Make sure to test the bleaching agent on a small hair strand where it’s not going to be immediately visible. Cover the whole shaft of your hair so that you can see how it’s going to lift in the different zones. Put it in foil and let it sit for at least 30 minutes to get an idea of how your hair will hold up and what kind of lift you’ll get. Purchase a bleach kit at your local beauty supply store. The higher the number on the package, the stronger the stuff. 20 volume is good for dark blondes and light to medium brunettes, while anyone with darker hair would probably be better off with a 40 volume developer. Use a fine-tooth comb or pic to part your hair. Run a clean line from one ear to the other, wherever it is that you want the blonde to stop. Tie the lower portion in a ponytail so it’s out of the way. Apply the bleach. Wear gloves to protect your hands, and use a hair coloring brush to apply the dye. Set a timer. Because you could destroy your hair if you leave the bleach in too long, set a timer for exactly as long as the instructions in the bleach kit indicate. Wash out the dye in the shower, using water that’s as cold as you can stand. Avoiding warm water will keep your blonde from turning brassy.

Wait a few days after you bleach your hair. Too much trauma at once can severely damage your hair.

Use a pic or fine-toothed comb to part your hair along exactly the same line you used to bleach it. Tie up the bleached portion securely on the top of your head, and cover with a plastic shower cap. Make sure the edge of the cap hits the part you combed out between the sections. Start applying the black dye. Start at the root of the hair, and be extremely careful that you don’t hit the bleached portion at all. Have a friend help you with this part. Wash out the dye. Keep the shower cap on the blonde portion of your hair as you rinse out the black dye. Wash it in ice cold water if you can - the dye will last longer.