How to Blond My Thick Hair
If you want blond hair, but have naturally dark hair, you'll need to use a process called bleaching. Whether your hair is thick or thin won't matter as much as how dark it is to start. Thick hair can be bleached as easily as thin. Very dark hair can be difficult to lighten, but you can often accomplish the job with repeated applications or by leaving the treatment in the hair for longer periods of time. You can bleach the full head or just add highlights and streaks. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Mix powdered bleach with standard lift, volume cream developer, the same product used for coloring hair. While some people mix bleach with hydrogen peroxide, a cream developer will be gentler on your hair. Use at least a 20 volume developer. If your hair is particularly difficult, use a 40 volume developer. Mix as much as you'll need, depending on whether you are going to cover all of your hair or just put in streaks. Add a little powder and a little developer into a bowl at a time, making sure what you have is neither too thick nor too runny. It should be about the consistency of shampoo.
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Put the bleach mix on your hair. If covering all of your head, make sure you get down to the roots. Make sure all of your hair is wet and thoroughly coated. If only adding in streaks, it's easier to use foils to separate strands of hair. Lay the strand on the foil and cover that hair with the bleach mixture, and then wrap the foil into a neat packet.
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Leave the bleach mix on your hair to work. For just a little lightening, leave it on for approximately 20 minutes. For hair that is harder to bleach, or if you want the hair lightened a lot, leave the mixture on for 40 minutes. Darker hair or thicker hair may require longer periods, or even multiple applications.
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Wash the bleach out of your hair. Dry and style your hair as usual. In storing your powdered bleach, be sure to seal the lid to the tub tightly.
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Tips & Warnings
Bleaching is a harsh process and can burn or damage your hair. If you are unsure of the strength of your hair, start by leaving on the bleach for a short time. If you are only doing streaks, you can undo one of the foil packets and see how the bleach is taking on a test streak.
References
Resources
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