To make a homemade bleach wash for your hair, you'll need to combine bleach, developer, and clarifying shampoo in specific ratios.
Here’s a detailed guide:
Bleach Wash Recipe and Instructions
-
Gather Your Supplies:
- Bleach powder
- Developer (low volume, such as 10 or 20, is recommended for a gentler effect)
- Clarifying shampoo
- Mixing bowl (non-metallic)
- Applicator brush
- Gloves
- Old towel to protect your clothing
-
Mix Bleach and Developer:
- Ratio: Use equal parts of bleach powder and developer (1:1 ratio). For example, if you use 1 ounce of bleach powder, use 1 ounce of developer. Use less amount if your hair is short.
- Mix these two ingredients thoroughly in your mixing bowl until you achieve a smooth, consistent paste.
-
Add Clarifying Shampoo:
- Add the bleach and developer mixture to your clarifying shampoo. A common starting point is to use an equal amount of clarifying shampoo as the total volume of the bleach and developer combined (1:1:1 ratio across all three ingredients).
- Mix thoroughly until the entire mixture is smooth and consistent. The shampoo helps dilute the bleach, making it less harsh on your hair.
-
Application:
- Apply the mixture to damp hair, focusing on the areas you want to lighten.
- Avoid applying the mixture to your scalp unless you want to lighten your roots as well.
- Massage the mixture through your hair, ensuring even distribution.
-
Processing Time:
- Monitor your hair closely during processing.
- The processing time will vary depending on your hair type and the level of lightening you want to achieve. Start checking your hair after 5-10 minutes.
- Do not leave the bleach wash on for more than 30 minutes.
-
Rinse and Condition:
- Once you've achieved the desired level of lightening, rinse your hair thoroughly with cool water until all traces of the bleach wash are removed.
- Follow up with a deep conditioning treatment to help restore moisture to your hair.
Important Considerations:
- Strand Test: Always perform a strand test before applying the bleach wash to your entire head. This will help you determine the appropriate processing time and ensure you achieve the desired results without damaging your hair.
- Hair Condition: Ensure your hair is in good condition before attempting a bleach wash. Damaged or weakened hair is more prone to breakage and further damage.
- Developer Volume: Lower developer volumes (10 or 20) are recommended for bleach washes to minimize damage. Higher volumes will lighten hair faster but can also cause more damage.
- Professional Advice: If you're unsure about any step of the process, consult a professional hairstylist.
