By Gina Daugherty
The Cincinnati Enquirer

A good blond is one of the hardest colors to get. If you have naturally light hair, it is easier. If not, being blond takes time and patience.

"The upkeep is high and you have to have good hair," says Phyllis Rinaldi, owner of Phyllis at the Madison in Hyde Park. Because of the bleaching and toning process, a good color change can take up to two hours. The first step is bleaching the hair, to strip and lift out the natural pigment. The second step is applying the new color, or pigment, to reach the desired shade, says Rinaldi.

This must be done every three to four weeks. Otherwise, you'll have unsightly roots. The pale color of the blond will contrast with your roots to make them look darker than they are.

And the longer your hair, the easier it breaks. So many blondes have short hair by design, not always by preference.

Expect to pay anywhere from $75 to $125 for a good blond color at the better Tristate salons.