How to Dye Hair Blonde

Have you always wanted blonde hair? If so, here are some instructions to help you achieve a golden blonde mane.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 40 volume crème peroxide
• 2 oz Clairol Torrids Platinum Blonde 001B
• latex gloves
• mixing bottle
• plastic processing cap
• clock
• application brush
• fine tooth comb
• smock or towel
• shampoo (I prefer Redkin Soft)
• conditioner (I prefer Joico K-Pak)
• cap dryer
• hair clips
• a friend to help you apply mixture

1. These instructions are specifically for a medium to dark brunette lifting approximately 7 levels to a golden blonde. Lighter brunettes or dark blondes may use a 20 volume crème peroxide and may experiment with Clairol 7 Stages (lefts up to 7 levels) or Clairol Instant Whip for up to 5 levels of lift. These two products require 2 activation packets.

2. First you should know that you will not be "dying" your hair blonde. You will more accurately be "lifting" color pigment from your hair. Your hair will go thru stages including a brassy colored, orangish stage. Do not panic when this happens, it will become a pale golden blonde.

3. This specific product is blue based. The blue will tone down the brassiness. This is a great benefit to using this product as often you have to do an additional toning step that is hereby eliminated.

4. Read all product warning labels, especially what to do in case you get product in your eyes! Keep clean towels close by to wipe forehead clean in case product runs.

5. Comb your hair so that there are no knots.

6. I recommend wearing a button down shirt that you can remove without pulling it over your head.
   
   Put on your smock to protect clothing.

7. Section hair off using your fine tooth comb and clips.

8. 

   Put on gloves to protect hands from chemicals.
   
   Mix 2 oz. Torrids Platinum Blonde 001B with 4 oz. 40 volume crème peroxide developer in clear application bottle and shake well covering opening with your finger. Mixture should be a dark purple color.

9. Have your friend (who's also wearing gloves) let down one lower back section of your hair. Using the bottle to dispense product, use application brush to thoroughly cover section of hair from roots to ends. Use application brush initially, then fingers (wearing gloves) and finally fine tooth comb. Apply more product as you work so that hair is completely covered.

10. Repeat next section until the entire back of hair is saturated. Back hair tends to develop more slowly as it is usually darker then hair in the front that may have lightened due to natural exposure to sunlight.
    
    Next, repeat steps on top and sides.

11. When hair is completely covered, put hair up on head and cover with a processing cap.

12. Sit under cap dryer on high heat for 20 minutes.
    
    Check processing progress by dabbing root area of small section in bang area with a towel so that you can see the color that hair is becoming.
    
    If it is not light enough, reapply to area that you just dabbed, put cap back over hair and return to dryer for up to 35 minutes more being sure to check hair progress along the way.
    
    Note: heat from your head will cause root area to lift more quickly than the length. Always check hair progress at root area so that you can remove before root area over processes and hair breaks off.

13. Do not leave on longer than 55 minutes. Also, if your hair becomes a very pale yellow blonde color you are done. If you process beyond the pale blonde stage you risk hair "melting" and breaking off.
    
    Wash hair well using cool water. I prefer washing hair in the shower where it is less likely to tangle. Be very careful NOT TO GET PRODUCT IN YOUR EYES!!!
    
    Condition at least 10 minutes with Joico K-Pak and rinse with cool water.
    
    Be sure to condition hair every day. I prefer washing hair every other day.

14. Touching up regrowth is a bit more tricky as you only apply mixture to new hair. Definitely have help for this as working on the back of your head is nearly impossible.

15. Repeat the same process but do not put mixture on already processed hair or it may break off!
    
    
    I recommend applying product every 1/4" of growth and underdevelop about 10 minutes. When applying to regrowth, apply up to end of new growth and then when it overlaps part way thru processing it will finish developing the last growth. You will need to experiment with this and see what works best for you.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not do this if you have previously "colored" your the hair existing on your head. If done, you will need to have a professional hair colorist perform this.
• I do not recommend double processing your hair. In other words using a perm, color, or highlifter more than once on the same hair. It is very damaging and can cause breakage.
• NEVER USE THIS MIXTURE ON EYEBROWS!
• I recommend replacing the cap with a tall kitchen trash bag when doing regrowth so that you don't have all of your hair mushed together.
• NEVER but product on damp hair. Any moisture (even minimal) will cause product to run when it's processing! To avoid this, I don't take a shower the morning of the day that I will be processing my hair.
• Do not apply product to hair that has hairspray or other product on it.

[sallyemaycreate]

on 7/3/2009 Very well defined and detailed directions... I know alot of people that color their own hair, I have always been too leary to try it. Bravo for being so brave!! Your hair looks great.. 5*

[karileighk]

on 6/29/2009 I love how detailed your article is. Thanks. 5 *