What is the Best Way to Bleach Hair?

If most stylists weren't so completely over confident, cocky and completely self-absorbed and chose to do what the paying customer would like, instead of doing something they deem more to their preference, which is easier and will get them money fast. Instead of taking more time and patience with pleasing customers, they please themselves. If they didn't, they wouldn't have to worry about people trying today at home because they are more willing to screw up their hair instead of having to deal with egomaniac stylists with bad attitudes!

A few tips: Please take coconut oil saturation into consideration before bleaching your hair because it helps to protect from some of the damage. Try to get pure coconut oil; it will have the same consistency as vaseline in a jar. You will need to sink and set the jar in hot water to allow it to melt so that you can saturate your hair with it easier. Your hair absorbs the coconut oil better when it is in liquid form.

After bleaching, I recommend using the Joico k-pak reconstruct deep penetrating reconstructor because it really helps with getting your hair healthy again. You can spread it through your hair using a wide toothed comb and starting at the tips trying to gently work through your hair, so if you hit a snag just remove the comb and delicately try again because you are trying to repair your hair not damage it more.

The bottle reads to leave in damp hair for five minutes. I like to put a cap on and sleep in it, but it is all up to what your personal preference or time allowance is. If you have a bonnet dryer this would be great to use with this treatment because heat allows the hair follicle to open up to absorb the reconstructor for about 30 minutes. Rinse with cool water to close the hair follicle.

Holy granola, I can't help but cringe when I recall a stylist totally shredding through my hair pulling it out and then saying, "This is what I live for -- ripping knots out for people!" You better believe I never returned to allow that unprofessional monster to torture me again! Best wishes on all your bleaching adventures!

If you over tone your hair, the blue color will eventually come off. If you have a blonde with yellowy tone in it, I recommend wella t18 toner. Never use over 30 volume.

I tried to do the "right thing" and went to a salon with great reviews and was met with a funny face when I said I wanted to go bleached blonde from my medium brown hair. She said she could "get me started" on going that blonde and that it would take multiple trips. I got it to a pretty light color but nowhere near where I wanted it and that was $90 and then she tried to get me to make me come back for all over highlights for another $120.

Yeah, right. I'm going to bleach my own hair because going to the professionals didn't work. That's what I get for going to the salon.

As an estimation, how much do you think it would be to go to a professional to bleach half of my head?

I have done this many, many, many times. I did go to hair school, so I learned a thing or two.

I myself have a level 2-3, naturally. Almost black.

The best advice I can give to anyone is never bleach or lighten already colored hair! If there is ammonia/peroxide damage in your hair now from using permanent color, wait on it. You will have severe breakage eventually, even if it feels fine for a few days.

I highlighted my hair this summer, and it is still recovering. The integrity of my hair has been compromised severely.

Had I done this on virgin hair, despite it being naturally dark, it would have been better.

However, I did this on previously color-treated hair. Boy, was that a mistake.

I can recommend a few products for bleach damage, if you have already gone too far. Always use a heat protecting spray before styling. Also, use a leave-in conditioner and an anti-breakage serum. Redken is awesome, though there are generic versions as well.

Invest in a conditioning masque for when in the shower. Use one or two times a week at first, then use less as the integrity of your hair seems to improve.

If you're going to lighten your hair no matter what, do it in steps. Set a goal over the course of a month or longer to gradually lighten your hair. Then condition and treat the bejeezus out of it.

I'm really tired of going to the salon for my hair. In one week I went to the salon twice and spent more than $200. I went last week, I said I wanted blonde on top, black on the bottom. What she gave me was blonde highlights. My hair was originally black on bottom and reddish on top. Anyway, it doesn't look good. I just don't want to waste my money.

I bought a new intense bleaching kit, and I'm attempting to try it tonight. I did the strand test, and hopefully it will turn out well. If it works well, I'll recommend this product to you.

Help me please! So I am naturally a level one hair, which is black, and I bleached it blonde to a light yellow and now it's like white and I use the Manic Panic toner in virgin white and it looks awesome!

But a couple of days later, I wanted to tone it again and I used a different high lift ash blonde with a 20 volume developer, and now it turned like greenish yellow and blue! Ugh! I'm so stupid! I should have left it like it was. What can I do to take it back to silver? Please help.

I am 22 have been bleaching my hair myself since I was 13. I have silvery white hair and the two times I have been to a salon they never get it white enough and I end up paying around $200. I always use 30 percent peroxide and mix it with the blue powder bleach. I tend to leave it in for a hour, then I add a white toner. I use manic panic virgin snow. I naturally have light brown hair and it always turns out great.

I also wash my hair three times a week with a silver shampoo, and people are always commenting that my hair is soft even though its bleached so I don't think there is any problem doing it yourself. Hairdressers are a rip off here in Australia. I have friends who pay about $300 to have their hair bleached, whereas I pay about $20.

I have had hair every color of the rainbow. I have strong hair, but not thick -- just normal.

Recently I tried to go white not knowing anything. After four times of trying to bleach, my hair was dead and orange! The stylists I went to didn’t want to do my hair originally. They were fussy over the end damage, so I just tried it at home with the strongest stuff (40 percent) over a week four times trying to lighten it

Then I finally found the answer to how to lighten orange hair from bleach: freaking purple hair toner!

It's common in the hair department, or just ask around. It's purple in color and you leave it on your hair for five minutes it says, then wash it out. It takes away all the brassy tones, but beware! I leave things on for a long time. I left it on until it almost was dry before rinsing, and I had grey/purple hair for a week and a half then. But it washes out eventually to leave really nice light tones/highlights.

Also, if you want to go white after bleaching and toning, buy a semi permanent white; it will do the trick! Like stargazer brand or manic panic. Otherwise, just put a blonde box color on after bleaching and toning and you will want like three bottles of the toner. Don’t be stingy on it --coat it! I have shoulder length hair and use half a bottle in one use. You have to keep using toner to keep your hair looking naturally blonde.

If it burns too much (the bleach) it's not good, obviously. A lot of girls experience this and it means the bleach is really strong. I don’t recommend keeping it on if it stings. You’ll freak out when your skin goes red and your scalp hurts. Sometimes you have to put up with pain for beauty. The red fades after five minutes for me. Not good, though. That’s why a stylist is best, but come on: the money is a bit high and they judge all the time.

Big point: You have to leave conditioner on for as long as possible after bleaching, preferably one with protein because it helps repair the hair! I put it all through my ends and sleep in it. You’ll get dandruff if you put it on your scalp. Just put it on the lengths/ends, and when you wake up, your hair will be dry looking, but take a shower and condition while in the shower as usual and your hair will be in much better shape than not doing that! So yes, protein treatments are good after, and if your hair gets totally dry, get treatments or use olive oil!

I'll tell you exactly what to do, a good for your hair way. I've got pretty weak hair and I've dyed my hair a number of times, all different colours. I went from dark brown with a faded shade of purple to a nice light color. This is how I did it. The things you'll need are: a friend to help out, vaseline (petroleum jelly), a towel, don't forget the blecch either! scissors and sellotape (for the strand test, must take the strand test).

1. Cut a strand of hair about two inches long from a part of your hair which doesn't get shown, not too thick and sellotape the top of it. From this, you will see roughly how long you need to keep it on for and if it does kill your hair.

2. If that's all good, brush your hair back and put a line of petroleum jelly along your hairline, just the front of your hair basically.

3. Part your hair into two or three sections, start off at the bottom of each strand working your way up, and try to be quick but do all evenly.

4. Eventually you will get to the roots. Do not start counting the timer when you finish the roots. There must only be 20/25 minutes left when you do your roots or they will be so much lighter than the rest of your hair. That's a mistake I made.

5. Leave that on till your hair looks like a yellow banana skin color. Don't wait until it goes light blonde. Do not do that. Your hair will snap if you do so. Then wash off. Don't use anything other than shampoo.

6. Don't brush your hair at all, or it will snap again, just blow dry it.

7. Then add your permanent color, and do as it says. When time on that is completed, wash your hair, and use a good conditioner! Trust me here: don't get a cheapo one, a really good one is by aussie, it's amazing! Then you can blow dry your hair and wash it, should be all good. Hope this helps!

i just bleached my hair and it turned orange so i bleached it again with a stronger developer -- a 20 -- and then after that i put light blonde hair dye on it. since i have naturally dark brown hair, obviously the hair was not light blonde. it came out a nice shade that was close to a medium blonde. later this week i plan to put a glaze on it to take out some more of the yellow.

You know your hair, so if you don't think it can handle being bleached, please go to a stylist. my hair has always been really good about not drying out after highlighting at the salon so i knew as long as i put lots of deep conditioner and reconstructive conditioner on it, I'd be fine.

I don't know if I got much out of this "information"; other than bickering about why I should or shouldn't go to a stylist, and people talking about the results instead of the process. Those that did discuss the process did not offer enough specifics collectively. Anything useful was few and far between. There was not a whole lot of straight shooting. I was hoping for more product recommendations and comparisons. I was neither encouraged or enlightened by anything on here.

I have bleached blonde, long hair. i have put an all over baby blonde on it and it has gone a grey blue! please help. what can i do to put it right.

I went to the hair salon, $210 later to have a half head of blonde streaks, my hubby asked why on earth I felt happy to pay that. So I said we could do home bleaching, with the condition that if it turned out badly, I would be straight to the salon. So I had my hubby bleach my hair with one of those box kits. I naturally have very ginger hair and it's come out great.

I was berated by the colourist over how orange it would go and the "Ring of Fire" etc, so far, after two months and him helping with my roots, it's still very blonde. Following the instructions is very important!

I have seen both good and bad hair dressers, and so far hubby is the best and most careful with my scalp.

Worst case scenario, it grows back, and the colourists aren't going anywhere.

i have dark hair, and i have been using bleach on it for years. Yes I'm not going to lie. My hair is drier than i want it to be, and not as easy to run my fingers through, but let's face it: it's a price you pay. I have had mistakes where it turned green, gray or pink, but it's easy to fix without seeing a stylist.

Make sure your hair is not washed (the oils help protect the hair).

First, using 40 volume is very harsh. It's harder, so you will get better results, but a lot more damaging. i at prefer most 30, or even 20, but you will have to do multiple sessions if you use 20.

Second, use a bleach that has blue in it. The blue/purple is excellent in removing the brass while you bleach.

Third, add some oil to the mixture, just a teaspoon or tablespoon. Most people don't know this, but adding aragon or moroccan to the mixture will help save your tresses while you bleach!

Fourth, add two ounces bleach with two ounces volume, and double up if you have longer hair.

Fifth, don't leave on for the full 50 minutes. When it looks blonde enough,wash it out! Don't use more time. it just kills your hair.

Sixth, save the roots last!

Seventh, start with the back of your head (a pair of friends is always appreciated).

Eighth, if too brassy, then use a toner! use a toner that has a blue or violet base, and it will absorb all the brass. leave on for only ten minutes

Ninth, if the results are still too dark, wait! you don't want to bleach right after bleaching. you need some time to heal.

Tenth, condition, condition! use hair masks, good damage, color shampoo and conditioner.

Of course stylists are going to say "Go to a professional!" Do it yourself equals less money for them.

I've dyed my hair lots of ways over these last four years using peroxide, bleach dying kits, and the cheap hair colors. my hair is naturally dirty blonde, and I've dyed it copper, purple, black, red and blue. i'm even dying it now. You've just got to know how to take care of it. you have to rub the conditioner into that scalp until your hair feels softer, and then you leave it in for a minute or two. finally you rinse afterwards, then dry it good. then do it again after the dying.

I bleach my hair all the time. usually use 40 percent volume as i find it does a good job.

Last week i bleached it and my roots were white and my hair a yellow/brown color so i dyed over it brown and hope to bleach it again next week to get a light blonde color.

I'd recommend sally's bleach as it's affordable and also use a toner and a good conditioner as my hair is starting to fall out in clumps. i think blonde hair looks far better and really does give you that celebrity "edge."

first of all, your hair won't fall out from using 40vol. i use it all the time. i have long thick hair and i have always used a 40 vol. You just need to know how to care for your hair after bleaching it.

I shaved all of my hair off and now that it is growing back I would like a platinum look. I have read some comments where bleach makes the hair turn orange or red or yellow? I just want my very very short dirty brown hair to turn very pale yellow or white --nothing else. Help!

Can someone please tell us, how much we mix of what with what?

well after doing a lot of research, i bleached my hair about two weeks ago. I used Loreal Quick Blue. You can find it at Sally's or any beauty supply store, and a developer, which is the hydrogen peroxide.

I bought a 30 percent because 40 is too strong, and I didn't want my hair to fall out! I used a one to one ratio with the bleach and the developer.

My hair was very black, so first I used color oops from cvs and that brought some of my natural color back, which is dark brown. I thought I was going to have to bleach my hair more than once to get to the blonde I wanted, but after bleaching one time, my hair was good enough.

My hair turned bright yellow, like a banana! I then used a toner by Wella, Ivory Lady, and it took out most of the yellow, but not a lot. With the toner, I used a one to two ratio with developer.

Finally, I used a hair dye from cvs (clairol nice n easy, 106, medium ash blonde), which took away all the yellow, and darkened it a bit. I love it! During all this, I used a deep conditioner to help my hair stay healthy. I used the Ion Reconstructive Therapy. It works really well. I also use the shimmer lights shampoo and conditioner. It really helps with the brassiness and brings out the blonde! Hope this helps.

First off, an ash tone will not take out yellow/brassy in your hair. Purple will. As far as orange, it will be anything with a blue base if it turned red, then green.

And I had a girl come in who decided to bleach her hair at home and she burned it off, because it is not like hair color where anyone can do it. Bleach is more harmful and can cause all sorts of damage.

Also if your hair turned orange while trying to bleach it out, it was because you have red in your hair or the color you had in it had some sort of red. There are ways to fix it and that is why we say go to a professional. These are people who have been trained to do these kinds of things.

I've had my hair bleached by a hairdresser and it's gone orange with nice blonde roots as I'm naturally blonde. what can i do t get rid of this awful color?

If you have orangey yellow tones in pale or light hair, use an ash blonde/white blonde hair toner (if you want to go platinum) then replace your shampoo for purple shampoo, which will protect the color and keep the orange tones away for longer.

It's best not to use vol40 developer. Try going for 30vol or 20vol and repeat the process over time.

I've bleached my own hair numerous of times and saved the hassle and annoying "you have black hair you can't go blonde" speech from salons.

What they don't realize is people have different strength hair. Yes, I agree some people with black hair won't be able to go blonde without their hair falling out, but I'm chinese and my hair is naturally thicker and can deal with several dye jobs (and has done so) without frazzling out.

I recently bleached my whole head twice over already nine times dyed and bleached my hair - not a sensible thing to do, i know.

I now have luscious, long pink hair which would have cost me over £150 at the salon. I had to bleach my whole head twice then dye it magenta. doing the roots will cost less and will be a one time bleach job, as the heat from the head will lift the color faster.

If you're re-bleaching roots it's best you buy an off-scalp bleach powder as it will be more gentle to the scalp.

See? I've learned all this information by just doing a lot of research online. it is possible to be accomplished by a beginner.

I agree that if you don't have common sense, e.g., going from really dark to light in one go then you should seek a professional's advice (note here I did not say see one --I said seek advice) and yes, your hair may grow back but most of us don't want to lose it in the first place.

Basically, if it's something you're thinking twice about, perhaps you shouldn't attempt it until you really understand what you're doing.

I'm no professional. I'm just someone who has gone from blonde to red, to brown to blonde -- by doing it myself and with a colourist. And yes, I have had my hair go green or orange!

I personally have worked the front desk at three incredibly high end reputable salons. I've had my hair done by award winning stylists. I understand that it's a craft, and for certain stylists it's straight up artistry.

I really do respect that, and see the benefits of it. I've also come into these award winning salons with haircuts I've given myself, blue hair, pink hair (all self-inflicted), and once half of my head shaved (which a friend did, as I don't think I could have managed the back of that one myself). It's quite condescending to come onto a forum meant for people who are looking for advice on how to color their own hair and berate them and make them feel stupid for having the audacity to even consider doing the job themselves.

I have every respect for stylists, but some of the comments on here would lead one to believe that I was considering doing something rivaling the severity of my own appendectomy.

What it comes down to is that it's just hair. It grows out of my head, and if I do something questionable to it, I can cut it off, and more will come back in its place. Why not enjoy it on my own terms?

I can't believe how anal some of you sound!

I agree, however, that some people should not try a bleach job at home, if maybe they haven't researched it first, but, with some time, and care, and absolutely no haste, I'm certain everything would look just fine, for those newbie home jobbers who take the time and the care!

Just because they're not spending an arm and a leg and their first born to get you to do their hair for them, doesn't mean you should be so damned anal retentive!

Actually, I am a stylist and now that I've been on both sides of the fence, I have to say that if I knew then what I know now, I'm very fortunate to still have my hair. Really though, if you're trying to do just one solid color, then for the most part, you'll be fine at home.

Things to know:

1. Color can't lift out color. If you dye your hair dark brown one week, then decide you want a level 8 gold copper (or anything lighter than what you colored it), the only way to lighten it is using bleach. For any type of corrective color, it's best to hit the salon.

2. If you're coloring your hair and need a root touch up, do not put the color from roots to ends. Your roots will be the color you wanted, but your ends will be really dark because you're putting more color over them. This happens any time you're using color. Refreshing your ends is something different from coloring them.

3. In any application where you're going lighter, make sure you start half an inch away from your scalp. Do the entire head then go back and apply to the roots. The heat from your head makes it process faster than the mid strand.

4. For highlights, etc., just spend the money. Do your research and find a place with a good track record. Just because they're expensive or high end does not mean they're better.

5. Bring in a picture.

6. Most of you need to humble yourselves. Hair is a lot more complicated then what it seems. Especially coloring in general. If you know nothing about the 10 levels of hair color, natural underlying pigment, the color wheel and not to mention the ingredients used in the process, how strong they are, what they are meant for and why, well then, you really have no business coloring your hair.

My best suggestion would be this: if you're going darker, use a semi permanent color. that way, if you don't like it or don't want to deal with upkeep, no problem; it fades out. If you're going lighter, see a professional because you'll screw it up at home (most likely) and end up spending more money on a corrective color because there are more steps involved. Just some things to think about. Good luck!

I bought a hair lightening kit a while back and the results were, well the tips of my hair were tinged orange and the roots were white. So a couple of days later I went and bought blonde hair dye which took out the orange and evened out the color totally. I was really happy with the results. All this came from me doing it on my own for the first time, and yeah, some people just do better experimenting by themselves.

I really wish that I would have come here and read all of this advice beforehand but what can I do about that now, huh?

Anyhow, I currently have black hair and decided I was not happy with that anymore so I wanted to bleach my hair. What I didn't know though, was that what I had done previously was bleached it and honestly, all the hype about how bad it is for your hair is a bunch of crap. It's just as bad as dyeing your hair and I don't need to go to a stylist to figure that out on my own.

Simple enough though, is that people don't have to go to a stylist to figure everything out. I did perfectly fine my first time because now I know how to prevent that from happening again. I mean come on, people, it's hair. It grows back!

OK i just went to beauty supply and got the pure white 40 and the powder. my hair is black as night so how long do i leave the bleach in? Oh and what do i use to spread it on my hair?

i am bleaching my hair myself from black. i am not going to leave it ginger. I'm going to dye it brown. is this advised?

You can do it yourself, and gets tips if you can, but i do it myself and it comes out perfect. All you need to know is exactly what item to use and items used to take care of your hair after!

Okay, first of all, its prety easy to bleach you hair by yourself. I do it all the time. My mother, who is a hairdresser, supplies hair dye, and bleach for people all the time to do at home.

My recommendation: Hair Alive bleach and peroxide, it works amazingly. Just remember to apply the bleach to the roots last! if you apply all over, your roots will be white, and the rest of your hair will be a different color.

If your hair turns orange from the bleach, wait a few days, then apply ash blonde hair color, or toner. It takes the orange out. Wait a few days because the bleach really irritates your scalp. And is really hard on your hair.

After bleaching, use a moisture rich shampoo and conditioner to help repair your hair. Trust me. If you have the right tools, and a mirror, your hair will turn out just fine..

I have gray hair that is yellowish. how can I bleach out the yellow so it will be true gray or white? Years ago we mixed peroxide with a little ammonia and used it to streak the hair but I don't remember how much peroxide and how much ammonia.

is it true that if you have dark hair color like black and if you dye it blonde without bleaching it would it turn orange? Because I'm asian and i have dark hair color. i tried dyeing it but you can only see the hair color a little only and i really want to have a bright hair color like orange so if i dye it blonde who i have orange hair then?

Thank you for providing this information. I've been to many hair stylists who ~won't touch~ my naturally dark brown Asian hair, and it is extremely frustrating because I know people with similar hair bleach and do fun colors all the time.

So yes, I agree with other commenters here that "going to a stylist" isn't always an option. They often just can't be bothered to try and help you achieve the self image you want.

Dying hair at home to save money is not like trying to fix a car engine to save money at all. For example, if I end up with a bad bleach job, it's not going to cause me to fly off the motorway and kill myself and others around me. Don't be so dramatic.

People are always going to do their own hair, surely it's better they're given the best advice possible than just saying go to a stylist?

You usually use 2 oz. of a 40 vol. developer, and 2 oz of hair color. (i recommend l'oreal products, that can be found at Sally's Beauty Supply).

can i know what other ingredients (chemicals) go into any hair bleach? are they good for hair?

you actually don't need to go to a stylist. it's not that hard to color your hair. it's pretty much common sense. it just takes time.

Warning hair may die badly.

errr actually I bleach my hair like a lot, and you don't need a hairdresser to do it, it's so simple. it's really not hard. it's exactly the same as putting any other color on your hair.

No People need to stop trying to do there own hair at home. Stylists have been taught so much more then what you can read on the back of a box. Stop doing it yourself and just go to your stylist. She or he knows what they are doing a lot more than you.

Because truthfully, someone trying to do there hair to save money would be like me trying to fix the engine in my car to save money. It never works if you did study and go to school for what your trying to do.

Thanks

um excuse me... where is the specific amount of how much bleach and powder you mix????

actually, if you don't apply it to the midshaft first, wait a while, then do roots, then do tips,..

you are going to have white roots!!!

do not put it all over at once! your roots will be white, while the rest of your hair is orange/yellow.

always go to a professional!!!

Actually, a 30% peroxide solution works for most people who don't have really coarse or dark hair, so if you want to try starting small, it might be better for your hair.