The rise of blondarexia: Latest hair craze (we won't be following) involves bleaching your hair so much it frizzles
By Lauren Paxman
Last updated at 5:46 PM on 3rd June 2011
You need to be pretty brave to follow most fashion trends these days - whether it's cut out dresses, bare midriffs or thigh-high split skirts.
But the latest beauty craze - bleaching your hair so much it is practically white - has undesirable longer term effects.
Blondarexia, or, as the Urban Dictionary defines it: 'Being so addicted to bleaching your hair that it's almost white, flat, monochromatic, and burnt to a frizzle,' is spreading.
Are you blondarexic? Actresses Rachel McAdams, Mischa Barton and Mena Suvari have all been spotted with very light-coloured hair recently
Rachel McAdams, Mischa Barton, Lindsay Lohan and Mena Suvari have all been spotted with pale blonde locks recently.
Jennifer Aniston first drew attention to the craze back in February. Her brassy locks surprised fans who are used to seeing her looking immaculate.
Until Jennifer tried out the look, its most loyal followers were reality TV stars and Lady Gaga - but the eccentric popstar sensibly wears her white hair in wig form.
Rachel McAdams turned heads with her newly-bleached locks in Cannes last month where she was promoting Woody Allen's film Midnight in Paris.
Misha Barton is also a recent convert. She went just a little too white during a dye-job before stepping out at Pia Mishi's website launch on Wednesday night.
And Mena Suvari displayed all the signs of a blondarexia sufferer as she walked around Beverly Hills this week.
Old hands: Jennifer Aniston, Madonna and Lady Gaga have all been supporting the blondarexic look for a while
Before these actresses, Madonna, Britney Spears, Donatella Versace and Christina Aguilera all subjected their hair to the trend.
Unlike other fashionable crazes, which usually encourage you to look your best, this is one that will leave your hair frizzy, brittle and dry - sometimes beyond repair.
If that's not enough to put you off though - and you don't want to follow Lady Gaga's lead and wear a white wig - Toni & Guy's Artistic Director Francesco Fontana has some advice.
'Achieving the perfect shade of blonde depends on the natural base and skin tone.
'If a client wants me to create an extreme blonde my first question would be how prepared they are to commit to preserving their hair condition?
Better as brunettes? Rachel McAdams, Mischa Barton and Jennifer Aniston with darker hair
'Maintaining a great looking, extreme blonde requires regular intensive conditioning treatments like label.m Intensive Mask and TLC at home with professional products to ensure that hair is kept at its optimum.
'One of the most frequent signs of damage is hair breakage, where hair that has been previously lightened is exposed to unnecessary further levels of lift – compromising the Keratin in the hair.
'Another worry side effect can be scalp burns where the strength of peroxide is too strong or the hair is freshly shampooed - it takes an expert eye and a professional colourist to ensure this doesn’t happen so using home colour kits is not without risk.
'Proceed with due caution.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/beauty/article-1393526/Blondarexia-Lady-Gaga-Jennifer-Aniston-sport-latest-bleached-hair-craze.html#ixzz1OFsrppff
