I am a chronic sufferer of wanting the opposite of what I have. As a result, I’ve spent 20 years wanting to magically wake up with straight, luxurious blond hair where my beautiful brunette curls once were. So, I finally decided one day last month to just make the magic happen for myself and full-on bleach my entire head of hair.
Certainly, I’m not a professional hairdresser, so let me start with this disclaimer: I do not claim that the way I did this is the correct way and do not recommend that you attempt this at home without your own extensive research. A trip to a stylist would probably be beneficial as well. Nevertheless, it’s been a fun journey, and I wanted to take you lovely HC readers through it with me.
I first got prepared with a haul of supplies from Sally Beauty Supply as well as a limited window of time to get this done in order to look good in pictures taken at an upcoming family reunion. (I suggest giving yourself more time than I did in your own ventures into the blond-o-sphere). I planned to get my hair to my ultimate lightness goal in three bleaches and one toning session.
Ideally, you would wait AT LEAST a week between bleaches. But, I was trying to fit all three sessions into one week, so I went with decent enough three-day resting periods between. Good things usually happen in three’s right?
Each bleach session was essentially the same. I used the products pictured below (though any brand of each would have sufficed). I also went with the highest level peroxide developer because of its success on previous ombre styles I’ve done. However, according to my very scientific research on the internet, it is definitely not suggested to go above a volume-30 developer to escape potential damage. I just crossed my fingers and hoped for the best – I mentioned I’m not a professional right?
· Bleach powder (not pictured – I used a big tub I already had instead of the individually sold packets)
· 30- or 40-Volume Developer
· Non-metal bowl
· Applicator Brush
· Wella T18 Toner (not pictured)
· 20-Volume Developer for the toner
· A LOT of conditioner + Purple Shampoo/Conditioner
· Plastic gloves
· Equal parts impulsivity and panic
I mixed the powder with the developer in the bowl, and then applied that pancake batter-like concoction to my entire head (done in sections) with the brush. I personally let it sit for about 40-50 minutes and only applied to my roots within the last 10 minutes – since they lighten way faster than the rest of my head. I did the first session on a Wednesday and actually avoided the roots altogether. The second session (with roots) was on the following Sunday, and I finished on Wednesday. On the days between sessions I tried to moisturize my hair as much as possible by using a lot of deep conditioners; sitting with it covered in coconut oil for hours and not shampooing at all.
After the last session I made my best attempt at being a real professional hair-colorist by toning my hair. The bleach, as expected, lifted my existing color to a shade of bright yellow – which was definitely not the look I was going for. This is where I needed the toner (which reads ‘for professional use only’ and turns purple as it develops – yikes!) to counteract the brassiness. I’m also using a purple shampoo and conditioner set which continues to tone it every time I wash it!
I never thought I’d actually make the transition to being a blonde, but I’m so happy with my results. My hair is pretty damaged, but I’m slowly working to recover it by treating it well from now on. I’ve always been a huge fan of hair projects and encourage all my friends to be as well. Remember that it’s just hair! It will grow back! And the only person who has to like what it looks like is you! Not everyone has liked my hairstyle and color choices, but I do them anyway. I now get to walk around with the super cute head of blond hair that I’ve always wanted!
And the answer to your inevitable question is, “Yes, I am having much more fun sitting at home watching Netflix as a blonde than I was as a brunette.”
All personal photos provided by the author