Lana Del Rey, singer, queen, mother and divine goddess, has debuted a new hair color and we are standing at attention. Headlining at Coachella 2024, the icon arrived on a motorcycle to play her set. There was so much about it that dazzled us; her arrival alone was epic. She wore a sparkly blue minidress and then there was her hair. Del Rey, normally a brunette, appeared with a blonde hairstyle and the look was perfect. The color, matching the desert of Indio, California, was aptly named “desert sand blonde.” Of course, we had to know more. Del Rey’s colorist Tracey Cunningham explained where the name came from. “Lana calls it ‘desert blonde’ because we made the change for Coachella,” Cunningham explained to Byrdie. “It reminded us of the desert sand and the setting of the shows really inspired us.”
Advertising
Desert sand blonde has quickly become one of the hottest blonde trends of 2024 thanks to Del Rey’s influence. Blonde in all its different shades is trending strongly, from the vibrant platinum tones of bright blonde to the neutral, cool tones of linen blonde. Desert sand blonde offers something for those looking for a warmer blonde, a little lighter than honey but not as dark as caramel. If the Queen of the Desert approves, we’re intrigued.
How to get Lana Del Rey’s desert sand blonde if you have dark hair
Lana Del Rey’s desert sand blonde might be especially interesting if you have dark hair, because we’ve seen the songwriter go from brunette to blonde herself, so we know it’s possible. Del Rey’s colorist Tracey Cunningham told Byrdie that anyone can be blonde as long as you find the right shade, which is why a good colorist is so important to the process. Cunningham warned that going from brunette to blonde can be arduous. “It takes time to safely achieve the perfect color without compromising the hair,” the colorist explained. “You have to be willing to live with an in-between color for a while to have your dream hair.” Cunningham said it took three days to lighten Del Rey’s hair and they relied on Olaplex products to keep it healthy. Colorist Kattia Solano told Good Housekeeping that as a general estimate, the transition from brunette to blonde takes one to three sessions to achieve the desired results.
Advertising
Cunningham explained what it took to lighten Del Rey’s hair. First, she dyed the “Honeymoon” singer’s hair with clear color. Then she added highlights and lowlights and finished the process with a shine treatment. The key to desert sand blonde is dimension – to perfect the look, there needs to be a rich mix of lighter and darker tones to give the final effect the desired depth.
How to achieve a desert sand blonde if you are already blonde
For those already sporting light platinum blonde, desert sand blonde is very achievable. It just requires a switch from cool to warm tones. Colorist Tracey Cunningham explained what’s required. “To go from icy to desert blonde, you’ll need lowlights and glosses,” Cunningham told Byrdie. “You and your colorist will need to decide if you want to stay in the ashy range or warm it up with some gold gloss. There really is a perfect shade of blonde for everyone who wants it!” Lowlights add dimension and contrast to blonde hair. But consultations are just as important for those who are already blonde as they are for brunettes who want to go lighter. Talk to your colorist to make sure the color you want will match your skin tone.
Advertising
The appeal of blondes in this case is the warmth. If you’re looking for a change from icy, cool blondes, look for the sunny warmth of desert sand blonde. Light honey tones and golden blondes provide a natural look. Best of all, the depth and speckled shine of a warmer blonde makes hair regrowth less difficult, allowing you to take longer breaks between visits to the salon.
