Take this as your opportunity to copy me and become more “lived in bronze,” says Mirror’s Michelle Darlow. What exactly should you ask your colorist for, exactly?
My bleach blonde has always been my signature, my comfort zone, and a habit I’ve never really put a halt to. Every month, I’d want to be back in the salon chair for a full head of highlights in the hope of regaining that youthful, vibrant blonde that I once believed would look polished. But in reality? I spent the majority of the year detesting my grown-out color because the maintenance was so expensive.
My hair would grow a thick line of regrowth that would leave it looking greasy and dull even when it was clean the moment my roots started to show (usually within a few weeks). It always crept back when I tried to cover it with dry shampoo or clever partings. Additionally, it was draining my bank account at upwards of £150 per visit for maintenance appointments.
Between juggling my two jobs and my two kids, it was impossible for me to follow the six-to-eight-week cycle. I feared going to the salon because I knew I would leave loving the color, but the dark roots started to show up the following week or so.
That’s when I caught a glimpse of Cat Deeley on This Morning one weekday – and suddenly, the clouds parted. Her hair is this effortless, sun-kissed bronde – glossy, dimensional and grown-up – and the best part? Her roots were visible, but they looked intentional. Natural. Chic. I knew instantly that was the hair colour inspo I’d been waiting for. This exact colour also has a name: ‘lived in bronde’.
even better ? It’s the most popular color trend for 2025.
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READ MORE: The ‘Teddy’ bronde is the hottest hair color trend for 2025 that will transform blondes who have lost their shine.
How do I request a “lived in Boston”?
The key is to come in with a crystal clear idea of the type of “live-in” bronde you want if you’re considering switching. I went to *GA Salons in South Kensington, took a screenshot of Cat Deeley from the show, and said I wanted something soft, easy-to-maintain, and natural-looking. She suggested using lowlights and carefully placed highlights to blend my darker roots into a warmer bronde.
I also added warmer caramel and honey tones to my complexion, which were too much of a tanner for my skin. The overall effect is more complex because it perfectly captures the light and matures beautifully without any discernible regrowth. This means there is now a three or four month difference between appointments. My colorist also suggested applying glossing treatments between tones so that the color would stay vibrant without having to apply full dye.
This tone is also known as a “honeyed and buttery blonde” and has “subtle gold highlights, reminiscent of ’90s blonde tones made famous by Jennifer Aniston,” according to Gennaro Dell’Aquila, art director and founder of GA Salons.
What’s the other nice thing about this shade that’s 90s-inspired? My hair feels much healthier. My ends were prone to snapping and had been brittle for years due to bleaching, but since dialing back and adopting a more natural color, my hair has become noticeably healthier and shinier. It also has better styling, and a quick air-dry makes it look more polished than it did before.
Important lessons can be learned: A brighter blonde does not necessarily mean a more recent appearance.
The difference it has actually made is beyond my comprehension. Friends keep asking if I’ve “done something different” or taken a vacation. The warmer tones brighten my face and soften my features in a way that the stark blonde never did, which is why they are so flattering. I appear younger, more rested, and overall look better. I regret not doing it sooner. Don’t be afraid to ask for warm tones, ladies, I want to tell any blondes who are worried about it. Ashy hair reigned supreme in the days we lived in, but to be honest, is it really doing that for you? For me, it wasn’t.
Let Cat Deeley serve as your inspiration if you’re feeling stuck in a color rut or fed up with high-lift blonde maintenance. The lived-in bronde is flattering, sympathetic, and fantastically low-effort, which is what we all require at the moment.
How to maintain your home’s color while cutting down on salon costs
- Use a purple shampoo only once per week at most, but ideally once per month. Your hair may become more brittle and dull-looking as a result of a buildup of purple shampoo. Top Tip: Always use a nourishing shampoo after a purple shampoo for a second wash.
Redken Colour Extend Blondage Shampoo, £11.51, is our favorite.
- Every week, apply a deep conditioning treatment, preferably using bond-building technology. Your ends will stay hydrated and less susceptible to breakage as a result of the combination of that and moisturizing and nourishing ingredients.
Olaplex No. is a favorite. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask, £22.40
- Use hot tools without a heat protectant, which can cause your color to fade more quickly, just like UV rays from the sun. To maximize the benefits of your salon color, apply a good heat protectant after every wash and again before styling.
Bumble and Bumble Thermal Protection Mist, 12
Source: Mirror
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