How to Bleach Black Hair & Dye it to Blonde

Go from brunette to blonde.

If you have black hair and want to see if your fair-haired counterparts really do have more fun, consider dying it blonde. However, there are precautions brunettes must take before pouring blonde hair dye over their dark locks. If you have black hair and do not take the right steps to lighten your hair color, you could end up with damaged, orange hair.

Things You'll Need

• Liquid hair peroxide
• Hair bleach powder
• Disposable bowl
• Latex or plastic gloves
• Hair dying brush
• Hair salon chemical cape
• Plastic hair clips
• Disposable plastic hair cap
• Hair dryer
• Shampoo for dyed hair

Instructions

1. Mix equal amounts of the liquid hair peroxide and hair bleach powder to create a thick paste in a plastic, disposable bowl. Wear gloves while you do this to protect your skin.

2. Part your hair into four equal horizontal sections across your scalp. Then, divide each horizontal section into three individual sections. Use a claw or hairstyling clip to hold the sections of hair in place; this will make it easier to bleach your hair evenly. When you part your hair, leave the strands at the nape of your neck loose because those are the first you will bleach.

3. Put on a hair salon chemical cape to protect your clothes from the bleach.

4. Evenly apply the paste to all the hair you want to bleach with a hair dying brush. Style Hair Magazine recommends starting at the back of your head. Start at the tips of your hair first and work your way up a section of hair towards the scalp.

5. Place a plastic hair cap over your hair and wait 10-30 minutes to get the desired blonde hair color you want. Black hair will initially turn orange before turning blonde.

6. Rinse the bleach from your hair. Use a shampoo for treated hair to help rid your hair of all the chemicals.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have thick hair, you may need to repeat the bleaching this bleaching process after at least 48 hours.

• Use a #20 peroxide for bleaching your hair if you are placing the bleach directly onto your scalp. If you are using foils, use a #40 peroxide.

• If you are bleaching your hair twice, mix up a fresh set of peroxide and bleach powder for the second bleaching session.

• To help speed up the bleaching process, apply heat to the hair within the cap by using a hair dryer that has a diffuser attached to it. Make sure you blow the heat evenly on your hair.

• Apply hair dye to bleached hair if you desire a different blonde hue.

• Do not apply bleach over hair that has already had a color treatment. This can burn your hair.

References

• "Style Hair Magazine": Hair Bleaching
• Woman Junction: How to Bleach Hair
• Real Beauty: How to Dye Black Asian Hair Blonde