went from jet black to fried

Now, I'm not advocating this one way or the other.. but I've been bleaching my hair white blond for years and mine doesn't look fried and I have brownish/black hair.  The first time I dyed it, like you, it came out a 'reddish' color.  Don't panic.  I gave it about 2 weeks, then I bleached it again.  (You've gotta be brave, girl)  The 2nd time did the trick.  Here's what I use:

Frost & Design, Dramatic Blond Highlights
by L'Oreal (they switched to a new box)

You can't really see it but she has white blond streeks in there.

Why a highlighting kit?  Because no matter what hair companies tell you, 'Yellow' is not the new 'blonde' and those people on the hair dye boxes lie.  You're hair will never look like that, don't even set yourself up for the heartache.   Forget about the dye, go for the good stuff.  

So, my ritual is this: I buy the above lighting kit ($13) and a cheap tooth brush ($1).  You will also need a hand held mirror so you can see the back of your head and you will need a comb with one of those pointed tips to help part your hair.  

Now get a bowl, pour in the powder and the bottle of lighting solution.  (Do not use the tube of conditioning cream yet.  Put it off to the side.)  With my comb, I part my hair down the middle.  I then create long, THIN sections (forehead to crown) and with my toothbrush paint my roots. (when I do this, I try to imitate my hair stylist.  Think about how they section off your hair before they cut/dye it.  Do that.)  

The first time you do this, you probably don't have to be so meticulous since you want to cover all your hair, not just new growth.  But afterward, this is how you get to your roots without re-dying the same portions over and over again.

For obvious reasons you want to avoid that.  *wink*  

After I'm done, I take the tube of conditioning creme and apply it to all of my hair (roots and tips)  I then wait a good 45 minutes or until I decide it's time to wash it out.  One last tip.  Use the purple toner sparingly.  Being white blond, IT WILL turn your hair a purple gray if you aren't careful (I learned that the hard way).  Personally, I never apply it directly to my hair.  I pour some in my hands, then I work it in as needed.

Now, until you get good at this, you will probably miss a few spots.  Don't panic.  It happens to the best of us.  Just wait a few days then get another box for touch ups and toning out any yellow still hanging on.  I've been doing this for a good ten years now, and I can honestly say the only time I even came close to having fried hair was when I decided to splurge and went to a salon. Big MISTAKE.  First, it turned yellow.  Second, what ever they used burned the heck out of my scalp.  It took a good year or so of conditioning and to get it back in shape.  

That's another thing.  While the flashy shampoos made just for blond hair can be tempting, you really need a deep conditioning shampoo and a strengthening conditioner more than you need to 'revitalize your color.'  I use Feria Conditioner ($7) and Nexxus deep conditioning shampoo --generic ($8) <--- Sally's Beauty Supply.  Once a week I use a deep conditioning/protein treatment of some sort...and there you go. 

Hang in there, I hope this helps.  And good luck.

Dont be fooled.Noone's hair is ever "Improved" with lightening.Even if they start off with virgin hair.Your hair will be alot different after bleaching.Your hair may very well be in fairly good condition.But it will change your hair.Your hair will be drier,less shiny,and much weaker than it started.But thats where deep conditioners come into play. I myself like Aussie 3 minute miracle.Its $5 a bottle,but it works just as good as any pro product I've used.And much easier on the wallet.

Your hair can still look and feel nice after bleaching(which is exactly what you'll have to do to get to light blonde from dark brown).But it wont ever be the same.

Who knows why we do what we do?

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