Whether you are lightening your hair a few shades or going platinum blond, bleaching your hair is one way to change your look to something more chic. Going to a professional hair stylist would be the easiest way to achieve the best results, but the frequent visits can become expensive. Bleaching your hair at home is a tricky, but much more cost-effective alternative.

Put on gloves to protect your skin from chemical burns.

Mix the developer with the bleach powder in a plastic bowl, using the applicator brush in a well-ventilated area.

Apply the product to dry combed hair with the applicator brush, starting from the back and moving to the top of your head.

Wait for the bleach to set and check the color of the hair after 15 minutes to see if the result is the color you want to achieve. For lighter hair, leave the bleach in for a shorter period of time, between 15 to 30 minutes. For darker hair, leave for anywhere up to an hour.

Wash out the bleach in cool water once you have reached the desired shade. If you do not have the right because you have naturally darker hair, repeat the bleaching process with a second application at a later date.

Apply a violet-based toner once your hair is a pale yellow shade to remove the brassy or yellow tones. Wait for the toner to set for 10 to 15 minutes.

Wash your hair thoroughly. Dry and style your hair.