Blonde Specialist in Essex, MD | Hair by Cait Bongiorno

Blonding & brightening

Starts at $180 · 2.5–4 hours

Full blonding by Cait Bongiorno, hair stylist in Essex, MD

Blonde is the most technical color to do well and the easiest to do badly. Good blonding is controlled: you get the brightness you want while your hair stays soft and healthy, then it’s toned to the exact shade you asked for, whether that’s honey, beige, beachy, or icy.

Blonding options & starting prices

Mini blonding: brighten your face frame plus a sprinkle of highlights. Starts at $180, about 2¾ hours.
Partial blonding / babylights: face frame plus a half head of foils. Starts at $195, about 3 hours.
Full blonding / babylights: the full head. Most clients do this once or twice a year. Starts at $230, about 4 hours.
Heavy blonding: maximum brightness in one sitting. Starts at $275, about 3½ hours. $50 deposit at booking.

Every option ends with a custom toner, the step that knocks out brassy yellow and sets your exact shade. And if “babylights” is new to you, they’re just extra-fine highlights that grow out extra soft. Consultations are free, and your exact quote comes before anything is mixed.

Starting dark? That’s her specialty

Taking naturally dark hair (what stylists call levels 1 through 5) safely blonde is the work Cait specializes in. It’s the hardest blonde to do right, which is why prices are starting points and your exact quote comes once she sees your hair.

Foils, balayage, or both

Where your hair is today decides the route: a full head of foils, a balayage-blonding mix, a bold money piece (brighter pieces framing your face), or a staged plan over two or three visits for a big transformation. The limit is always the health of your hair.

Your blonde specialist in Essex, MD

The chair is at Mane Street Hair Studio on Eastern Blvd in Essex, an easy drive from Middle River, White Marsh, Perry Hall, and Dundalk.

Consultations are free (15 minutes). 50% fee for cancellations within 24 hours of the appointment and no-shows. Not sure this is the right service for your hair? Text Cait at (410) 979-0788 and ask.

Good questions

Can I go blonde in one appointment?

It depends where your hair is starting from. Uncolored hair can often make a big change in one visit. Previously colored or dark hair usually gets to bright blonde in planned stages, and you'll get an honest timeline at your free consultation before anything is booked.

Why does my blonde turn yellow or brassy?

Warm pigment underneath shows through as your toner fades. That's just chemistry, not something you did wrong. A toner between visits keeps the shade where you want it. Toners start at $30.

What is a money piece?

It's the brighter section framing your face. You get that fresh-from-the-salon brightness in every selfie and every ponytail, and it's a lower-commitment way to try a lighter look. Mini blonding starts at $180.

How do I keep my blonde healthy?

Bond protection during the service, honest pacing between lightening visits, and the right shampoo and heat protection at home. You'll leave with a simple routine, not a shelf of products you don't need.