Did the season finale of House of Dragons And game of Thrones did you get a desire to join the Targaryen bloodline? Or maybe the photos of Emma Darcy’s long blonde wig inspired you to aspire to the same shade as the Queen. At some point, we’ve all done a double take when we see the bleached hair of the Dragon Rider line, and as a beauty editor, my first thought was, “How can you keep that color?” We asked the experts.
Selected experts
What is Targaryen Blonde?
“This color is insanely blonde, as blonde as it gets,” says celebrity extension expert Priscilla Valles. “It’s cool, bright and very icy, making it perfect for all 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.”
Although the shade is a light blonde-white that could look slightly pale, when applied correctly, it has “that born-that-way glow,” says celebrity colorist Cherise Wilson. “It has a flattering aspect that highlights the complexion. It’s regal and commanding and is guaranteed to turn heads.” Like the Targaryens themselves, it exudes an ethereal, majestic, mystical vibe, with hints of silvery blonde and cool undertones, says celebrity hairstylist Castillo. “This color gives a powerful yet delicate look and makes a strong statement.”
The bottom line is that it is “icy cool and doesn’t try to convince anyone that it’s natural. This is a very sophisticated, elaborate blonde look,” says Shvonne Perkins, master colorist and lead instructor at Madison Reed. “This color is definitely much more time and cost intensive compared to other colors, which is why the game of Thrones “All the characters wear wigs,” says Hazan.
What to ask for at the salon to get the Targaryen blonde look
“If you’re aiming for Targaryen blonde, be sure to give your hairdresser specific details. Ask for a cool-toned platinum blonde and mention that you want an icy or silvery finish, not a warm or yellow one,” says Castillo, who recommends bringing reference photos.
“Anyone trying to achieve this color should describe it as a white, palest blonde through and through,” 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 to “bleach the hair so light that it appears almost white,” but with darker hair, several months of sessions may be required.
Things to know before your trip
Bleaching hair this light comes with a lot of technical jargon. Here’s what our experts want you to know before you visit the salon. Perkins says, “You should discuss with your colorist the final look you want and the techniques required to achieve it.” Wilson recommends consulting with your colorist “to find out if full-coverage scalp blonde or thicker blonde streaks in a foil will work best for your unique hair texture and natural pigment.”
Is Targaraye-Blond available?
All experts agree that while this color is stunning and technically achievable, it requires a lot of maintenance and costs a lot of money, time and energy. “Most initial situations require multiple appointments for intensive highlighting treatments or an intensive light treatment lasting several hours in a salon,” says Perkins.
“Most other colors don’t require nearly as much maintenance, which is why this hair color can be a big jump from what you’re probably used to,” says Valles. “In that regard, the maintenance is a little unrealistic considering most hair colors require much less maintenance.” Hazan says to prepare for a journey. “After a long and expensive first appointment, you’ll need to schedule several appointments afterward to touch up your roots, which will inevitably show through.”
How to care for Targaryen blonde
“Hair gets that light by losing all of its natural pigment (through bleaching), so hair is a blank canvas for environmental color spoilers like pollution, heat styling, product buildup and hard water,” explains Wilson. It can quickly turn yellow or dry out, so maintenance is a must. “That hair needs everything… constant maintenance, as it goes through so much to even get that light. It’s possible, but it’s not easy,” says Perkins.
Schedule monthly improvements
“On the scalp, bleaching requires touch-ups every four to six weeks,” says Wilson, while cut foils need to be refreshed about every eight weeks.
Get a filtered shower head
Wilson recommends installing a shower head with a filter to prevent mineral deposits that can dry out hair and fade color.
Use purple shampoo
“To maintain the icy shade, it’s important to use products that prevent brassiness,” says Castillo. All experts advise incorporating purple shampoo into your hair care routine to keep the color bright and keep brassiness from disappearing. Castillo recommends using Matrix So Silver Shampoo ($20) once or twice a week.
Keep hair hydrated
Perkins says this shade can benefit from a deep conditioning and bonding treatment. “Be sure to use hair masks once a week to keep your hair from drying out from the bleach,” says Valles. Wilson points out that it’s essential to use hair masks and leave-in conditioners without tint to keep the flawless blonde from being discolored.
Try losses and toner
Perkins says this shade can benefit from glosses and tints, whether in the salon or at home. This will help keep the color bright and shiny.
Minimize the use of hot tools
Adding heat damage to already weakened hair can be a dangerous game. “Because bleaching your hair with this light is very damaging to your hair, I would recommend avoiding heat treatments on your hair if possible,” recommends Hazan. If you use hot tools, be sure to use a heat protectant first.
