How to Bleach Dark Hair Blond and Dye it Punky, Funky Colors

If you have black or dark-brown hair and want platinum-blond hair, it's not as easy as it sounds. You can't just buy an over-the-counter blond hair dye package from Wal-Mart and pour it on your black hair: The results will be a gross, orange color that is anything but the shimmering, blond hair that you want.

The same goes for black- or brown-haired people who want bright, punky, funky colors like red, blue or green. If you try to just dye your hair blue, at the very most you'll have subtle color highlights, but they won't be that bold look you're going for.

In this article, I'll show you two things: First, how to bleach your hair blonde if you have black or dark brown hair. Second, I'll explain how to get those bright, vibrant, outrageous hair colors even if you have dark, black or brown hair.

First of all, let's make it clear: You do NOT want to buy blonde hair dye and put it on your dark hair. That will not, I repeat NOT, get you the blond hair you want. What will happen is the blonde dye will start to strip the dark undertones of your hair but it will not remove all of them, leaving behind an ugly, brassy orange hair color that tells everyone that you have no idea what you're doing.

How to Bleach/Dye Dark Black or Brown Hair Blonde

It is a lot easier than it sounds. First, you'll need to buy two things: Liquid hair peroxide and hair bleach powder. A pack of hair bleach and a bottle of peroxide should cost you about $3 to $4 total. It is very inexpensive.

There are different strengths of peroxide that you can purchase, ranging from Peroxide 10 to Peroxide 40. The higher the number, the stronger its color-stripping effects. For best results, get Peroxide 40.

I use Jerome Russell's powder bleach and peroxide. It is inexpensive, and their line of bleach helps protect your hair.

What you'll have to do is mix equal amounts of peroxide and bleach powder in a plastic or paper container. All of the material you use should be plastic. Do not use metal, as this will react negatively with the chemicals. It is also highly advised that you use gloves while lightening your hair to blonde.