Bleaching your hair at home can be a gamble, with countless box dye bleach kits promising dramatic results. But do these affordable options deliver on their claims, or are they a recipe for hair disaster? We put four popular kits – Garnier Nutrisse Maximum Lightning Cream, L'Oréal Paris Colorista Bleach, Bleach London, and Arctic Fox Bleach – to the test, comparing their performance, ease of use, and overall value. From price points ranging from under $5 to over $20, we investigated the considerable differences in formula, developer strength, and application process. Our rigorous testing, conducted on a mannequin head, revealed significant disparities in lightening power and the resulting hair condition.This comprehensive review delves into the details of each kit, providing a brutally honest assessment of their effectiveness. We scrutinize everything from the initial application and scent to the final results and potential damage. Discover which kit reigned supreme in terms of lightening power and hair health, and which fell tragically short. Find out which affordable option is worth your money and which ones you should avoid, helping you make an informed decision before you take the plunge and bleach your own hair.
Pros And Cons
- Lightened the most
- 30 volume developer
- Caused some hair breakage
- Requires multiple boxes for full head coverage
- Anti-brass conditioner included
- Applicator bottle kept clogging
- Thicker consistency, difficult application
- Not enough product for full head coverage
- Great ingredients
- 35 volume developer
- Good consistency
- Smooth application
- Latex gloves included
- Requires multiple boxes for full head coverage
- Expensive
- Good consistency
- Easy mixing process
- Liquidy and runny application
- Not enough product to cover a full head
- Did not lighten much
- Requires multiple boxes for full coverage
Read more: Bleaching My Hair Using Clairol KaleidoColors: A Personal Journey
The Contenders: A Lineup of Box Bleaches
Four box bleach kits entered the arena: Garnier Nutrisse Maximum Lightning Cream, L'Oréal Paris Colorista Bleach, Bleach London, and Arctic Fox Bleach. Each promised varying levels of lift and came with different packaging and formulas. The price points varied dramatically, from under $5 to over $20, indicating potential differences in quality.
The Garnier kit, the cheapest, boasted an impressive claim of eight levels of lift. L'Oréal's Colorista offered a complete bleaching system, though its spelling was questionable. Bleach London promised seven levels of lift with a 30-volume developer, a clear advantage over its competitors.
Arctic Fox, the priciest option, included a 35-volume developer and promised a complete lightening experience. Initial examination revealed differences in packaging, included components, and volume of developer provided.
Application and First Impressions
The application process varied significantly. Garnier's creamy consistency was surprisingly easy to work with, despite the small amount of product. L'Oréal's, while similar in formula, had a less user-friendly applicator bottle, prone to clogging.
Bleach London provided ample developer but required more bowls for mixing, making it less convenient. Arctic Fox, with its liquid consistency and included latex gloves, provided the most comfortable application experience.
Each kit's scent and overall application process offered a varied experience, with clear preferences emerging for some over others due to factors such as formula consistency and application bottle design.
Results and Analysis
After a 45-minute processing time, the results were striking. Garnier, despite its low price, provided minimal lift, even on a mannequin head. L'Oréal's Colorista performed similarly, providing little lightening and disappointing results. Both products would necessitate multiple boxes to achieve significant lightening.
Bleach London provided the most significant lightening, although some breakage occurred, suggesting potential for damage with prolonged application. Arctic Fox, while the most expensive, delivered the most even and effective lightening, with a healthy shine. While requiring multiple boxes for a full head, the quality justified the cost.
The noticeable differences in lightening power and hair condition across the different products demonstrate the impact of formula, developer strength, and overall application process.
Final Verdict and Recommendations
Based on performance, price, and overall application experience, Arctic Fox emerged as the clear winner, though its cost is a factor to consider. Bleach London performed well, offering a substantial lightening effect but caution is needed to avoid damage. Both Garnier and L'Oreal offered disappointing results given the cost versus effectiveness.
While Garnier's affordability is tempting, the small amount of product and minimal lightening effect make it less cost-effective in the long run. The application bottle and overall process of L'Oréal’s Colorista left much to be desired.
Ultimately, choosing the right box bleach kit depends on your budget and tolerance for potential damage. While the Arctic Fox kit delivers superior results, Bleach London offers a more budget-friendly option, provided it's used cautiously.