How to Bleach Hair Blonde

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Going to a salon can be pricey, but people have been bleaching their hair at home for decades -- and you can too! The bleaching process is a bit different for everyone, depending on your current hair color, but otherwise its pretty straightforward. Once you get your hair bleached, follow up with a toner and you will be rocking the bleach blonde look in no time. This process works best on healthy hair, so don't dye or otherwise process your hair in the months leading up to the bleaching. It is also important to ventilate the area . These chemicals are strong, so crack a window!

Things You Should Know

  • Mix bleach with a 20-volume developer if your natural shade is blonde or light brown. Go for a 30- or 40-volume developer if your hair is very dark or black.
  • Check your hair every 10 minutes while the bleach sits to make sure you don’t go too light or damage your hair and scalp.
  • Tone and condition your hair after bleaching to avoid unwanted orange or brassy tints.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Bleaching Your Hair

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  1. You'll need to buy:
    • Bleach powder. Decide what shade you're aiming for, then head to your local beauty store. Bleach powder comes in either packets or tubs; it can be more economical to buy a tub if you're planning on bleaching your hair more than once. You'll also need a tint brush (for applying products), a bowl, and plastic wrap.
      • Some highly rated options on Amazon include Wella, L'Oreal , and Clairol .
    • Developer. Developers come in strengths ranging from 10 to 40. If your hair is blonde or light brown, use a 20 or 30 volume developer. If your hair is black or very dark, you may need 40 volume developer; this is very damaging so try to avoid if possible. The lower the volume, the less damaging it is to hair. [1] If you aren’t sure what strength to use for your hair, go with a 20-volume developer.
      • You can find a selection of developers on Amazon here .
    • Permanent toner. If you want to go platinum, you'll need toner. It takes the yellow/orange color out of just-bleached hair. Some toners can make hair white, some create warm golden tones, and others create a silvery effect. If you aren't sure, ask someone at the beauty supply store to assist you. [2]
      • You can find a variety of toners on Amazon here .
  2. Normally the instructions will tell you to add bleach powder and developer at a 1:1 ratio, but you can double check your product for specifics. [3] Put the powder in a mixing bowl and mix in the correct ratio of developer using a spatula or spoon. [4]
    • Bleach powder and developer is usually measured in scoops, meaning you use the plastic scooper that comes with a tub of bleach powder. For a 1:1 ratio, you’d mix 1 scoop of bleach powder and 1 scoop of developer.
    • The mixture will not look blonde; it should be blueish-white or blue. It also shouldn’t be too soupy or too thick. It should have a consistency like gravy.
    • If you're using it, now is the time to mix in the red gold color corrector. Follow the instructions on the bottle.
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  3. Use the tinting brush to paint on the mixture, one section at a time. Really saturate your hair with the mixture. Work from the ends of your hair up to within a few inches of the roots – these come last because they tend to process the bleach more quickly. To avoid hot roots, do not put bleach near your scalp while working with the ends of your hair.
    • If you have dark hair, wait 20 minutes after applying the bleach to your ends before putting it on the roots.
    • Keep a towel nearby to wipe bleach off your face or arms.
  4. Set a timer for 15 minutes to start. Check your hair's color by wetting a section with water from a spray bottle, then toweling the bleach off. If your hair still looks dark, reapply a little bleach to the section you wiped off, and let the bleach sit in your hair for another 10 minutes.
    • The bleach will cause your head to feel warm; it may sting. If it gets painful, wash it out immediately.
  5. Go in 10 minutes intervals until you reach your desired shade. Do not let the bleach sit for more than an hour. It won't make your hair any lighter, and could cause serious damage to your hair and scalp.
  6. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear. [5] Do not use a shampoo, since you just stripped your hair of all oils. Follow up with a deep conditioner or hair masque.
    • Avoid shampooing for 24 to 48 hours, if possible.
  7. Avoid blow drying it right after bleaching, as further damage may occur. Your hair should now be a yellow blonde color. It's fine to stop there if you like the results. If you want to make it platinum, you must also tone it.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Toning Your Hair

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  1. In a mixing bowl, mix one part toner to two parts volume 20 developer. The mixture will look blue. Remember to wear gloves to avoid getting the products on your hands. [6]
  2. Use a clean tinting brush to cover your hair in toner in sections, exactly the same way you applied the bleach mixture. If you ended up with hot roots, pay special attention to those.
    • Some toners work on dry hair, while others can be used on wet hair. Read the instructions to be sure you are using it right.
  3. Check the instructions on the bottle to determine exactly how long the toner should stay in your hair. It's usually approximately 30 minutes. [8]
  4. Run your hair under water until the water runs clear.
    • Use a shampoo made for bleached hair to make sure all the toner is removed.
  5. Use a deep conditioner for color treated hair. For the next few weeks, treat your hair carefully. Don't use too much heat, and avoid excess chemicals. [9]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Can I use domestic bleach in hair to turn it white?
    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.
    Ashley Adams
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    No. You cannot and should not use laundry bleach on your hair. You need to use bleach that is specifically for hair, which you'll be able to find at local beauty supply stores.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 20 Helpful 94
  • Question
    How can I change grey hair to blonde?
    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.
    Ashley Adams
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    You should be able to bleach it if your hair is naturally grey. Follow the steps outlined above to bleach and tone your hair blonde. You may still need to tone it afterwards, however.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 23 Helpful 33
  • Question
    How do I get rid of bleached blonde hair?
    Community Answer
    You can't. When you bleach your hair, you remove all the pigments in bleached hair and you can't get the pigments back. You can either dye it back to your original color or wait until it grows out.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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      Warnings

      • Volume 40 and 50 developer is extremely strong and will more than likely severely damage your hair. It could even cause it to fall out. These are for very dark hair.
        Thanks
        Helpful 19 Not Helpful 0
      • Make sure to wear gloves and protective clothing.
        Thanks
        Helpful 28 Not Helpful 2
      • Do not use household bleaches or Clorox on your hair. These chemicals are dangerous to use on your body.
        Thanks
        Helpful 145 Not Helpful 37
      • If your scalp is sensitive or you have dandruff, keep bleaching to a minimum.
        Thanks
        Helpful 96 Not Helpful 43
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      References

      1. ↑ https://bellatory.com/hair/How-to-bleach-hair
      2. ↑ https://bellatory.com/hair/How-to-bleach-hair
      3. ↑ https://www.wella.com/professional/m/_master/products/blondor/PDFs/Blondor_UsageBooklet.pdf
      4. ↑ https://bellatory.com/hair/How-to-bleach-hair
      5. ↑ https://bellatory.com/hair/How-to-bleach-hair
      6. ↑ http://www.thewonderforest.com/2015/06/my-guide-to-at-home-hair-dye-and-bleach.html
      7. ↑ Arthur Sebastian. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 29 April 2019.
      8. ↑ http://www.thewonderforest.com/2015/06/my-guide-to-at-home-hair-dye-and-bleach.html
      9. ↑ http://www.thewonderforest.com/2015/06/my-guide-to-at-home-hair-dye-and-bleach.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To bleach your hair blonde, start by mixing bleach powder and developer in a plastic dish. Then, apply the bleach mixture to your hair, starting at the ends and finishing with the roots. Then, cover your hair with plastic and check on it every 10 minutes until it's reached your desired shade. Once you're satisfied with how light your hair is, rinse the bleach out with cold water. If you want to go platinum blonde, you'll also need to apply toner to your hair to get rid of any yellow or brassy tones. To learn how to tone your hair, scroll down!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Nicole Potter

        Jun 21, 2016

        "I'm already a natural blonde but after winter my hair becomes dull so I always like to brighten it up a bit ..." more
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