Blog

Article Originally Written on: August 31st, 2016

H2: Bleaching Curls in 2025: The New Era of Hair Care and Color Innovation

In 2025, the world of hair care has evolved dramatically, and so has the conversation around bleaching curls. What was once considered a dangerous gamble for those with delicate spirals has now become more accessible and safer thanks to innovative technologies and hair care practices. Today’s stylists have a more nuanced understanding of textured hair and the tools to minimize damage while achieving stunning results. Products like bond-builders, advanced porosity equalizers, and natural protein treatments are no longer optional but essential elements in the bleaching process, creating a more balanced approach to lightening curls.

The trend toward personalized hair care is another major shift shaping how we approach color treatments like bleaching. No longer is the process a one-size-fits-all ordeal. Custom formulations now account for factors like hair density, curl pattern, porosity, and even individual lifestyle habits, ensuring that every step is tailored to the specific needs of your hair. For curly-haired individuals, this attention to detail means better preservation of elasticity and curl integrity, helping to prevent the dreaded post-bleach “curl drop.”

Sustainability is also playing a significant role in modern bleaching practices. Many salons now prioritize eco-friendly, ammonia-free lighteners and toners, reducing the environmental footprint of chemical treatments. Additionally, consumers are investing in sustainable aftercare products like biodegradable deep conditioners and reusable hair wraps to maintain their curls while being mindful of the planet. This alignment of beauty and sustainability represents a progressive shift in the hair industry, making it easier to achieve vibrant results without compromising on ethical or environmental values.

Social media continues to be a vital platform for education and inspiration, offering a wealth of knowledge for anyone considering bleaching their curls. From before-and-after transformations to tutorials on maintaining health and hydration, these digital communities empower curlies to make informed decisions. They also help dispel myths about bleaching, encouraging experimentation with proper guidance. Today’s curly-haired enthusiasts are embracing bold shades like icy blonde, platinum, or pastel tones, proving that texture and color can coexist beautifully with the right approach.

Ultimately, bleaching your curls in 2025 is no longer just a leap of faith but a calculated journey toward self-expression. With the right combination of professional expertise, innovative products, and personalized care, you can achieve your dream color while keeping your curls healthy, bouncy, and full of life. It’s not just about lightening hair—it’s about embracing a process that reflects the individuality and vibrancy of every strand.

---

I don’t typically do this.

To point at Gwen Stefani platinum and say, “Let’s give it a go!”

My Dutch hair, already impossibly thin, super snappable and characterized by its spirals, seems to take one inch of abuse and leaps a mile in damage. I straighten it once in a blue moon and even then it seems to take a month to spring back into healthy form. So as a general rule, I stay 10 feet away from lotions and potions, heat and stress, pulling and primping, anything that’s going to stunt my hair growth or health.

But last month, I got bored. A few too many scrolls around Instagram and one too many hair Pinterest boards later and I’m throwing caution to midsummer’s wind. My self-proclaimed “lazy ombre”, a grown out half head of virgin mousy blonde with leftover bright spurts from dye jobs past, needed a pick me up. So why not ratchet the volume right up to borderline white?
I called my stylist who specializes in blondes, carries quality lighteners, porosity/PH balancers and, most importantly, Olaplex, and booked myself in.

Bleaching is the most popular way to go lighter because of the fast results however it also damages your hair. Bleach is a chemical that dissolves the natural colour pigmentation in your hair; the rapid chemicals break down the hair. Bleach affects your curls greatly, your curls can lose elasticity and strength, your curls can even drop! Eek! Bleach can be a little scary, but it doesn’t have to be.

You need a lot of patience when bleaching your curls, it is a gradual process. The slower the process the less damage you are going to do to your curls. Curl Keeper Founder, Jonathan Torch had some great advice on bleaching curls.

“If you unscrew a hot lightbulb and instantly place it into a bucket of cold water, the lightbulb will shatter. However, if you wait until the lightbulb has cooled down then unscrew and place it into a bucket of cold water the lightbulb will remain intact. In this same way, you must take time to bleach your hair and get fabulously coloured curls”

Bleaching your hair will damage your cuticle so proper moisture to the cuticle and protein is key. Strengthening the cuticle will help with moisture retention. Doing a weekly deep conditioner treatment like the Curly Hair Solutions Pure Silk Protein will help to prepare your curls for the bleach and restore your curls back to their crowning glory after the bleach.

To give you the step-by-step, the porosity/PH balancer was sprayed on my hair to even out the hair porosity levels before applying the lightener. In fine sections, the lightener was applied to my hair to help keep the scalp in healthy condition, then applied to the scalp at the very end. Once everything was applied, the lightener/Olaplex combo was left on for an hour. The sections that were applied to first were rinsed while the others caught up. Once everything else was lightened, lightener was added to my roots last, since they lift the fastest, before rinsing. Then a balanced formula of three different shades of ammonia-free, EQ gloss toner was applied to achieve my tone. Once the toner had processed, it was followed by an Olaplex 2 Mask before a quick blow dry and trim. Finally, I loaded up on the three biggest take home products needed for any blonde – moisture masks, heat protectant and purple shampoo – to save my mane from the stringy, wilted texture robbery that bleaching can so often leave you with.

After an understandable, but still whopping five hours, I left salivating from the drastic before and after that had transformed me into a whole new Gwen, I mean, me.