Helloooooo again! I've missed you! I have to get better about taking time away for myself every week to blog. I love it and I always feel a weight on my chest when I miss a week, let alone a month or two.
I have something I have been dying to share with you, though. For those of you who don't know me, I have had dark hair my entire life. Recently (a month or so ago) I decided it was time for a major change. I cut about a foot off of my hair and bleached it. All of it. And because I was bleaching it and knew I was going to ruin in anyway, I went all in and bleached it white. After I bleached it I started getting a lot of questions and thought I could share it here for anyone else who is interested.
I have a friend who has the most beautiful hair I have ever seen. It's white (sometimes pink or purple, too) and amazing. Her natural hair color is even darker then mine but decided to bleach hers on her own. She alone gave me the courage to dive in. Thanks, Alexa. <3
This is that part of the blog where anyone who is actually a hair dresser looks away. For real, this may kill you. I have only bleached my own hair and I have no formal training, so please take what I say with a grain of salt and do what you think is best for you. So if yyou've money to spend and the time to match, go for it. I on the other hand don't have a ton of extra cash and definitely not the time to make multiple hair appointments. I just wanted a quick change and after years of debating decided it was do or die.
What you need:
- Bleach - I recommend a tub instead of individual packages. Way better deal if you plan on dying your hair more than once (which, you'll probably do it at least twice the first time)
- 30 Developer - Or whatever your brand of bleach recommends. Darker hair = higher volume
- Wella t18 Toner - If there is a better toner, please let me know. This is what everyone recommends
- 20 Developer - Again, do as the package of toner says. It may say 10 but I use higher of everything then I should. Shhhh
- Gloves - Super necessary and you're best to get reusable (sometimes even a nice set of kitchen gloves work-- as long as you only use them for your hair)
- Hair Clips - Or any way to hold your hair in sections, but clips work the best for me
- Brush - Usually only a dollar or two and something you should always have in your arsenal
- Mixing Bowl - Any sort of plastic bowl will work if you have one on hand
- Deep Conditioner/hair mask - What I use varies from time to time and sometimes I use oils instead. Find one that works for you, but remember you usually get what you pay for in this department
- Purple Shampoo - This is a must have for maintaining that super blonde/white hair in-between bleaches
- Part your hair into 4 sections
Two top sections and two bottom sections. - Put your gloves on
This is a must and you will regret it of you don't. I've forgotten once and got little white burns on my finger tips that didn't go away for days. Ouch. - Mix bleach according to package
If you're a hair stylist and still reading this, look away now. You may puke.
I have zero patience to get my hair blonde overtime. I wanted it white as soon as I could get it white. Now, that did still take me about 8 weeks to get it to how it is now, but it would have taken so much longer had I went to a professional. That said, I do not mix the bleach according to the package. This is where I veer..
I do mix it proportionally to the package, 1 scoop bleach to 2oz cream developer. However, I will use mostly 40 developer instead of the recommended, put in splashes of 10 or 20 and a little deep conditioner. Sometimes I put a little coconut oil or something similar to help moisten my hair while I bleach the crap out of it. It may not do anything, it may do more damage, but I feel like my hair is really healthy after all this time and I think this is why. Again, I just think its better but I could be totally wrong. Basically, I just make myself a little concoction and hope for the best. - Apply your bleach
Start by gathering thin slices of hair and starting the application on the roots then dragging down covering the whole piece. Although impossible, try not to get it on your scalp as it can start to burn over time.
Now, again, professionals would probably recommend starting on the bottom sections of you hair. The bleach will stay on it the longest but most likely get less damaged due to the little amount it gets touched with hands and hot tools. But what do I do? I bleach my top first. I know the risks but I want my hair on top the lightest since it is seen the most and am willing to let it be a little more damaged (it isn't too damaged yet, fingers crossed).
Leave it on for about 45 minutes, or as recommended. Remember to check your hair occasionally for lightening. - Wash it out and bleach again
This is where you decide if you need to bleach it again. If you don't feel it is very light, I'd recommend giving it one more bleach. If you are going to bleach it again, make sure dry it first. Using a lower developer then you used the first time and repeat steps 1 through 5. Remember that your hair is fragile so this second time don't be as harsh on it. - Let's tone
Once we are done bleaching, we get ready to tone. Don't worry, you can keep your hair wet for this part! Mix the toner according to the bottle. I used 20 developer instead of the recommended 10 the first couple of times. I don't mind if my hair goes a little purple and I wanted drastic results. Put it all over your hair like a conditioner and wait. Some people only leave it on 10 minutes, others leave it on 45. It really is up to you and how long you can endure the pain. The longer you leave it on, the less yellow and more white/purple it becomes. If you want to leave it on longer, use a lower developer (10).
Once I apply my toner I do everything I can to distract myself. Read a book, fold towels (careful not to get this toner on any laundry or rugs, it will stain), go on a walk, anything really. The more distracted I am the longer I can keep it on. Can't take it any longer? Wash it out. - Deep condition and purple shampoo
Your hair just went through a lot and it's important that you take care of it. Once you wash all the toner out, condition it like crazy. Use oils, deep conditioners, masks, or make a conditioning concoction (like our bleach!) since you're now practiced in the art of mixing. Use the purple shampoo as needed, I recommend every other wash but be careful, your hair may actually go purple over time but will wash out with only a couple washes.
- It took me a total of 8 bleaches and about 5 toners to get my hair the color it is now. I think I did bleach mine 3 times the first time gradually decreasing the time and developer strength each time.
- It's a lot of work and a huge commitment. It takes me hours and hours every 6ish weeks, so make sure you have the time.
- I do a bleach wash every couple of months on my entire hair to maintain my color of hair.
- I am not a professional and obviously don't claim to be so please follow my instructions using caution.
- That being said, just go for it. Always wanted to bleach your hair? Now is the time and do it yourself and I believe in you! You'll save so much money and its a good skill to learn, I think. I honestly don't know the next time I will pay someone to do my hair.
