Here’s How To Strip Hair Colour Without Using Bleach

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Here’s How To Strip Hair Colour Without Using Bleach

You’re bored, you watched a TikTok, you felt like spicing things up… We know how this story goes.

But now that the dust has settled and your fading bubblegum pink hair is looking a little less fabulous as each day passes, you might be assessing your options of how you can return to your natural shade.

Well, you’re in luck. Hairdresser and vlogger Lola Kait has shared her genius semi-permanent stripping hack. And the best part? It requires zero bleach. 

Her viral Youtube video (which has been successfully recreated by other hair vloggers) left us with our jaws on the floor, as Lola melted away all remnants of a pre-existing neon yellow, orange and pink dye, to reveal a soft, glossy blonde underneath. 

Lola’s step-by-step tutorial does come with a strong word of warning, though, as she advises that the mixture should not be applied to “natural virgin hair or regrowth as it will lighten hair”. She also recommends for all users to do a “strand test check” before application to check the colour and condition of the hair, and for damaged, brittle and bleached hair to sit this one out. Just to be safe.

What you’ll  need:

*Lola’s video doesn’t specify exact measurements, so we borrowed the quantities from YouTuber Tonia Lives’ video where she tests out the same technique. 

  • A large bowl
  • 1 cup of 10 vol peroxide developer (we recommend: HI LIFT Crème Developer – 10 Vol 200 mL, $6.99 at Priceline)
  • 3 tablespoons of violet toning shampoo (we recommend: Fudge Clean Blonde Shampoo, $18.49 at Chemist Warehouse)
  • 3 tablespoons of  dishwashing liquid 
  • 1 cup of bi-carb soda
  • Old towel or cape
  • Rubber gloves
  • Hair colour applicator brush (optional)

Method:

1. Mix the bi-carb soda and developer to form a paste

2. Next, add the dishwashing liquid

3. Add the toning shampoo to the mixture and combine until the consistency is similar to “an egg white, not too runny and not too creamy”

4. Drape an old towel or protective cape over your shoulders to protect clothing and and put on rubber gloves to stop hands from drying out 

5. Section hair and apply the product using a hair colour brush or your hands, working into the strands section by section, ensuring you are saturating each part of the hair to avoid a streaky final result

6. Leave for 45 minutes and rinse out

7. Wash hair with a moisturising shampoo and apply a gentle, hydrating mask. We recommend: Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Shampoo ($16.99 at Chemist Warehouse) and Redken’s Extreme Strength Builder Plus ($31.50 at Adore Beauty)

8. Allow to dry. Head to the closest available mirror and marvel at your gorgeous, au natural locks

To watch the transformations yourself, we recommend Lola’s video here, Tonia Lives’ here and Namii Cho’s here. All using the bleach-free method by Lola Kait.

Have you got any tips for stripping colour out of your hair? If so, what are they?

Main image credit: @januaryjones

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Comments 42

  1. You can put deep cleansing or clarifying shampoo on dry hair and leave it for a while before washing it out, soaking hair in oil before washing can help remove dye as well. I know some people like using vitamin c powder or crushed tablets mixed in shampoo, or dishwashing detergent. So many methods are harsh on your hair though.

  2. Great tips who get bored with their hair and get the guts to do something themselves on their hair! If I get bored with my hair I wait to get in to my hairdresser – I don’t trust anyone (not myself especially!) else with my hair lol!! Afterall I have to wear it every day!

  3. After having a few bad DIY experiences i leave my hair to the experts. I’ve been tempted to colour in lockdown but I know I’ll regret it and after growing my hair these past 2 years I don’t want to undo and damage my hair

  4. Mmm….I would be very careful doing this because if you break the base (your natural hair colour) you could end up with warmth. We always used crappy shampoo (the more bubbles the better) and last resort was a bleach bath. :0
    I have seen Berocca used and it worked.

  5. I had a really unflattering hair rinse many years ago. I removed it by using anti-dandruff shampoo. That was so long ago; before the more recent product developments.