the hair brittle and lacking shine,” explains colourist Cetera Lamb from John Frieda.
“There are ways to combat this but you’re letting yourself in for a gruelling chemical process and high maintenance touch ups,” adds Lamb, who suggests erring on the side of caution if you’re considering such a bold colour makeover.
Tricks that insiders use to help prevent peroxide from ruining the hair almost always involve incorporating a bond-repairing product like Olaplex No 1 Bond Multiplier, that can be added to the dye solution in salon to allow the stylist to go as light as possible without breaking hair in the process.
This is followed by No 2 Bond Perfector applied as a post-colour conditioning treatment to infuse the maximum amount of shine back into the hair strands which become porous (rough) when exposed to peroxide.
Therefore if you go for a drastic colour transformation that calls for peroxide, ask your hairdresser about ways to retain the integrity of the hair before you go ahead. Once blonde you’ll need lots of heat protection when heat styling and conditioning treatments to prolong the health of the hair moving forwards as older hair like mature skin is often more fragile.
Appleton uses the Shark FlexStyle Sparkle Air Styling & Drying System, Color Wow Money Mist Leave-In Conditioner and Dream Coat Supernatural Spray, an anti-frizz product that coats hair in a light, non-greasy glossy finish to repel humidity.
Otherwise, Olaplex sells products for at-home use, including a violet-toned shampoo and conditioner to help keep your blonde from turning orange as it oxidises.
How to choose a blonde that’s flattering against mature skin
You can’t go blonde without considering your complexion, says Lamb, who references Meryl Streep and Kristin Scott Thomas as ideal examples.
Meryl Streep’s softer blonde compliments her skin tone - Getty
“As we age our skin tone can appear slightly duller. I transition my clients from full-on tints to a softer blonde that offsets the changes in their skin.”
Cetera says Sarah Jessica Parker is one to study: “SJP has multiple shades working together which prevents your blonde from looking flat and one dimensional,” she says.
Sarah Jessica Parker has multiple shades of blonde in her hair, which adds dimension - GC Images
“Always keep dimension in the hair as you get older, lighter around the front, some delicate low lights throughout the back. But most importantly, you need some warmth – it will help to lift the sallowness in the skin and lend structure and texture to your hairstyle.”
Something else to consider, says Lamb, are semi and demi colours. “These are softer and more translucent meaning you get more shine and reflection. They’re a gentler way of covering grey that’s long lasting but not permanent.”
How not to look like Barbie
Still set on going full throttle blonde like Madonna or Martha Stewart, who at 84 is as blonde as she’s ever been?
Martha Stewart is proof that you can go blonde at any age - Getty
Then Madonna’s colourist Nicola Clarke has a clever rule to prevent an olive skin tone from looking washed out. “If you are starting from a deep brunette base, then leaving the roots dark will match your eyebrows – and it’s more flattering against your skin. By creating a shadow, you get the look you want without sacrificing your complexion in the process,” she says.
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