Finally! Tresses That Obey Your Commands

Hair-Envy Solution #3
From Brown To Goldie Locks

AT-HOME FIX: Got a blonde ambition? It's totally doable at home, as long as you don't need to lighten your hair more than three shades.

Choose a kit that contains both a lightener (bleach) and a toner. According to Clairol's National Haircolor Consultant, Chuck Hezekiah, if you look better in peach lipsticks, choose a honey, golden or strawberry hue; if pink lipsticks are much more flattering, go with a shade between beige and ash blonde. Try L'Oreal Preference Le Blondissimes, Revlon Colorsilks or Clairol Maxi Blonde.

Buy a new color kit every four to six weeks and lighten only the areas of new hair growth. Continuing to lighten hair you've already bleached can do major damage.

SALON SOLUTION: Before you bleach your hair, schedule a color consultation so you'll know what to expect and how much cash you'll be laying out. The darker your hair, the more moolah you'll be shelling out to go blonde.

If you want to go ultra pale, it'll require a technique called double processing, which is expensive--around $80 to $140--for the first visit, then $40 to $60 to lighten regrowth every four to six weeks.

Highlights will cost you almost as much as the double process, but the touchups aren't as frequent--about every eight to 12 weeks.