Instructions for Bleaching hair
Your bleach, when purchased, should come with mixing instructions. If you buy a tub of bleach they sometimes put these instructions inside the tub on a piece of paper that is easy to lose. awesome. So try to use the instructions that came with your bleach.

If you don’t have instructions they generally say something like:
mix one part powder to two parts developer.

It’s really not too complicated.
the scoop included in most bleach tubs measures out 1 ounce of powder. The individual packets indicate on them how many ounces they hold. And if you bought a good mixing bowl or application bottle at the beauty supply store, they should also have measuring guidelines printed/molded on them.

Mixing Instructions:
(to be repeated as needed)

Applicator bottle

If you are mixing your bleach up in an Applicator Bottle this should be a snap.
Fill the bottle with two ounces of Developer then add one ounce (or scoop) Powder to the bottle.
Close up the bottle. Make sure the tip is covered. Use either a cap that is provided with the bottle (not all of them are), or put on a glove and plug the tip with your gloved finger.
Now, shake the bottle to mix the contents.
Keep shaking.
Once mixed, your bleach is ready to use. So you can set down the bottle. And TAKE OFF the cap if you had placed one on the tip.
Do Not place a cap back on the applicator bottle again while you have mixed bleach in it. The chemical reaction causes gasses to build, and they need to escape the bottle.

or

Mixing bowl

This is the method I personally use.
If you are mixing your bleach up in a Plastic Mixing Bowl this isn’t any more complicated.
If your bowl does not have measuring lines on it then take the Applicator bottle that you also bought because I told you to, and use it to measure two ounces of Developer and transfer it to your mixing bowl. Then add one ounce (or scoop) Powder to the bowl.
Now, take your Tint Brush and use it to mix the two to a creamy consistency.
that’s it. You’re bleach is ready to go.

Sensitive Scalp / Bleach Burn

If you have a sensitive scalp that itches or burns uncomfortably when you bleach, here is a tip to eliminate, or at least reduce your discomfort.
Add a packet of Sweet ‘n Low to your bleach mixture.
It’s not a modern day wives tale or some sort of trick I’m trying to pull on you.
As strange as it sounds, a packet of Sweet ‘n Low added to your bleach will help reduce bleaching discomfort.

It is recommended that at least 24 hours before bleaching your hair, you do a patch test to determine if you are going to have a reaction. Newbies to bleach and dye would be well advised to do this. You just mix up a small amount of bleach and apply a dab to your wrist area and let it set on there for about 20 – 30 minutes. Rinse it away. Observe this portion of your skin to see if you have an adverse reaction to the chemicals.
I never do a patch test, but then again I have impulse control problems.

Applying bleach

The hair on the back of your head takes the longest to bleach, and your roots bleach the fastest. For that reason we start at the back of the head and at least and inch from your scalp.
As you bleach in sections and the layers of saturated hair build up eventually the bleach will bleed onto your roots. So this is where the cotton coil come in handy.

♡ Starting with a section of hair at the base of your neck, approximately 1 inch thick by 2 inches wide, and starting at least an inch away from the roots, apply bleach to your strand of hair.
♡ repeat this across the base of your hairline until you’ve completed applying bleach to that row.
♡ Directly above the row you’ve completed, start sectioning and bleaching again.
♡ After you’ve bleached a section, tear a piece from your Cotton Coil and place the strip between the bottom and top layer. If you continue doing this as you as you stack your layers, the hair will stay lifted from the roots and less bleach will bleed down onto your roots.
If you have really short hair you can omit this step entirely, since most of your hair would be considered “root growth”.
♡ After saturating the length of your hair put on your shower cap and go about your business.
♡ After about 20 minutes check your hair to see how much it has lightened. From this point on check your hair often. The goal is to reach a light Orange color .
♡ When the bulk of your hair is at that hideous orange stange it is time to apply bleach to your roots, so whip up a new batch, remove the cotton coils and get to work.
♡ When your hair reaches a lemony yellow it is time to stop bleaching your hair. This is the absolute lightest you are going to get it. If you want Platinum hair that will require the use of a toner, which I don’t cover.
♡ Go rinse the bleach out of your hair. Notice I said “rinse”, not “wash”. Do Not shampoo or condition your hair. Get the bleach out with plain old water.
♡ gently towel dry your hair.

At this point you look a mess. But you’re done with the bleaching.
I know your hair is ratted and feels like straw. But that’s okay. It is to be expected. You are right on track with everything.
good job.

DISCLAIMERI am NOT a professional hair stylist and make no pretense that I know anything about your hair. If you experience hair loss or an unexpected color by following my advice then it is on your head. Don't say I didn't give you the opportunity to back out. If you're experiencing hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings, then you are probably going through menopause and shouldn't be making split decisions about dyeing your hair. No Bunnies were harmed in the making of this website. There was that one racoon who will never be able to be rereleased into the wilds again, but a jury of my peers aquitted me of all charges. And as always, read the package instructions before proceding.b