Has the season finale of House of Dragons and Game of Thrones left you yearning to join the Targaryen bloodline? Or perhaps the photos of Emma Darcy’s long blonde wig has inspired you to aim for the same shade as the queen. At one point or another, we’ve all done a double take at the bleached blonde hair the dragon rider lineage sprouts, and as a beauty editor, my first thought was ‘How can anyone maintain that color?’ We asked the experts.
Featured Experts
- Priscilla Valles is a celebrity extensionist
- Rita Hazan is a celebrity colorist and founder of the eponymous salon
- Cherise Wilson is a celebrity colorist
- Castillo is a celebrity colorist
- Shvonne Perkins is a master colorist and lead educator at Madison Reed
What is Targaryen blonde?
“This color is insanely blonde, like as blonde as it gets,” says celebrity extensionist Priscilla Valles. “It is cool, bright and very icy, which makes it perfectly suitable for all of the Targaryens in Game of Thrones.” Celebrity colorist and founder of the eponymous salon Rita Hazan says the color is “essentially platinum. It’s just so close to white.”
While the shade is a bright blonde white that could easily look flat, when done right, it “has that born this way polish,” says celebrity colorist Cherise Wilson. “It has a complimentary aspect that enhances complexion. It is royal and commanding and guaranteed to turn heads.” Like the Targaryens themselves, it exudes an ethereal, regal, mystical vibe, with the slightest hints of silvery blonde and cool undertones, says celebrity hairstylist Castillo. “This color gives a powerful yet delicate appearance, making a bold statement.”
The bottom line is it’s “icy cool and not trying to convince anyone it’s natural. This is a very polished effort-forward blonde look,” says Madison Reed master colorist and lead educator Shvonne Perkins. “Having this color is definitely much more of a time and financial commitment compared to other colors, which is why the Game of Thrones characters are all wearing wigs,” says Hazan.
What to ask for in the salon to get the Targaryen blonde look
“When aiming for Targaryen blonde, it’s essential to be specific with your stylist. Ask for a cool-toned platinum blonde, and mention you want an icy or silvery finish rather than a warm or yellowish one,” says Castillo, who recommends bringing reference photos.
“Anyone attempting to achieve this color should describe it as an allover whitest, lightest blonde,” says Perkins. “It’s also important to discuss the process, as achieving this color may require multiple bleaching sessions, especially if you have darker hair,” she adds. Hazan agrees, noting that you should ask for “hair to be bleached so light that it almost appears white,” but it may take a few months of sessions for darker hair.
Know before you go
Bleaching hair this light comes with a lot of lingo, so here’s what our experts want you to know before you get to the salon. Perkins says, “You’ll want to discuss the final desired look versus the techniques needed to get there with your colorist.” Wilson recommends consulting with your colorist “to see if on the scalp full coverage blonde, or if heavy slices of blonde in a foil, would be the most suitable for your unique hair texture and natural pigment.”
Is Targarayean blonde attainable?
All the experts agree that while this color is stunning and technically attainable, it’s high maintenance and will take a lot of money, time and energy. “For most starting points, it will take several heavy highlight appointments or a multi-hour intensive lighting service at a salon,” says Perkins.
“Most other colors do not need anywhere near as much maintenance, which is why having this hair color can be a big jump from what you’re probably used to,” says Valles. “In that sense, it is a bit unrealistic to maintain, considering that most hair colors require much less maintenance.” Hazan says to gear up for a journey. “After a long and costly initial appointment, you’re going to have to book several appointments afterward to touch up your roots that will inevitably peek through.”
How to maintain Targaryen blonde
“Hair gets this light by removing all of its natural pigment (via bleaching). Therefore, the hair is a blank canvas for environmental color ruiners like air pollution, heat styling, product build-up and hard water,” explains Wilson. It can quickly turn yellow or dry out, which is why maintenance is a must. “This hair needs everything…continual babying due to the mileage the hair goes through to even get this light. It’s possible, just not easy,” says Perkins.
Plan for monthly touch-ups
“On scalp bleach touch-ups require retouches every four to six weeks,” says Wilson, while sliced foils need a refresh every eight weeks or so.
Get a filtered showerhead
Wilson recommends installing a filtered showerheads to help prevent mineral buildup, which can make hair dry and can dull the shade.
Use purple shampoo
“Using products that prevent brassiness is key to maintaining that icy tone,” says Castillo. All the experts urge folding purple shampoo into your routine to help keep the color bright and banish brassiness. Castillo recommends using Matrix So Silver Shampoo ($20) once or twice a week.
Keep hair hydrated
Perkins says this shade can benefit from deep conditioning and bonding treatments. “Definitely make sure to hydrate your hair with hair masks once a week, which will help prevent your hair from drying out because of the bleach,” says Valles. Wilson notes that you need to be sure to use hair masks and leave-in conditioner without any tint so you don’t stain the pristine blonde.
Try losses and toners
Perkins says this shade can benefit from glosses and toning, whether that be in the salon or at home. This helps keep the color bright and shiny.
Minimize the use of hot tools
Adding heat damage to already weakened hair can be a dangerous game to play. “Since bleaching your hair that light is very damaging to your hair, I would recommend staying away from using heat on your hair if you can,” recommends Hazan. If you’re going to use hot tools, be sure to use a heat protectant beforehand.
