Colour B4 after bleaching.

It should still help to remove the red times, but probably won't totally. You can use them up to three times.

I know you're impatient because of the holiday, but you really shouldn't bleach for another 4 weeks.

How about a colour gradient. Blue on the roots to mid shaft fading into a purple or teal? That would mean you'd only need to do a couple of rounds of colour remover before it's an appropriate colour.

I also saw that you used 40vol in your intro post. That is a really bad idea. It's way too strong on your scalp and hair (it should never be put on the scalp). I have very dark brown hair and I still only use 20vol with gets me to a pale yellow.

It should still help to remove the red times, but probably won't totally. You can use them up to three times.

I know you're impatient because of the holiday, but you really shouldn't bleach for another 4 weeks.

How about a colour gradient. Blue on the roots to mid shaft fading into a purple or teal? That would mean you'd only need to do a couple of rounds of colour remover before it's an appropriate colour.

I also saw that you used 40vol in your intro post. That is a really bad idea. It's way too strong on your scalp and hair (it should never be put on the scalp). I have very dark brown hair and I still only use 20vol with gets me to a pale yellow.

Hello, thanks for the reply.

I'd quite happily wait 4 weeks - if I had the time
I get a seven week holiday this year and my school is so strict with colours. So regardless, on what I decide to do, it has to be within the first three weeks of the holiday (I only finished yesterday) so I have time for it to fade etc.

I know 40vol is weird that way. But since I had all the layers of black in my hair, I had no other choice. I plan on using a 30vol next time so I can apply it to my scalp. I've used 30vol on my scalp and roots before with no issues. My hairdresser is always commenting on the way I look after my hair. She says it's pretty good, I mentioned my idea to her and she said she'd see no risk in it because I look after my hair so well. Although, she did also mention the scalp thing, which I'm familiar with 🙂 I plan to bleach again in a weeks time, after consulting Becky (My hair dresser) after one bleaching, she said a week would be more than enough. So with that part, I'm confident I'll be okay.

I'm due a wash tomorrow so I'll use the colour stripper and get back to you with results.
One more question- Do you think the blonde would be "strong" enough when using 30vol developer to apply blue to it?

Thanks~!

Well, I can't agree with your hairdresser and we will never advise that, but I can't stop you. Most of us here don't trust most hairdressers when it comes to bleaching and peroxide volumes. They frequently get it wrong. There's always a choice in using 40vol, even when bleaching out black. You'd be hell of a lot better off using a good bleach brand like blondor or indola with a lower peroxide, they are far more effective than the one you mention in your intro post.

As I say, I know you want to get this done soon, but going from black to blonde is a slow process, sometimes you have to accept you won't get where you want. I doubt you'll get the ends light enough as the black has likely stained them. With many, many years experience, I can tell you compromise is very often the key and gradient colours are a perfect and very attractive way of getting that compromise.

I'm not sure what you mean about 30vol developer to apply the blue or blonde being strong enough?

Your hair is going to be fried if you bleach it again in a week. 40 vol should generally be avoided anyway as it's so harsh.

Hairdressers often ruin hair themselves by over bleaching so I wouldn't trust their advice.

Your hair may not be light enough for blue with another bleach session. There may be staining from the black.

Edit: Janine got there first :p

Well, I can't agree with your hairdresser and we will never advise that, but I can't stop you. Most of us here don't trust most hairdressers when it comes to bleaching and peroxide volumes. They frequently get it wrong. There's always a choice in using 40vol, even when bleaching out black. You'd be hell of a lot better off using a good bleach brand like blondor or indola with a lower peroxide, they are far more effective than the one you mention in your intro post.

As I say, I know you want to get this done soon, but going from black to blonde is a slow process, sometimes you have to accept you won't get where you want. I doubt you'll get the ends light enough as the black has likely stained them. With many, many years experience, I can tell you compromise is very often the key and gradient colours are a perfect and very attractive way of getting that compromise.

I'm not sure what you mean about 30vol developer to apply the blue or blonde being strong enough?

I wouldn't usually trust many hair dressers but I've had Becky bleach my hair before and I've had brilliant experiences with her 🙂

For me, BBlonde has always been effective, but different hair I guess 🙂 I've never heard of the ones you mention, I'll have to have a look at those. I realise it's a slow process, I'm going to see how it turns out after my second bleaching and decide just how much I need to compromise, like you say. It's actually kind of weird because for some reason, my ends were lighter than all of it but that may have been due to the fact that last time I applied ColourB4, I did my ends first.

And sorry, I didn't word it too well.
I meant, If I use 30vol the next time round, baring in mind my current shade, do you think the blonde will be suitable for a blue colour (hopefully without turning green) without a 3rd bleach?

Thank you so much for this advice by the way (y) 🙂

Your hair is going to be fried if you bleach it again in a week. 40 vol should generally be avoided anyway as it's so harsh.

Hairdressers often ruin hair themselves by over bleaching so I wouldn't trust their advice.

Your hair may not be light enough for blue with another bleach session. There may be staining from the black.

Edit: Janine got there first :p

I see you have blue in your picture - it's lovely!
What colour did you start with, what volume did you use and how many sessions did it take you if you don't mind me asking? Thank you 🙂
Some of the things you said were explained in the reply I posted just above 😛 🙂

Have you tried a different bleach? I never thought it mattered, but it really makes a difference. Bblonde is ok, but it's very far from the best.

If the ends came out lightest, it suggests heavy damage to me, so be careful or get a good cut after to get rid of them.

It's impossible to say for sure if it will come out blonde enough. Staining from black dye is too unpredictable unfortunately. Do the colour remover, then see where you are. I can't emphasise enough though, a better quality bleach with 20vol will be as good as, if not far better than, bblonde and 30vol and would do less damage.

Have you tried a different bleach? I never thought it mattered, but it really makes a difference. Bblonde is ok, but it's far from the best.

If the ends came out lightest, it suggests heavy damage to me, so be careful or get a good cut after to get rid of them.

It's impossible to say for sure if it will come out blonde enough. Staining from black dye is too unpredictable unfortunately. Do the colour remover, then see where you are. I can't emphasise enough though, a better quality bleach with 20vol will be as good as, if not far better than, bblonde and 30vol and would do less damage.

I've tried a couple but never for a job this big unfortunately. What bleaches do you recommend? And are they available at most pharmacies/stores like Superdrug or Boots?

Only the very very tips of my hair came out lighter, I had a trim a couple weeks prior to starting this 🙂

And just to clairfy, are you suggesting that first I do a colour remove, then possibly another bleach? Sounds do able 🙂

OH and I also forgot to mention that certain parts of m hair were dark brown, but used 40vol as any of the remaining black would not lift, but not to worry, I plan on using a weaker bleach next time around.

thank you :))

Blondor or indola. You can get blondor at Sally's. Otherwise, both are available on Amazon.

Even if you did get a cut, it doesn't mean some damage isn't still there.

Yes, do a colour remover first. Do more than one as you can use them up to three times and in quick succession.

Again though, 40vol just shouldn't be used, I can't say otherwise as it's just so bad! A good bleach with a lower vol peroxide is always better and more effective. I'm afraid it's something I just can't repeat enough (even if it is annoying 😉 )

Blondor or indola. You can get blondor at Sally's. Otherwise, both are available on Amazon.

Even if you did get a cut, it doesn't mean some damage isn't still there.

Yes, do a colour remover first. Do more than one as you can use them up to three times and in quick succession.

Again though, 40vol just shouldn't be used, I can't say otherwise as it's just so bad! A good bleach with a lower vol peroxide is always better and more effective. I'm afraid it's something I just can't repeat enough (even if it is annoying 😉 )

Thanks so much for this!
I'd usually just do it but blue is one of those funny colours...
Annoyingly, Amazon isn't an option for me due to some other issues so no way of me getting my hands on those bleaches. Any others you many know of? If not I'll just have to look around. Do you think I could do ColourB4 now or is it a little too risky the day after? I'm planning on using intensive conditioning treatments every night until I'm ready by the way! 🙂

If it's okay to do the colour B4 I'll go and do it literally right now.. (Extra strength)

Can no one else buy it for you at Sally's or Amazon?

You can do the colour remover whenever. That's fine, it's none damaging. Just use a good conditioner after.

Don't use any conditioner for two days before you bleach, if you must bleach so soon, you really need the natural oils to help out and washing it strips them. Also, get coconut oil and put that on your hair at least two hours before you bleach. Over night is even better. Then bleach without washing out the oil. It helps protect. 

Can no one else buy it for you at Sally's or Amazon?

You can do the colour remover whenever. That's fine, it's none damaging. Just use a good conditioner after.

Don't use any conditioner for two days before you bleach, if you must bleach so soon, you really need the natural oils to help out and washing it strips them. Also, get coconut oil and put that on your hair at least two hours before you bleach. Over night is even better. Then bleach without washing out the oil. It helps protect.

Unfortunately, not right now.
I shall be doing the colour remover then, thank you 🙂

Thanks for the tips. I'll be sure to come back to you as you seem like a person who knows what they are doing 🙂