How to Go from Highlights to All Over Blonde

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or professional treatment. Always consult a healthcare provider for scalp/hair conditions and perform a patch test before using any chemical products.

Hair highlights are low maintenance and give your tresses that warm romantic touch. They help you blend your root color with lighter and sophisticated strands, creating more depth.

However, you might feel that an overall blonde color will suit you even better and be a better match for your complexion.

But before you make any decisions, you must know that going from highlights to all-over blonde is a complex process.

It is best to opt for a full service provided by an experienced colorist, but if you want to do this at home, we’ll help you transform this whole experience into a successful new look that makes anyone stare. However, be warned: if a DIY bleach application results in uneven banding or breakage, fixing it at a salon can be extremely expensive and require multiple sessions.

So if you wish this DIY changeover to look flawless, take notes, follow our guidelines, and ensure you follow all the steps presented below. 

What Do You Need to Go from Highlights to All Over Blonde?

One of the most important steps when you want to go from highlights to a full blonde, is the ingredient and materials list. You want to ensure that all the products are qualitative and proper for your hair. 

What to buy:

• Hair bleach powder and 20 vol (as well as 7 vol or 10 vol) developer.
• Foils that you will use to dye, section, and wrap the hair;
• Hair clips that you’ll use to pin each section and maneuver your strands;
• A tail comb that will help you section your hair tresses better and easily;
• A flat brush is used to apply the bleach and color;
• A regular brush or comb to detangle the hair;
• A bowl for the mix;
• Protective gloves;
• Wear an old T-shirt and use a towel to protect your neck and shoulders, as bleach can cause severe chemical burns and irritation if it sits on exposed skin.

How to Go from Highlights to All Over Blonde

If you want to master a perfect transition from blonde highlights to an overall blonde, make sure you strictly follow all the steps presented below.

This is very important because simply buying a blonde hair dye that you apply all over your hair won’t give you the desired result. Make sure you have all the props for your transformation. 

Prepping Hair

Before even starting, place the towel on your shoulder. A great trick to protect your skin is to apply a thick barrier cream or petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) on the forehead, ears, and nape. Be extremely careful when applying bleach near your face. If any product splatters into your eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of cool water and seek medical attention.

Also, we encourage you to do the bleaching process on unwashed hair (1-2 days post-wash) so your natural oils protect your scalp. Using a brush, detangle your hair, and with a tail comb, do the sections. Pin each part with a hair clip. 

Do a Quick Strand Test

Before you bleach your whole head, do a strand test first. Moving from highlights to full blonde can overlap bleach on hair that is already light. That can cause serious breakage.

Mix a small amount of bleach and developer. Apply it to a hidden strand at the nape of your neck. Watch the spot where your natural roots meet the old highlights. If the strand turns gummy, stretches, or breaks, stop. Your hair is too fragile for full bleaching. If it stays strong and lightens evenly, you can move forward.

How to Use Foils

Because you are transitioning from highlights to an all-over blonde, precision is non-negotiable to avoid overlapping bleach onto already-lightened hair. Overlapping 20-volume developer on existing blonde highlights can cause severe chemical damage and breakage. For this reason, doing the back of your head by yourself is highly discouraged. You must enlist the help of a friend to carefully isolate the dark strands in the back and ensure the bleach is applied evenly and safely.

Applying the Bleach

Mix your powder lightener and 20 vol developer in a bowl according to the manufacturer’s ratio, and spread it on the hair with a brush. Because you do not want to damage your hair, especially the highlighted tips, you will apply the 20 vol only on areas that can hold the lightener.

Select small strands from each section, place the foil under the hair piece, and apply the bleach mixture strictly to the dark, unlightened hair, carefully avoiding overlapping onto your existing highlights.

If the previously highlighted ends need slight brightening, apply a gentle 10-vol bleach mixture (or 7-vol if you have access to professional supply stores) for the last few minutes. Do not place bleach directly on your scalp.

Leave around one inch from the roots and apply your bleach mixture to the root area after you are done with the mid-lengths. This part of the hair will process very quickly because the scalp has heat, and if you’re doing it too fast, you will damage the hair and end up with an unwanted color.

Dealing with Foils

Let the foils process almost all the way before dealing with the roots. This technique will give you a more natural look, better blending the blonde.

Another helpful tip for the roots that will make the color look uniform is to start with the section you first started bleaching. You will do so because you want the other areas to have enough time to process the lightener.

It’s not mandatory to take the foils down, just apply lighter bleach on each side. Leave the hair uncovered to process. Do not use a processing cap, as trapping heat over bleach can cause severe scalp burns and hair breakage.  

Applying Toner

Toners will help you get that blonde nuance you always wanted. If you feel like the hair is too light, use a strawberry blonde color. There are plenty of options when it comes to toners for blonde hair: platinum, silver, ashy, purple tint, etc. 

Final Retouches

Also, you might need to trim the ends a little bit to keep your hair looking healthy and avoid a brittle texture. When it is time to remove the bleach, thoroughly rinse your hair with lukewarm water for at least 5 to 10 minutes. You must then wash your hair with a neutralizing shampoo to completely stop the chemical oxidation process and restore your scalp’s pH balance. Follow up with a deep conditioning treatment before blow-drying.

How to Take Care of Hair After Going from Highlights to Full Blonde

Switching to the blonde team doesn’t come without a care in the world. After a bleach, you should give your hair time to rest and use protein treatments to improve its elasticity before changing its color again. To better maintain the color, use a purple shampoo that will greatly neutralize yellow tones. 

Also, because you used bleach, nourishing shampoos, deep conditioners, and hair masks will become your best friends. Your tresses need a lot of hydration to look smooth and silky. So make sure that the product you are using do not contain any sulfates and provide your hair with all the beneficial ingredients. 

If you want to preserve the color and the luxurious texture, always use heat protection whenever you blow dry your hair or style it with irons. 

You must stay away from the sun, so if you’re going to the beach, always wear a hat. Sun damages hair and makes the hair color fade easily, a thing you certainly don’t want after all that effort.  

FAQs

When you want to go all over blonde from highlights, you must consider the color of your roots and the present damage. You should strictly follow the guidelines presented above if you want your color to look impeccable and create a mesmerizing transformation.