To get the desired look, you need bleached platinum or white blonde hair. If this isn’t your current color, the first step is to bleach your hair to achieve this base–ginger,strawberry blond and darker colors just won’t cut it. Here’s how to get the stunning lilac locks!
You can do this by going to a salon or doing it yourself at home, but remember that bleach can be harsh on your hair and dry it out; you’ll need it in tip-top condition before you commence! If you are not confident about bleaching your hair at home, it is wise to get advice or visit a salon first. A bad bleach job can leave your locks scraggly, dry and damaged!
When bleaching your hair, it’s best to work on hair that is unwashed rather than freshly shampooed; this also helps avoid skin/scalp irritation. If your hair is already blonde, a toner might be sufficient to lighten it and is much kinder on your hair.
When picking the right bleach/peroxide kit, take a look at the number of the developer. If you have blonde hair, a 10-volume developer will be sufficient, but if your hair is darker, you’ll need a 30. Always perform a strand test before you start.
Many people ignore this advice, but it’s the most important stage of any dye job if you want to avoid potential disasters such as having an allergic reaction or the wrong tone/shade for your hair.
Choosing the Shade
There are lots of hair colors available on the market these days, but picking the right one for you can be tricky. Ask the shop assistant any questions you have, and ask to view a hair color chart if they have one.
Some colors are known to last longer than others, but most of the pastel colors are semi-permanent and wash out after a few weeks or last up to a couple of months. How long the color lasts will also depend on your hair condition, original color, how often you wash your hair and what products and heat you use on it, but some products are longer lasting.
Another point to consider is the shade. A hair color chart will help to explain this better. Some colors start off the shade you desire but fade to a color you may not be so keen on. It may be worth starting with a brighter or darker shade that will wash and fade into your desired result instead.
‘Crazy’ hair colors tend to be relatively cheap, but it may take more than one bottle to cover your hair. If you want a hint of lilac, you can mix it in with conditioner, which will make a single bottle go a lot further. Lilac colors tend to start purple, fade to lilac and end as a silvery tone. It is one of the better shades for fading colors (some blues can fade to seaweed green, for example). Take time to consider which dye is best for you and experiment.