There was once a time when finding white and gray hairs was a shock and we’d have done anything in our power to get rid of them. Well, now it’s time to embrace them because white hair is in! You have Elsa from Frozen and Daenerys Targaryen to thank for that!
If you happen to find any white hairs, don’t sweat it; you’re already on your way to achieving this eye-catching trend. If you don’t want to wait around for your locks to turn white of their own accord, then you’ll be pleased to know that you can dye your hair white at home. Before you begin, there are some things you need to know, for example, did you know that not everyone can color their hair white? Read on to find out why this is the case, and how to actually dye your hair white and care for it when you’ve decided to take the plunge.
Not everyone can dye their hair white. The process works better when you have virgin hair, which means that it has either never been dyed before or if it has, then the dye is no longer present. If your hair is dyed, even with a temporary color, you shouldn't attempt to color your hair white until the dye has grown out.
Smile! Just because you have white hair, it doesn't mean you have to be icy!
If you fulfill the criteria and want to get started on the coloring process, just follow these simple step-by-step instructions and you’ll have gorgeous pure white locks before you know it.
Step 1: Section your hair.
When bleaching your hair, precision is everything. By tying your hair into several sections, you can improve your accuracy and application time. The best way to go about this is to make pigtails, and then divide each pigtail into two so you end up with four sections.
Step 2: Apply the bleach.
Follow the directions on the packaging to make sure you don’t make any mistakes. Untie one of the sections and take a layer from the top. Coat it in bleach and then pin it up and out of the way. Do the same with the layer beneath until the whole section has been covered in bleach. Once all the sections are done, give your hair a quick massage to make sure the bleach is evenly spread, then place all your hair up on top of your head and wrap it in saran wrap.
Step 3: Let the bleach work its magic.
Leave the bleach in your hair for as long as it takes to reach a pale yellow color, which really depends on how dark or light your hair was in the first place. But whatever you do, never leave the bleach in longer than the recommended time on the packaging. If by the end of the suggested time, your hair still isn’t a pale yellow, wash out the bleach anyway. The process will need to be repeated, however, let your hair rest for at least a week before reaching for the bleach again.
Step 4: Tone your hair white.
So your hair is finally the desired pale yellow color and now it’s time to color it white! The reason your hair looks yellow is because of the melanin still left in your hair. This needs to be neutralized in order to achieve the perfect white of your dreams. Adding the correct complementary color (in this case, violet) is the only way to get rid of the yellow shade. Therefore, you need a pastel toner in violet to complete the process of coloring your hair white.
After dyeing your hair white, it will remain that light unless it grows out or you dye it again. The toner in your hair, however, fades slightly after each wash. This means you have to top it up every time you wash your hair otherwise the yellow pigments will start to peek through. The easiest way to replenish toner is to use a purple shampoo, which you can use instead of your regular shampoo.
The healthier you keep your locks, the more eye-catching your white hair will be. Deep conditioners and hair masks are a great way to keep your mane in tiptop condition and to counteract the effects of the bleach as well as other damaging factors such as sun, wind, and environmental pollutants, which can leave your hair looking limp and lifeless.