Whether it’s your first time or the hundredth, there is a good chance that you have to bleach your hair before dyeing it. Bleaching is necessary to lighten up dark or already dyed hair. Otherwise, the new color will look dark and muddy.
However, not all bleach is created equal. If you’re not careful with your bleach selection, you can end up with hair that is not properly lightened and potentially irreversibly damaged. Terrible bleach can also irritate your scalp and cause other skin issues.
So, how can you find the best hair bleach? Currently, the best way to find the right hair bleach is to take things one step at a time.
These are the factors that need to be considered before making a purchase. Having a clear answer for these will make searching for the best option much easier, as you’d be able to considerably narrow down your search.
Types of Bleach
Bleach is often available in three main types. Each one of these types is perfect for a certain kind of hair.
Oil Bleach
Oil bleach is made from a kind of sulfonated oil mixed with hydrogen peroxide. The benefit of using oil bleach is consistent results all the way down to roots. It is also great for creating highlights.
Cream Bleach
Cream hair bleach is super common around the world, which is most likely due to its convenience. It’s liquid enough to allow easy application but solid enough to not drip all over your clothes. This type of hair bleach is also slow compared to the other two, so you can choose the exact shade you want for your hair.
Powder Bleach
If you’re looking for something reliable yet fast, then powder bleach is just the thing for you. This will decolor your hair and dry out very quickly; a good option if you’re in a hurry.
However, because of its quick-drying nature, it can completely suck the moisture out of your hair in the process, destroying its smoothness.
One thing to note about powder bleach is that you do not apply it as a powder. Instead, you mix it with a developer liquid that turns it into a thick homogeneous paste.
Things to Consider Before Buying the Best Hair Bleach
Your Hair Color
The current color of your hair will play a massive part in bleach selection.
Most manufacturers don’t mention this anywhere, but not every bleach is going to lighten up your hair by the same amount. Some are stronger than others.
So, if you have naturally blond hair, or you’ve dyed them to a lighter color, then a hair bleach with moderate strength should be completely fine. On the other hand, if you have dark-colored hair or your previous dye is too vibrant, then using strong bleach is critical.
Unfortunately, there is no standard measurement system for a bleach’s strength. So, your only source of this information will be customer reviews. You can also look at people’s before and after review photos to better understand the strength of a particular bleach in the real world.
Customer Ratings
Staying on the topic of customer reviews, they are your best friend as far as buying bleach is concerned. Read these reviews carefully and look for the benefits of purchasing a specific hair bleach over the other. Also, make sure to read negative reviews, as they can highlight some major problems like irritation for certain skin types or not-so-good pairing with specific hair colors.
Value for Your Money
A quick look around Amazon or any other online marketplace will show you hair bleach selling from extremely cheap to overly expensive prices. The best value for your money, however, lies somewhere in the middle.
You do not want to waste your hard-earned money on a hair bleach that is expensive just because of its brand name.
On the other hand, buying the extremely cheap options might save you a few dollars right now. But they can and will destroy your hair. Some might even do irreparable damage.
Best Hair Bleach FAQs
Q. Can bleach damage my hair?
A. If done correctly, no, bleach does not damage your hair at all. Issues start popping up only when you keep the bleach on for too long or you don’t mix the appropriate amount of developer and cream.
So, if you’re using high-quality bleach in appropriate amounts, then you have nothing to worry about. One thing to remember is that even the best hair bleach will cause your hair to dry up. Luckily, regular use of hair conditioners will completely eliminate this drying issue.
Q. How often should I use bleach?
A. The frequency of your hair bleach usage depends on what you want. For example, if you want to keep a light/blond look, then you would have to bleach your hair quite regularly. But, if you just want to change hair colors, then bleaching will be necessary before applying the new dye.
Q. What is the correct bleach-to-developer ratio?
A. The perfect bleach-to-developer ratio depends a lot on the individual manufacturer. Some would want you to mix bleach and developer half each, while others may want a different ratio. The most commonly used ratio, however, is two parts developer with one part cream. The resulting mixture is a little runny, making it easy to apply.
Q. How do I apply bleach on my hair?
A. Applying hair bleach on your own is not that difficult. Here is a summarized process.
- The first step is to ensure that your hair is cleaned but not washed. Just thoroughly brush them before applying bleach.
- Next, mix the bleach with the developer two parts to one, or according to the manufacturer’s recommendation.
- Let it sit for an appropriate amount of time.
- Finally, rinse your hair with cold tap water and apply conditioner for best results.
Q. How long should I leave the bleach on my hair?
A. The longer you wait, the lighter your hairs are going to get. So, if you started with a light/blonde base, then 15-20 minutes should be plenty of time. On the other hand, if your initial hair color is dark or vibrant, then leave the bleach on for at least 30-40 minutes, possibly even more.