If you select links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Stocksy
In This Article
Well, I did it.
I bleached my hair at home without any damage.
Stocksy
Huge disclaimer: I am by no means a professional colorist.
but they were kind enough to spill some of their secrets nonetheless.
Read on for their insight along with my personal journey to blonder pastures.
Sophie Wirt
Often referred to as lightener, bleach is a powerful chemical that can have a dark side.
Pinterest, Reddit, Youtube, and Byrdie became my go-to sources for hair color how-tos.
After all, colorists spend significant time learning to perfect the many nuances of their craft.
Sophie Wirt
I bleached my hair a total of three times over the course of a month and a half.
Nowhere is the adage, patience is a virtue more apparent than with hair bleaching at home.
(Note: level is different from tone; more on why later.)
Sophie Wirt
you’re able to then use this info to gauge how many bleaching sessions youll need.
Doesnt show up so well, huh?
Now, imagine using that yellow highlighter on a piece of pale printer papervoila!
Sophie Wirt
That underlying pigment needs to be removed in order for the silver to show up.
However, it is important to understand that peroxide developer comes in different strengths.
Peroxide strength is measured in what colorists call volumes.
Sophie Wirt
warmth, coolness, ashinesswithineach level.
Luckily, I love my color nowbut the initial reveal had me panicking and regretting the DIY thing.
For reference:this is the color I wanted; below is the color I got.
Sophie Wirt
To further complicate things, People all describe silver differently, Mesquit notes.
Typically, a lighter silver will be violet-based, and darker will be more blue-based.
For me, my ultra-gray hair became a silvery platinum after about five washes.
Sophie Wirt
Between washes, I absolutely swear bythis maskfor keeping my color ultra-gray and banishing yellow tones.
I buy most of my supplies from Amazon, but only if the product has overwhelmingly positive reviews.
Bleach works best on dry hair; preferably dry hair that hasnt been washed in a while.
Sophie Wirt
First and foremost, says Walker, check that to have brushed out your hairno knots, just!
Next, its time for sectioning.
This will leave you with two large sections of hair on either side of your head.
when you obtain four sections, clip each section in place.
out of the room to avoid exposure to bleach fumes.
Walker stresses the importance of always measuring your bleach and developer.
Most bleaches will come with a little measuring scoop, similar to a coffee scoopuse it!
Step 3: Apply your bleach
Still have those quarters of hair clipped up?
For this reason, he advises applying bleach on the back quarters before making your way to the front.
Unclip your chosen quarter and let the hair fall loose.
Then, using the tapered end of your applicator, create a horizontal part within your chosen quarter.
(If youre lucky enough to have extra-thick hair, you may need a few more horizontal layers.)
(Your roots develop more quickly than any other area due to heat from the scalp.)
Once youve completed this quarter, move to your remaining back quarter.
Repeat the aforementioned layering and painting process.
Step 4: Bleach your roots
Time to get your roots in on the action.
Walker advises mixing a fresh batch of bleach specifically for this areayour roots are worth it!
Bleach will continue to lift as long as you dont let it dry out, says Mesquit.
Once its gone flaky and dry, though, its kind of just sitting on the hair.
As per the instructions on my bleach, I set a timer for 45 minutes.
This process is crucial for two reasons.
First, it allows you to see whether the color is lifting evenly and effectively.
In other words, dont jump the gun and remove the bleach too soon.
I made this mistake the first time I bleached my hair.
To compensate, I ended up re-bleaching it that very night.
Of course, this advice is contingent upon how your hair is holding up.
Turn on some lukewarm water (no temperature extremes, which can shock your freshly-bleached hair!).
I swear by KerastaseCicaflash Blond Absolu, which is a bit of a hybrid between the two.
Let the treatment sit for 10 minutes or so.
Hop out of the shower and towel-dry your hair, preferably with a supersoft microfiber towel.
This is where toner comes inand it makes amassivedifference.
If youre not there yet, simply choose a toner made for your current level.
(PSA: seriouslystunning silver huesexist at all levels.)
I alternate between Wella T18 and/or Wella T11, or equal parts Redken Shades EQ O9P and 09T.
Lay out your toning supplies.
This includes toner(s), peroxide developer (either 10 or 20 vol.
The ratio of peroxide developer to toner formula is variable depending on the products youre using.
For the specific toners I use, its usually one part toner to two parts developer.
Once youve measured and poured your toner and developer, its time to mix your magic potion.
Put on your gloves and begin blending your concoction with your applicator brush.
Mix until fully incorporated.
The formula should be significantly less thick than your bleach formula was.
Once youve fully saturated your hair, loosely clip it up and/or cover it with a plastic shower cap.
Step 12: Set a timer and wait
I always set my toner timer for 20 minutes.
Ive found that doing so makes my hair look significantly healthier.
If youd rather leave the scissor-work to a pro (advisable!
), schedule an appointment every month or so.
Purple shampoo is very important because silver fades extremely fast, Mesquit notes.
His choice:Wella Professionals Invigo Blonde Recharge Color Refreshing Shampoo Cool Blonde.
This will help keep your hair hydrated, and looking and feeling healthy.
We’re big fans of BriogeoDon’t Despair, Repair!
Deep Conditioning Mask, that’s designed to infuse your hair with moisture and strengthen your strands.
2023;15(3):608.
