Okay, so I decided I needed a change. My dark hair, which I’ve had forever, just felt kinda… blah. I kept seeing pictures of people with dark hair and these super bright platinum blonde highlights, and I thought, “Yeah, I want that.” Looked cool, edgy, totally different from my usual vibe.
First thing, I knew this wasn’t something I could just DIY with a box kit. My hair is nearly black, naturally. Going platinum blonde, even just highlights, felt like a big job. I’ve heard horror stories about orange hair and breakage, so I started looking for a good stylist. Asked around, scrolled through tons of local salon Instagrams, trying to find someone who actually showed pictures of working on dark hair like mine and getting good blonde results. Found someone whose work looked consistent and booked a consultation first.
Getting Started
The consultation was key. We talked about exactly what I wanted, looked at pictures. The stylist was honest, told me it would take time, probably multiple sessions of bleaching to get it light enough without totally frying my hair. We did a strand test too, just to see how my hair would react to the bleach. Thankfully, it seemed okay, just needed to be careful.
Appointment day came, and I was ready. Settled into the chair for what I knew would be a long time.
- Sectioning: First, my hair got sectioned off meticulously. Felt like my head was being mapped out.
- Applying Bleach: Then came the bleach. Foil after foil went in. You could smell it, that strong bleach smell. It didn’t really burn, but after a while, my scalp felt a bit tingly and warm where some might have gotten close.
- Waiting Game: This part took ages. The stylist kept checking the foils, seeing how light the hair was getting. My dark hair was stubborn, putting up a real fight. It went through those awkward orange and yellow stages. Patience was definitely needed. We actually had to rinse and reapply bleach to some sections to lift them light enough.
- Rinsing: Finally, it was light enough. Rinsing out the bleach felt like such a relief. My hair felt… weird. Definitely processed.
- Toning: The bleached parts were pale yellow, like the inside of a banana peel. Not quite platinum. So next came the toner. This is what cancels out the yellow and gives that cool, icy platinum blonde look. More waiting, but not as long as the bleach.
- Wash and Treatment: After the toner, a good wash and then a deep conditioning treatment. My hair desperately needed that moisture.
The Reveal and Aftermath
Then came the moment of truth. Spinning the chair around to face the mirror. It was… intense! The contrast between my dark base and the super bright platinum highlights was striking. It looked cool, definitely the change I wanted, but also a bit shocking to see myself looking so different. My hair felt drier, for sure. Not straw, but definitely not its usual self. The stylist warned me about this.
Maintenance kicked in immediately. Had to get purple shampoo right away to stop the blonde from turning yellow or brassy over time. Using it maybe once or twice a week. Also, deep conditioning treatments became non-negotiable. Like, seriously slathering my hair in masks and leaving them on. I stopped washing my hair as often too, trying to preserve the natural oils and the toner.
It’s been a few weeks now. Honestly, it’s a commitment. Keeping the platinum looking fresh takes effort and the right products. My hair texture is different, more fragile in the highlighted bits. I have to be gentle with it, avoid too much heat styling. Was it worth it? Yeah, I think so. I love the look, even with the extra work. It’s a big change, but sometimes you just need that.