sugaryumyum replied to your photo: Image - webcam photo of my head and shoulders as I…
Did you ever talk about how you managed to get your hair platinum? 17 years of bleach and I’ve never managed that color! It looks amazing on you.
I haven’t really written about how I did my hair because I’m pretty sure people would come along and tut tutt at me for not doing it right. But, I will anyway because I love you and stuff :P
So, this is what I did. It may not work for everyone. I have always used permanent colour on my hair so I had to lift the existing colour when I decided to make it as white as possible. There are colour removers on the market that can do this, and you’ll likely end up with sort of orangy coloured hair. If you have never dyed your hair, you’ve got virgin hair and you may not need to leave the bleach on for very long. If you’ve got black or thick hair, you might need a thinner bleach powder/ developer mix so you can leave the bleach on for longer and so it’s gentler. If you are worried, do consult a hair dresser! I have a pretty “whatever” attitude to my hair so I don’t mind experimenting.
I use blue bleach powder and 30 or 40 vol developer depending on what is in the shop. The stuff I get says to mix in equal parts. However you can make it more thick (less developer) for a quicker developing time but melting your hair may happen if you leave it in too long, or you can make the mix runnier (more developer) for a longer developing time.
I apply the bleach to my roots ONLY when I’m touching it up. This is really important for longer hair because if you overlap the bleach on already bleached bits it can snap off. If you’re applying for the first time and your hair is virgin, go nuts and apply the mix all over the strand, but if you’ve removed the existing colour do the roots and then go back to do the ends so it’s not on the ends for as long.
The development time depends on the brand and your mix consistency. If you’re doing it for the first time, err on the side of caution and don’t leave it on too long. You can always lighten again after heavy conditioning and a few days. Keep checking by running your fingers over a strand, and if it’s a pale yellow wash it out with shampoo.
Then you’ll need a purple toner to cut out the yellow tone in your hair. Some toners you mix with developer, but I just use one in a tube that I don’t need to mix. Apply it all over if it’s your first time bleaching, or just to the roots if you’re touching them up. Leave it in only for as long as the instructions say or else you’ll have a wicked purple rinse. And that might be what you’re after :P It does wash out in a few washes so it’s no big deal if you’re aiming for white or palest blonde.
I use a purple shampoo and conditioner to manage the yellow tone but because I have such oily hair it does go brassy quicker. If it bothers me I just do a toner application.
And that’s the story of my white hair.