Is this bleach or dye?

March 6, 2013 4:57 PM

Is this box highlighting kit just bleach, or is it color? I purchased the wrong shade for my hair (purchased Creamy Caramel, I have probably level 7 blonde right now and I'm wanting to go lighter - I've been using the lightest one available) but if it's just bleach I'm thinking it would still work, right? I'm not a hair color expert, but the kit has powder and developer and it smells strongly of bleach. http://www.lorealparisusa.com/en/Brands/Hair-Color/Touch-On-Highlights.aspx
posted by sarahgrace to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (5 answers total)

Well, if you've already opened it -- test strand.
posted by munyeca at 5:20 PM on March 6, 2013

I'd call the 800 number and ask.
posted by looli at 5:31 PM on March 6, 2013

Ingredients from your link:

HIGHLIGHTING CRÈME DEVELOPER :
AQUA/WATER/EAU • HYDROGEN PEROXIDE • CETEARYL ALCOHOL • TRODECETJ-2 CARBOXAMIDE MEA • CETEARETH-25 • GLYCERIN • PENTASODIUM PENTETATE • SODIUM STANNATE • TETRASODIUM PYROPHOSPHATE • PHOSPHORIC ACID

Hydrogen peroxide is a bleach.
posted by payoto at 5:47 PM on March 6, 2013

Maybe I misread. You aren't asking if it contains bleach; you are asking if it contains only bleach? It also contains colorants so no, it's not just bleach.
posted by payoto at 5:49 PM on March 6, 2013

It's bleach and color, the color tones down the orange tone of straight-bleached hair. But if the color is too dark it won't really show up against your hair (or worse, will show up darker). Basically it will bleach your hair and dye it at the same time. You need a color that is lighter than the rest of your hair in order for the strands to show up.
posted by celtalitha at 5:55 PM on March 6, 2013