Bleached hair has a timeless appeal that means it never quite goes out of fashion. Styles change over the years, of course, but that super-bright look never loses its appeal.
Are you ready to discover whether blondes really have more fun? If so, this article is for you! We’ll walk you through everything from how to bleach your hair at home (TLDR: carefully), to the top bleached hairstyles for men and women. We’ll also add in some tips to keep your newly bleaches tresses in perfect condition.
Salon versus home – the age-old debate
Opinion is divided as to the wisdom of bleaching your hair at home. In fact, a recent survey by All Things Hair found that opinion is split almost exactly down the middle. When asked if they were afraid of bleaching their hair at home, 49.6% of respondents said that they were, while 50.4% said that they weren’t.
If you’re one of those who would be frightened to go it alone when it comes to bleaching, the best approach might be to book a salon appointment. Yes, it can be pricey to have your hair bleached professionally, but bear in mind that what you’re paying for is expertise. You’re putting your hair in the hands of someone who is trained and qualified to bleach hair as part of their profession. That includes understanding not just how best to carry out the bleaching process, but also how to protect the hair to ensure that it doesn’t end up dry and brittle (or worse).
The downside of heading to the salon is, of course, that it’s going to cost you way more to have your hair bleached by a hairdresser than it is to buy a home-bleaching kit – which is one of the main reasons why bleaching your hair at home has such enduring appeal. If you’re looking to make a saving and bleach your own tresses, be sure to read our quick tips first.
How to bleach your hair at home
Carefully. This one word should be the cornerstone of any approach to bleaching your hair at home. You need to choose your products, read up on what to do and watch some video tutorials and carry out the bleaching process with the utmost care. Why? Because peroxide is a powerful chemical that can burn your skin and, if left on the hair for too long, cause irreparable damage.
So, take care when choosing your products. Read some reviews and track down the bleaching products that are best suited to your hair type and to achieving the look that you want. Don’t just grab the first product you spot on the shelf and hope for the best.
Care is also essential when it comes to reading the instructions as to how to bleach your hair at home. If you’ve watched or read some tutorials, that’s great, but bear in mind that the product you’ve purchased will include instructions specific to that product and that product alone. Read them thoroughly and follow them meticulously.
That includes have the right tools for the job. Whether your hair is long or short investing in a proper bleaching brush and bowl set is a wise investment. You’ll only have to fork out a few pounds and you’ll be able to bleach the hair just as it would be done in a salon.
Be careful about protecting your clothes, towels and bathroom surfaces as well. Any bleach stains you cause will be there long after your hairstyle!
Finally, be careful to only bleach your hair when it’s in good condition. If it’s already dry and weakened from other treatments, it might be best to give your locks some TLC before you bleach, rather than trying to rescue your damaged hair after the event.
On-trend bleached hairstyles for women
Bleached hair can look great whether it’s short or longer. For the former, a cute pixie cut can look fabulous and is certainly a bold look for those who are keen to turn heads with their new hairdo.
For slightly longer hair, bleached bobs can look absolutely superb. Whether you like the idea of an A-line bob, a blunt bob or a softer, wavy bob, these are looks that can command attention.
Of course, bleaching your hair isn’t just for those who want to be a traditional shade of blonde. Metallic silver, streaks of blue and rainbow hair can all look stunning when applied following home-bleaching. (Again, if you’re unsure of your skills and abilities, head to the salon, as these looks aren’t always the easiest to achieve by yourself.)
For longer bleached hair, luscious waves always look great, as do soft, cascading curls, perhaps with a side cornrow braid thrown in for good measure.
Top bleached styles for men
Let’s start by talking about quiffs. If you’ve got the length as well as the thick lushness to pull off a quiff, then a bleached one can look just fabulous. Be sure to bleach your roots carefully though, as any darker bits that you’ve missed will be showcased by this style!
If you haven’t got the length for a quiff, why not go for the ultimate bleached look – the buzzcut? A great look for all skin tones, this is one of the easiest bleached styles to maintain when you’re going down the home-bleaching route.
At the other end of the scale, bleached long hair can look very cool too, particularly if you’ve got texture to add interest too.
Bleached haircare tips
Whatever your chosen style, be sure to take care of it by keeping your hair well nourished. Bleaching dries out the hair and makes it more brittle. That means it’s more likely to break, even if you’ve followed the bleaching process to the letter.
You can fight back by using moisturising shampoos and conditioners, as well as a weekly masque. Intensive repair treatments can also be a great way to give our hair a boost and counteract any negative side effects of your home-bleaching habit.
