Blondes have more fun, or so the saying goes, and every woman wants to do just that. Bleaching your brunette, darker locks will help you get to the first step of being a perfect blonde. Although bleach will lighten your hair, it tends to imbue hair with orange, red and brassy tones, while stripping it of moisture and leaving it damaged. Keep hair healthy before and after bleaching to ensure even, thorough coverage.
Brush or comb your hair smooth and separate it into four equal sections for easier application. Clip up each section of hair, leaving one down.
Mix up the contents of the bleaching kit according to the package. Add in the lightening powder and shake the bottle well with gloved hands. Wrap an old towel around your shoulders to protect skin and clothing.
Squeeze out a generous amount of the bleach mix onto the first section of hair and work it in with your hands to coat it thoroughly. Work from the roots to the ends and release one section of hair at a time to continue the process. Start at the back where the hair is darkest and move to each side then the front.
Cover the hair with a clear plastic cap and leave the bleach on from 30 to 90 minutes, depending on how dark the hair is. Check in the mirror after 30 minutes for desired lightness and every five minutes thereafter. Blast your hair on high heat for a couple of minutes with a blow dryer for the bleach to absorb more.
Rinse out the bleach when the time is up with warm water until it runs clear. Lather hair with a mild shampoo and rinse it out before applying a deep conditioner. Leave in the conditioner for about five minutes then rinse it out. Style hair as usual.
Tip
Longer, thicker and darker hair may need more than one bleaching session. Wait at least 48 hours after the first session to do another. Use a toner or dye the hair after bleaching, as bleach will leave dark hair with unnatural orange, red and golden tones.
Warning
Always do a strand and allergy test before applying any bleach or color to the hair. Use the dye in a well-ventilated are.
References
Writer Bio
Tracy Moore holds a bachelor's degree in communications with a minor in graphic design. She has extensive experience using graphics software in her professional and personal life. She also writes a column for a local newspaper on the latest technology developments.