Bleach powder, which comes in either packets or tubs. If you’re doing just a few streaks, you won’t need much. Crème developer, which makes the bleach work. A 20 volume developer is a good starting point. Never get a volume higher than 40, or you’ll damage your hair. Red Gold Corrector is added to the bleach powder to increase its effectiveness, so you don’t have to bleach twice. You will need this if your hair is on the darker side. “Purple shampoo,” which is a special shampoo designed to reduce yellow tones in bleached or lightened hair. A tint brush, a bowl, rubber gloves, and aluminum foil.
Some people choose to have one pretty pink or purple streak running down the side. This adds a subtle beauty to your style. For a punk look, add a lot of streaks extending from the crown of your head down to the tips. Choose blue, green, or platinum blonde. If you want to go blonde or up to two shades lighter, you may not need a hair dye. You can get away with using bleach. For vivid colors, pick a color that lives at the same level of however high your hair is bleached. so, if your hair only gets to a red-orange shade, stick with a purple color. If it’s more of a yellow-orange, go for green or blue. If it’s pale yellow, go for pink or purple.
If you aren’t confident about dyeing your hair on your own, it’s better to start with only a few streaks.
Your package of bleach may specify that you start with clean hair. Check the instructions before use.
Beauty supply stores sell caps used to highlight your hair. You place the cap on your head and use a hook to pull strands of hair through tiny holes. Use this if you want all-over streaks. Hair clips and aluminum foil is the better technique to use if you want just a few large, bold streaks. Pull back the hair you don’t intend to streak and clip it away from your head. Now take a long strip of aluminum foil and place it underneath the section of hair you want to streak. Pinch it around the roots to keep it in place.
If you’re only streaking a few sections of hair, you can half the recipe, since you won’t need enough to bleach your entire head. The finished mixture will look bluish white.
It is important to wear gloves when applying bleach. The chemicals used in bleach are strong and can stain your hands and burn your skin. Do not get bleach anywhere near your eyes. If you’re using the highlighting cap method, cover your head with a large piece of plastic wrap while the bleach sets in. If you’re using the aluminum foil method, fold the foil over the section of hair to cover it and protect it from drying out.
Don’t leave the bleach in for more than 45 minutes, even if your hair still looks dark. Your hair can get damaged if you leave the bleach in longer. You may have to wait a day and bleach it again to achieve the desired effect (this is common for people with very dark brown or black hair).
You can find several brands of purple shampoo at a beauty supply shop. If your hair has a brassy orange tone, use a blue shampoo instead.
If you’re worried about getting the dye on other parts of your hair, you can use a streaking cap and pull your hair through the designated holes.
If you’re using the aluminum foil method for separating large pieces of hair, replace the aluminum foil you used to bleach your hair with a fresh piece for dying it. Follow any specific application directions that came on the dye.
Most beauty supply stores and supermarkets will have shampoo and conditioner specifically for dyed hair. If you’re not sure what kind to buy, ask for the advice of an employee at the beauty supply shop.
