I’ve been streaking my hair purple for a few years now. I went back again recently and was reminded why I don’t keep it up for too long. First you separate strands. Then you mix and apply bleach, which can take up to an hour for application. Let it sit for 45 minutes or so, until most of the color is out. Wash and comb–no conditioner. This means combing can take another hour, because the hair is so brittle and tangled. Then separate back into strands (another 30 minutes), apply purple color and wait another 45. Finally, wash, condition, and comb. It takes a half a day to complete the process. Color touch-ups take only a couple hours, but whenever you want to redo the roots with bleach, it can take even longer than the initial treatment because you have to separate each strand precisely instead of just grabbing a chunk.

My favorite purple dye is being discontinued at my supply store. Their suggested replacement was terrible. It was only two days before it started fading to blue. In five days the blond was showing through at the tips as a sick green. I’ve got to find a new supplier.