Reviewed by Brianne Dubé, founder. Updated September 2026.
Why the retouch is its own service
Platinum is a two step color. First the hair is lightened as pale as it needs to go, then a toner sets the final shade. Once your blonde is established, the only hair that has never been lightened is the new growth at your scalp. That is the hair a retouch focuses on.
Keeping the lightener on the regrowth matters. Hair that has already been lifted does not need to be lifted again, and overlapping onto it is how pale blondes start to feel fragile. Your stylist lightens the root with care at the line where new growth meets old, then tones everything so the shade reads as one color from scalp to ends.
If you are starting from darker hair, highlights, or color you want to move away from, begin with the all over blonde instead. The retouch assumes the heavy lifting is already done, and it keeps that work looking even between visits.
Retouches are done by Brianne, who specializes in couture blonding, and Angela, known for foil work for bright blondes.
What a retouch does for your blonde
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Only the new growth is lightened
Lightener goes on the regrowth, not the lengths you already paid to lift. That protects the hair that has been blonde the longest and keeps your ends feeling like hair, not straw, as your platinum grows longer over time.
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A clean line at the root
The trickiest part of a retouch is the meeting point between new and old blonde. Careful placement there prevents banding, the visible stripe where two levels of lightness sit side by side and never quite match.
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Toner that brings it all together
After lightening, a toner sets your final shade across the root and refreshes the lengths. This is where warmth gets corrected and your blonde goes back to the icy, pearly, or creamy tone you chose.
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Consistency visit after visit
Your stylist keeps track of what worked last time, so the process and the tone stay steady. Platinum rewards a routine, and a retouch is how you keep the color you love from drifting between appointments.
More about double Process Retouch
What to expect at your appointment
Your stylist starts by looking at your regrowth, the condition of your lengths, and the tone you want to keep. Lightener is applied section by section to the new growth only, with extra care right at the line where it meets your existing blonde. Once the root has lifted evenly, the hair is rinsed and a toner is applied to set the shade from root to tip. You finish with a style so you can see the result in real light before you leave the chair.
Aftercare and maintenance
Pale blonde shows everything, so treat it gently. Wash with cool water, use a shampoo made for lightened hair, and never skip conditioner. A purple shampoo used now and then can calm warmth between visits, but too much can leave a dull cast, so ask your stylist how often suits your shade. Use heat protection before hot tools, and book your next retouch before the root grows so long that a clean, invisible blend becomes harder to achieve.
How pricing works
The price of a retouch depends on how much regrowth you have, the density of your hair, and the stylist you book with. Thick or dense hair can call for more product, and additional product may be needed for longer or denser hair. See the Service Menu for current pricing.
From a Google review
“I’ve been seeing Brianne at Dube New York for about two years - she is hands down one of the best colorists I have ever been to! As an icy platinum blonde, I’ve definitely had my fair share of colorists who left my hair warm toned and uneven, but Brianne figured out the process and formula I wanted quickly and delivers every time. The salon is beautiful, clean, and has the nicest team of all time. I get compliments everywhere I go after a session with Brianne. She’s the only person I’ll go to in New York as long as I’m here!”
Google review, 5 stars. See recent work on Instagram
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I need a retouch or the all over blonde?
If your hair is already platinum or pale blonde and you mainly see new growth at the root, book the retouch. If you are starting from darker hair or highlights, the all over blonde is the right first step.
Can I book a retouch if my platinum was done at another salon?
Yes. Your stylist will look closely at your lengths and regrowth first, since every salon works a little differently. If you are unsure your hair is a match for a retouch, a complimentary consultation in person or by video call is a good place to begin.
Will a retouch damage my ends?
The point of a retouch is to keep lightener on the new growth and off the lengths that are already blonde. Your ends are toned to refresh the shade, not lightened again, which is how the salon protects hair that has been through the process before.
Why does my blonde turn yellow between visits?
Lightened hair naturally reveals warm undertones as toner fades with washing, water, sun, and heat. A toner at each retouch resets the shade, and a gentle routine at home helps it last. Your stylist can suggest how to care for your specific tone.
What if I am not happy with my color?
Tell the salon soon after your appointment. Dubé New York offers a complimentary correction when a client is not satisfied, so your stylist can see your hair in person and carefully adjust the tone or the blend at the root.
Ready to book your double process retouch?
See the Service Menu for pricing, start with a double process all over blonde if you are new to platinum, or refresh your shade with custom toning.