Lightening hair dye: how to choose an option for your shade?

It can be confusing to select the best lightening hair dye, especially with so many options available. To achieve a bold blonde transformation or subtle highlights, it’s important to choose the right product for your particular shade.

It’s critical to realize that not every lightening dye is effective on every shade of hair. Blondes may not be satisfied with something that would be perfect for brunettes. It is easier to choose a dye that gives the best results without harming your hair if you know what shade your hair is naturally.

We’ll go over how to choose a lightening dye in this guide that goes well with your natural hair color so you can get the look you want without sacrificing health.

Your desired level of lightness, your hair type, and your natural shade will all influence which lightening hair dye is best for you. For the product to work its magic and prevent damage to your hair, it is imperative that it match your exact hair color. Whether your goal is a modest boost or a dramatic makeover, knowing your options will help you select the procedure that will produce the best results in terms of health and beauty.

Features of lightening hair dye

It is important to first make clear the distinction between lightening and bleaching, which are two entirely different salon procedures. The procedure’s name, "lightening dye," suggests that the goal is to lighten the strands, which makes sense. Depending on the dyeing method, the hair lightens by 3 to 9 tones concurrently.

What is the bleaching process? In order to further tone or dye hair in any shade, this procedure aims to remove all hair pigment. It is reasonable to say that bleaching is one of the most forceful manipulations. The hair needs to be corrected because it has a noticeable white-yellow color right after. Let’s return to lightening dyes, though. What are the subtleties of using them?

It is necessary to choose the holding time, the percentage of oxidant, the dye formula and the technique of action depending on the original hair color and its quality.

Pros and cons

Let’s talk about the benefits and drawbacks of lightening hair dye.

Advantages:

• allows you to experiment with your appearance without significant damage to the strands;
• can be used on both natural and dyed hair;
• short duration of the procedure (about 60 minutes) compared to bleaching and subsequent complex dyeing;
• saturates the curls with caring and restorative components to reduce the risk of damage;
• helps to correct unsuccessful dyeing, although at least one to two weeks should pass before re-applying the dye to the strands;
• comfortable creamy texture;
• a huge selection of dyes: there are even ammonia-free options on the market.

Cons:

• there is a risk of yellowing of the hair after bleaching;
• any coloring, including bleaching, is an aggressive effect on the curls, so after the procedure the strands can be damaged and need special care: to restore the hair structure, do not forget to regularly use specialized shampoo and rinse-off care;
• the bleaching procedure is difficult to carry out at home, it must be done exclusively in a salon by a trusted specialist.

Special ranges designed specifically for blondes address at least one issue, which is the worsening of the hair condition following bleaching. This is Blond Absolu at Kérastase: hyaluronic acid and antioxidant-rich products restore damaged areas, give strands a healthy sheen, and guard against damage of all kinds.

What are the dyes and lightening products?

The composition, texture, application technique, and extra effects of lighting products vary. One of the many formats available for this kind of product is dye. What level of specificity does each one have?

Lightening powders

This well-liked hair lightening product is regarded as the best in its class. Up to eight tones as a result. Powder is used for both a full-blown blonde transformation and for lightening strands in various highlighting techniques (like balayage, for example).

Lightening pastes

The addition of nourishing ingredients like beeswax to a thick, rich texture helps to preserve hair quality and provide proper care. Ammonia-free pastes work well on light-colored, fine, or naturally occurring hair. Pastes with a more robust formula, like L’Oréal Professionnel’s Platinum Plus, are great for lightening dark, thick, and coarse hair.

Cream paints

You could refer to it as a coloring book genre classic. When applied evenly and evenly distributed throughout the hair, lightening cream paint can create an effect of up to seven tones. While this format is easy to use on your own at home, a colorist can get the most out of it. Unlike other lightening agents, these paints require no further toning of the hair after application. Everything is contained in one tube, including the lightning and shadows.

Colorless paints

Depending on the oxidizer chosen, this dye format can lighten hair up to five tones already colored, or it can be used for shade correction. It makes sense to select a product with a stronger composition for people with dark hair.

Oil paints

Oils in this kind of lightener not only improve the product’s texture but also nourish and shield the hair while coloring it.

Lightening oil

The lightest of the lightening agents; it has a nice, airy texture and is composed entirely of ammonia. adds just two tones of lightness and gives the appearance of sun-bleached curls. Perfect for hair that is light to moderately light.

How to choose a hair lightening dye?

The stylists at SalonSecret advise against selecting a hair lightener on your own and, moreover, against using it at home without a professional colorist’s supervision. Making poor dye selections and application can have serious consequences; erratic results and broken curls are just the beginning. However, we are compelled to advise you on the best hair lightening dye to use.

Composition

Apart from the lightening agent (hydrogen peroxide, persulfates, sodium salts, and other "chemicals"), lightening hair dye formulations must contain nourishing ingredients and components that enhance the radiance and attractiveness of curls.

• yellowness neutralizer,
• jojoba oil,
• polymers,
• beeswax,
• panthenol,
• vitamin E.

Base color

The original shade of the hair, along with its structure and condition, all influence the dye choice.

• Dark hair
  It is impossible to lighten the natural pigment of dark hair to a blond shade without bleaching. However, it is quite possible to make the base color several tones lighter. For thick and stiff curls, lightening powder and oil paints are perfect.
• Blonde hair
  Colorless dyes, lightening oil, and ammonia-free lightening paste will help add shine and sun glare to light hair. The latter is ideal for working in various highlighting techniques on thin and fragile hair. In addition, owners of light hair can pay attention to dyes in a convenient cream format.
• Red hair
  You can give bright red hair a more delicate light shade with the help of lightening oil. To achieve a more pronounced effect, it is better to seek help from oil paint or cream paint.
• Colored hair
  Some types of colorless paints (for example, ammonia-free paint Redken Chromatics in the shade Clear) can safely lighten already colored light hair.

Dye brand

The best coloring results come from using products from reputable professional brands. They are obviously limited to use in salons. Colorists have a few favorite lighteners: Redken, L’Oréal Professionnel, and Matrix.

Focus on reviews

Examine the reviews of the dye that will be used before scheduling a lightening procedure at a beauty salon. Regretfully, not every hair salon uses high-quality products. Additionally, the complete chemical makeup of the chosen lightener can be found online.

Selecting the appropriate lightening hair dye can significantly impact your ability to attain your desired style while maintaining the health of your hair. To prevent unfavorable outcomes or damage, it’s critical to choose a product that complements your natural hair type and shade.

Consider things like the lightener’s strength, the amount of lift you require, and if you like ammonia-free formulas. To make sure you won’t experience an allergic reaction, always perform a patch test.

You can attain the desired brightness without jeopardizing the health of your hair by knowing your hair type and choosing the best lightening method.

Video on the topic

Hair dye. Colors of dyes. How to choose hair dye.