Q&A for How to Get Red Hair to Blonde/Platinum

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  • Question
    I dyed my hair a deep purple about 6 months ago. It has pretty much faded to a red tint but I want to dye it dark blonde. Will I have a problem doing this?
    Ashley Adams
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Yes, you will have a problem achieving dark blonde if you attempt to put the color on your already colored hair, because color doesn't lift color. You will need to use a color remover/bleach kit to get rid of the purple/red color that is currently on your hair. After that color has been lifted, your hair should be light enough to proceed with the dark blonde toner.
  • Question
    How can I get light, medium, and dark blonde hair?
    Ashley Adams
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    It would be a process to dye your hair 3 different shades. First, determine the level of your natural hair color. If you are between a level 6-7, you can keep your hair as the dark blonde shade, and then purchase 2 dyes that are a lighter and medium shade of blonde.
  • Question
    Could I skip the stripping part if my hair is reddish?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    You only need to strip your hair if you've dyed your hair red previously. If you're a natural red head, you don't need to strip it first.
  • Question
    My hair was previously dyed red, and I just stripped it which it's now a light orange/red color. Can I strip it again, or should I just use bleach and a toner?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    You don't need to strip it again. Go ahead and start the bleaching process.
  • Question
    If I have a bleach dye in a pack, how much developer do I mix it with?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    It depends on the brand and the amount included in the package. See the package instructions for more details. If you don't have any package instructions, 1:1 is a common ratio for this.
  • Question
    What happens if I don't use the bleach and just use the ash blonde dye right after the stripper?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    You won't be able to achieve platinum blonde hair that way. You have to bleach your hair to get a platinum shade.
  • Question
    I've stripped my hair once already from brown and I got a reddish orange color. Do I strip it again to get to blonde?
    Community Answer
    You can bleach it and use a toner to correct the red tones.
  • Question
    Why did my natural dark blonde with blonde streaks hair turn red when using a blonde hair dye?
    Angie
    Community Answer
    Mine used to do that when I used a golden blonde hair dye. Use platinum blonde or the lightest pale blonde shades. Those will lighten your hair and don't contain any visible color.
  • Question
    Can the above products be purchased at Walmart or Walgreen's? Or do I have to purchase them from a beauty supply store?
    Community Answer
    The color stripper can be purchased at most normal stores. However, it doesn't work well on unnatural colors (blue, green, purple, etc.), so only use it if you're in the natural range (brown, red, blond). The powdered bleach would have to be purchased from a place like Sally's, unless you use something like Feria's Absolute Platinums Hair Color, which has a lightening solution in it.
  • Question
    Is each step done in the same day?
    Community Answer
    In the Warnings section of the article, it says to wait at least a day in between steps due to the damage that the hair stripper and bleach can cause to your hair.
  • Question
    I bleached my hair, and after 45 minutes washed it with a purple/silver shampoo. I then used a deep conditioner, but I still have a chunk of red that's orange. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Let your hair heal for a while to prevent it from breaking before you do any additional chemical changes to your hair. Apply an ash blonde hair color throughout the hair to neutralize the red tones.
  • Question
    I tried to dye my hair blond and it came out red. What can I do to change it to a medium blond?
    Community Answer
    Bleach it again, then add an anti-brassing agent before dying it again.
  • Question
    I haven't dyed my hair in a few months, but for some reason I still have red tint in my hair. Can I dye my hair dark blonde?
    Community Answer
    Yes you can. However there is always going to be some color left from the previous dye.
  • Question
    If I use golden blonde dye on red hair, what color will it be?
    Community Answer
    Depending on how red your hair is, probably golden blonde but with a hint of orange.
  • Question
    I am naturally auburn and am trying to go blonde. I have stripped my hair before but haven't dyed it since and my natural color has come back. Will I still need to strip my hair?
    Community Answer
    It depends how light you want to go. A blond dye should lighten your hair 2-3 shades without bleaching.
  • Question
    I dyed my hair with a henna (organic hair color with no bleach) and it won't come out, what can I do get it back light blonde?
    Community Answer
    You can either let it grow out, or bleach it. Henna is notoriously difficult to remove, although you could try using a color remover.
  • Question
    How can I bleach my hair to ash blonde if I've been dyeing it maroon for a while and it's still stained?
    Misterlm
    Top Answerer
    Maroon dye is stubborn. You'll likely need to use a color remover first to strip as much dye as possible. Then bleach your hair in stages to avoid damage. After bleaching, use an ash toner, such as Wella T18, T81, or T14, to neutralize any remaining warmth. Consider consulting a professional for the best results.
  • Question
    What products are best for bleaching purple and red hair?
    Misterlm
    Top Answerer
    For bleaching stubborn colors like purple and red, use a high-quality bleach powder with a 20 or 30 volume developer, depending on your hair’s condition. Some trusted professional brands include Wella Blondor, Schwarzkopf Professional BlondMe, L’Oréal Quick Blue Powder Bleach, and Redken Flash Lift. Follow with a bond-repair treatment like Olaplex or L’Oréal Smartbond to protect your hair from damage.
  • Question
    How can I lighten my strawberry blonde hair? Should I use a bleach bath or straight bleach? If I bleach it, should I leave the roots until last or bleach my whole head at once?
    Misterlm
    Top Answerer
    A bleach bath (bleach mixed with shampoo and developer) is gentler for a subtle lift. Leave the roots for last, as scalp heat processes them faster. Apply bleach to the rest of your hair first and the roots in the last 10 or 15 minutes for an even lift.
  • Question
    What process do I need to go from red to dirty blonde or dark brown hair?
    Misterlm
    Top Answerer
    Use a color remover to lift as much red pigment as possible. Apply a toner to neutralize any remaining red or orange tones, and dye your hair the desired shade. You may need more than one session to prevent brassiness or uneven color, depending on your hair's depth and intensity.
  • Question
    How can I fix my hair, which has turned out in multiple streaks of color after using a box bleach?
    Misterlm
    Top Answerer
    Uneven color after bleaching is common. Use a toner to neutralize the orange tones and do a strand test with the toner on a hidden piece of hair. If unevenness persists, consult a professional colorist to assess and correct the streaks for an even, blended look. You can also try using deep blue masks to eliminate the orange tones.
  • Question
    Can I color my red hair with grey roots to rose gold?
    Misterlm
    Top Answerer
    Yes, you can use rose gold or gold shades, but you may need to bleach your red hair first to lift it to a lighter level. The grey roots will require a toner to blend with the rest of your hair for a more even result.
  • Question
    I have very short, brassy copper hair that I stripped from red using a color remover. Will I need a full bottle of developer and a sachet of bleach?
    Misterlm
    Top Answerer
    Not necessarily. Adjust the amount based on your hair length and the desired level of lightening. Monitor your hair closely to avoid over-processing.
  • Question
    How can I remove the reddish color from my hair to achieve platinum blonde?
    Misterlm
    Top Answerer
    You’ll likely need to use a color remover followed by bleaching. Red pigments are stubborn, so multiple bleaching sessions might be necessary, with deep conditioning treatments in between to minimize damage. Consider seeking a professional stylist to help preserve hair health and achieve an even lift.
  • Question
    How can I get my dyed copper red hair back to my natural dark brown with highlights? Is using a hair color remover the only step I need to take?
    Misterlm
    Top Answerer
    Using a color remover is a great first step, but it might not be enough. You may need to re-dye your hair with a dark brown shade and then add highlights to achieve the final look. A toner can also help neutralize any unwanted undertones after using the color remover.
  • Question
    Is it possible to dye my wine-colored wig blonde? It has never been dyed, and I’d like to change its color.
    Misterlm
    Top Answerer
    Yes, you can dye a wine-colored wig blonde, but remember that the process can be tricky depending on the material. If it's synthetic, bleaching may not be an option. If it's human hair, you can bleach it to lift the color and then tone it to achieve the blonde shade you want.
  • Question
    My client has red ends and wants to transition to a dark blonde. What should I do?
    Misterlm
    Top Answerer
    Start by removing the red tones with a color remover or bleaching solution. Then, apply a dark blonde dye to blend the lightened ends with the darker roots.
  • Question
    If my hair is reddish and I want to dye it dark brown with platinum blonde highlights, should I dye it brown first and then bleach it, or can I just bleach over the reddish hair?
    Misterlm
    Top Answerer
    You can bleach over the reddish hair directly to achieve platinum blonde highlights, but you may need to lift the reddish tones first with a color remover or bleach to avoid an uneven result. You don’t necessarily need to dye it brown first unless you want a darker base.
  • Question
    How can I go from red/strawberry red to a white platinum color? Every time my hairdresser tries, it leaves a purple tint.
    Misterlm
    Top Answerer
    To go from red/strawberry red to white platinum, your hair will need to be bleached several times, as red pigments are strong and resistant to lifting. The purple tone occurs due to too much toner or under-bleaching. Use a blue or violet toner only after the hair is lightened enough to avoid purple tones.
  • Question
    I have box-dyed my hair red about six times. My hair is only a bit damaged. I want to get blonde balayage or highlights at a salon. Is this possible?
    Misterlm
    Top Answerer
    Yes, it's possible! The stylist will need to bleach out the red and lighten your hair for balayage or highlights. Since your hair has been dyed multiple times, they may need to perform a color correction first to avoid damage and ensure the best result.
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