Bleach and Tone

What the Service Involves

The process unfolds in carefully managed stages to protect your hair and achieve a clean blonde:

• Consultation and preparation – Your stylist assesses your starting colour, hair history and condition, and discusses realistic outcomes. Hair should ideally not be freshly washed so natural oils can protect the scalp.
• Bleaching stage – Hair is sectioned and a lightening mixture is applied, typically starting at the darkest or most resistant areas. The stylist monitors lift frequently and aims for a very pale yellow base.
• Toning stage – After rinsing the bleach, a toner (usually a demi-permanent colour) is applied to neutralise any remaining warmth and set your final shade—ash, beige, neutral or platinum.
• Treatment and finish – A conditioning or bond-repair treatment restores moisture and strength, and your stylist may trim damaged ends before blow-drying.

Depending on your starting colour and how light you want to go, the entire appointment can take several hours. Very dark or previously coloured hair may need more than one visit to reach very pale levels safely.

Who It's For and What to Expect

Bleach and tone suits anyone wanting a high-impact blonde transformation, but it's important to set realistic expectations:

• Best candidates have hair in good condition with no recent harsh chemical treatments (perms, straightening, multiple colour layers).
• You should expect some scalp sensation—warmth or tingling is normal, though any burning or severe discomfort should be reported immediately.
• Hair will feel more porous and fragile afterwards; it needs gentle handling, sulphate-free shampoo, rich conditioning masks and limited heat styling.
• This is a high-maintenance blonde: the lighter and cooler the result, the more often you'll need root retouches (typically every 4–8 weeks) and periodic toning to keep the shade fresh.

If you prefer lower maintenance, your stylist can discuss alternatives like highlights or balayage, which blend regrowth more softly.

Aftercare and Keeping Your Blonde Fresh

Maintaining your bleach and tone result requires both in-salon and at-home care:

• Cleanse gently with colour-safe, sulphate-free shampoo and wash in lukewarm (not hot) water to preserve the toner and reduce dryness.
• Deep condition regularly using rich masks or leave-in treatments to restore moisture and strength.
• Control brassiness between appointments with a purple or blue shampoo once or twice a week—overuse can dull the colour, so follow your stylist's guidance.
• Protect from heat and sun: use heat-protectant spray before styling, limit hot tools, and shield hair from prolonged UV exposure, which can fade toner quickly.
• Schedule maintenance: toners fade over several weeks, and root regrowth becomes visible, so book regular touch-ups to keep your blonde looking salon-fresh.

Our team—including senior stylists Jade, Katie and style director Marie—will recommend products and a care routine tailored to your hair during your appointment.

Pricing and Booking

Bleach and tone at Michael Todd Hairdressing starts from £63 to £85, with the final cost reflecting your hair's length, thickness and starting colour complexity. A thorough consultation and strand test before your first appointment ensure we plan the safest, most effective approach for your hair. To discuss your blonde goals or book in East Grinstead, get in touch with the salon.