If you have recently decided you would like your hair to be a bit lighter in tone, then look no further, we have some solutions!

We wrote an article on how to lighten your hair here but we have summarised it for you below.

Safety first! Have a look at these instructions below to help you prepare for lightening your hair:

A few weeks before lightening, start doing conditioning treatments every 4-5 days. Apply a hair mask or thick conditioner on wet hair and keep it like that for 15-30 minutes. This will give you enough moisture to keep the hair cuticle strong. 

Stop washing your hair 3 days before bleaching. The scalp will build up some oil which is an additional protection.

Do a hair strand test and allergy test, by getting one strand and seeing how your hair reacts to the treatment. If it reacts badly, immediately wash off and do not use the product.

The lightening is restricted for recently chemically straightened or permed hair. Allow yourself at least a month after these treatments. Also, do not use the lightening if your scalp is sensitive or irritated.

After you've done these safety measures, use our Smart Beauty Bleach-It Hair Lightening Kit. Place a towel over your shoulders and put on a pair of gloves. Apply petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to your ears and to the skin around your hairline. Alternatively, use olive oil.

Using clips, divide the hair into 4 sections. Using a comb, divide each section into few smaller half-inch sections.

In a non-metallic bowl, mix activator cream with the powder to form a creamy paste.

Apply the mixture evenly from the back of the head to the front. Use the following order: mid-lengths, ends and root area. When working with the roots, try to keep some distance from the scalp. If you want to bleach the roots fully, do it quickly at the very end as they develop much faster than the rest of your hair.

Comb and cover with cling-film. Read the instructions to know the development time.

Thoroughly rinse avoiding contact with eyes.

After lightening your hair, the best way to maintain the condition is as follows:

Use the conditioner after every wash to flatten the cuticles and seal in moisture. For blonde hair or highlights use purple shampoos, conditioners and/or masks to keep the colour cool. Use a low heat setting while drying and try to turn it off when the hair is not fully dry. Smoothing products such as argan oil will help to smooth the cuticle and give a glossier finish.