waaaa is this ok?

I think it's most advisable to stay away from box dyes.  Any box dyes that lighten your hair will contain peroxide and bleach, and most box dyes don't tell you what strength peroxide they've used.  You should buy your own peroxide and bleach to lighten*, then see what colour/tone you're left with, then add a true semi** to it, a dye you don't mix with peroxide.  That way, you control the damaging chemicals you're putting on your hair and know exactly what you're using!

* Depending on the condition of your hair, others here can recommend either a 20-volume or 30-volume peroxide to mix with the bleach.

** As I haven't experimented with too many colours, others can recommend the right brand and colour of semi to achieve the colour you're after.

P.S. And yes, definitely get coconut oil to put into your hair at least two hours before you bleach - overnight is better!

thanks so much for the advice the only thing is, i'd already considered buying my own peroxide and bleach but a) i am in spain and i'm not actually entire certain where to get it out here and b) i'll only be here for another month and a bit, and won't be able to take the peroxide and bleach home with me.. is it only possible to buy in large quantities or can i buy just enough for like.. one bleaching? :S

thanks so much for the advice the only thing is, i'd already considered buying my own peroxide and bleach but a) i am in spain and i'm not actually entire certain where to get it out here and b) i'll only be here for another month and a bit, and won't be able to take the peroxide and bleach home with me.. is it only possible to buy in large quantities or can i buy just enough for like.. one bleaching? :S

In Spain? Well if you speak spanish i could totally help you out, if not i can still do my best. I'm in Málaga atm and  i've been searching around for places to get peroxide and bleach powder so yeah message me if you think i could help ^-^

In Spain? Well if you speak spanish i could totally help you out, if not i can still do my best. I'm in Málaga atm and  i've been searching around for places to get peroxide and bleach powder so yeah message me if you think i could help ^-^

wahuuuuu! just messaged you, thanks so much!

How long ago did you use the box dye? If it's grown out, or if it wasn't much darker than your virgin color you could use a box dye but id still try to find your own developer for it. Bleach + developer then putting a semi over it would be best, but if you can't find bleach powder, then a box dye with 30 should get you to that shade. I would just buy that color or a shade darker of it, I would not get anything lighter because I don't think your hair will lift enough for a lighter color than that to show.

How long ago did you use the box dye? If it's grown out, or if it wasn't much darker than your virgin color you could use a box dye but id still try to find your own developer for it. Bleach + developer then putting a semi over it would be best, but if you can't find bleach powder, then a box dye with 30 should get you to that shade. I would just buy that color or a shade darker of it, I would not get anything lighter because I don't think your hair will lift enough for a lighter color than that to show.

oh the box dye i was referring to was used about a year ago - since then i've had it dyed at the salon (they use semi-permanents on me but i'm assuming they contain peroxide) and used rose red myself (without pre-lightening).

i think i should be able to find the bleach powder here after all (thanks to Nerdiemonster's help) so i think i'll be going this route! but what do you guys think - are we talking one bleach session or should i be thinking bout bleach bathing or something?