To achieve the desired blonde hue, it’s essential to start with a lightened base. This involves bleaching your hair before applying toner. In this article, we’ll delve into the process of bleaching hair at home and provide guidance on preparing your locks for the toner application. While it is possible to dye darker hair blonde without prior bleaching, I strongly advise against it.
Instead, follow this guide to learn how to lighten your locks naturally before making the switch to a bold blonde color. With these DIY techniques, you can skip the salon and achieve professional-looking results from the comfort of your own home.
How to Bleach Hair at Home – How to Guide with Step-by-Step Instructions
Transform your locks without leaving the house by following these straightforward, five-step guidelines for bleaching hair at home.
Word of Caution: Test with a Sample of Hair First
When it comes to at-home hair bleaching, it’s crucial to conduct a preliminary test on a small section of hair beforehand. In fact, a single test should suffice, saving you the hassle of repeating the process multiple times. To illustrate this point, let me share my personal experience. When I first ventured into hair bleaching and toning, my mom cleverly snipped off a discreet strand from the underside of my head – an area that was easily concealable!
We then used this test strand to gauge the potential outcome of the bleach and tone, ensuring our desired results.
Step 1: Buy the Supplies to Bleach Your Hair at Home
To bleach your hair at home, you’ll need the following supplies. For convenience, you can purchase them from online retailers like Amazon or in-store at Sally’s. The essential items include: a tint brush for applying the bleach, which can be found on Amazon or at Sally’s; a mixing bowl, such as the purple hair color mixing bowl available at Sally’s; and gloves, preferably vinyl or latex-based ones like SalonCare.
Alternatively, you can opt for a hair dye color kit online that includes these supplies. If you prefer to buy separately, an applicator bottle is also necessary, which can be sourced from either Amazon or Sally’s. For the actual bleaching process, you’ll need PrismLites Blue Powder in 1 oz. package. Additionally, a developer, such as the 20 volume developer by Salon Care, is required and can be found on Amazon or at Sally’s.
Don’t forget to prepare for the process by having a hairbrush, shower cap, hair-ties or clips, shampoo, conditioner, and an old t-shirt you don’t mind getting messy – and consider investing in a toner to apply after bleaching your hair to achieve the desired results.
Step 2: Apply Bleach to Hair
To achieve the desired color transformation, combine one scoop of Prism’s Blue powder with two scoops of SalonCare 20 volume developer in a well-ventilated area. Before proceeding, be sure to put on your protective gloves to prevent any potential skin irritation or staining. Next, carefully apply the bleach mixture to the roots of your hair, working from the scalp towards the crown.
For the remainder of the hair, dip your gloved hands into the solution and gently massage it onto the strands, starting at the back of your head and working your way forward.
Step 3: Put on Shower Cap and Wait 25-30 Minutes
Once the bleach is in place, don the protective attire of a plastic shower cap. Allow the mixture to sit for a quarter-hour to half an hour, giving it ample time to effectively address any stains or discoloration.
Step 4: Rinse Out Bleach with Shampoo
As you work through the bleaching process, don’t worry if your locks take on an unexpected hue – think blue or green, for instance. In fact, it’s normal for hair to transform in this way around the 25-30 minute mark. To give you a better idea of what to expect, I’ve included a video that showcases the results after a quarter hour has passed.
Once the bleaching process is complete, it’s time to rinse out the chemicals with your regular shampoo – no need for purple shampoo specifically!
I personally swear by L’Oréal’s sulfate-free formula. As you wash away the bleach, you can expect your hair to emerge in a brilliant shade of yellow. This vibrant color is a sign that the process has been successful and a desired outcome.
Step 5: Add Toner to Hair
Now that you’ve completed the initial steps, it’s time to add a toner to your newly bleached locks! The versatility of Wella toners is one of its most appealing features. You can select from a wide range of colors to achieve your desired shade. In my experience, Wella T27 and Wella T35 are exceptional options. For those looking for inspiration, I recommend exploring the comprehensive guides on Christina Marie’s site, which showcase various Wella toner colors.
If you’re interested in seeing the transformative power of Wella T27, I encourage you to check out the before-and-after photos featured in my article ‘Blonde Highlights at Home DIY’ (https://veryeasymakeup. com/blonde-highlights-at-home-diy/). Similarly, for a more nuanced understanding of Wella T35’s effects on unbleached hair, please visit the same article.
For those seeking insights into the performance of Wella T18 toner on bleached locks, I suggest consulting ‘Is Wella T18 or Wella T27 Better?’ (https://veryeasymakeup. com/is-wella-t18-or-wella-t27-better/). Finally, for a detailed guide on applying Wella T18 to brown hair without prior bleaching, please refer to ‘Wella T18 Instructions Pictures’ (https://veryeasymakeup. com/wella-t18-instructions-pictures/)
How to Apply a Toner (After Bleaching Hair at Home)
For those interested in mastering the art of applying toner, we recommend exploring a valuable resource: the ‘Very Easy Makeup’ YouTube channel. A specific segment of their video, commencing at 13:30 minutes, provides an informative and engaging guide on how to effectively apply this essential skincare product.
Summary
To achieve salon-quality results at home, bleaching your hair is easier than you might think. To get started, gather your essential supplies: developer, bleach powder, and toner. The next step is to combine the volume developer with the bleach powder in a 1:1 ratio, following the instructions provided or recommended by the manufacturer.
Apply this mixture evenly throughout your hair, leaving it on for approximately 20 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with shampoo and finally applying your chosen toner to achieve the desired shade.
More Hair Color Guides
When it comes to toning your hair at home, there are a few essential tips to keep in mind. To start, you’ll need the right products, including a high-quality lightener like Sun In’s Hair Lightener. This product is particularly popular among those looking for a quick and easy way to achieve their desired shade. But before we dive into our review of this lightener, let’s take a look at some toning tips that will help you get the most out of your hair care routine.
One of the best things about toning your hair at home is being able to customize your results. By working with different products and techniques, you can achieve a wide range of looks, from subtle enhancements to bold transformations. Of course, this also means that there’s a lot to learn when it comes to toning your own hair, which is why we’ve put together some FAQs to help guide the way.
For those who are new to at-home hair toning, our T18 Toner with Before and After Results post provides a wealth of information on what to expect from the process and how to achieve the best possible results. Whether you’re looking for inspiration or just want to learn more about the art of toning your own hair, we’ve got you covered.