Bleaching Hair from Dark Brown to Blonde Part 3

Ready for another episode in the journey to take my hair from dark brown to blonde?

It's been a while since my last update in this DIY hair adventure and with good reason. Whilst you might be thinking 'she finally used good sense and decided to give her hair a proper break before jumping in with yet another round of bleach' unfortunately that's not quite the case. My willpower is not that great. I was forced to leave it alone.

I was in hospital for two weeks due to a bad flare up of multiple chronic conditions all at once. It has not been fun. I am home again now though fortunately and working hard to get myself back to something that can pass as normal life again.

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My time in the hospital meant that not only could I not work on getting rid of the orangey phase my hair was in after part 2, but I also got quite a bit of regrowth on my roots. Add to that the fact that I couldn't brush my hair most days due to being on constant IVs day and night let alone wash it, my hair was not looking it's best.

After a few days back home I sent my son out on a mission to buy supplies and I was finally able to start on part 3.

As with the previous times, I used 20 volume developer and bleaching powder and left it on for about an hour. I didn't want to push my luck as given my current bad health (I couldn't eat or drink for about 10 days and then even with all the iron transfusions, IV drips of various natures etc and all the meds I'm on) I wasn't sure how well my hair would withstand another onslaught.

My bleaching kit:

20 volume developer
bleaching powder (three packets as I have a lot of hair and it's important to make sure you cover all the hair with a good amount. When in doubt, always buy an extra packet)
gloves
mixing bowl
brush

This is what I started with:

Jo Linsdell Before hair showing roots and orange tone

Very orange tone especially from mids to ends and dark root regrowth. Not my best look for sure.

When bleaching it this time round I started by covering my mids and ends (the orange parts) as this is where I still have stubborn pigments from the darker hair dyes I'd done previously. I also didn't want it going on the light blonde parts for too long to avoid breakage. As we've previously discussed, the roots always develop quickly due to the natural heat from the scalp and so should always be the last part you put product on to.

This is after one round of bleach:

Jo Linsdell hair after one round of bleach - roots and top very light blonde, lengths still yellow

The good news is that the roots blended almost perfectly and there was no notable hair loss at all. This is a big win! The bad news is that the more orangey tones are still sticking. It did lighten it quite a bit but I need the whole hair to be the colour of the top part and for now, I'm still two-toning it between a very light yellow blonde on top and an orangey yellow down the length.

I could have removed the orange tones a lot easier by using a higher level developer. Even a 30 volume would have made a difference. I didn't want to risk the damage though especially given my recent health and so opted for the safer choice of 20 volume. A 20 volume developer usually lifts 2-3 levels at a time so I was prepared for the fact that going from such a dark brown colour to such a light shade of blonde was likely to take a while when I started on this DIY hair journey.

As with the previous times I bleached my hair, the tone of blonde depends a lot on the light I'm in. If I'm outside in the sunshine it definitely looks closer to the tone I need it to be but inside with warm lighting the orangey tones are still showing through. I talk more about this in my post Understanding Blonde Hair Undertones: How Light Affects Your Shade if you're interested in knowing more.

I also trimmed a little off the ends as they were looking pretty dry.

Just as a reminder, this is the goal I'm aiming for:

AI generated image of Jo Linsdell with long layered ash blonde hair

I used the Gemini app to create an AI version of what I wanted so that I'd have a clearer image in my head whilst bleaching my hair and so that I have an accurate image to take with me to the hairdressers when it comes time to cut it. I obviously still have work to do to reach my goal. I am getting closer though.

Before, currently and goal:

As a recap, here's a reminder of how the journey from dark brown to light ash blonde is going so far:

As you can see I've come a long way in quite a short space of time. My starting colour was a very dark brown, almost black. I started this DIY hair journey from dark brown to blonde on 1st June. This means that all this change has happened in just over a month (two weeks of which I was in hospital). I shared part 2 of this journey on 10th June. Thinking about it like this I'm amazed at how much I've managed to accomplish. I'm actually not far from my goal colour now and my hair is still in pretty good condition. Once I get the final hair cut done it should get rid of any dry ends I have left.

I do not recommend doing this yourself unless you have a good understanding of your hair. Even more so if you suffer from health problems. Luckily I do know my hair and how far I can push it as I've done this multiple times before. If this is your first time DIY bleaching your hair go slow and use low volume developer to avoid doing any serious damage.

My next update should hopefully be with the final result.

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10 Ways to Celebrate World Social Media Day

Tuesday 30th June 2026

Social media has become part of everyday life—how we connect, create, learn, share opinions, and build communities across the world. Love it or loathe it, there’s no denying its impact.

World Social Media Day, celebrated on Tuesday 30th June 2026, is the perfect opportunity to reflect on how we use social platforms and to celebrate the positive ways they bring people together. Whether you’re a blogger, content creator, small business owner, or simply enjoy scrolling, here are ten meaningful (and fun) ways to mark the day.

1. Share Your Social Media Journey

Take a moment to look back at how your relationship with social media has evolved. Perhaps you started blogging years ago, joined Instagram during lockdown, or recently discovered TikTok.

Share a post about what social media has given you—connections, creativity, confidence, or even career opportunities. Honest reflections tend to resonate far more than polished perfection.

2. Support Fellow Creators

One of the best things about social media is the sense of community. World Social Media Day is a great excuse to shout out creators you admire.

Share their posts, leave thoughtful comments, recommend their accounts in Stories, or create a dedicated appreciation post. Supporting others helps strengthen the platforms we all rely on.

3. Start a Conversation

Social media doesn’t have to be one-sided. Use the day to spark genuine interaction by asking questions, running polls, or inviting followers to share their thoughts.

Conversation-based content often feels more human and less performative—and that’s something worth celebrating.

If you’re stuck for content ideas, revisiting posts like 365 Blog Post Ideas for Book Bloggers can help spark conversations that feel natural rather than forced.

4. Try a New Platform or Feature

Been curious about Threads, YouTube Shorts, or a new Instagram feature but haven’t taken the plunge? World Social Media Day is the perfect excuse to experiment.

You don’t need to master it overnight—sometimes simply trying something new is enough to reignite creativity.

5. Share Behind-the-Scenes Content

Polished feeds are lovely, but behind-the-scenes moments help remind us that real people exist behind the screens.

Share a glimpse of your workspace, creative process, planning notes, or even the outtakes that didn’t make it to your grid. Authenticity builds connection.

6. Reflect on Your Digital Habits

Celebrating social media also means being mindful of how it affects us. Use the day to reflect on your digital habits.

Are you scrolling with intention? Do certain platforms energise you while others drain you? If you’re considering a healthier balance, The Benefits of Digital Detox and How to Start gives a practical next step without dismissing the value of social platforms altogether.

7. Revisit an Old Favourite Post

Scroll back and reshare a post that still means something to you. It might be the one that started everything, a personal milestone, or a piece of content you’re still proud of.

Adding context about why it mattered then—and why it still does now—adds depth and meaning.

If you’re planning ahead, inspiration lists like 101 Blog Post Ideas For Book Bloggers are ideal for identifying evergreen content worth revisiting and resharing.

8. Educate or Inspire

World Social Media Day is a great opportunity to share something useful. This could be a tip you’ve learned, a lesson from your journey, or advice you wish you’d heard sooner.

Helpful content reinforces social media’s role as a place for learning and inspiration, not just entertainment.

9. Celebrate Global Connections

Social media shrinks distances and connects people across cultures, countries, and time zones.

Highlight friendships, collaborations, or conversations that would never have happened without social platforms. It’s a powerful reminder of the good social media can do.

10. Log Off (Briefly) and Appreciate the Balance

Finally, celebrating social media doesn’t mean being glued to it all day. Sometimes the healthiest celebration is stepping away—if only briefly.

Post something thoughtful, then log off and enjoy the real-world moments social media helps us document and share.

Final Thoughts

World Social Media Day on Tuesday 30th June 2026 isn’t about chasing likes or going viral. It’s about recognising the connections, creativity, and conversations that make these platforms meaningful.

Whether you celebrate loudly or quietly, the most important thing is using social media in a way that feels positive, purposeful, and true to you.

How will you be celebrating World Social Media Day this year?

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Understanding Blonde Hair Undertones: How Light Affects Your Shade

As many of you know, I'm currently in the middle of a major hair transformation, taking my hair from dark brown to a light ash blonde. This isn't my first time playing with lighter tones, so I went into the process fully aware of the typical pros and cons that come with choosing this colour.

However, being back in the blonde transition has reminded me of something I had completely forgotten: just how much different lighting effects the tone of the hair.

Some moments it looks quite light and beautiful, whilst later the very same day it can look quite orange still. If you are experiencing this too, I want to reassure you that it is completely normal to look multiple shades of blonde throughout the same day. You aren't losing your mind, and your toner hasn't suddenly washed out. You are just dealing with the complex reality of blonde undertones and light physics.

The Blonde Chameleon: Why It Happens

Why does blonde hair change its personality so drastically depending on the room you walk into? It comes down to pigment density and porosity. When you bleach dark hair, you strip away the heavy dark melanin molecules, exposing the underlying warmth (which ranges from deep orange to pale yellow).

Because blonde hair is highly porous and lacks dense, dark pigment to block out external reflections, it acts like a translucent canvas. It doesn't just reflect light; it actually absorbs and bounces back whatever wavelengths are present in the room around you. (You can read more about the physics of hair pigments and light absorption over at Trademark Salon).

One Day, Multiple Shades

To show you just how easily an environment can manipulate your look, here is how a transitioning blonde shifts from morning to night:

Indirect Overcast Daylight (The True Level): A cloudy day or indirect outdoor shade provides the most neutral, balanced light. If you want to see what your hair actually looks like right now, look at it here. This light brings out the cool, ash reflections and shows your true progress.
Direct Golden Hour Sunlight (The Orange Trigger): Late afternoon sun is incredibly rich in warm yellow and orange wavelengths. When this direct light hits hair that is still in the process of being lifted, it instantly exaggerates any underlying warmth, making it look much more orange than it actually is.
Fluorescent Office Tubes (The Flat Tint): Standard commercial overhead lighting often carries a strong green or cool-blue bias. This can make a beautiful fresh ash blonde look slightly dull, flat, or faintly greyish in the mirror.
Home Lighting (The Fake Brass): Most domestic bulbs use "warm white" light (around 2700K). This yellowish tint bounces off the raw yellow and orange undertones of transitioning hair, giving you a massive illusion of intense brassiness that disappears the second you step back outside.

Embracing the Blonde Process

Because I am lifting my dark brown hair in careful stages to preserve its health, I am right in the middle of those awkward transitional periods where the hair desperately holds onto stubborn orange and yellow pigments. It can be a bit of a psychological rollercoaster!

Honestly, remembering that lighting plays such a massive role has completely taken away the frustration for me this time around. Now, when I catch a glimpse of an unwanted warm tone in a certain room, I don't panic or reach for an aggressive toner, I just move into a different room and enjoy my hair in a better light!

Jo Linsdell Same Blonde hair, same day, different light - bathroom

Jo Linsdell Same Blonde hair, same day, different light - living room

Jo Linsdell Same Blonde hair, same day, different light - outside on balcony

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Why does my hair look ash blonde inside but orange outside?

This is down to the type of light hitting your hair. Outdoor sunlight—especially during the afternoon or golden hour—is packed with warm, golden wavelengths that act like a spotlight on any stubborn, underlying warm pigments left over from bleaching. Indoor lighting, particularly if it has a cool or neutral cast, doesn't activate those warm undertones as intensely.

❓ What is the most accurate lighting to check my true blonde shade?

Indirect, natural daylight on an overcast day is the gold standard for checking your true hair colour. Because cloudy skies diffuse the sun's rays evenly without adding heavy yellow or blue tints, it gives you the most honest reflection of your current toner level.

❓ Why does my hair look green or grey in office buildings?

Commercial fluorescent tubes and overhead office lights typically lack a full, balanced colour spectrum and tend to emit a strong green or cool blue bias. When this light hits a cool ash blonde, it strips away the vibrant dimension, making the hair look hollow, flat, or slightly greenish-grey.

❓ Will a purple shampoo fix the way my hair shifts colours in different rooms?

Only partially. Purple shampoo corrects actual brassiness by depositing a temporary cool violet pigment onto the hair strand. While this will help tone down real yellow hues across the board, it won't stop the physics of light absorption. Your hair will still appear slightly warmer under warm household lamps and cooler in daylight!

Over to You!

Have you ever noticed your hair colour playing tricks on you throughout the day? Which room in your house has the most deceptive lighting for your hair shade? Let's chat down in the comments!

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Bleaching Hair from Dark Brown to Blonde Part 2

It's time for an update on my DIY hair journey from dark brown to light ash blonde. If you remember in part one, I did the bleaching process twice and managed to get my hair to a light orange colour using 20 volume developer and powder bleach.

The first round I used 20 volume developer and powder bleach and then the second round I did a bleach bath using 20 volume developer and powder bleach and a large amount of conditioner.

I did the first round on the Friday and the second, the day after, on Saturday. I promised myself I would wait before touching it again in order to give my hair some time to recover... guess what? I didn't last very long...

Third Round of Bleach

On Tuesday I did another round of bleach, still using 20 volume developer and powder bleach. Not great, I know. I had planned on waiting at least a week but, like I've said before, patience is not one of my strong points.

This time I decided to use a clear plastic bag to incubate the hair whilst it was processing. This helps keep the heat in and helps it process quicker. I wet the bag slightly on the inside before putting it on my head to keep some moisture in and stop the hair from drying out too much.

Tip: If you do put a plastic bag on your head during the bleaching process make sure it is a clear plastic bag without writing or other print on it otherwise you risk the print transfering onto your hair.

Jo Linsdell with clear plastic bag on head whilst bleaching hair

I left it on for about an hour again, checking every 10 minutes to make sure there was no damage.

I was really pleased as the amount of hair loss was again very little (even less than last time). My hair is still feeling soft and in good general condition. Success!

A lot of that success is down to my most amazing discovery, the Schwarzkopf Gliss 4 in 1 Bond-Building Hair Mask (full review coming soon). This stuff is quite possibly the best hair product I've ever used! Remember when I said I was on a mission to find a good bond-building product at a budget price? Well I found it!

I used the Schwarzkopf Gliss 4 in 1 Bond-Building Hair Mask directly after bleaching and left it on my hair for about 5 minutes before rinsing it off. I swear my hair feels softer now than it did before I started this DIY bleaching journey. Miracle!

Jo Linsdell hair loss from third round of bleaching

The end result was now a lot lighter. As you can see, it still has a faded orange tint to it on the ends but overall it's now in the blonde range.

Jo Linsdell hair after third round of bleach

Obviously I'm still a long way from the light ash blonde I'm aiming for. Given how well my hair is lightening though it shouldn't take much longer to get to the level of blonde I need so I can tone it.

⚠️ The Rebel Disclaimer: While I know my own hair's limits from years of DIY experimenting, professional colourists will tell you that bleaching multiple times in less than a week is highly risky. If you are trying this at home, always do a strand test first and listen to your hair!

I'm now going to try and not touch it again for at least a week... maybe I'll actually manage it this time 🤔

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Book Blogging in 2026: Survey Results

Every year, I love running the Book Blogging Survey to see how the community is evolving, what challenges bloggers are facing, and where the industry is heading. You can take a look at the data from previous years on my Book Blogging Survey Results page.

I’ll be honest up front: turnout for the 2026 polls was much lower than usual, so these results cannot be treated as a definitive snapshot of the entire book blogging community as a whole. However, the answers that did come in still show some useful insight.

This year’s data essentially gives an exclusive look into the habits and stats of long-term, veteran book bloggers. Let's dive into what the numbers tell the community about staying power in 2026!

1. Experience: The Veterans are Staying Put

The most striking takeaway from this year’s survey is that 100% of the respondents fall into the exact same bracket for longevity.

How long have you been book blogging?

Less than a year: 0%
1–5 years: 0%
5–10 years: 100%
Over 10 years: 0%

While the perspective of brand-new bloggers or those who have been around for over a decade wasn't captured, these results provide a perfect focus group of bloggers who have been active for 5 to 10 years.

This group represents true staying power. These bloggers have survived the massive shifts in social media over the last few years, stuck with their platforms, and have built established archives of content.

2. Traffic and Engagement: The Reality of 2026

When looking at traffic and community engagement for these veteran blogs, the numbers show a distinct split in audience size, but total consistency in community interaction.

How many page views do you get per month on average?

Less than 5K: 66.7%
5K–10K: 0%
10K–20K: 0%
Over 20K: 33.3%

Even among established bloggers, the majority (66.7%) are operating in a cosy, niche space with under 5,000 monthly views. Meanwhile, a solid third (33.3%) have managed to scale up significantly, pulling in over 20,000 views a month. It shows that there isn't really a "middle ground" right now; blogs are either staying intimate or growing quite large.

On average, how many comments do you get on your blog each day?

0–5: 100%
6–10: 0%
11–20: 0%
Over 20: 0%

Despite the difference in page views, daily comment numbers are identical across the board, with everyone averaging 0 to 5 comments a day. This reflects a broader trend seen across blogging for years: readers are still consuming content, but they are far more passive than they used to be when it comes to leaving traditional blog comments.

3. The Big Surprise: Search Engines Reign Supreme

If there is one statistic that blew me away this year, it’s where the traffic is coming from.

Where does most of your blog traffic come from?

Search engines: 100%
Social media links: 0%
Newsletter subscribers: 0%
Other: 0%

Every single respondent reported that search engines are their primary traffic driver. In a world where creators are constantly told to pivot to video, chase algorithms on TikTok, or post endlessly on social media, this is a massive win for traditional SEO.

For bloggers in the 5-to-10-year bracket, their archives of evergreen book reviews and discussions are clearly doing the heavy lifting on Google, bringing in steady, intentional traffic without relying on the social media treadmill.

Final Thoughts: Quality Over Quantity

While the sample size was small this year, it proved something vital to me: written blog content absolutely still has an audience.

The 2026 data shows that if you focus on SEO and stick with your blog long-term, search engines will continue to reward you with readers, even if those readers are quieter in the comment section than they used to be.

For the past few years, I've done an annual Book Blogging Survey to see what stats look like for book blogs. I wanted to be able to offer and encourage more transparency about the statistics of book bloggers by trying to get a better idea about average book blogging statistics. I hope this survey has given you some valuable insight into the world of book blogging and sparked a few new thoughts along the way.

No matter where you are in your book blogging journey, know that you're not alone. Many bloggers face similar challenges, even those who’ve been at it for years. So if you’re feeling stuck or discouraged, hang in there.

Did these results surprise you? If you’ve been blogging for a while, does your traffic match the 100% search engine stat? Let’s chat in the comments below!