Okay, so I’ve always had this super dark, almost black hair, and I’ve been itching for a change. I’ve seen those gorgeous blonde transformations on, like, everyone, and I finally decided to take the plunge. I’m not gonna lie, I was terrified. Going blonde from black hair? It sounded like a recipe for disaster, or at least a whole lot of orange.
The Prep Work
First things first, I knew I couldn’t just slap some bleach on and hope for the best. I did some digging, basically, I watched a ton of videos and read some stuff. I learned that patience is KEY. You can’t rush this process, or you’ll end up with fried, broken hair. Trust me, I almost made that mistake.
I gathered my supplies:
- Bleach powder (I went with a well-known brand, didn’t want to cheap out here)
- Developer (I chose a 20 volume, seemed like a safe bet for my dark hair)
- Toner (to kick out any brassy tones)
- Purple shampoo (for keeping the blonde bright)
- Gloves, a bowl, a brush…the usual suspects.
- Deep conditioner(a super-duper moisturizing one)
The Bleaching Begins…
I sectioned my hair, making sure it was all even and manageable. Then, I mixed the bleach and developer according to the instructions. I started applying it to the lengths of my hair first, leaving the roots for later. Why? Because the heat from your scalp makes the bleach process faster, and you don’t want “hot roots” (aka super light roots and darker ends).
I kept a close eye on it, checking every 10-15 minutes. My hair started lifting, going from black to brown, then to a reddish-orange. It was…a process. Honestly, there was a moment I panicked, thinking I’d ruined my hair forever. I kept going and applied to the roots.
After the recommended time (and a few near-heart attacks), I rinsed it all out. My hair was definitely lighter, but it was also…yellow. Very yellow.
Toning Time
This is where the toner came in. I applied it all over, following the instructions (again, super important!). The toner helped neutralize those yellow tones, leaving me with a much more palatable shade of blonde. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a HUGE improvement.
The Aftercare
I rinsed out the toner and then slathered on that deep conditioner. My hair felt surprisingly okay, not like straw, which was a relief. I let it air dry, avoiding any heat styling.
Now i use that purple shampoo and the deep conditioner. It looks pretty good!
It’s been a journey, and it definitely took more than one session to get to the blonde I wanted. The key takeaways? Be patient, do your research, and don’t be afraid to ask for help (or watch a million videos). And, deep condition like your life depends on it! Going blonde from black hair is totally doable, but it’s not a one-step process. It requires commitment and a whole lot of TLC.
