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Looking to lighten your hair at home? This ultimate guide will show you how to achieve the perfect shade using 20 and 30 volume developer.
From understanding hair porosity to choosing the right products, I’ll walk you through every step of the process. Whether you’re going for a subtle change or a dramatic transformation, this guide has got you covered.
Get ready to master the art of DIY hair lightening and unleash your true power over your look!
Table Of Contents
- Key Takeaways
- Understanding Hair Porosity
- Choosing the Right Developer
- How to Bleach Your Hair
- Timing and Monitoring the Lightening Process
- Achieving the Desired Result
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I use a higher volume developer to lighten my hair faster?
- How long should I leave the bleach on my hair?
- Is it possible to lighten my hair without using bleach?
- Can I use a lower volume developer to achieve a subtle lightening effect?
- What should I do if my hair turns out too orange after bleaching?
- Conclusion
Key Takeaways
- Hair porosity determines how well hair absorbs and retains moisture, and it plays a role in choosing the right developer for lightening hair.
- A 20 volume developer is ideal for subtle lightening, while a 30 volume developer is better suited for significant lightening or stubborn hair color.
- Proper technique is important when bleaching hair, including sectioning the hair, applying the bleach carefully, and monitoring the lightening process.
- Understanding the lightening process and dealing with orange tones can help achieve the desired result when using 20 or 30 volume developer to lighten hair.
Understanding Hair Porosity
To understand how to lighten your hair using 20 and 30 volume developer, it’s important to first understand the concept of hair porosity.
Hair porosity refers to how well your hair can absorb and retain moisture.
Conducting a simple hair porosity test will help you determine whether your hair has high, low, or normal porosity levels.
This information is crucial in determining the right approach for lightening your specific type of hair.
What is Hair Porosity?
Understanding your hair’s porosity is crucial when lightening it with 20 & 30 volume developer.
Porosity refers to how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture, affecting its ability to hold onto color and withstand chemical processes.
Hair porosity levels can be categorized as low, normal, or high on the porosity scale.
Different hair types have different levels of porosity due to factors such as genetics, heat damage, or chemical treatments.
Knowing your hair’s porosity helps determine the appropriate products and techniques for achieving desired results in coloring or lightening processes.
Hair Porosity Test
To understand your hair porosity, you can easily perform a simple test at home.
Place a few strands of clean and product-free hair in a bowl of room temperature water.
Observe the behavior of your hair to determine its porosity level.
Use the table below as a guide:
| Porosity Level | Hair Behavior |
|---|---|
| High Porosity | Sinks right away |
| Low Porosity | Doesn’t sink after 5 minutes |
| Normal Porosity | Sinks slowly over time |
Understanding your hair’s porosity is essential for effective porocity products selection and proper care when lightening with bleach or developer.
Choosing the Right Developer
To achieve the desired level of lightening, it’s crucial to choose the right developer. The difference between 20 and 30 volume developer lies in their strength and ability to lift color.
While a 20 volume developer is ideal for achieving subtle lightening or going a few shades lighter, a stronger option like the 30 volume developer can help you achieve more dramatic results.
It’s important to note that professional tube dyes should be used instead of drugstore box dye for best results.
Differences Between 20 and 30 Volume Developer
When choosing the right developer for lightening your hair, it’s important to understand the differences between 20 and 30 volume developer.
The main difference lies in their strength.
A 20 volume developer is typically used for minor color changes or gentle lightening, while a 30 volume developer is more suitable for significant lightening or stubborn hair color.
However, it’s crucial to consider your hair porosity and potential bleach damage before deciding on which one to use.
Additionally, toners and purple shampoos can help achieve desired results after using either of these developers in the ultimate guide to lighten hair.
What to Use Instead of Drugstore Box Dye
To achieve professional results when lightening your hair, it’s crucial to ditch the drugstore box dye and opt for the right developer instead.
Instead of using drugstore box dyes that can be damaging to your hair, choose a high-quality developer like Olaplex.
Olaplex is known for its bond-building properties and protein-rich formula that helps protect your hair during the bleaching process.
By using a trusted brand like Olaplex, you can ensure healthier and more effective results when lightening your hair.
How to Bleach Your Hair
Now that you have chosen the right developer, it’s time to bleach your hair.
Start by preparing your hair for bleaching:
- Avoid washing your hair the day before.
- Section it into four parts for even application.
Then, apply the bleach starting at the back/bottom of your head and work your way up.
Preparing Your Hair for Bleaching
Before you begin bleaching your hair, it’s important to properly prepare your hair for the process by following these steps:
- Determine your hair type and choose the appropriate bleach.
- Cleanse your hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove any buildup or oils.
- Make sure to dry your hair thoroughly before applying bleach.
- Coat each section of your hair evenly with the bleach using a tint brush, starting from the back and working towards the front.
Sectioning Your Hair for Even Application
To ensure an even application of bleach, section your hair into four parts.
Start by using a parting comb to create two equal vertical sections, then separate each of those sections into two horizontal ones above the ears.
Secure each section with clips.
Begin at the back and work your way forward, applying bleach from top to bottom and back to front within each section for consistent results.
Applying the Bleach
Start by applying the bleach to your hair using a tint brush.
Make sure to wear latex gloves and avoid contact with your scalp.
Apply the bleach evenly from root to tip, ensuring complete coverage of all sections of your hair.
Be cautious not to leave it on too long; monitor its lightening process gradually for desired results.
Timing and Monitoring the Lightening Process
Now that you’ve applied the bleach, it’s crucial to know how long to leave it on and monitor the color change.
The timing will depend on factors such as your starting hair color and desired end result.
Generally, for 20 volume developer, you can leave the bleach on for around 30-45 minutes, while with 30 volume developer, it’s recommended to check every 10-15 minutes until you reach your desired level of lightness.
Keep a close eye on your hair during this process to ensure you achieve the perfect shade without causing damage.
How Long to Leave the Bleach On
To determine how long to leave the bleach on your hair, you need to monitor the lightening process carefully.
- Developer strength: The higher the volume, the quicker it will lighten your hair.
- Hair color: Darker hair may require a longer bleach time compared to lighter shades.
- Hair texture and porosity: Coarse or porous hair tends to lighten faster than fine or less porous strands.
Monitoring the Color Change
Keep a close eye on the color change by regularly checking your hair while the bleach is processing.
It’s important to know when to check for progress and make adjustments if needed.
Use a color chart or compare your hair to your desired shade to determine if it has lightened enough.
Be cautious of bleach overlap, which can lead to uneven results.
Remember that processing time will vary depending on factors such as hair type and starting color.
Achieving the Desired Result
To achieve the desired result when lightening your hair with 20 or 30 volume developer, it’s crucial to understand the lightening process and how to deal with orange tones.
It’s important to remember that going from a very dark brown shade to a super light blonde in one application isn’t realistic; instead, expect natural progression from red, to orange, and finally yellow shades.
If you’re aiming for silver hair, achieving a light yellow shade is necessary before toning.
Understanding the Lightening Process
By understanding the lightening process, you can achieve the desired result of lighter hair using 20 or 30 volume developer.
To create multidimensional color and correct uneven tones, it’s important to grasp how nuanced shade variations occur during bleaching.
Conducting strategic strand tests allows you to determine optimal bleach application techniques for your specific hair type and color goals.
Mastering artful bleach applications will empower you with greater control over achieving your desired hair lightening results.
Dealing With Orange Tones
To achieve the desired result of lightened hair, you can address orange tones by using toner or a purple shampoo.
Toning helps neutralize unwanted warm tones, while a purple shampoo can help maintain and enhance cool tones in your hair.
Additionally, if the orange is stubborn and doesn’t respond well to toning products, you may consider using a color remover or even doing a bleach bath to lift out the remaining pigment.
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Toner | Neutralizes orange tones for more balanced results |
| Purple Shampoo | Maintains and enhances cool tones in lightened hair |
| Color Remover/Bleach Bath | Removes stubborn orange pigments for further lightening |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use a higher volume developer to lighten my hair faster?
Using a higher volume developer can lighten your hair faster, but it also increases the risk of damage. It’s important to consider your hair’s health and porosity before deciding on the appropriate developer volume for optimal results.
How long should I leave the bleach on my hair?
Leave the bleach on your hair for 30-45 minutes, depending on your desired level of lightness.
- Indulge in a self-care activity
- Catch up on an episode of your favorite show
Is it possible to lighten my hair without using bleach?
Yes, it’s possible to lighten your hair without using bleach. Consider alternatives like high-lift hair color or highlighting techniques. However, keep in mind that these methods may only provide subtle lightening and mightn’t achieve drastic results.
Can I use a lower volume developer to achieve a subtle lightening effect?
To achieve a subtle lightening effect, using a lower volume developer may not be effective.
It’s recommended to use the appropriate volume developer, like 20 or 30, for optimal results in lightening your hair.
What should I do if my hair turns out too orange after bleaching?
If your hair turns out too orange after bleaching, don’t panic. Counteract the unwanted tones by using a toner with blue or purple undertones.
Conclusion
In your quest for the perfect shade of hair, the ultimate guide to using 20 and 30 volume developer has got you covered.
By understanding hair porosity and choosing the right developer, you can achieve stunning results at home.
With step-by-step instructions on how to bleach your hair and monitor the lightening process, you’ll be able to achieve the desired result.
Say goodbye to orange tones and hello to a beautifully lightened mane.
Unleash your true power over your look with this ultimate guide to DIY hair lightening.
