Best Bleach for Hair: A Comparative Review of Sally's Top 4

Choosing the right bleach for your hair can be a daunting task, especially with the overwhelming number of options available. This comparative review focuses on four popular hair lighteners readily available at Sally's Beauty Supply: Ion Bright White Powder Lightener, Wella Color Charm, L'Oréal Quick Blue, and BW2. Each product promises impressive lightening capabilities, claiming to lift hair color by seven levels. However, significant differences in price, formulation, and performance emerged during our rigorous testing process. We subjected virgin human hair to each bleach, following manufacturer instructions and using a standard 30-volume developer. Our assessment considered not only the final lightening result but also factors like ease of application, hair health, and overall user experience.This in-depth analysis meticulously documents the performance of each bleach, highlighting key differences in texture, scent, dust levels, lightening evenness, and the resulting impact on hair health. From the exceptionally dusty BW2 to the surprisingly damaging Ion Bright White, our findings reveal a spectrum of results, emphasizing the importance of selecting a bleach tailored to your specific hair type and desired outcome. We'll unveil which bleach emerged as the top performer and discuss the reasons behind our ranking, guiding you toward making an informed decision for your next hair lightening adventure.

Pros And Cons

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Contestant Introductions: The Bleach Lineup

Four popular hair lighteners from Sally's Beauty Supply were put to the test: Ion Bright White Powder Lightener, Wella Color Charm, L'Oréal Quick Blue, and BW2. Each promises seven levels of lift, a significant bleaching power. However, prices and formulations varied considerably, raising questions about value and performance.

Ion Bright White boasts coconut, chia, and sunflower oils, promising healthier hair. Wella Color Charm highlights a protective oil system for moisture retention. L'Oréal Quick Blue claims a smooth, dust-free formula. BW2, a classic, emphasizes extra strength and fast lightening.

The Testing Process: Methodology and Observations

Each bleach was mixed according to manufacturer instructions using a 30-volume developer, a common choice for at-home bleaching. Virgin, 100% human hair was used for consistent results.

Application and processing time were meticulously documented. Significant differences in scent, dust levels, and consistency emerged during mixing and application. BW2, for example, proved exceptionally dusty, impacting the user experience.

Results and Analysis: Hair Quality and Brightness

After a one-hour processing time, significant differences were noted in the final results. BW2 yielded the most even lightening but resulted in dry, tangly hair. Quick Blue showed less even results but offered soft, healthy-feeling hair.

Wella Color Charm exhibited uneven lightening with orange tones. Ion Bright White produced the most dramatic lightening, but caused severe damage, with hair breakage and loss. These variations highlight the critical importance of bleach selection based on hair type and desired results.

Final Verdict: The Winner and Key Considerations

Based on overall user experience, hair quality, and brightness, Wella Color Charm emerged as the winner. While not perfectly even, it provided a good balance of lift and hair health. Quick Blue was a close second, with softer results but less even lightening.

BW2's excessive dust and dryness ranked it lowest. Ion Bright White, despite significant lightening power, caused unacceptable damage, rendering it unsuitable for most users. This review underscores the necessity of careful bleach selection, considering individual hair type and desired outcomes.