Dying Hair Part 1 Bleach ♡

Okay, so you've just bleached your hair and it's looking... well, yellow! Been there, done that, and totally get the mix of excitement and slight panic! If you're seeing a pale yellow or even a bright banana yellow like mine, congratulations – you've successfully lifted your hair's natural pigment! This is a super common and crucial stage in the bleaching process, especially when you're aiming for those vibrant colors like green, orange, or blue, or even just a cool blonde. Why does it turn yellow? Our hair has underlying pigments. Darker hair has more red and orange undertones, which become visible as the bleach breaks down the melanin. As the bleach continues to lift, these progress to yellow, and then eventually a very pale yellow or inside-of-a-banana peel color. This pale yellow stage, which you can see in my initial bleaching snap, is actually a really good canvas for a lot of vibrant dyes and blonde tones! Now, what’s next after you hit this yellow stage? The magic word is toner. A toner is essential to neutralize those unwanted yellow tones. Think of it like this: on the color wheel, purple is opposite yellow. So, a purple-based toner will help cancel out the yellow, leaving you with a more neutral, cool-toned base. This is super important if you're going for a specific blonde shade, or even if you want your vivid color to look true to shade and not get muddy. For my hair, at this pale yellow stage, I'm already thinking about my toner strategy. You can use a purple shampoo for a very subtle toning effect, or a more potent purple toner mixed with a low-volume developer (like 10 or 20 vol) for stronger results. Always do a strand test first, especially if you're new to this! You don't want to over-tone and end up with purple hair unless that's your goal! If you're like me and planning a vibrant color like green, orange, or blue, getting a clean, evenly toned base is key. A slightly yellow base might make a blue dye appear a bit greenish, or an orange dye look more golden. A neutral, almost white base usually gives the truest color results. Beyond toning, it's also crucial to give your hair some much-needed love. Bleaching can be harsh, so deep conditioning treatments are your best friend. Look for bond-repairing treatments, leave-in conditioners, and nourishing hair masks. I always make sure to have a good hair mask ready for post-bleach pampering to keep my hair feeling healthy. So, reaching the lightened hair yellow stage isn't a setback; it's a milestone! It means your bleach is working, and you're one step closer to your dream color. Just remember to tone carefully and keep your hair's health in mind. What colors are you thinking of trying after your bleach? Let me know!