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Home » Hair Care Products » Hair Dye » The 16 Best Bleaches for Dark Hair 2022 The 16 Best Bleaches for Dark Hair 2022 111 Products 26 Hours 221 Reviews Published by Aida Turner Fact checked by Annie Bleaching hair can take a toll on its health, and the process can be scary, especially if you’ve got dark hair that’s never been colored or lightened before. Moreover, going to a professional for help can be too expensive. On the other hand, doing it on your own can be too risky. Luckily, a few products on the market can help you achieve bleached hair without ruining your beautiful locks. Best Overall Our rating ★★★★★ L’Oreal Professional Blond Studio Platinum
Click for Best Price RUNNER-UP Our rating ★★★★★ Schwarzkopf BlondMe 9+ Bond Enforcing Premium Lightener Dust-Free Powder
Click for Best Price Best Value Our rating ★★★★★ VR Blue Bleaching Hair Powder Extra
Click for Best Price What to Look for When Choosing Bleach?With so many bleaching products on the market, deciding which one will be best for you can be difficult. With that said, here are a few things to look for when buying hair bleach. Go for bleach with conditioning ingredientsSince bleaching entails stripping the color from your hair, it’s unavoidable that your hair becomes dry after the process. So, to reduce that effect, opt for bleaching products that have hydrating or conditioning ingredients. Choose ammonia-free bleachAnother thing to look for is ammonia-free bleach to minimize the risk of hair breakage. This type of bleach can also reduce the chances of over-lightening your hair. Although there are recommended products that contain ammonia, it’s best to be extra cautious, especially if you’ve never tried this before. This is because ammonia can make your hair brittle. Additionally, if it comes into contact with your skin, it may cause a burning sensation. Nevertheless, if you’re sold on products that contain ammonia, always ensure to do a patch test first before going all-out. What Do I Need to Know Before Bleaching?If you’re finally set on doing this whole process, there are a few things you should know to avoid hair disasters. Keep your hair healthy and strongBleaching is a chemical process that lifts the color from your hair. Keep the damage to a minimum by keeping your hair healthy. This can include making time for treatments, finding the right shampoo and conditioner, and avoiding heat before you bleach your hair. Doing so prevents your hair from falling off or breaking after bleaching it. Although the process can still damage your hair, it won’t come to a point where there’s no saving it. Blend, blend, blend!One of the reasons people go to professionals is to avoid having streaky hair. Buying a good bleach will be futile if your application is uneven. To avoid streaky hair, always make sure to blend properly so that every strand is covered. Your hair at the ends will absorb bleach faster, so make sure to keep that in mind. Read the instructionsSome bleach will have some extra steps. So, make sure to read the instructions, so you don’t miss anything thoroughly! Don’t forget about developers and tonersBleaching can lighten hair, but it will need a developer to do so. These developers can have different levels. However, if you want something safe, opt for 20 or lower. As for toners, these help you remove brassy undertones after bleaching. Always check the timeLeaving bleach on your hair too long not only damages it but can also irritate your scalp. So, it’s best to keep track of time when bleaching your hair. This means taking note of when you applied bleach on your hair and how long it’s been there. You can use a stopwatch, a timer, or an alarm clock, so you know when you’ve already reached the maximum time allotted for the process. Do a patch test firstEveryone has different reactions to different products. So, even if there are plenty of good reviews about the particular bleach you have in mind, it’s still recommended that you do a patch test first. This means applying a small amount of the bleach on a few strands so you can see how it will look after some time. You can also do this to test if you’re allergic to bleach. Always do your due diligenceDue diligence can include reading reviews and checking the brand’s tutorials. You can also check the ingredients and see if there’s something that can trigger allergies or irritation. Now that you know what to look for and what you need to do to prepare, let’s move on to the next: checking the best bleach reviews for your hair. Top 16 Best Bleach for Dark Hair1. L’Oreal Professional Blond Studio PlatinumProduct OverviewIf you’re new to bleaching or just want to avoid damaging your hair, going for an ammonia-free bleach is your best choice. This product is recommended for first-timers who are bleaching their hair on their own. It’s the safest among the rest of this list because it’s ammonia-free. Make sure to mix this with a developer.
CLICK FOR BEST PRICE It can lift up to 7 levels, and it’s not too drying for your hair. Most customers claim that it can work fast, so you should rinse it earlier than you should be compared to other bleaching products. Pros
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Click for Best Price 2. Schwarzkopf BlondMe 9+ Bond Enforcing Premium Lightener Dust-Free PowderProduct OverviewFor something a little stronger, Schwarzkopf BlondMe is a good choice. It allows up to 9 levels of lift, and it has anti-yellow agents so that your hair won’t turn brassy. Additionally, it’s not grainy, and it’s not dusty compared to other bleaches because it’s a dust-free powder. Plus, the scent is fantastic too. It has a floral scent that’s not too overpowering for your nose.
CLICK FOR BEST PRICE It’s an at-home professional bleaching treatment that even first-timers can use. In fact, it’s a product that has been raved about for years. Pros
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Click for Best Price 3. VR Blue Bleaching Hair Powder ExtraProduct OverviewVR Blue Bleaching Hair Powder is also recommended for newbies. Made in Italy, this product neutralizes brassiness with its blue powder. It comes with instructions on how long you should wait before rinsing as well as a guide on how to make the right mix.
CLICK FOR BEST PRICE It can lift up to 8 levels, but 2 or 3 sessions might be needed for darker hair. On the bright side, it doesn’t have ammonia, so it’s not drying, and it leaves your hair soft. Pros
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Click for Best Price 4. Wella Blondor Multi Blonde Powder LightenerProduct OverviewWella is a professional brand respected by stylists. It’s used in salons worldwide because of how great they are. The Wella Blondor Multi Blonde Powder Lightener is an excellent option to get salon-level treatment without costing you too much.
CLICK FOR BEST PRICE It’s not too abrasive on the scalp, but people with sensitive skin should do a patch test first. Pros
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Click for Best Price 5. Manic Panic Flash Lightning Hair Bleach KitProduct OverviewManic Panic has become a famous brand because they offer vegan and cruelty-free hair dyes. Although their bleach contains ammonia, it’s still not too much to handle. Surprisingly, it doesn’t have a scent. Still, don’t forget to wear gloves and do a patch test first. People with sensitive skin may have a different reaction.
CLICK FOR BEST PRICE Overall, it’s able to lighten hair without causing too much damage. It’s also the most affordable from this list. Pros
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Click for Best Price 6. Clairol Professional BW2 Hair Powder LightenerProduct OverviewClairol is also one of the best brands that salons will recommend. However, this one is recommended for off-scalp treatments such as ombre, highlights, or balayage. It provides a good lift but makes sure not to leave it in for too long. If you don’t rinse it in the required period, it doesn’t do much for your hair.
CLICK FOR BEST PRICE The bleach is one of the strongest, so be very careful and do a patch test first. While it may have worked out for some people, it might have a different reaction to you. Pros
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Click for Best Price 7. Pravana Pure Light Power LightenerProduct OverviewPravana is also known for the various color of its hair dyes. Since most dyes don’t stick to dark hair, they also offer a hair bleaching product. It’s also easy to apply, and it’s not dusty, especially when you’re mixing it. Although it has a mild bleach scent, it’s not something you can’t handle. It doesn’t do much damage to your hair too.
CLICK FOR BEST PRICE This is another budget-friendly option that won’t cause hair breakage. Pros
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Click for Best Price 8. L’OREAL PARIS Quick Blue Powder BleachProduct OverviewL’Oreal is one of the most popular brands. Because of this, it’s relatively easy to find, and it delivers its claims. For dark hair, 2 or 3 sessions might be needed to achieve level 9 or level 10 blond hair. However, it can cause skin irritation, so make sure you take precautions.
CLICK FOR BEST PRICE It’s usually not too damaging for your hair. Still, depending on the condition, it’s best to apply hair treatment every week to bring back its luster and health. Pros
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Click for Best Price 9. Blond Forte Perfect Blond Extra Strength Professional Hair DyeProduct OverviewBlond Forte can lift hair up to 6 levels. It can make your hair feel dry, but it’s not enough to make it brittle.
CLICK FOR BEST PRICE They said in their description that they use coconut fragrance, but the chemical scent is still strong. Overall, this is an excellent product to try but not for those who are sensitive to scents. Pros
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Click for Best Price 10. L’Oreal Paris Colorista BleachProduct OverviewThis is another good product from L’Oreal. It’s incredibly versatile and easy to use. You can try this to cover your whole hair or to make highlights. You can even use this to create an ombre effect.
CLICK FOR BEST PRICE There’s plenty of videos to help you make your own highlights and ombre using the Colorista Bleach. Depending on how light you are planning to achieve, you may need to do two sessions. Pros
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Click for Best Price 11. WELLA Color Charm Powder LightenerProduct OverviewAnother good option from Wella is their Color Charm Powder Lightener. It’s dust-free, and it can lift hair up to 7 levels. It’s not drying, and you can combine it with heat to make the process faster.
CLICK FOR BEST PRICE Compared to Blondor, its consistency is thicker and a bit foamy, making the application process more manageable. Pros
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Click for Best Price 12. MASIL Dual Glam Self Hair Highlight BleachProduct OverviewIf you’re looking for something to make the whole process fun, MASIL is an excellent product to try. However, don’t be fooled by its cute appearance — this is a pretty strong bleach. Nevertheless, it doesn’t “fry” your scalp and your hair. The smell is not overpowering either.
CLICK FOR BEST PRICE This is one of the best highlighting kits on the market because it also comes with an easy-squeeze bottle that can help evenly spread the product on the roots. Pros
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Click for Best Price 13. Splat Null Lightening BleachProduct OverviewThe Splat Null Lightening Bleach has a kit that contains everything you need. It includes shampoo, gloves, oxide, conditioner, and even one bleach and one color of your choice. This small kit packs a punch, though — even people with dark hair need to only leave the bleach for 30 minutes at most.
CLICK FOR BEST PRICE If your hair is already damaged, skip this and opt for something gentler. This is recommended for people with healthy hair in a rush. Pros
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Click for Best Price 14. Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Vario Blond Extra PowerProduct OverviewAs mentioned earlier, Schwarzkopf is one of the most recommended brands by stylists and salons. It lightens hair without causing too much breakage.
CLICK FOR BEST PRICE It’s an affordable option if you can’t get it professionally done. Pros
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Click for Best Price 15. Color Brilliance by Ion Bright White Creme LightenerProduct OverviewIf you’re looking for something easy to mix with, then Ion Bright’s Color Brilliance lightener is a good choice.
CLICK FOR BEST PRICE On dark hair, it lifts the color pretty well without making it too dry. It’s easy to use and beginner-friendly. Pros
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Click for Best Price 16. Blond Forte Blond And ProtectProduct OverviewAnother good product from Blond Forte is their Blond and Protect bleach. While other products like the Perfect Blond Extra Strength Professional Hair Dye are excellent, this one is more concentrated, perfect for highlighting hair.
CLICK FOR BEST PRICE It can help highlight hair while at the same time condition it, so it gets the nutrients it needs. Because of this, your hair won’t be left too dry. It allows up to 8 levels of lift, and it won’t make your hair too yellow or brassy. Pros
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Click for Best Price ConclusionColoring your hair is a great way to express yourself or to try out new looks. However, bleaching to make your hair blonde or achieve fun colors can be scary because there are too many risks involved. However, finding a good bleach can save you from melting your hair or burning your scalp. The recommended products listed above should help you find the best one for you. Also, keep in mind to take care of your lovely locks too. Give them the treatment and nourishment they need so they’ll be healthier despite all the process. Additionally, don’t forget to do a patch test first. After all, what works for others may not work out for you. So, dip your toes first before diving in! Have fun with your hair journey! Best Choice Our rating ★★★★★ L’Oreal Professional Blond Studio Platinum Ammonia free formula Click for Best Price Aida Founder & Hair Beauty Specialist I’m Aida and this is my blog where I write mostly about beauty and make up related stuff, but I like to spice it up a bit with lifestyle and photography posts. Or with whatever that comes to my mind. Hope you will enjoy the reading enough that we will ‘see’ each other more often! What bleach do hairdressers recommend?Final Verdict. The best professional hair bleach overall is Wella Blondor Powder Lightener, a colorist-recommended formula that offers gentle lifting while minimizing yellowish tones.
What level of bleach should I use for dark brown hair?To bleach light to medium brown hair, you need 30 volume. When bleaching close to the root, 20 volume may suffice. For dark brown to black, you need 30 or 40 volume depending on hair texture (30 for fine hair and 40 for coarser types), which gives maximal lift.
How do you bleach dark hair without turning it orange?A blue shampoo will neutralize orange tones. For hair that has been bleached blonde, use a specifically purple shampoo, and for hair that has been bleached to a lighter brown, use a blue-tinted purple shampoo. Purple shampoos work by balancing out yellow tones, since purple and yellow are opposite on the color wheel.
How do professionals lighten dark hair?A lightening or clarifying shampoo can lift the color and help you get the desired result. You can request that your stylist use a shampoo that is designed to lighten your hair. You can also wash your hair with clarifying shampoo in between salon visits safely to lift the color even more.
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