Hair coloring and hair lightening is an increasingly popular trend all over the United States. It’s used by young people looking to explore outrageous hair colors and older folk trying to cover gray hairs. So it is not surprising that the market in the U.S. has already reached over 29 billion dollars.
Bleach is a key product when coloring or lightening hair because of how it reacts with the melanin present in each hair strand. Bleach oxidizes the molecule and renders it colorless, making any choice of dye brighter and more vibrant. Bleaching can be hazardous, so it’s natural that you’d only want the best hair bleach touching your precious head of hair.
If you’re looking for the best hair lightener then you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ve compiled the list of top 10 products. This extensive line-up of entries has a bleaching product for everybody; we’ve also dedicated a section for newbies on learning how to safely bleach your hair at home.
Table Of Contents
- Top 10 Hair Bleaches to Buy in 2021
- The 10 Best Hair Bleach Products Available
- Wella Blondor Multi Blonde Powder Lightener
- Welloxon Perfect 6% 20 Vol
- Manic Panic Flash Lightning Hair Bleach Kit
- Jolen Creme Bleach Pot
- L’Oreal Quick Blue Powder Bleach
- Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Vario Blond Plus
- Clairol BW2 Powder Lightener
- Schwarzkopf Professional BlondMe Premium Lift 9+
- Schwarzkopf Professional BlondMe Premium Developer
- L’Oreal Paris Colorista Bleach
- Things To Consider Before Buying A Hair Bleach
- Bleaching Hair At Home: Step By Step
- Post-Processing Hair Care Tips
- Popular Misconceptions About Hair Bleach
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Top 10 Hair Bleaches to Buy in 2021
Name & Brand | Name & Brand | Type | Size | Price |
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Wella Blondor Blonde Powder | Powder | 28.2 Ounce | 4.8 | Check Price |
Welloxon Perfect 6% 20 Vol | Powder | 15.8 oz | 4.7 | Check Price |
Manic Panic Flash Bleach Kit | Cream | 4 fl. oz | 4.8 | Check Price |
Jolen Creme Bleach Pot | Powder | 16 Ounce | 4.6 | Check Price |
L’Oreal Quick Powder Bleach | Cream | 30ml | 4.5 | Check Price |
Schwarzkopf Vario Blond Plus | Powder | 8 oz | 4.3 | Check Price |
Clairol BW2 Powder Lightener | Cream | 33.8 oz | 4.4 | Check Price |
Schwarzkopf BlondMe Lift 9+ | Cream | 8.3 ounces | 4.1 | Check Price |
Schwarzkopf BlondMe Developer | Cream | 15.9 Ounce | 4.2 | Check Price |
L’Oreal Paris Colorista Bleach | Gel | 2.43 pounds | 4.1 | Check Price |
The 10 Best Hair Bleach Products Available
The market is full of different hair bleach options and it can be a nightmare to find the right one for you. That’s why we’ve taken the liberty of extensively reviewing the ten hair bleach products that you can buy right now.
Wella Blondor Multi Blonde Powder Lightener
Wella Blondor Multi Blonde Powder Lightener is a hair bleach designed to deliver great lightening with minimal damage. With the ability to deliver up to seven levels of lift, Wella Blondor brings a strong opening entry to this list of hair bleach products.
This product is great for general hair lightening and as a pre-color. Its formulation makes it effective for either on-scalp or off-scalp procedures and it can also be used in conjunction with any kind of developer, however, Welloxon Perfect is the recommended combination.
Most bleach products strip away hair’s natural pigment, leaving yellow or orange undertones depending on the type of hair. With Multi Blonde Powder Lightener, its special components greatly minimize this kind of yellowing and oranging effect. As a result, the product gives you a cleaner color overall.
Multi Blonde Powder Lightener remains fully effective for all types of lightening work. It works cleanly and effectively whether you’re bleaching a full head of hair or just for particular parts for more creative endeavors.
Preparing the product is standard. Choose your preferred developer and mix thoroughly with the powder until a homogenous paste is formed. The ratio of components can range from 1.5 to 2 parts of the developer for every part of Multi Blonde Powder depending on your hair type.
You may use 20, 30, or 40 volume developer depending on the kind of effect you desire. 40 volume will yield the greatest pigment lift, but 20 volume is the recommended maximum if you anticipate scalp contact.
Using the product is extremely simple. Just apply the product mixture evenly across the desired area and let it sit for a maximum of 50 minutes. Frequently check on your hair until the desired lightening level is achieved. Expect up to seven levels of lift on the first application if you leave it on for the full 50 minutes.
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After you’ve achieved appropriate color, wash your hair carefully since bleaching can make hair very vulnerable. Make sure you follow the label to avoid unnecessary damage to your hair. Should you want further lightening, you may reapply the product after giving your hair sufficient time to rest.
Wella Blondor Multi Blonde Powder Lightener is a great all-around option for veteran and newbie hair bleachers alike. At a fair price point and a host of amazing benefits, it’s hard to go wrong with this great product.
Welloxon Perfect 6% 20 Vol
Welloxon Perfect 6% is a very reliable developer that’s used best with other Wella products such as Wella Blondor and Wella Koleston Perfect. This great product prioritizes both efficiency and convenience, making for a very reliable yet flexible product.
The percentage or volume of developers refers to the amount of peroxide present in the product. This peroxide is what’s responsible for lifting the pigment from hair and leaving it open for recoloring. 20 Volume or 6% is usually the standard developer for most scenarios and can yield great results.
Welloxon Perfect is a great developer that excels in terms of convenience and consistency. The product was formulated with Koleston Perfect hair color in mind. Welloxon Perfect ensures optimal color balance when used in conjunction with Koleston Perfect, making a great pair to purchase.
Despite its favorable companion, Welloxon Perfect works decently on its own and will still lift natural hair color. Using any developer on its own may result in unappealing colors so it is always recommended that you use Welloxon Perfect with a bleach.
Welloxon Perfect 6% works best for grey-white hair coverage when going darker, working on the same depth level, or a shade lighter. It can still be used easily for any hair lightening job, just follow the mixing instructions given by the accompanying bleach.
As previously mentioned, Welloxon Perfect excels when it comes to convenience. Its new formulation makes for easier mixing and preparation, reducing clumps and chunks in the paste. The product also has phenomenal foil adhesion, making its use and application a breeze.
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Finally, the product is very easy to rinse and wash off, meaning you can get it all off without needing rough towel drying that could potentially damage your newly bleached hair.
If you need more potent options in the Welloxon Perfect line, the product also comes in 10, 30, and 40 volume variants for stronger lightening capabilities.
If you’re looking for an affordable and consumer-friendly developer that can give you consistent results with a wide array of uses, then you should give Welloxon Perfect a fair shot.
Manic Panic Flash Lightning Hair Bleach Kit
Manic Panic is a very popular brand for those people looking for bright and interesting colors. But they also offer their hair lightening product, Flash Lightning hair bleach kit, a full package containing everything you need to safely and effectively bleach your hair and get it ready for color.
The Flash Lightning Hair Bleach Kit comes with the dust-free bleach powder, 40 volume cream developer, a plastic mixing tub, a tint brush, a plastic cap, and a pair of plastic gloves.
This product is great for anyone looking for an easy package that you can pick up and prepare without having to look for other separate components.
The package is good for hair of average thickness and up to five inches in length. Any longer and you might need to buy extra just to be sure. The 40 volume developer is very potent and can lift up to seven levels of lightening, making it great for maximizing color lift in a single sitting.
One interesting thing about Manic Panic Flash Lightning Hair Bleach is that it is 100% vegan and cruelty-free, so it’s a great option for vegans and the ecologically conscious. The entire formula is even PETA accredited.
The product is intended for people with natural medium brown to black hair color and can bring your hair up to a very light blonde after a full session.
Using the Flash Lightning kit is fairly simple. Before preparing, make sure you wear the included plastic gloves to keep the bleach from irritating your skin. Put the bleach powder and the developer into the plastic tub and mix until you end up with a homogenous paste. Give the mixture some time to thicken before using it.
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Apply the product to dry and unwashed hair using the brush provided. Make sure you sufficiently coat the desired area for even lightening. Wear the plastic cap and allow your hair to develop, check on it frequently to ensure you don’t over-bleach your hair.
Once you have reached your desired lightness, wash your hair thoroughly with shampoo until the product is completely washed off. Should you desire extra lightening, you may reapply the leftover product until you reach your goal.
Manic Panic Flash Lightning Hair Bleach kit gives all the products and all the tools you need to get started right away. Everything in the kit simply works, no hassle with research or considerations of compatibility, you just pick it up and get on with bleaching.
Jolen Creme Bleach Pot
Jolen Creme Bleach offers a straight-to-business package with everything you need to start lightening your hair. Their bleach formula claims to be more gentle than most, leading to a more comfortable process while still maintaining strong lightening capabilities.
The Jolen Creme Bleach Pot comes with the Jolen lightening cream, accelerator powder, mixing cup, and a spatula. These are all the necessities for hair lightening, except maybe for plastic gloves. Make sure that the box contains all these components as they are all crucial in the preparation and lightening process.
Jolen Creme Bleach is an interesting product as it markets itself more toward bleaching facial and body hair as opposed to head hair. This is exactly why Jolen prides itself on being a milder and a less irritating bleach to use since it is targeted to areas that may be more sensitive than others.
This product is the perfect option for smaller and more precise hair bleaching jobs, in case you need an easy way of making the hairs on your body less noticeable. Eyebrows, forearms, upper lips; these are all places where Jolen Creme Bleach truly shines.
The preparation for this product is fairly simple. You simply place one part accelerator powder with two parts Jolen cream and mix thoroughly until you have a smooth paste without any grains. This paste is perfect for doing work on possible mustaches and eyebrows, just be sure to keep your eyes and mouth clear throughout the process.
The product recommends that you leave it on for 10 minutes or so to give the bleach time to work. After 10 minutes, wash the area thoroughly and leave the affected area to dry. Your skin may feel sensitive after using this product so make sure not to touch the affected area so much and give it time to settle.
Overall, if you’re looking for an easy and precise way to make it seem as if the hair was never there then Jolen Creme Bleach Pot is likely your best bet. The whole package gives you everything you need, without breaking the bank either.
L’Oreal Quick Blue Powder Bleach
L’Oreal Quick Blue Powder Bleach is a fast, effective, and very affordable hair lightening option perfect for anyone looking to lighten their hair on a budget. The product still packs quite a punch, boasting up to seven levels of lift with only a single application.
This product is an exceptional hair lightening product designed to bring your hair to increasingly lighter shades with each use. Not that you will need many since, as previously mentioned, the special formulation can lift pigment extremely efficiently.
The product works great for both on-scalp and off-scalp highlighting techniques, making it quite a versatile hair bleach. It can also be used with any kind of developer on hand, from 20 to 40 volume developer. Although, different procedures do come with different recommendations.
The preparation for this product can vary depending on your chosen procedure. The foil method will have you mixing the one ounce of the Quick Blue Powder Bleach with 1.5 to 2 ounces of 20 or 30 volume developer depending on your preferred strength.
As for open-air methods, the product allows for up to 40 volume developer. For direct on-scalp application, mix 1.5 to 2.5 ounces of 20 or 30 volume developer for every ounce of the Quick Blue Powder Bleach.
Once the mixture is ready, completely coat your targeted area with the product and let it sit. Leave the product on your hair for no longer than 40 minutes while continuously monitoring it to avoid over-bleaching. The extremely convenient no-drip formula means that you won’t be worried about the product falling into your eyes as you wait.
After the desired color is achieved, wash and rinse your hair to completely remove the product. Take note that bleaching can make hair fairly delicate, so avoid vigorous movement as you wash and dry your hair.
The most important quality that we look for in a hair bleach is its ability to lighten hair and lift pigment. With that in mind, L’Oreal Quick Blue Powder Bleach goes above and beyond expectations by doing exactly that with a user-friendly yet flexible formula.
Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Vario Blond Plus
Schwarzkopf Professional makes its first appearance on this list with its Igora Vario Blond Plus. This incredible hair lightener brings up to seven layers of lift, anti-yellowing components, and an amazing fiber bond technology that reinforces hair bonds and reduces the chance of hair breakage.
This product works well as a pre-color option but it excels for those looking to try out platinum blond as a hair color. With its cool blue pigments, Igora Vario Blond Plus provides the highest levels of neutralization in its product line to avoid unwanted yellowing in the hair.
A major consideration for many before hair bleaching is the expected hair damage that accompanies it. Schwarzkopf Professional covers this base with its integrated fiber bond technology present in the entire Igora Vario Blond product line.
Fiber bond technology reinforces bonds within the hair and strengthens it as the pigment is lifted. This means that your hair is protected from any unwanted breakage.
Using this product is very simple. Just mix one part Igora Vario Blond Plus powder with two parts developer and mix until a homogenous paste is achieved. Mixing the bleach thoroughly is an imperative part of the process as this ensures that the product spreads evenly through the hair.
Schwarzkopf Professional recommends you use Igora Color & Care developer for optimal results, although any 10 to 30 volume developer will do.
Apply the mixture on your dry and unwashed hair for 25 to 45 minutes depending on your desired level of lift. For whole head lightening, begin at the base of the nape and work your way up in even batches. Alternatively, completely saturate sections for precise highlighting.
Stay vigilant throughout the bleaching process since leaving the product for too long may cause unwanted damage. Wash the hair thoroughly afterward to remove and bleach residue that may be left on your hair.
Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Vario Blond Plus is a top-shelf product that gives you a host of benefits. Amazing lightening, reduced yellowing, and the incredible fiber bond technology make this incredible product a must-have for anyone considering a cool platinum blond makeover.
Clairol BW2 Powder Lightener
Clairol Basic White 2 Powder Lightener is a powerful hair lightener that gives you great color control, especially for off-scalp lightening treatments. The product provides unparalleled balance and is an ideal choice for highlighting and other precise procedures.
BW2 Powder Lightener is an updated version of Clairol’s Basic White product. The new BW2 features an even stronger formula that can quickly lift pigment and leave your hair ready for color. BW2’s formula is also dedusted to minimize powder fly-away, meaning you get even more value from your purchase.
The product is also formulated to mix smoothly with any developer, although Clairol recommends its proprietary brand of developers for greater efficacy. Coming up with a smooth mixture ensures that the application of the product to the hair is even and clump-free. It also comes in a large tub, perfect for mixing and preparation.
BW2 is easy to prepare, simply mix the powder with a developer of your choice at a one to one ration until a smooth paste is formed. Clairol recommends using either their Pure White or their Clairoxide developer for the best and most consistent results.
For off-scalp applications, you can easily use 10 to 40 volume developer, perfect for quick and precise highlighting jobs. But for on-scalp work, it is recommended that you do not exceed 20 volume developer to avoid scalp irritation.
Once prepared, apply the product evenly throughout the desired area until it is fully saturated. Leave the product on for about 30 minutes or until the desired color is achieved. Wash hair thoroughly to prevent over-bleaching or uneven lightening.
BW2’s clean and consistent results make it the optimal hair lightener to use as a pre-color. Clairol boasts that BW2 Powder Lightener gives you amazing color control and a balanced lightening that can help you achieve even the most intricate coloring challenges.
Clairol BW2 Powder Lightener is an excellent choice for anyone exploring the more complex side of hair coloring. The precise and consistent hair lightening that this product delivers ensures that bright colors and beautiful gradients are achieved effectively.
Schwarzkopf Professional BlondMe Premium Lift 9+
Schwarzkopf Professional once again pops up on this list with its BlondMe Premium Lift 9+, an amazing hair bleach that boasts safer and more effective lightening in a single session. This product claims to give up to nine levels of lift while minimizing potential hair damage thanks to its integrated bonding technology.
BlondMe Premium Lift comes in a convenient dust free powder form that minimizes product loss. It also means that you get more value from each purchase since most, if not all, of the powder, gets used.
The product is perfect for bleaching hair down to the roots. Schwarzkopf Professional provides a few incredible hairstyles that you can achieve using BlondMe Premium Lift 9+.
Platinum Purity is a great clean look that benefits from the powder’s cool blue pigment that can also minimize yellowing. Caramel Kiss is a hairstyle that shows perfect use of BlondMe as an off-scalp tool to achieve lighter brown accents that stand out.
One of this product’s most outstanding features is its ability to provide up to nine levels of lift in a single go. Most products give you up to seven before needing a retouch, those two extra levels mean that you can reach a very light blonde with less product and in a shorter amount of time.
The instructions say that you should mix 1.5 to 2.5 parts of developer for every part of BlondMe powder. Mix both until you have a smooth blue paste. The product recommends that you use Schwarzkopf Professional Premium Developer but other developers work just as well.
Lather the cream liberally over your desired area and leave it to process for up to 45 minutes. This should give the bleach enough lift pigment, leaving your hair up to nine levels lighter. After your preferred color is achieved or 45 minutes have passed, wash the product off your hair thoroughly. This will ensure you do not damage or over-bleach your hair.
Schwarzkopf Professional also recommends using their bonding shampoo to further strengthen and protect your hair after bleaching, although this is not necessary because the integrated bonding technology already reduces the risk of hair damage.
Although Schwarzkopf Professional BlondMe Premium Lift 9+ is a little pricier than other products, it is a great example of a thorough and effective hair bleach that gives you exactly what you pay for.
Schwarzkopf Professional BlondMe Premium Developer
Schwarzkopf Professional BlondMe Premium Developer Oil Formula is the perfect accouterment for the previous entry. With this 20 volume developer, you can achieve a beautiful platinum blond color with relative ease. The formulation of this product promises more luscious, vibrant, and healthy hair compared to other developers.
This product was formulated to be used with BlondMe lightener and together they can easily lift up to nine levels with minimal yellowing, making it a perfect combination to achieve Schwarzkopf Professional’s different promoted looks.
This product contains a high concentration of mineral oils which nourish and hydrate your precious locks. A major fear for many when bleaching hair is the potential damage. Bleaching can quickly dry up hair and make it frizzy and easily damaged, having a developer that integrates hair care into the bleaching process is a big plus.
BlondMe Premium Developer also features less water in the formula, excess water can disrupt the bleaching process and may lead to a less effective outcome. BlondMe Developer delivers a brighter and more concentrated color when used in conjunction with Schwarzkopf’s bleach powder and hair color.
This particular formulation with its minimal water content also makes for easier mixing and a smoother final product. Having clumps in the mixture during application may cause uneven bleaching which can result in a less than desirable color gradient. This small consideration in the product formula makes BlondMe Premium Developer that much better.
Using this developer is very simple. Mix 1.5 to 2.5 parts of the 20 volume developer with every part bleach powder. Developer works by opening the hair to the bleach which then allows the pigment to be lifted. It’s important to use the correct amount of developer with bleach to achieve more precise colors.
As mentioned, this product was made to be used with Schwarzkopf Professional’s Hair Lighteners and Hair Color products. When used together, the products will give you amazing color, fast results, all while still maintaining your hair’s natural health.
It’s hard to go wrong with Schwarzkopf Professional BlondMe Premium Developer. The product gives you incredible results, especially when used with other Schwarzkopf Professional products.
L’Oreal Paris Colorista Bleach
Capping off this list we have L’Oreal Paris Colorista Bleach. This amazing product is an affordable jack-of-all-trades that performs great as a hair bleach for full-head procedures, highlights, and even the more complicated techniques like gradients and ombre.
L’Oreal Colorista Bleach gives you everything you need to develop a powerful base for a potential plethora of different colors. Each box contains four main components, 30 volume developer cream, bleaching powder, lightening cream, and an anti-brass conditioner.
Each of these components is crucial in ensuring you get your perfect desired color. L’Oreal claims that this package can lift hair up to seven shades lighter with minimal yellowing. This product focuses on making your hair a clear white base, perfect if you choose to add color later on.
Using the product is simple. All you need to do is mix the developer cream and bleach packet, labeled 1 and 2 respectively, in a suitable container until you end up with a uniform substance. Then add some of the lightening cream into the mixture to boost the product’s lightening capabilities and mix thoroughly.
Apply to dry and unwashed hair in the areas you desire. Do not forget to straighten and untangle your hair using a comb to avoid any lumps or knots, these can affect the outcome and result in uneven bleaching. Leave the product in your hair for no longer than 50 minutes while monitoring the lightening process.
Once you have reached your desired color, wash the product off, and apply the anti-brass conditioner. The conditioner will help with keeping your hair moisturized which can reduce hair damage as a result of bleaching while also counteracting any unwanted yellowing in the hair post-bleach.
The product is most commonly used as a pre-color before using L’Oreal’s semi-permanent hair color but it can also be used on its own to achieve the clean platinum look. The bleach powder and anti-brass conditioner work well in reducing unwanted yellow and orange tones that may set other colors off afterwards.
Overall, L’Oreal Paris Colorista Bleach is a great option for anyone looking for a good pre-color hair bleach that can pave the way for more vibrant colors later on.
Things To Consider Before Buying A Hair Bleach
Bleaching your hair can be a daunting task and it always helps to be prepared. Knowing what to look out for when choosing a hair bleach is incredibly important if you want things to go smoothly. Here are some things you should consider before buying hair bleach.
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How Strong Is The Bleach?
The point of bleaching is to lift the pigment from your hair to make it a few shades lighter. The strength of hair bleach refers to the levels of lift the product can give you. The standard for hair lightening has 10 shades: the darkest shade is black and the lightest is platinum blond.
You’ll want to choose a good bleach that can help you get to your preferred lightness as efficiently as possible. Each product has trade-offs like time required or potential hair damage so it’s important to consider these too when thinking of bleach strength.
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Does The Bleach Yellow Hair?
One major consideration of people who bleach hair is the potential for unwanted yellowing or oranging after bleaching. This can be quite an annoying thing especially if you plan to color your hair with dye afterward. The yellowing or oranging of hair can affect the outcome of dyeing hair. That is why some companies have created measures to combat this.
Many companies offer bleaching products that have integrated anti-yellowing technology to give you a clean and balanced hair bleaching experience. There are even some post-process conditioners and oils that can be applied to counteract this unwanted effect.
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Why Do You Want To Bleach?
People bleach hair for many different reasons and it’s important to have a good grasp of your own before you invest in a product. Some bleaches are better at acting as pre-color; these bleaches open up your hair for hair dye that you can add later on. Other bleaches are good for a clean white look. There are even bleaches for facial and body hair.
Knowing what you want to use the bleach for is a crucial consideration you must make before deciding on a bleach. The same goes for different developers with different strengths.
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What’s In The Package?
Hair bleach no longer refers only to the actual bleach powder, it can also refer to the accompanying oxidant/developer that activates it. Bleach powder on its own can only do so much, it requires peroxide in the developer to work its magic and start lifting.
Some bleaching packages come with a developer and some don’t. It’s important to know this so that you don’t find yourself lacking when you’re all set up and ready to bleach your hair.
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What Kind Of Volume Do You Need?
Research the kind of lightening you need and the kind of bleach powder you have. Some bleach powders work best for 10 to 30 volume and some can go as high up as 40 volume. Most on-scalp procedures recommend you don’t go above 20 volume developer to avoid irritating your scalp.
Volume refers to the amount of peroxide in the developer, which activates the bleach powder allowing it to work. Take note that some products display peroxide content in volume (ex. 20Vol) while others use percentages (ex. 6%). Know that 3% is the same as 10 volume developer.
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What Is The Potential Damage?
A major fear of people who bleach hair is the potential hair damage it can bring. Bleach and developer work by opening hair using the developer’s alkaline solution allowing the bleach to react with the melanin that colors hair. This entire process weakens hair and may lead to dryness and even, in some scenarios, breakage.
Some products counteract this by adding integrated moisturizers and hair bonders to nourish and strengthen the hair as you bleach. It’s also great practice to take care of your hair with moisturizers after the bleaching process.
Bleaching Hair At Home: Step By Step
Bleaching can be a time consuming and expensive experience, especially if you’re planning on going to a salon. Cut out the middle-man and lighten your hair from the comfort of your own home.
Step 1: Supplies & Location
Take a quick inventory of all the things you need. The immediate necessities are your chosen bleach powder and developer, a mixing container, a dye brush, a pair of gloves, foil or cling wrap, a brush or comb, and a few hair clips for sectioning.
Once you’ve collected all your important tools and products, it’s important to find a nice comfortable spot. You may be there for some time so it pays to find a place you don’t mind hanging out.
Step 2: Prep Your Hair
Getting your hair ready for bleaching is an important step when bleaching your hair at home. You’re going to want to make sure that your hair is as flat as can be, use a brush and a comb to ensure that your hair is free from any tangles or knots. These things can affect the coverage of your bleach and may result in uneven bleaching.
You’ll also want to make sure that your hair is dry and free of any products. Most bleaches will advise you to keep your hair unwashed, but if you have any sort of product in it, it’s best if you wash it out thoroughly with water. This is to ensure that no chemicals on your hair will impede with the bleaching process.
Step 3: Cover Up
It’s important to remember that bleach can also be used as a cleaning agent and is great at lifting color from clothes too. Make sure that you either cover yourself with a tarp to protect your clothes or wear clothes you don’t mind getting stained.
Wearing gloves is also an important part of covering up since you will be using your hands a lot throughout this process and you want to avoid as much skin contact with the bleach as possible.
Step 4: Sectioning
Sectioning your hair refers to separating it into manageable parts that are easier to bleach individually, rather than just bleaching the whole head of hair. Bleach doesn’t spread as well as water does and it tends to stick, sectioning ensures that even the hairs hidden beneath other hairs get a sufficient coating of bleach for an even lightening.
You can easily divide your hair into four quadrants by using the natural part on your head to split your hair in half. You can then take a clip to mark the front two sections for later. The hair at the back of your head may require more sections due to higher hair density but that depends on the hair.
Step 5: Mix Developer And Bleach
It’s important to mix the developer and bleach later rather than sooner, this is to save the chemical reaction between the bleach and the peroxide inside the developer. Make sure you mix both products at the right ratio for maximum efficacy. Some products may also require you to add some supplementary products at this point.
Mix the products well and avoid clumps. The smoother the mixture the better the outcome.
Step 6: Apply The Bleach
Using a dye brush, apply the bleach carefully to the desired area. It’s important to use a dye brush when bleaching hair because regular fiber brushes can melt and corrode due to the bleach and developer’s chemical reactions. Dye brushes are made of polymer or biopolymer to avoid that kind of problem.
Start from the mid strands and ends and carefully work your way up for the best results.
Step 7: Get The Roots
As mentioned, you’ll want to start with the mid strands and end first while slowly working your way up to the roots. This is because the roots tend to lift faster than the rest of the hair. This happens because the heat emanating from your scalp speeds up the lifting process near the roots.
Leaving the roots for last will help you even out and balance the color throughout each entire strand.
Step 8: Give Your Hair Time To Develop
Bleaching hair is not instant, it is a process. It takes some time for the bleach to work so you need to give it some time to rest. You’ll wait anywhere from 10 minutes to 50 minutes waiting for your hair to reach the appropriate lightness. Always refer to the product instructions for maximum time limits to avoid damaging your hair.
Make sure to keep an eye on your head at all times to avoid over-bleaching. Keeping an alarm in increments of 10 minutes will help remind you to continuously check on your hair and its color.
Step 9: Wash & Dry
Once you have reached the ideal lightness, it’s time for you to wash it all off. Be careful you get it all out because overexposure to the bleach can greatly damage your hair. Washing it out thoroughly with special after-care shampoo will reduce the damage bleaching does.
When you’re done washing, carefully pat your head dry with a towel or let it air dry. Your hair is still delicate at this point so avoid vigorous motions.
Step 10: Apply A Hydrating Hair Mask
One of the major side effects of hair bleaching is very dry and brittle hair. A hydrating hair mask is a great way to protect and strengthen your hair after you bleach it.
There are a bunch of great options out there. You can buy special products to rehydrate and revitalize your hair or you can even make one at home using coconut oil and honey.
Post-Processing Hair Care Tips
Bleaching can leave hair in a weak and vulnerable state. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to keep hair healthy and strong as it recuperates. Here are a few that we thought would be great options.
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Use A Hair Mask
Continuously using a hair mask for a few weeks after bleaching can really make a difference. These can keep your hair moisturized and strong preventing it from going brittle or losing color. The internet is full of different recipes you can make right at home.
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Protect Your Hair
Your hair is always beholden to the elements and it’s best to keep it safe for a while after you decide to bleach your hair. Avoid places with direct sunlight since the UV rays can affect your new hair color. Stay away from anything that might dry your hair out too; mainly pools with chlorine, or saltwater.
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Wash Your Hair Less
This does not mean throw your hygiene out the door, simply reduce the number of times per week that you choose to shampoo your hair. There are so many kinds of shampoo that can quickly dry your hair out, leaving it weak and brittle, especially after bleaching.
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Use Purple Shampoo
This may sound weird, but purple shampoo is a great way to maintain amazing color after you bleach your hair. Bleached hair tends to turn brassy or yellowish depending on the kind of hair, and this can really throw off your aesthetic. Using a purple shampoo can counteract this yellowing and leave you with clean and bright hair.
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Be Gentle To Your Hair
As mentioned, bleaching can make your hair very vulnerable for a while after the process. Use a soft brush or comb to detangle the knots, make sure to use oil or water as a lubricant, you don’t want to be tugging so hard on your newly bleached hair.
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Use Oil And Other Moisturizers
Dry hair is your enemy after getting bleached. Dryness can cause your hair to get brittle and break easily. Oils and moisturizers are your best defense against this. Products such as olive oil, argan oil, and coconut oil can keep your hair looking fresh, vibrant, and moisturized.
Popular Misconceptions About Hair Bleach
There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about bleaching hair that scare off potential newbies. We’ve taken it upon ourselves to shed light on some of these rumors and give you the truth.
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Bleaching Hair Strips Volume
This misconception is quite interesting, mainly because bleaching hair doesn’t only not strip away volume, but it actually gives your hair so much more of it. The peroxide in the developer makes your hair cuticle swell, allowing it to better accept color later on, but this also makes strands look fuller and more voluminous.
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Bleaching Hair Goes Wrong A Lot
In truth, bleaching hair is a fairly safe way and consistent process. Product instructions are very clear and easy to follow and major screw-ups are few and far between. If you’re still skeptical, most salons offer hair bleaching and coloring options where you can even bring your own product.
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You Should Wash Your Hair Before Bleaching
Washing your hair before bleaching is not necessary and is discouraged. You want to keep your hair as clean and bare as possible before bleaching. Haircare products and even shampoo residue might reduce the effectiveness of hair bleach.
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Bleaching Hair Can Damage It Beyond Repair
Bleaching hair is a very particular process that requires care and diligence. With that said, many of the adverse side effects that bleaching has such as dryness and brittleness will wear off after a few weeks of care. Moisturizing and hydrating your hair can even speed up this process.
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You Have To Match Your Eyebrows With Your Hair
This is one of the sillier concerns people have when dying their hair. Some people believe that you need to bleach your eyebrows together with your hair. This really isn’t very common, in fact, color variance between head hair and eyebrows is often considered to be aesthetically pleasing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are some frequently asked questions that we thought could be helpful. These answers should give you a more well-rounded understanding of hair bleaching.
Can Bleaching Damage Your Hair?
Yes, bleaching does tend to damage hair. This is because bleach and peroxide lift pigment by opening the hairs cuticles and dissolving the natural pigments in the hair. Any kind of dissolving in the hair can be considered as damaging. Despite this, the damage is actually not too serious and easily remedied.
Proper care and moisturizing can render the damage a non-factor and it may even leave your hair looking better than before.
Can I Bleach My Hair Often?
You should not bleach your hair too often. As mentioned, bleach damages your hair by making it dry and brittle. Even if you properly care for your hair after bleaching, continuous bleaching sessions may seriously affect your hair. Try to space your bleaching sessions a few weeks apart. This will give your hair adequate time to recuperate from the initial damage.
How Long Do The Results Last?
The effects of bleaching are different for everyone. How long bleached hair lasts is completely dependent on how long your body takes to replace hair. People whose hair grows faster will find that bleached hair doesn’t last quite as long, as the hair grows and gets replaced by your natural hair color.
A good way to abruptly get rid of bleached hair is by giving yourself a buzzcut, but not everyone would want to resort to that.
Should You Put Coconut Oil Before Bleaching?
Some people believe that coconut oil can help keep your hair moisturized during the bleaching process. But it’s usually better if you keep your hair free from any kind of product. You wouldn’t want any unanticipated interactions between the oil and your chosen bleach.
Does Brand Matter Between Bleaches?
Yes, brands definitely do matter when choosing a bleach. Different brands offer different bleaches designed to do different things. Some bleaches are great for on-scalp work, some are better for off-scalp, some do well as pre-colors, and others are great on their own.
Do ample research on each brand you consider to give yourself the best chances at a successful bleaching experience.
Can Baking Soda Bleach Hair?
Yes, baking soda can indeed bleach hair, but we would not advise it. It’s better to use trusted brands when bleaching hair as these products are specifically formulated for efficient hair bleaching. Baking soda with hydrogen peroxide can theoretically lift up to two levels but this is an inconsistent and unreliable method.
Can Hydrogen Peroxide Bleach Hair?
Yes, when used in conjunction with baking soda, hydrogen peroxide can act as an improvised bleach paste for your hair. Though, as mentioned, this is not recommended. Hair bleaching products are formulated to efficiently lift pigment while keeping your hair safe too. The same considerations for hair health cannot be said for hydrogen peroxide.
40 Developer vs 20 Developer
Between the two, 40 developer is a much stronger product. This does not necessarily make it better than 20 developer though. Each has a strength and a purpose; 40 developer is ideal for off-scalp procedures while 20 developer is perfect for on-scalp bleaching.
Although 40 developer is stronger, it can be quite irritating to the scalp making it a sub-optimal choice for scalp contact.
How Long Does Bleached Hair Last?
Bleached hair lasts as long as it usually takes your hair to grow out. Contrary to what some might say, bleach doesn’t affect your hair growth rate too much. As your hair grows naturally, the bleached effect will slowly start to fade as regrowth starts poking through.
For most people, bleached hair lasts a few months, but frequent haircuts can speed it up.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a great full package, consider Manic Panic Flash Lightning Hair Bleach Kit, you can’t go wrong with a kit that gives you everything you need to get started right away. If you want a clean platinum blond and no other color, check out Schwarzkopf Professional BlondMe Premium Lift 9+. Finally, if you want something quick, simple, and straight forward, you can count on L’Oreal Paris Colorista Bleach.
Hair bleaching can be dangerous for your hair and scalp, so it’s important that you educate yourself and that you choose the right product. We hope that this guide has given you everything you need to know to choose your ideal hair bleach.
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