Highlighting my hair - balayage style - now to try Olaplex!

[dandypandys]

I did this last year and loved the results! I am about to do it again, this time using Olaplex and better quality products, having watched some good Youtubers and taking their advice.
I really liked the results from last year and it saved me a lot of money- $150+ is what my hairdresser charged last time, and I was really disappointed because he didn't get it light enough. I wanted it in that cool VS beachy sun kissed highlighted way, that my hair used to do naturally when I was young. I have mousey brown hair, that has naturally blonde bits in the front. It is really thick, long and has a 2B curl.

Last time I used : Sallys packet of bleach, mixed a bowl with 20 and a bowl with 30. Painted  strands  on with my hands and a brush, using the 30 towards the ends. Mostly did them at the front of my hair, as I wasn't confident doing the back. Hap-hazardly wrapped the strands in foil. 25 mins washed then added a Wella Ashed colored toner.
I did deep treatments a few times with coconut oil before and after. The bleach didn't lighten as much as I thought it would- maybe because of the deep treatment from a day before, not sure.

This time I have purchased Wella lightener- which is supposed to be better than the Sallys stuff, and am going for the more expensive Redken developer at 30 rather than the cheap Sallys one (might do 40 too, not sure yet) and I am going to use some Olaplex 1, 2 and 3 through the process. I have already started the deep treatments- this time with some old Rice bran oil (using it up, no idea why it is lurking in my fridge)
I might also Chelate my hair before, not sure yet.
Just waiting for all my supplies to come in, then beach blonde highlights here I come!
Below are the Vids that I have found helpful so far. I will post pics of before and after, once I do it. :)

I am hoping that some of you have done this before yourself and can offer up any tips or more vids that will help me do this successfully.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_sSz8gO2nc&index=26&list=PLF9521E9BA3A96724
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6W4j3KRExQ&t=463s

[dandypandys]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mha80w4JM40
I forgot and this vid I watched just reminded me. I did the teasing method to apply.
I might even employ mr dandypandy to do the back. YIKES!

[birdiegirl]

Wow!  That seems complicated but then again I'm afraid to color my own hair a single color :)   Looking forward to seeing the pictures

[Livinginthemountains]

I am a professional hairstylist.  Balayage is not hard to do. It's just a matter of technique and personal preference to what you like. After you do it a few times you'll have it down to an art! A skill under your belt!

[dandypandys]

Thank you for the encouragement~~ :)
This is my 'before' where I did the balayage last time. I thought I did pretty well :)
Off to get a hair trim today. Have to do it before- because my hairdresser tells me off for doing this by myself lol
My orders are coming in this is what we got:


Graham Sanek See Thru Foil- $5   should make it easier to see it developing-  I might not even bother using them

Redken Pro Oxide Creme Devloper 30 Volume  - $16 (Olaplex takes this to a 20)

OLAPLEX Professional Sample Kit - $16.99 (I feel this isn't fake stuff, hope I am right!)  http://www.ebay.com/itm/OLAPLEX-Professional-Sample-Kit-Dosing-Dispenser-Processing-Cap-Included/192190652503?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Wella Blondor Multi Blonde Powder Lightener 400g - $25

[ElleFiji]

You led me down the YouTube rabbit hole... And now I think I'm ready to try cutting mine. It's in a ponytail 6 days a week, so this is the perfect time to try

[dandypandys]

Youtube is so helpful! So far Ellebangs and Guy tang seem to be the leaders.
Goodluck! I haven't plucked up the courage to cut my hair yet. I really like how my hairdresser does my long layers for me- he costs 60$ all in all- probably go every 12-15 weeks. Sometimes I wonder if I just cut the same amount off each bit, would it maintain what he did?

Here are a few more vids that I have saved:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgSOwUkn82A&list=PLF9521E9BA3A96724&index=32
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMq5mnA03a0&list=PLF9521E9BA3A96724&index=30