The color blonde is one that is loved by many because of its tendency to match nearly all skin tones and the fact that it makes a bold statement. However, people with Type 4c hair may find it challenging when it comes to dyeing their hair. Due to its tight curl pattern and coarseness, it can be more prone to breakage and damage. That’s why it’s important to know the right steps to take when dyeing your 4c hair. In this article, you’ll be getting such steps along with inputs from hair stylists, so keep reading.
What to know before you begin dyeing your 4c hair
1. Determine the current state of your hair
The current condition of your hair will determine whether or not you should go ahead with dyeing your 4c hair blonde. If you’re battling dryness, split ends, intense breakage, or any other type of hair damage, it’s best to first get your hair back to a healthy state before you dye. This is because the chemicals in the dye can worsen your damaged hair condition.
2. Use the right products
It is important to buy high-quality products, especially those from reputable brands, as low-quality products may cause damage to your hair.
3. Deep condition and detangle
Hairstylist, Folake Folarin, advises that before you begin, your hair should have been deep conditioned first as you need it to be in a healthy, manageable state. Another thing to do before you begin the dyeing process is to comb your hair, as this will ensure there are no tangles or knots when you begin. Folarin also adds that it is important to bleach your 4c hair first before applying the toner/dye, or else the blonde color will not hold.
4. Visit a hairstylist
If you’ve never dyed your hair before and you’re not sure about DIY, you can visit a salon to get help from a hair stylist so you don’t cause damage to your kinks.
Step-by-step method of dyeing your 4c hair blonde
- Hair bleach (or more, depending on the length and thickness of your hair)
- Developer
- Toner
- Hand gloves
- Mixing bowl
- Mixing brush
- Wide-tooth comb
- Shower cap
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
Here are the items you’ll need to have ready:
Step 1. Prepare the developer and bleach powder
According to Nia Hope, founder of Nia Hope & Company, producer of Hair Growth & Dry Scalp Serum, “The most important thing to know when bleaching your hair is that measurements and time frames are so important.”
To begin the process of dyeing her hair blonde, Nia mixes 2.5 ounces of 40 Volume Creme Developer and the entire packet (1 ounce) of the L’Oreal Quick Blue Bleach powder into the mixing bowl. She stirs it up with the application brush until the consistency is thick.
Step 2. Apply the mix
If you have a TWA (teeny weeny Afro), you can start applying the mix all over your hair, from roots to ends. However, if your hair is longer, you’ll have to section it into four for easier application.
After applying the mix to your hair, cover it with a shower cap to trap the heat and speed up the bleaching process. Then leave the bleach to process according to the instructions on the pack which is sometimes between 30 – 40 minutes. Set a timer on your phone or watch so you are right on time. When the time is up, take off the shower cap, wash the mix with shampoo, and towel dry your hair.
Nia noticed that after washing, the texture of her hair changed. “Like my curls are not this loose… Everything that I’ve heard about chemically treating your hair and bleaching can change your hair texture is 100% true,” she says.
Step 3. Tone/Dye the hair
The next step now is to tone the hair. Nia mixes 1.4 ounces of toner with 2.8 – 3 ounces of 30 Volume Creme Developer and stirs. According to her, the toner neutralizes yellow and orange tones on bleached hair as it gets rid of brassiness and produces a brighter blonde. After mixing, apply the toner to your hair and leave it on for 30 minutes before washing thoroughly with shampoo and conditioner.
Nia says first-timers, that is, those who are new to the hair dyeing process, should be prepared for their hair to not only come out in a different color but also in a completely different texture because it’s responding to the products that have been used. She also noted that her hair was extremely dry after the dyeing process, and she had to apply some moisturizing cream to get her hair hydrated. However, licensed cosmetologist and hair stylist, Britany Michelle, comments that the reason for the dryness was because of the volume of developer that was mixed with the toner.
“Use 5 or 10 Volume developer to mix with your toner,” she counsels, “No need to go in with 30 Volume with your toner since your cuticles are already wide open from the initial 40 Volume plus bleach. Toning with five or less volume should have your hair feeling less dry.”
Let us know in the comments how you plan to dye your 4c hair this summer!
Read next: Which Olaplex Products Are Best For Curly Hair?
