How Superdrug Hair Bleach Compares: Kit Prices & Use At Home

Standing in front of the hair colour aisle, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Superdrug hair bleach comes in powders, pre-mixed kits and oil-powered formulas, all promising big lift at home. But which one suits your starting colour and scalp, how strong should your developer be, and what will it actually cost once you add toner, gloves and aftercare? Most importantly, how do you lighten safely without banding, brass or breakage?

This guide takes the guesswork out of going blonde at home. We’ll compare popular Superdrug kits by lift, contents and price per application, explain developer strengths in plain English, and show you how to build a complete basket without paying for duplicates. Along the way, you’ll learn the pro order of operations (strand tests, sectioning, mid-lengths before roots), smart timings, and how to tone brass. We’ll also flag ethical checks like vegan, cruelty‑free and PPD‑free, plus when to stop and see a professional.

What follows is a step‑by‑step plan: define your starting level and blonde goal, choose the right bleach and developer, prep, mix and apply correctly, then tone and care for your new colour. We’ll finish with troubleshooting, price‑savvy tips and where to buy, including comparable Smart Beauty alternatives. Ready to lighten with confidence and a clear budget? Read on.

Step 1. Define your starting colour, hair condition and blonde goal

Before you pick up Superdrug hair bleach, set your baseline and target. Note your natural level and whether hair is virgin or previously coloured. Assess condition and porosity—snappy ends mean go slower. Decide your blonde goal (honey, beige, near‑platinum). Dark bases usually pass red/orange → gold → yellow while lifting.

• Starting colour & history: natural level, previous dye/henna.
• Condition: elasticity, porosity, breakage, scalp sensitivity.
• Goal & plan: desired tone, likely sessions, time/budget.

Step 2. Choose bleach type and developer strength for your hair

Match your blonde goal to a Superdrug hair bleach format and the developer strength stated in the pack leaflet. Powder‑plus‑peroxide is flexible; pre‑mixed kits are simpler; some are oil‑powered. Always strand test. Need more lift? Pick kits labelled higher lift; for subtle lightening, moderate‑lift options often suffice.

• Bleach London Total Bleach: up to 7 levels of lift.
• Superdrug Performance Lightener: up to 5 levels; not for very dark hair (30–50 mins).
• Bblonde Powder Bleach: mix with B Blonde Cream Peroxide for flexibility.
• Garnier Olia B+++ Bleach Blonde: 60% oil‑powered permanent bleach.

Step 3. Compare popular Superdrug kits by lift, contents and price per application

Here’s a fast way to stack Superdrug hair bleach choices. Focus on the claimed lift, what’s in the box (extras like a toning conditioner save add‑ons), and whether it’s a one‑and‑done kit or portionable powder. For value, use price ÷ applications for single‑use kits, or (powder + peroxide) ÷ batches when buying powder and developer separately.

Step 4. Check ingredients, ethics and sensitivities (vegan, cruelty-free, PPD-free, plex)

Before adding a Superdrug hair bleach to basket, check ingredients and ethics—crucial if your scalp is sensitive. Follow the leaflet and do a skin test the day before. Pick formulas that suit your values and tolerances.

• Patch test: Do a skin test the day before bleaching.
• Allergens & ethics: If you react to PPD, ammonia or resorcinol, choose free-from formulas; favour clearly vegan, cruelty-free brands.
• Bond/plex support: Fragile hair? Choose plex‑enriched kits to help protect bonds.

Step 5. Build your at-home bleaching kit (what’s in the box vs extras you’ll need)

Before you click buy, map what’s in each Superdrug hair bleach box and what you’ll still need. Superdrug’s own guide notes most blonding kits include a mixing tray, brush, gloves, cap, cream peroxide, powder bleach and a strengthening/toning conditioner; powder‑only products like Bblonde Powder Bleach require separate cream peroxide. Very long or thick hair? Plan on two packs.

• In the box (typical): mixing tray, tint brush, protective gloves, cap, cream peroxide, powder bleach, toning/silver conditioner.
• Extras you’ll likely need: sectioning clips; spare gloves; old towel; petroleum jelly (hairline); timer; wide‑tooth comb; purple shampoo or toner; gentle/silicone‑free shampoo; measuring scale/applicator bottle if using powder + separate peroxide.

Step 6. Price the full job and spot deals before you buy

Bleaching on a budget means pricing the whole journey, not just the box. Build a complete basket for your hair length/thickness, then check Superdrug promos on the kit you’ve chosen. For superdrug hair bleach, factor in everything you’ll actually use on the day and immediately after.

• Do the maths: total job = (kit price × boxes) + toner/purple shampoo + conditioner/plex + tools + delivery.
• Work out boxes: Long/thick hair often needs 2 kits; roots ≈ ½ kit.
• Avoid duplicates: Many kits include gloves/brush/toning conditioner.
• Compare formats: Powder + separate peroxide can be cheaper per batch for repeats (powder + peroxide) ÷ batches.
• Hunt promos: Look for multibuys (e.g., “2 for £10 on selected Jerome Russell”) and free-delivery thresholds.
• Price per application: Prefer the option with the lowest price ÷ applications that still gives the lift you need.

Step 7. Prep like a pro (allergy alert test, strand test, protection, ventilation)

Before mixing any Superdrug hair bleach, prep like a pro. Superdrug’s blonding guide advises a skin test 24 hours prior and a strand test to confirm tone and timing. A few minutes now—organise tools, protect skin and clothes, ensure airflow—prevents irritation, banding and mess.

• Strand test: Treat a hidden section; check often; note timing.
• Protection: Old towel, gloves, petroleum jelly on hairline/ears, clips.
• Ventilation: Open a window; avoid small, steamy bathrooms.

Step 8. Mix and apply correctly (sectioning, mid-lengths first, then roots, avoid overlap)

Set up your station and mix your Superdrug hair bleach exactly as the leaflet states: combine powder and cream peroxide until creamy, then apply immediately. Work in four sections and take fine slices for even saturation. For a full-head lift, apply to mid-lengths and ends first, keeping 1 cm off the scalp; do roots last because scalp heat makes them lift faster. If you’re doing a root retouch, apply only to regrowth and avoid overlapping onto previously lightened hair—feather lightly at the line to prevent bands.

• Mix fresh, small batches: Follow pack ratios; stir to a smooth, creamy texture.
• Section neatly: Four quadrants; 0.5–1 cm slices for control.
• Apply mids/ends first: Leave roots until the last pass.
• Saturate thoroughly: Brush product on both sides; don’t “stretch” thin.
• Avoid overlap: Paint to the demarcation line, then feather.
• Massage gently: Work product through with gloved fingers for even coverage.

Step 9. Process, check and rinse safely (timings, no heat, conditioner/plex)

Once your Superdrug hair bleach is on, start your timer according to the leaflet (the Superdrug Performance Lightener guides 30–50 minutes). Check progress at intervals: wipe a strand with damp cotton wool, assess tone, then re-cover if needed. Don’t add external heat unless the leaflet explicitly allows it. If you feel strong irritation, rinse immediately. When you’ve reached your target stage, rinse thoroughly, shampoo until all residue is gone, then apply the included silver/toning conditioner or plex.

• Time smart: Start timing after full application; check several strands regularly.
• Keep it even: Re‑saturate any dry patches; don’t exceed the leaflet’s max time.
• No extra heat: Skip dryers/caps unless instructions say otherwise.
• Rinse right: Rinse well, shampoo (repeat if needed), then condition/plex before towel‑drying for toning.

Step 10. Tone and neutralise brass for your target shade

Bleach exposes warm pigment; to hit your target shade you must neutralise it. After rinsing your Superdrug hair bleach, towel‑dry to damp, then tone. Use the kit’s silver toning conditioner where included, or apply a purple/blue‑based toner or purple shampoo. Saturate evenly, comb through, and time exactly as the leaflet says, checking a test strand every few minutes. Rinse, condition and assess in natural light before deciding if a second gentle tone is needed.

• For yellow: use violet/silver toners to neutralise.
• For orange‑gold: pick blue‑violet toners; purple shampoo won’t suffice.

Step 11. Aftercare and maintenance for healthier, brighter blonde

Blonde stays bright when you treat it like a delicate fabric: cleanse gently, replenish bonds, and top up tone before brass creeps in. In the first week after using Superdrug hair bleach, prioritise moisture and bond care, keep heat low, and shield from UV and chlorine. Build a simple weekly rhythm you can repeat between regrowth retouches so hair stays strong and shiny.

• Tone on a schedule: Use purple/blue products 1–2 times weekly; alternate with a gentle, hydrating wash.
• Rebuild and hydrate: Deep‑condition weekly; add a bond/plex treatment if hair feels stretchy or rough.
• Protect from heat: Always use heat protectant; lower tool temperatures and reduce passes.
• Be kind to the scalp: Rinse thoroughly post‑bleach; avoid scratching; use soothing, lightweight conditioners.
• Guard against sun and swimming: Pre‑wet hair, apply leave‑in, wear a cap; rinse immediately after.
• Trim and retouch smart: Dust porous ends regularly; only bleach regrowth and avoid overlap at every session.

Step 12. Troubleshooting and when to see a professional

Uneven lift, hot roots or lingering orange happen—don’t panic. If unsure, rinse, dry and reassess in natural light. For patchiness, re‑lighten only the darker bands on a fresh day. For hot roots, tone cooler now and apply to roots last next time. Orange lengths need blue‑violet toners and often a second, spaced session. Any strong sting or heat? Rinse immediately.

• See a pro if: severe scalp burning/redness
• Hair feels gummy/stretchy: breakage risk
• Heavy banding/box‑dye build‑up: corrective work
• Henna/metallic dye history: specialist care

Step 13. Where to buy, read reviews and compare Smart Beauty alternatives

Pick up Superdrug hair bleach in‑store or online; scan the product pages for verified reviews, especially from your starting shade and hair type, and look at photo results and timing notes. As you compare, weigh claimed lift and what’s in the box against price‑per‑application. Then benchmark against Smart Beauty alternatives: UK‑made, vegan and cruelty‑free, PPD/ammonia/resorcinol‑free, with plex‑enriched options and blonde toners/aftercare for sensitive scalps and ethical shoppers.

Step 14. Quick FAQs: damage, bleach baths, high-lift colour and safe lift limits

Quick answers to common Superdrug hair bleach questions—safely and simply.

• Damage: Bleach weakens hair; results depend on condition and aftercare; test first.
• Bleach bath: A diluted application for gentle refresh; minimal lift; strand test timings.
• High‑lift vs bleach: High‑lift suits light hazel brown/dark blonde; not great for very dark.
• Safe lift limits: Follow pack claims: popular kits promise ~5–7 levels; don’t exceed times.

Key takeaways

Blonde at home is doable when you pick the right lift, price the full job, and follow pro sequencing: test, section, mids first, roots last, then tone and care. Build a basket that matches your hair length and goal, and always stop if irritation or gumminess appears.

• Match lift to base: Darker hair needs higher‑lift kits or spaced sessions.
• Price the whole journey: Include toner, aftercare and tools; avoid duplicates.
• Prep and apply like a pro: Strand test, neat sections, no overlap.
• Time and tone: Check often; neutralise yellow with violet, orange with blue‑violet.
• Protect the investment: Bond care, gentle cleansing, heat/UV protection.

Want ethical, UK‑made alternatives and blonde care? Compare Superdrug options with Smart Beauty before you buy.