It’s also incredibly easy, I learn, to over-tone your hair. The night before a friend’s 30th, I unexpectedly take myself from blonde to steely grey in under an hour, and spend hours sobbing in the shower with a bottle of anti-dandruff shampoo on my head (as per the advice of Stylist colleague and long-term blonde Gemma Crisp). Thankfully, it works, although it takes a couple of weeks for my hair to return to its bright white blonde glory.

Finally, root regrowth: it happens. And it happens a lot. Despite the fact that my hair is 70% grey, there are still a few pesky brunette sections to contend with, and they usually start to appear every couple of weeks. Controversially, though, I actually don’t mind it when they come through. They switch up my look, give it a less fussy and more edgy vibe (I kid myself that I look like a punk rocker, despite my staid clothing), although I can see why some people would rush to the salon the minute a dark root appears as it ruins the “I’m a natural blonde” vibe immediately.

Should you go blonde?

If you’re wondering if the old adage is true, I’d say yes, blondes do have more fun. I’ve been able to (temporarily) tone my hair pink, and lilac, and blue. I instantly look more put together when I ruffle my pixie, even if I’m wearing an old t-shirt. And I’m getting used to the idea that I can’t blend into the shadows as much as I used to.

However, it comes at a cost: going blonde isn’t cheap. Don’t try to do it yourself at home: book a consultation with a colourist, listen to what they have to say, and adjust your expectations accordingly. It may take a few appointments to get the shade of blonde you want.

“You have to expect that it is a process and it will take time,” says Paul Edmonds. “Although social media makes it look as if it can be done instantly, expect it to take time and maybe a few visits to the salon to get the colour perfect for you.”

Brunette to blonde hair: “I dyed my hair from dark brown to platinum blonde, and this is what happened”