Have you been wanting to change your dark brown hair color for a long time? Of course, you can dye your hair at the salon. However, changing hair color yourself at home is not difficult. Learn how to pre-color your hair, buy the right products, and turn your dark brown hair blonde on your weekend!
Step
Method 1 of 3: Preparing Your Hair and Buying Hair Care Products
Step 1. Start with healthy hair
Changing dark brown hair color to blonde requires the use of bleach. If you bleach dry or brittle hair, you run the risk of further damage and even breakage. To prepare your hair for bleaching, follow these basic grooming guidelines before coloring your hair:
- Wash your hair with a chemical-free shampoo every 3 days or so. Chemicals can erode and damage hair. Also, washing your hair more often than once every 3 days can make it dry.
- Do not use high temperature styling tools. Keep hair dryers, curlers, and straighteners away for a few months before dyeing your hair. Applying high temperatures directly to hair will make it dry and brittle.
- Do not use chemical treatment products. The process of straightening or permanent curling is also hard on your hair. Let the hair grow naturally before you dye it.
Step 2. Purchase a hair dye product
To dye your hair blonde, you will need a bleaching product and a gold or yellowish blonde of your choice. Visit a beauty shop and buy the following products:
- Bleach powder: this product is available in bags or bottles. Bottle packs are preferable if you plan to remove your hair color more than once, as the powder you get will be more for the price you pay.
- Crème developer: this ingredient is mixed with bleach powder to make a paste that you will apply to your hair to remove the color. This product is sold in various volumes, from 20 to 40. Larger volume products are stronger and more effective on dark hair, so choose a volume of 30 or 40. Don't go for more than 40, or your hair may be damaged.
- Red gold corrector. This ingredient is added to bleach powder to increase its effectiveness. This ingredient can help you avoid removing your hair color more than once. Buy two bottles if your hair is long enough.
- Purple shampoo: this shampoo is specially made for decolorized hair. Make sure to use this shampoo, and not your regular shampoo.
- Blonde dye: once you've removed your hair color, you'll need to recolor it. Choose a blonde dye in a shade that you like.
- Plastic gloves, coloring brushes and plastic bowls: gloves will protect you from bleach and dye, brushes and bowls will be used to mix and apply them.
- Aluminum foil: this tool allows you to partially remove hair color.
- Plastic wrap: You'll need it to cover your hair while you wait for the bleach and dye to soak in.
Method 2 of 3: Remove Hair Color
Step 1. Get ready to color your hair
Make sure your hair is dry and hasn't been washed for a few days, so that the natural oil film that your scalp produces will protect your hair from bleaching. Put on an old T-shirt, and have a pile of towels ready to wipe off any dripping bleach. Use a place that will not be damaged if the floor is exposed to drops of bleach.
- If you have thick hair, prepare bobby pins so that you can apply a small amount of bleach while the rest of your hair is pinned.
- Place a towel around your neck to protect your skin from bleach.
- Put on plastic gloves when you are ready to mix the solution.
Step 2. Make a bleach mixture
Read the bleach powder packaging bag to determine how much you need for your hair length. Pour the bleach powder into a plastic bowl. Pour in the right amount of crème developer and mix with the powder. Pour one tube of red gold corrector and mix well.
Step 3. Apply bleach
Apply bleach with a brush part by part of the hair from the roots to the tips. Apply to the front and back of each section of hair, making sure that each strand of hair gets the bleach solution evenly. Continue until all of your hair is coated in bleach.
- Some people find it easier to apply bleach to sections of hair using a sheet of aluminum foil to separate them. Place a section of hair on a sheet of aluminum foil and use it as a base coat to apply bleach. Once one section is complete, fold the aluminum foil to hold it in place.
- Try not to apply bleach to the scalp. Of course, there may be some bleach on the scalp, but too much of it can cause burns.
- It's normal to have a tingling sensation on your scalp, but if it's too painful, you'll need to wash off the bleach immediately.
Step 4. Cover your hair and let it bleach
Use a sheet of plastic wrap or a plastic shower cap to cover your hair while the bleach is working. Leave it for 30 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, check your hair for progress. If your hair color seems to be fading, continue the process and rinse your hair. If your hair is still dark, leave it on for another 15 minutes.
- Do not let bleach for more than 40 minutes. Your hair can fall out.
Step 5. Clean the bleach
Unwrap the plastic wrap and the aluminum foil sheet. Place your head under the tap, and rinse off the bleach with warm water until it looks clear. Use purple shampoo to wash your hair, and apply conditioner to restore moisture. Let your hair dry on its own, and wait until the next day to dye it blonde.
Method 3 of 3: Dyeing Hair Blonde
Step 1. Prepare the hair dye
Follow the instructions on the dye package. You should prepare a tube of dye that has been mixed with other ingredients, or can be applied directly to the hair.
Step 2. Apply hair dye
Apply the dye the same way you would bleach, a section at a time, ensuring that it is evenly distributed over each strand. Put on the plastic cap that came with the coloring product on your head, and wait for the hair dye to work.
Step 3. Rinse off the hair dye
After the recommended time on the package is finished, rinse the hair dye with warm water until it is clear. Use purple shampoo to wash your hair, then apply conditioner.
Step 4. Treat your blonde hair
Over the next few weeks, limit the use of high-temperature styling tools, and products that contain chemicals. Bleaching and coloring hair is a tough process for hair, and it will take time for your hair to heal.
- Instead of blow drying your hair, pat it dry with a towel and let it dry on its own.
- You can curl or style your hair without using heat.
Tips
- Do a deep conditioning treatment once a week to keep your hair healthy.
- Trim the ends of your hair every four to six weeks, especially if you color it regularly.
Warning
- Never leave bleach for more than 40 minutes.
- Never use crème developer with more than 40 volumes.