Alright, buckle up buttercups, because “blond on blond is back” wasn’t just a catchy title, it was a whole dang journey. Let me break it down for ya, step-by-step, the way I actually did it, not some perfectly curated Pinterest nonsense.
First off, I stared at my hair. Like, really stared. It was… blah. Mousy brown with some questionable brassy highlights from last summer. Not a vibe. I knew I wanted to go blonder, like proper sun-kissed, but I am NOT about to drop a month’s rent at a fancy salon. DIY all the way, baby!
Next up, RESEARCH. YouTube became my best friend. I watched approximately 47 hours of hair tutorials (slight exaggeration, but you get the point). Keywords were “DIY balayage,” “at-home blonding,” and “how to not fry your hair off.” Crucial stuff, people.
Then came the supplies. I hit up the drugstore and grabbed a box of lightening kit (L’Oreal Bleach, not sponsored but it did the trick), a toner (Wella Color Charm T18 – another unsponsored fave), developer (vol. 20, gotta be gentle!), a tint brush, gloves (essential!), and some cheap plastic bowls. Oh, and coconut oil. Like, a whole jar. That stuff is hair magic.
The day of reckoning arrived. I slathered my hair in coconut oil the night before, like I was marinating it for a BBQ. Protected it from the bleach as much as possible. Mixed up the bleach according to the instructions – follow the directions, seriously, don’t freestyle this part.
Now for the scary bit: application. I went for a balayage effect, so I sectioned my hair and painted the bleach onto small sections, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends. Trying to mimic those natural sun-kissed highlights. This is where the YouTube tutorials really came in handy. Blending is key! I left the roots mostly untouched for a more natural look.
Waited. Watched Netflix. Prayed my hair wouldn’t melt. The box said 30 minutes max, but I kept a close eye on it. Lifted a test strand every few minutes to see if it was light enough. When it got to a pale yellow, I rinsed that bleach out like my life depended on it. Cold water only!
My hair was… orange-y. Not gonna lie. This is where the toner comes in. I mixed the toner with the developer (again, followed the directions!) and applied it all over my hair. This step is crucial for getting rid of those brassy tones and achieving a cooler, more natural blonde.
Another 20 minutes of waiting and rinsing. Followed up with a deep conditioner because my hair was feeling a bit sad. Let it air dry (heat is the enemy!) and… HOLY MOLY! It actually looked good! Not salon perfect, but definitely “I spent way too much time in the sun this summer” good.
There were definitely some slightly uneven bits, and the toner didn’t quite get rid of all the brassiness, but overall, I was stoked. “Blond on blond is back” wasn’t just a title; it was a personal victory. Plus, I saved, like, a hundred bucks. Winning!
Pro-Tip: Don’t be afraid to mess up. It’s just hair. It grows back. And if you really screw it up, there’s always hats and the professionals. But give it a try! You might surprise yourself. And, most importantly, have fun with it!
What I Learned: Patience is a virtue (especially with bleach). Coconut oil is your best friend. YouTube is a goldmine. And sometimes, the best things in life are DIY… and slightly imperfect.
