Bleaching your darker hair doesn’t have to be a tiring, stressful experience. We’ve put together a list of the best professional bleaches for dark hair.
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In A Hurry? Our Top Picks
| Image | Title | Buy |
|---|---|---|
Top | Schwarzkopf BlondMe Color Powder Bleach Premium Lift 9+ 450 grams | Buy on Amazon |
 | Wella Blondor Multi Blonde Powder Lightener, 28.2 Ounce | Buy on Amazon |
 | L'OREAL PARIS Quick Blue Powder Bleach, 16 Ounce | Buy on Amazon |
 | Bright White Creme Lightener | Buy on Amazon |
How Often Is It Okay to Bleach Your Hair?
Bleaching your hair can be very damaging, so you need to limit how often you use it.
You should wait at least 4 – 6 weeks before you touch up the roots.
You might notice that your roots begin to show as early as 3 weeks but refrain from touching them up straight away to avoid further damage.
If you have highlights, a balayage, or ombre effect, you can extend how often you touch up the hair to 8 – 12 weeks.
This is a better option for some people as the hair will remain stronger and healthier.
But if you have an all-over color, then it will be necessary to bleach it more frequently to maintain the best results.
Keep in mind that you should never bleach your hair more than once a day as the hair can become very brittle and break off.
The 8 Best Professional Bleaches for Dark Hair in 2021
If you have dark hair, you don’t need to feel overwhelmed with the selection of bleaching products available.
We’ve put together the 8 best professional bleaches to successfully lift dark hair:
1. Schwarzkopf BlondMe Color Powder Bleach Premium Lift 9+
If you’re looking for a professional bleach that will lift your dark brown hair while minimizing damage, Schwarzkopf BlondMe Color Powder is the best choice. This powder, which has to be mixed with a separate developer, will lift your hair up to 9 levels, allowing even really dark hair to reach a beautiful blonde shade. This bleach helps to combat yellow and brassy tones, revealing a neutral blonde that looks both natural and even throughout.
Why we like it: Lifts up to 9 shades, neutralizes yellow undertones, and is less damaging to the hair.
2. Wella Blondor Multi Blonde Powder Lightener
You can lift your hair up to 7 levels with this bleaching powder by Wella Blondor. It provides intense and bright results while also being gentler on the hair. Unlike other bleaching products, this powder provides very quick results with no yellow undertones. Simply mix it with developer until you get the right consistency and apply it all over for an even, natural finish. It also works well at achieving natural-looking highlights with low maintenance.
Why we like it: Quick results, high-quality ingredients, and a vibrant color that lasts.
3. L’OREAL PARIS Quick Blue Powder Bleach
Bleach your hair with minimal effort with this blue powder bleach from L’oreal Paris. The no-drip formula allows for easier application, delivering faster and more even coverage. If you have dark hair, this bleach will work wonders for you, seeing as it lifts up to 7 levels.
It can be used on the scalp, assuming there is no sensitivity or irritation. Keep in mind, if you have dark brown or black hair, you’ll need to mix this bleaching powder with a 30 volume developer to achieve a blonde shade.
Why we like it: Simple application, creamy formula, and an extra-strength lightener.
4. MANIC PANIC 30 Vol Lightning Hair Bleach Kit
If you want a complete kit that comes with everything you need to get started, this bleach kit from Manic Panic is a great choice. It comes with bleach powder and a 30 volume developer to help you achieve a medium to light blonde shade.
As it only lightens up to 5 shades, it should be noted that if you have very dark brown to black hair, you will not be able to reach platinum blonde with one use. However, it can still lighten your hair to give a natural, blonde finish, and it should be gentler on the hair and scalp.
Why we like it: Dust-free bleach, cruelty-free, and it comes as a complete kit.
5. Bright White Creme Lightener
This bleaching cream by Ion Color Brilliance is great for all hair types and can be used on sensitive scalps. It’s infused with keratin, chamomile flower extract, and sunflower seed oil to help restore the hair and minimize the amount of damage done to the hair throughout the process.
Despite it being gentler on the hair, it still has extra strength, lifting the hair up to 8 levels. Even if you have very dark hair, you can rely on this lightener to get you to medium or light blonde.
Why we like it: Suitable for sensitive scalps, lifts up to 8 levels, and an easier application.
6. Pravana Pure Light Power Lightener
This dust-free bleach from Pravana gently lifts your hair color up to 7 levels, making it a great choice for people with darker hair. When mixed with a developer, you can expect to see a natural blonde shade that provides even coverage and no brassy tones.
This mess-free formula allows for an easy and smooth application, giving you the results you’re looking for in a short period of time.
Why we like it: Gentler on the hair, micro-encapsulated, and easy to apply.
7. Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Vario Blond Plus
Schwarzkopf has another bleach powder that is kinder on the hair but still provides great results. This product can lift your hair to 7 levels and its anti-yellow effect ensures that your hair is left looking natural and beautiful.
The smooth and creamy consistency of the formula makes it easier to apply to help you achieve maximum coverage.
Why we like it: No brassiness, minimizes damage, and is easy to apply all over.
8. Perfect Blond Extra Strength Professional Hair Dye Toner Lightener Bleach
This bleach contains coconut oil to keep hair nourished and strong throughout the process and it does not have the typical ammonia smell.
It has a creamy, non-drip formula, which makes applying the bleach a breeze. Just mix 1 scoop of the powder with 30ml of 20 or 30 volume developer to get your hair 6 – 7 levels lighter.
Why we like it: Coconut fragrance, anti-yellow molecules, and protects hair against damage.
What to Consider When Bleaching Dark Hair
Before you go ahead and bleach your dark hair, you need to consider a few things first.
Bleach Will Leave Your Hair Dry
Bleach is known for stripping the hair of its natural oils, which can leave it feeling dry, brittle, and damaged.
This is a common occurrence, especially when you bleach your hair at home.
To avoid the hair becoming too fragile and breaking off, you will need to make sure it’s thoroughly conditioned.
Using natural oils and hair masks is a great way to combat the lost moisture and keep the hair strong and healthy.
The Strongest Developer Isn’t Always Best
Using a 40 volume developer might seem like the best option to get to light blonde or even platinum blonde, but it comes with the highest risk of hair damage.
Using 30 or even 20 volume developer can get you great results with less damage.
If you’re unsure, you should leave it up to the professionals because they can lift your hair safely and more effectively.
When it comes to your hair, it’s not worth the risk.
It Can Be High-maintenance
Bleaching your hair is a commitment. It’s not a one-time thing, you will probably need to get touch-ups every 4 – 6 weeks.
This can be costly and time-consuming, so you need to make sure you’re prepared for that.
You can touch up the roots yourself, but if you have highlights or a balayage, it’s probably best that you leave it to a hairstylist.
How to Safely Bleach Your Hair at Home
Sometimes, going to a professional isn’t an option. Regular trips to the hair salon can be too expensive and the appointment times might not be convenient for you.
If you prefer to do it yourself, here’s what you need to do.
Get Everything You Need
- A bleach kit or bleach powder
- Plastic gloves
- A bowl
- A hair spatula
- Developer (10, 20, 30, or 40 volume) – some kits already come with this!
- Toner
- Color safe shampoo and conditioner
Prepare Your Space
Put newspaper on the floor and worktops to protect the surfaces against bleach. This will also make it easier for you to clean up afterward.
Bleaching Your Hair
Make sure you conduct your patch test 48 hours before you attempt to bleach your hair. This is a very important step that you shouldn’t ever skip.
Instructions
1. If you have medium to long hair, you should divide your hair into sections first. This will help ensure that you don’t miss any spots and you get an even coverage. It will also help you to avoid contact with the skin. Two sections at the front and two sections at the back should be good to work with
2. Start mixing the bleach powder with the developer. Most packages will tell you the exact amounts that you need, but you may need to slightly adjust to ensure the mixture is neither too watery or too thick
3. Starting at the back, apply to the lengths of the hair. You will want to work quickly with the bleach, but be mindful that you don’t miss any sections of hair. Using a mirror can help you to cover the back of your hair more easily
4. Apply to the roots last and try to avoid putting bleach directly on the scalp as this can cause irrigation
5. Once you have finished, put a plastic bag or cap over your hair as the heat can help with lifting the color. You will need to wait between 30 – 60 minutes, depending on the instructions on the bleach
6. Rinse out the bleach thoroughly with warm water. Shampoo and condition your hair as usual
7. You can use a toner on the same day as bleaching, but if your hair is weak and fragile, it’s best to wait a few days
Will Bleach Cause Hair Damage?
Bleach contains hydrogen peroxide, a strong chemical that can damage the hair and leave it weakened. For this reason, you should try to avoid the scalp to avoid it burning or damaging your scalp.
While bleach is a harsh hair treatment, it can be done so safely and without causing significant damage to the hair and scalp. The best way to minimize damage is to visit a hairdresser and limit how frequently you have touch-ups.
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