If you have very dark hair, you may need to bleach it before attempting to dye it blonde. Otherwise, your hair may not appear as light as you want. The final color will depend on your natural hair color and the developer you use. Looking at your skin tone will help you figure out if your hair is warm or cool. An easy way to figure out your skin tone is to check if you look best with silver or gold jewelry. You’ll likely look best with gold jewelry if your skin tone is warm or silver jewelry if your skin tone is cool.

If you have natural hair, gold tones look especially great. Try balayage highlights in red, gold, or copper. [3] X Research source

Balayage highlights will only pop on blonde hair that’s more dirty blonde, as opposed to platinum. If you have white blonde hair, try lowlights instead.

If you have a blue-red hair tone, like scarlet or wine, go with cooler balayage colors like strawberry. For an orange-red hair color, try copper or ginger highlights.

Balayage kits come with a comb applicator, lightening formula, plastic gloves, conditioner to use afterwards, and instructions. They’re a convenient way to try this hair coloring technique at home. If you can’t find a balayage kit, you might try a kit made for traditional highlights. If you have very dark hair, you might also need a bleaching kit if you’re hope for a dramatic change. Balayage will work on any hair type.

You’ll want to start with dry, clean hair for the best dye application. [8] X Research source Unlike other hair coloring techniques, you might not have to apply bleach before you balayage hair. The dye formula included in your kit comes with all the ingredients you’ll need to lighten your hair without a separate bleaching step, in some cases. If you want a dramatic color change from dark hair to light, then you may still need to bleach your hair.

This allows you to check the dye color and make sure that your hair doesn’t have any negative reactions to it.

If you want a natural look, painting the dye onto your hair is the best way to achieve it. However, you should not make horizontal or broad strokes. Try to blend it as well as you can. Unlike with traditional highlights, you’ll only apply the dye to part of the strand, so don’t go all the way to your roots. Most balayage styles tend to fade out about midway up the strand, especially on long hair. This tapering method will give your hair the natural, fading effect that the balayage technique is known for. Be extra careful if you have short hair so you don’t accidentally cover more of your hair than you’d like.

Once you complete the bottom layer, you can gently section it off with a hair tie, though this is optional. You can also cover your hair with a piece of foil before proceeding. Then, repeat the process with the middle and top sections of your hair. The hair in the bottom layer tends to be darker and more difficult to lighten, so it’s best to add highlights there first and give them the longest time to process.

Leave the toning mask in as long as instructed, then rinse it out in the shower. Remember that the longer you let the dye process, the lighter your highlights will be.

You can even let your balayage highlights go longer and transition it to an ombre look.

If you have have naturally blonde hair, keep your highlights from turning brassy or yellow by using a purple shampoo or spray once or twice a week. However, don’t use it too often, as it can give your hair a purple tint. Avoid washing your hair every day, as that can dry it out. Try washing your hair every 2-3 days instead, and use dry shampoo to touch up your roots between washes. [16] X Expert Source Christine GeorgeMaster Hair Stylist & Colorist Expert Interview. 1 April 2020.

You can buy a hair mask at a beauty store or online, or make your own. If you bleached your hair, apply a restorative treatment to your hair once or twice a week. You can also use a protein treatment once a month to strengthen your hair, but avoid using it more than that, or it will make your hair brittle. [17] X Expert Source Christine GeorgeMaster Hair Stylist & Colorist Expert Interview. 1 April 2020.