Dyeing your hair blonde is something we’d argue everybody should try at least once. In the past, making the transition to a bright, sunny blonde hue usually required scheduling a salon visit-but today, there are plenty of blonde hair dyes that allow you to achieve the beachy hue right at home (even if you’re starting with darker strands). Here, we’ll explain how to dye your hair blonde at home and share some of our tried-and-true tips for keeping your bright new hue looking its best. Plus, you’ll discover some of our favorite at-home blonde hair dyes along the way.
We won’t lie: Coloring hair blonde can be time-consuming. In most cases, you’ll need to bleach your hair before applying your blonde hair dye. And the darker your starting color, the more bleaching sessions you’ll typically need to get your hair light enough to color. If you’re trying to go from dark brown or black to platinum, for example, you’ll likely need to bleach your hair more than once, waiting a few weeks between each session to avoid over-processing your hair. It’s also important to note that any time you lighten your hair, you run the risk of ending up with a brassy color. Fortunately, brassiness is typically easy to correct with a toner or regular use of a purple shampoo (more details on both of those later). Finally, blonde isn’t a particularly low-maintenance color. There are so many different shades that fall under the umbrella of “blonde”-and with what seems like endless options, it can be difficult to narrow down which one will look the most flattering on you.
Choosing the right shade for your undertones
If you’re not sure what your undertones are, take a peek at the veins on the inside of your wrist. If they appear blue or purple, you likely have cool undertones. A greenish tint is typically indicative of warmer undertones. Cool skin: If your skin is cooler, we suggest reaching for a cool, ashy blonde hair dye, such as the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Ash Blonde or Light Ash Blonde. Neutral skin: Those with neutral undertones can pull off nearly any shade nicely; for something natural, opt for a blonde hue without overt warmth or ashy tones. The L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Universal Nudes in Natural Light Blonde is a great in-between shade, and the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Champagne Cocktail offers a shimmering, multi-dimensional blonde hue.
Keep in mind, these recommendations are suggestions. Once you’ve chosen your shade, it’s time to get to work.
Step-by-step: ready, set, dye
- Bleaching and coloring can be damaging, so abstain from chemical treatments or excessive hot tool use before dyeing. Wash and condition your strands the day before you start, and let hair air-dry. Have all the necessary tools ready.
- As mentioned earlier, you’ll likely need to bleach before going in with your blonde dye. For this, use an at-home bleaching kit-try the L’Oréal Paris Féria Hyper Platinum Advanced Lightening System Bleach, which lightens up to eight levels and includes a purple conditioning treatment to neutralize brassiness post-lightening.
- Tone your hair. Toners neutralize yellow, orange, or brassy undertones-especially important if you’re aiming for a lighter shade than your natural color. The at-home bleach system comes with a purple toning conditioner; if you’re experiencing a lot of brassiness or want an ultra-ashy result, pick up a separate toner to neutralize brassy tones.
- Prepare for the application. Drap a towel around your shoulders, divide hair into even sections for easier coverage, and brush dye onto your hair as directed until saturated. Let the color process for the recommended time. To prevent staining, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to your hairline, neck back, and ears.
After dyeing, adjust your hair care routine to maintain the hue and health of your strands.
Post-dye care and maintenance
- Use reparative hair products. Bleaching and coloring can be damaging, so swap to a reparative system like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Repair collection, including a pre-shampoo treatment, shampoo, and conditioner to strengthen color-treated hair.
- Avoid excessive heat. Embrace natural textures when possible and use a heat protectant if you style with heat tools. If you must blow-dry, consider air-drying as an alternative.
- Incorporate purple shampoo to combat brassiness. Once weekly, swap strengthening shampoo for a violet-tinted duo (purple shampoo and conditioner) to keep yellow and orange tones at bay.
- Schedule regular touch-ups. Plan to refresh color every four to six weeks, especially with noticeable regrowth. If color begins to lose luster between sessions, try an at-home hair gloss to restore vibrancy.
For those seeking to dye their hair blonde at home, the first step to choosing your shade is identifying your current shade. A color-level number indicates each shade in our Precision Foam Colour range, and we generally recommend staying within two shade levels of your current color for natural-looking results. The short answer is: it depends on your hair growth rate and how often you color, but frequent coloring can damage hair.
Read the instructions carefully and follow every step for best results. If you’re unsure, consult a professional colorist to guide you through the journey to blonde.
Practical tips for at-home dye success
- Always read the box instructions before starting and perform a patch test at least 48 hours prior to application.
- Work in four quadrants to ensure even coverage, and use a back mirror or a second person to help check the back of your head.
- Apply color to roots first, then mid-lengths and ends; saturate thoroughly for the most even result.
- Don’t tie your hair up during processing; keep it loose to promote even coverage.
- Condition after coloring to lock in moisture and shine.
- Avoid drastic color changes in one step-if you’re transitioning from blonde to dark brunette, reconsider going all at once with an at-home dye.
- Red hair tends to fade quickly; use a color-intensifying shampoo and conditioner to maintain vibrancy.
Additional considerations and alternatives
Should you go all-in or prefer a lower-risk option? Box dyes can be effective if you stay within a couple of levels of your natural color. For more dramatic changes or if your hair is significantly darker, visiting a professional colorist may be the best choice. If you decide to maintain at-home, the right routine makes blondes look vibrant year-round.
Whether you’re chasing a beachy sun-kissed look or a cooler ash tone, there are options to suit your goals and budget. If you’d rather have professionals handle the transformation after an initial at-home attempt, a visit to a salon can help you achieve a seamless, salon-quality blonde while preserving hair health.
How To Dye Your Hair At Home: A Step-by-Step Tutorial | #StayHome With Gretta Monahan
For those curious about different approaches, there are bleach-free routes as well. Blonde It Up lightening products offer up to 5 levels of lift without bleach, powered by AminoLift Technology. This can be a game-changer for lightening safely at home, especially for those hesitant about using traditional bleach.
In sum, the journey to blonde at home is entirely possible with the right shade choice, careful preparation, proper application, and a solid maintenance routine. The key is to respect your natural color, assess your starting point, and follow instructions closely for the best, healthiest result.