How to Bleach Your Dark Hair Blond

Many individuals wish to bleach their dark, black hair light blond in order to make a bold fashion statement. However, dark brown and black hair is especially difficult to bleach because such bleaching and lightening attempts result in orange, brassy hair. Learn how to successfully bleach dark black hair light blonde or white without damaging your hair.

Things You'll Need

• Powdered hair bleach
• Hair peroxide (level 40)
• Plastic gloves
• Plastic dish and plastic spoon
• Hair conditioner

Instructions

1. Understand the basics of bleaching dark brown or black hair. Bleaching black hair blonde is difficult because of the natural properties of dark hair. Dark hair has red undertones. Some individuals try to dye black hair blonde using blonde hair dye, which does not remove the red pigments and results in red-toned hair. Only hair bleach and peroxide can lighten dark black hair to a true blonde, or even bleached white.

2. Put on the plastic gloves. This helps to protect your skin from the burning effects of hair bleach.

3. Mix one part powdered hair bleach with one part hair peroxide. These products can be purchased at your local drug store for $10 to $15. Popular hair bleach products include Jerome Russell's Bblonde, Bblonde Bleach Kit and Bblonde Bleach Kit for Men (includes less product than the general kit). Use a plastic mixing dish and plastic spoon, as metal products may react negatively to the bleach products.

4. Apply the hair bleach to your hair. Start at the tips of your hair and apply toward your scalp. The heat of your scalp will make your dark black hair bleach blonde faster, so it is important to apply hair bleach at the ends of the hair first to ensure an even blonde color.

5. Avoid getting hair bleach on your scalp or facial skin. If you get any hair bleach on your skin, wipe immediately with a warm, wet cloth or paper towel. Apply Vaseline or hair conditioner on the edge of your hairline while bleaching your hair to protect your skin from coming into contact with the blonde hair bleach.

6. Wait for the hair bleach to strip your hair of its natural black color. Your black hair will gradually turn brown, then red before turning blonde. The longer you leave the hair bleach in your hair, the lighter your hair will become.

7. Use a hair blowdryer on its lowest, hottest setting to make your dark hair bleach blonde faster.

8. Rinse your hair once your dark hair is the light shade of blonde that you want. Rinse thoroughly so that no trace of hair bleach is left in your hair. Apply an intensive hair conditioner and leave in for 10 minutes to restore your hair's natural moisture. Use conditioner daily for one week.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use blonde hair dye to lighten dark black hair, as it will leave your hair red and not blonde.