Blonde heads: do you need to lighten your hair before dyeing?

Many people wonder if lightening their hair before dying it is necessary to achieve the perfect blonde look. Lightening your hair may be one of the steps involved in the process of going blonde.

But is it always necessary? The answer will vary depending on the shade of blonde you want to achieve and your natural hair color. There are situations where omitting the lightening step will result in an uneven or darker color, and situations where you can still achieve the desired color without it.

By knowing when and why to lighten your hair, you can steer clear of common blunders and get the ideal blonde shade for you.

Is it necessary to lighten the hair before dyeing?

The answer to the question of whether lightening hair strands before dying them isn’t always clear-cut; it all depends on the original color of the hair, the state of the hair, the type of dye used, and the desired outcome.

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Nonetheless, some professionals feel that lightening hair is a prerequisite for color changes.

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Advocates of this viewpoint contend that compared to an unleashed base, a more consistent shade can be achieved in this manner and it will remain on the hair longer.

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Think about both options: when we believe you can skip lightning and when you absolutely cannot live without it.

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Lightening your hair is required if you:

  • plan to tint your strands in a bright shade, such as red or turquoise;
  • want to change the color dramatically – for example, dye your brown hair platinum blonde (it is important to understand that it is not always possible to lighten dark hair in one procedure, and sometimes the experts suggest not lightening, but bleaching, which is considered more effective, although more aggressive – we talked about this in more detail here).

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We’ll now explain the circumstances in which you can color your hair without bleaching:

  1. 1 if you initially have a light shade, and the color of the dye is dark;

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Skilled professionals are aware that whether or not bleaching was done often affects how bright the shade is after dyeing.

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It is possible to rework black and red tones directly into red, for instance, but doing so will still cause the original color to "eat up" some of the new tone’s saturation. Without first lightening, the outcome will probably be unsatisfactory.

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Future blondes are also subject to this rule. Desire a rich hue for the new color? Maintain an excellent base.

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Features of lightening hair of different colors

The only hair types that should undergo hair lightening are those with natural hair colors.

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The natural pigment known as melanin, which gives hair its color, can be lowered in the hair by using specific ingredients.

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Blonde hair appears three to six shades lighter than natural hair.

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Bleaching and hair bleaching are frequently confused. However, the latter method allows you to work with colored hair and is far more aggressive.

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Bleaching is typically used to recolor black hair into blond without lightening it or to rectify coloring errors. We explained here how to bleach hair before dying it.

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And now, we’ll examine the common methods for lightening strands.

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  1. 1 Hydrogen peroxide. Is it worth doing this – a big question. Yes, it is inexpensive. But the result is unpredictable, and the risk of "burning" the hair is quite high, so experts do not recommend resorting to this dubious method.
  2. 2 Lightening paint. A proven and much more reliable method is a specialized product for lightening at home. As a rule, this is a paint with lightening components. Perhaps you paid attention to the powder that is added to kits with paints. It is this that allows you to lighten the shade of your hair by 4-6 tones. After such coloring-lightening, you can decide whether to stop at the result obtained or repeat the procedure.

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If you dream a cold color, remember that decorating—that is, discoloring your hair using shade E0—is preferable. For instance, the Color Sensation and Color Naturals collections feature this. And only after applying the cold blond paint shade. Consequently, you will have more opportunities to counteract a warm background, which is a constant when lightening dark hair.

Let’s now discuss how to lighten your hair in preparation for coloring, taking into account the color and condition of your hair.

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Natural blond hair

"Permanent Clients" – blondes and brown girls – brightening paints. These products usually work their hardest the first time on their hair. Do you require more tinting? Yes, of course, if staining is intended in certain shades, like ash or gray. However, lightning paint can still produce a satisfactory outcome even in the absence of a "support group."

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Dark hair

If you have dark hair, the situation is more complicated. It makes sense to bleach or lighten your black or dark brown hair in a beauty salon with more potent products. However, this does not imply that painting a room at home is not feasible. Since you can’t lighten the strands all at once and it’s crucial to take breaks in between treatments, it will just cost more money and take longer.

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Dyed hair

We discovered that classic lightening on colored hair is not worth the trouble. Artificial pigments and bleaching agents can "compete," which could leave you disappointed. In the event that the final color is utterly unacceptable or you just want to update the picture, you have two options: bleach the hair or use a deep cleaning shampoo to hasten the pigment washout.

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Hair with gray hair

Many brunettes dye their hair blonde after realizing they have at least one gray strand in their hair. Their actions make sense because light-colored hair makes gray hair less noticeable. It makes sense to lighten your hair before dying it given these preliminary findings.

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How to lighten hair before dyeing?

It’s practice time now. If you intend to dye your hair at home, let’s talk about how to lighten it first.

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Color Naturals cream paint (super-lightening platinum blond) from Garnier

Those who want to lighten their hair up to four tones and remove the yellow undertone from their strands are the ones who choose this paint. Dark pigments can be "knocked out" by this paint, even on girls with dark blond hair.

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The product has ingredients that are good for hair, despite its "offensive" qualities. A combination of oils in the care balm’s formula nurtures the strands following the color-changing process, preserving their luster and softness.

Colorista cream hair dye (lightening) from L’Oréal Paris

With its extensive selection of vivid color shades, the Colorista line of hair color products is ideal for girls who aren’t afraid to experiment with their hair. Because it doesn’t contain ammonia and can "lower" the shade of hair by up to 4 tones, this lightening cream dye is well-liked. The product also has ingredients that combat yellowing of the strands.

Colorista Ombre cream hair dye from L’Oréal Paris

It’s not always the case that coloring comes first. All you have to do to get the ombre effect is lighten the curls on the bottom. L’Oréal Paris developed a unique dye that makes it easier to lighten even dark hair.

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The amount of lightening you wish to achieve in your hair will determine how long you leave the dye on (but not longer than indicated in the instructions). The product must be applied using the comb that comes with it.

How to lighten hair before dyeing at home: step-by-step instructions

If you want to perform these procedures at home on your own, let’s figure out how to lighten hair before dying.

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  1. 1 Let"s start with preparation. Experts warn: if you have scalp irritation, dandruff, increased hair oiliness or other trichological problems, it is important to eliminate them first. Closer to the point, 48 hours before the planned lightening/dyeing, it is important to conduct a test for a possible allergic reaction. How to do this should be indicated in the instructions for the dye.

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Especially if your natural hair color is darker, lightening is frequently required when dying your hair blonde in order to achieve the desired shade. Depending on your starting hair color and the exact shade of blonde you want, you may or may not need to lighten your hair to help the blonde dye take hold and look vibrant. The best course of action for your hair can be determined by speaking with an expert.

Hair care before and after bleaching

We learned why it’s best to bleach your hair before coloring it.

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Let’s now talk about another crucial matter: how should it be cared for following the procedure?

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Try to follow these fundamental guidelines:

  1. 1 increased hydration and nutrition of the strands;
  2. 2 soothing procedures for the scalp;
  3. 3 use of heat-protective products;
  4. 4 careful handling during drying and styling;
  5. 5 protection from ultraviolet radiation;

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This is a list of products that will assist in providing your hair with post-bleaching care.

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Strengthening conditioner Fructis "Goji. Long-lasting Color" from Garnier

This balm has multiple beneficial qualities at once, which are crucial for people whose hair has been lightened: it strengthens hair, preserves color and shine, and repairs hair. Experts from Garnier spared no expense on beneficial components.

Fruit extracts, B vitamins, and polyphenols are all included in the formula. Every element has a distinct purpose. For instance, goji berry extract is required to repair damaged hair and preserve the vibrancy of color, while sugar cane extract is required to hydrate hair strands.

Nourishing concentrate for hair and scalp from Kiehl"s

Naturally, the aggressive action of lightening components has an impact on scalp health. Use concentrated products to improve your nutrition in this area if you experience dryness. A product from Kiehl’s is packed with healthy ingredients, including avocado, safflower, and rosemary leaf oils in addition to aloe extract. Applying the concentrate to the scalp and hair strands 10 minutes prior to washing is recommended by the brand. Very practical!

Violet shampoo Elseve "Color Expert" from L"Oréal Paris

We advise getting purple shampoo as soon as possible to go along with a lightening hair dye. The truth is that yellowing can develop both right away and over time after dying. Additionally, this product will aid in removing undesired pigment.

Use a mask from the same series, which is also distinguished by a high concentration of purple pigments, to amp up the effects of the shampoo.

Hair Type Need to Lighten Before Dyeing?
Natural Blonde No, usually not necessary
Light Brown Sometimes, for brighter shades
Dark Brown/Black Yes, lightening is often required
Previously Dyed Hair Depends on the current color and desired shade

It’s important to take into account both your desired shade of blonde and your current hair color when determining whether to lighten your hair before dying it blonde. While lighter hair types may not require this step, darker hair types typically require lightening in order to achieve a true blonde shade.

Remember that lightning can cause harm, so it’s critical to consider both the advantages and disadvantages. A professional stylist can guide you in making the best decision for your hair type and desired result if you’re unsure.

In the end, your starting point and your goals will determine whether you need to lighten your hair. Your hair can remain healthy and look fantastic after your blonde transformation with the right care and attention.

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