If you have light hair and are dyeing it darker, click here to continue. If your hair is blonde and you are dyeing it a cool color, like purple or blue, it may be a good idea to tone your hair first. Click here to learn more.

The bleach will be coming into contact with your scalp anyway, so the gloves are not absolutely necessary.

Prepare enough bleach to saturate your hair. Some bleach kits come with a little scoop. Use that to measure the bleach and developer.

This initial coat of bleach will ensure that your hair lightens evenly. Cover your hair with a plastic shower cap to protect your surroundings. If you have very light hair, you may only need to wait 5 to 10 minutes. Once you notice your hair starting to lighten, you’re ready for the second coat of bleach.

Again, cover your hair with a plastic shower cap while the bleach processes. If you have light-colored hair to begin with, you may not need to wait the full 30 minutes. If you like the level of lightness your hair reaches, you are done!

It’s a good idea to use a purple or blue shampoo after you bleach your hair. This will help tone down any brassy, yellow, or orange tints that remain in your hair.

Warm colors, like warm pink and peach already have orange in them, so if your hair came out brassy, you don’t need to tone it. Cool colors, such as cool pink, purple, and blue need a silver base. If your hair came out brassy or yellow, you’ll have to tone it. Some colors mix well with yellow because they already contain yellow–such as green or orange. In this case, you don’t need to tone it.

There is no need to apply petroleum jelly to the skin around your hairline, ears, and neck.

If you can’t find a toner, you can use a toning shampoo instead. If you can’t find either, add a tiny amount of purple dye to white conditioner instead.

Cover your head with a plastic shower cap. This will help keep your surroundings clean during the next step.

Keep rinsing until the water runs clear. If you need to, use some sulfate-free shampoo meant for color-treated hair.

Prepare your bleach using 1 part bleach and 2 parts 20 volume developer. Apply the bleach with a tinting brush for more precision. You may not have to touch up all of your hair.

Make sure that you use a sulfate-free mask. Check the ingredients label to be sure. Cover your head with a plastic shower cap to help make the mask more effective. You can use the same shower cap that you used previously, but make sure it’s clean!

It would be best if you wait 1 to 2 days before dyeing your hair to minimize damage. However, because your hair is so short, the damage won’t be very noticeable.

If you got a pre-mixed dye and it is too dark, mix a small amount of the dye into white conditioner. Use enough conditioner to saturate your hair. [11] X Research source Always prepare the dye in a non-metal bowl. Use a non-metal spoon to stir it.

Use the edge of the brush to do your hairline. Don’t worry if you get dye on your skin; it will come off. Turn your back to the mirror, and hold a smaller mirror in front of you so that you can check your work in the back of your head.

The plastic shower cap is not absolutely necessary, but it will help keep your surroundings clean. It also traps your body heat, which helps the dye process more effectively.

Use a sulfate-free conditioner made for color-treated hair. If you are using a boxed dye kit, there may already be a packet of conditioner for you to use. Most of the dye on your skin should have come out during your shower. If it didn’t, use a cotton ball soaked in an alcohol-based makeup remover to wipe it off.

If your hair grows slowly, then you may be able to go 3-4 weeks between haircuts.

Bleaching will damage your hair, but at this length, it won’t be as noticeable. Plus, you will eventually buzz it off.

A hat, scarf, or hood will help keep the color from fading the best.

Limit yourself to washing your hair only once or twice per week. If you do need to wash your hair between then, stick to plain water. If you can’t find products made for color-treated hair, use sulfate-free products instead. Sulfates are harsh cleaning agents that can cause hair dye to fade.

If possible, use sulfate-free shampoo; sulfates can contribute to dryness. Don’t wash your hair with scalp cleansing shampoo while it is still dyed, as the shampoo may remove the color. Consider using a scrub on your hair during this time as well. This will help remove the dead skin cells from our scalp.