When considering bleaching your brown hair, you’re likely wondering about the best bleach to use. After all, bleach is a powerful chemical, and choosing the right one for your hair color and texture is essential for achieving beautiful, healthy-looking results. Whether you’re looking to lighten your hair a few shades or go for a dramatic transformation, understanding the process and the bleach that works best for brown hair is crucial. In this article, we’ll explore the types of bleach, the right products, and the tips and techniques to ensure the healthiest and most beautiful blonde results.
1. Understanding Hair Bleach
Before diving into which bleach to use, it’s important to understand what bleach does to your hair. Bleach works by opening the hair cuticle and breaking down the natural pigment, or melanin, inside the hair. The more you bleach, the lighter your hair becomes, and this process continues until you achieve the desired lightness. However, because bleach is a strong chemical, it can cause damage if not done properly.
2. Types of Bleach for Brown Hair
There are several types of bleach available, and each one has its own strengths and weaknesses. When choosing the right bleach for brown hair, it’s important to consider the type of brown you have—whether it’s light or dark—and your hair’s condition.
Powdered Bleach
Powdered bleach is the most common form of bleach, and it’s often mixed with a developer (which is the oxidizing agent that activates the bleach). This type of bleach is versatile and can be used on all hair types, but it can be harsh on damaged or delicate hair. Powdered bleach comes in different strengths, and choosing the right one will depend on how much lightening you want to achieve.
Best for: Darker brown hair that needs to be lightened significantly.
Cream Bleach
Cream bleach is a more gentle alternative to powdered bleach. It’s often preferred for people with finer hair or sensitive scalps, as it tends to be less drying. Cream bleach also typically comes pre-mixed with a developer, making it easier to use.
Best for: Lighter brown hair or hair that’s already been bleached and needs a touch-up.
Oil-Based Bleach
Oil-based bleach is a relatively new product that’s gaining popularity for its gentleness and ability to condition the hair during the bleaching process. It is mixed with an oil developer, which makes it less harsh than regular bleach. Oil-based bleaches can be a great choice for those who have already damaged their hair or are worried about hair health.
Best for: Those with damaged, dry, or fine hair looking for a more gentle bleaching process.
3. Choosing the Right Developer
The developer you choose plays a crucial role in how well the bleach works on your hair. It’s often mixed with the bleach powder or cream to activate it and start the lightening process. The developer’s strength is measured in volume, typically ranging from 10 to 40 volume.
10 Volume Developer: This developer is the weakest and will only lift the hair by one shade. It’s best used for color correction or when you want a subtle lift.
20 Volume Developer: This is a good choice for lightening your hair by 2 shades and is ideal for brown hair that is medium to dark. It’s the most commonly used developer for home hair bleaching.
30 Volume Developer: If you want to lighten your hair by 3-4 shades, a 30-volume developer is ideal. However, keep in mind that this is a stronger developer and can cause more damage, so it’s important to take proper care of your hair afterward.
40 Volume Developer: This is the strongest developer and should be used with caution. It’s used for dramatic color changes, such as from dark brown to platinum blonde, but it can cause significant damage if overused.
Tip: Always mix bleach with a developer that’s appropriate for the level of lightening you want. Higher volume developers should be used for darker brown hair that needs more lifting.
4. The Best Bleach for Brown Hair
Now that you understand the types of bleach and developers, let’s dive into some of the best bleach products available for brown hair. These products are trusted by professionals and are well-suited for achieving blonde hair from brown.
L’Oréal Quick Blue Bleach
L’Oréal Quick Blue is one of the most popular bleaches on the market. It’s a powdered bleach that can lift hair up to 7 levels, making it a great option for brown to blonde transformations. It’s known for its fast-acting formula and ability to provide strong results while keeping hair in good condition. It’s typically mixed with a 20 or 30-volume developer, depending on how much lifting you need.
Best for: Darker brown hair that requires multiple levels of lightening.
Wella Blondor Multi-Blonde Powder
Wella Blondor is a professional-grade bleach that is ideal for lifting dark brown hair. This powder bleach is known for its ability to lift up to 7 levels while keeping hair smooth and conditioned. It’s ideal for those looking to go from dark brown to blonde, with minimal damage. Pair it with a 20, 30, or 40-volume developer depending on how many shades you want to lighten.
Best for: Those who want professional-grade results at home.
Redken Flash Lift Powder Lightener
Redken’s Flash Lift is a powerful bleach that provides a fast, high-performance lift. It’s designed to minimize damage while providing significant lightening. It’s particularly effective on stubborn, dark brown hair and works well with a 20 or 30-volume developer for a stronger lift.
Best for: Quick and effective lightening with minimal damage.
Schwarzkopf Professional BlondMe Bleach
Schwarzkopf’s BlondMe bleach is a versatile and gentle option that is perfect for brown hair. It lifts up to 9 levels, which makes it ideal for both medium brown and dark brown hair. The product also contains protective agents to prevent hair from becoming overly damaged, making it a good choice for those with delicate or previously processed hair.
Best for: Those with very dark brown hair or hair that’s been previously colored and needs a gentler approach.
Pravana Pure Light Power Lightener
Pravana’s Pure Light Power Lightener is a gentle, yet effective, bleach that can lift up to 8 levels. It’s designed to minimize hair damage and is ideal for those with sensitive scalps or damaged hair. The lightener can be used with different developers, depending on how much lift you need.
Best for: Gentle bleaching for brown hair that’s prone to damage.
5. Pre-Bleaching and Aftercare Tips
Bleaching is a chemical process, so it’s important to care for your hair both before and after the procedure. Here are a few tips to help you maintain the health of your hair during the bleaching process.
Pre-Bleaching Tips:
Condition Your Hair: Two to three weeks before bleaching, focus on conditioning your hair to strengthen it. Use deep conditioning treatments and hair masks to improve the overall health of your hair.
Avoid Washing Your Hair Right Before: It’s better not to wash your hair the day you bleach it. Natural oils protect your scalp from irritation, so leave your hair unwashed for 24-48 hours before bleaching.
Test Your Hair: Perform a strand test before applying bleach to your entire head to see how your hair reacts to the bleach. This helps you determine the processing time and avoid unwanted surprises.
Aftercare Tips:
Deep Condition Frequently: After bleaching, your hair will likely need extra moisture. Use deep conditioners and leave-in treatments to restore hydration and manageability.
Use Sulfate-Free Shampoo: Sulfate-free shampoos are less drying and will help keep your hair color looking vibrant while preventing further damage.
Limit Heat Styling: Avoid excessive use of hot tools such as flat irons, curling irons, or blow dryers. Allow your hair to air dry whenever possible.
Trim Regularly: Bleaching can lead to split ends, so regular trims are necessary to keep your hair looking healthy and prevent breakage.
Conclusion
When choosing the right bleach for brown hair, it’s essential to consider your hair type, the level of lift you need, and how much damage your hair can handle. There are many great products available, from powdered bleaches to cream and oil-based options. Always make sure you’re using a bleach that’s formulated for your specific hair type, and don’t forget the importance of aftercare to keep your hair healthy and strong.
Bleaching your brown hair can be a great way to achieve a stunning transformation, but it’s important to go into the process with knowledge and preparation. By following these tips and choosing the right bleach and developer, you’ll be able to lighten your hair beautifully and safely.
Related Topics:
