Bleaching dark hair to platinum/ash blonde

Going to the hairdressers isn't always an option or affordable. In saying that, I have never once gone to the hairdressers to have my hair coloured. So I will tell you how I bleached my hair from black to ash blonde and where I bought the items you will need (Australia)

You will need to these items;

Blue bleaching powder (Glamaco)
Developer (Glamaco)
Plastic mixing bowl (Glamaco)
Mixing brushes (Glamaco)
Toner (Woolworths)
Silver toning Shampoo (Glamaco)
Treatment (Glamaco)
Gloves (Woolworths)
Hairclips/ties (Glamaco & Woolworths)

Sorry for the dim/bad quality photo. Just a quickie from my phone

Bleaching Process:

1. Put your gloves on! Then start by sectioning your hair into small layers and tying each part into little buns and making sure you clip it all out of the way from the parts you will be bleaching first. You want to make sure you start bleaching from the bottom of your head and making your way to the top. DO NOT BLEACH YOUR ROOTS. Leave them until last as they will turn lighter first.

2. I never measure how much powder I use, I just put a reasonable amount in and use just less then half the amount of developer to match the powder. (Ex. 1/2 of a cup of powder to a 1/4 of a cup of developer)
You will need to adjust how much of each you use. You don't want it too lumpy/dry or too runny. Mix it well

3. With the mixing brushes pretty much paint the bleach onto the hair, getting both sides of your hair and rubbing it in using your fingers to ensure you don't leave out any parts. After you have done that layer, take down the next layer and repeat.

4. Once all of the hair is covered well, start bleaching the roots. It will be harder to separate the hair to the roots as your hair becomes a bit matted. Make sure you do not miss any parts.

5. Leave on for half an hour to 40 minutes depending on hair colour and developer. If you are using a stronger developer like 40% +* you make want to leave it on for a less amount of time.

6. After the desired time, rinse your hair well making sure there is no bleach left. Your hair may start to feel very soft or jelly like**. You can either bleach again after or leave it until your hair feels ready to handle another lot of bleach. Treating your hair in between bleaches will help keep the hair from dying/drying out.

Toning:

If your hair is at a light yellow/ then it is time to tone out the brassy yellow colours to a nice blonde.
You do not want to tone your hair if it is only a brown or orange colour as it will not go blonde.

1. Apply the toner as you did the bleach, starting from the ends leaving the roots for last. I recommend washing out a section to see how much yellow has come out. You don't want it turning silver or purple. If it is still yellow, re tone that part and leave on longer. Rechecking every 3-5 minutes.

2. When ready rinse very well as it likes to cling to your hair. Use your normal shampoo to help get it out. Then dry your hair to see what the colour it has become, I would use a heat protective spray to keep the hair from getting more dry.

3. Use your silver shampoo if your hair is still too yellow for your
liking, but be careful not to over tone it.

Trust your instincts as no one knows your hair better then yourself.
Always keep it conditioned and treated.

Notes-
*I used a 40% developer as my hair was quite healthy and dark. If your hair is lighter or not as healthy try a 20% or a 30%.
**If your hair feels jelly like and breaks off easy, do not worry. Keep treating your hair and make sure you NEVER brush your hair while it is wet. Use a heat protective spray before blow drying and straightening/curling.