| How to Bleach Pine Cones Posted: 11 Oct 2018 05:00 PM PDT Pinecones are plentiful in art stores and in some backyards and parks, making them a cost effective way to decorate a home any season of the year. There are different ways to decorate pine cones, with bleaching being one of the most popular techniques. Using just bleach, water, and a bucket, you can make bleached pine cones of your own. The pine cones can end up having anything from a driftwood look to a blond tone, making this a way to add a unique flair to your interior design. EditPreparing Your Materials - Dress in old clothes and put on protective gloves. Because you will be working with bleach, which can permanently marr your clothing, make sure you are wearing old clothes that you won't mind getting dirty. You also want to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from the bleach, which can irritate and even burn your skin.
- Wear protective glasses, especially when pouring the bleach into the water. You don't want any splashes getting into your eyes.
- Gather your pine cones. Make sure the pine cones are completely open and dry. Wet and closed pine cones will not bleach well.[1]
- Put the pine cones in your bucket. If you are working with a lot of pine cones, then a five gallon utility bucket will be best. It will have enough room to allow the solution to cover all the pine cones. But, if you are working with smaller pine cones, or with only one or two, then something smaller can work.
- Add 2 parts water to 1 part bleach to the bucket. Make sure there is enough solution to cover all the pine cones.[2]
EditSoaking the Pine Cones - Put rocks or bricks on top of the pine cones to hold them down in the solution. The pine cones will start to float, so you will need at least two rocks or bricks. If some pine cones escape from under the rocks or bricks, then add another rock or brick to make sure they all stay down.
- The pine cones will close up when they are wet. That is supposed to happen and will not affect the bleaching.[3]
- Let the pine cones sit in the bleach water for up to 48 hours. This will give the solution enough time to work.
- Check the pine cones after 12 hours. Some of the smaller pine cones might be ready.
- Again, put on old clothes, the rubber gloves, and protective glasses to protect your skin and eyes.
- Remove the rocks or bricks and start picking through the pine cones to see if any are ready. Your own preference for color will determine if they are ready or not.[4]
- The longer you let the pine cones sit, the more bleached they will look. The bleaching can range from a driftwood appearance to a blond look depending on how long the pine cones were submerged in the solution for.[5]
EditDrying the Pine Cones - Remove the pine cones after 48 hours. Put back on all the protective gear–the old clothes, gloves, and glasses– and gently take the pine cones out.
- Remember that the pine cones will be covered in a bleach solution. Wearing old dirty clothes, gloves, and protective glasses is advisable to protect your clothing, skin, and eyes.
- Place the pine cones on a surface to dry. A tarp, baking sheet, paper towel, or old towel that you won't mind getting bleach on all will work. The pine cones may take up to a week to dry.
- Take them off the drying surface when they are dry and open again. The pine cones should be as dry and open as they were before you poured the solution on them.
- Bake the pine cones if you don't want to wait a week. After you take them out of the bleach solution, let them dry for 24 hours and then bake them at 250 degrees until they open.[6]
- Alternatively, if it is hot out, you can leave them in direct sunlight to speed up the drying process.
- Wear old clothes to prevent the bleach ruining your good ones.
- Work in a well ventilated area or outside. The smell of the bleach can be strong.
EditThings You'll Need - Pinecones
- Bleach
- Large bucket (a five gallon utility bucket works best)
- Water
- Rubber gloves
- Large stones or bricks
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Keep Glitter from Falling Off Posted: 11 Oct 2018 09:00 AM PDT If you're a glitter lover, chances are you've run across crafts and body glitters that are susceptible to flaking off and leaving a glitzy, sparkly trail behind you. Luckily, there are a few different ways you can craft with and wear glitter so that it doesn't fall off so easily. Try using Mod Podge to seal in the glitter in your crafting projects, or mix cosmetic-grade glitter with different beauty products to create your own body glitter. EditUsing Mod Podge for Crafts - Add a layer of satin or gloss Mod Podge to your craft. Use a foam brush or paintbrush, depending on your craft, and lightly brush a thorough layer of Mod Podge onto the surface area of whatever you are looking to cover in glitter. Make sure the entire area is coated and that there are no bare spots.[1]
- You can even make your own Mod Podge at home to save money!
- If you don't have Mod Podge, you could also use regular white school glue, though school glue often chips off easily over time.
- Fun ideas of things you can add glitter to: plates, mugs, containers, candles, fabric flowers, glasses frames, cell phone covers, wood, and notebooks or folders.
- Dust, pour, or poof the glitter over the Mod Podged area. Depending on the kind of glitter you are using, you might apply it in a slightly different way. The main thing to remember is that you want to completely coat the Mod Podge in glitter and not leave any empty spaces.[2]
- You can also use a foam brush to spread on your glitter if you want a little more control over how much you use.
- If you are looking for a high-glitter outcome, you can apply a second layer of Mod Podge and glitter immediately after the first one without waiting for it to dry first (it will take a little longer to dry after the second coat, then, but it will be highly glitterized).
- Allow the glitter and Mod Podge to dry for 1-2 hours. Leave your newly glittered item alone for several hours or until it is dry to the touch. Try to leave it in a position so that the Mod Podge and glitter isn't touching any other surface.[3]
- If you are adding glitter to multiple items, this is a great time to continue working on those projects while you're waiting for others to dry.
- Apply a top layer of Mod Podge to seal in the glitter. Once the first layer is dry to the touch, use your sponge or paint brush to add another thing layer of Mod Podge to your item. Use long, even strokes to reduce the appearance of brush lines. Make sure you cover the entire item and don't leave any raw glitter poking through.[4]
- You could also use watered down school glue to create an opaque sealant for your crafting project.
- The top layer of Mod Podge acts as a sealant and will prevent the glitter from flaking away.
- Let your finished craft dry for 3-4 hours before you use it. Depending on how thickly you applied the Mod Podge, you may need to wait anywhere from 3-12 hours before you can safely use the item without potentially messing up the application. Always check the directions on the bottle for tips and guidelines.[5]
- If you have a dehumidifier, you can set your craft in front of it for a speedier drying time.
- Never place your item directly in front of a heat source, like an electric heater or a hair dryer, as this may cause the Mod Podge to melt or change consistency so it doesn't dry correctly.
- Coat flaking items with sparkle Mod Podge to seal in the glitter. If you have an item that has glitter that is flaking off, you can apply pre-glitterized Mod Podge to add back some sparkle and lock in the remaining glitter. Simply use a sponge or paint brush to apply a thin, even coat of the sealant to the item, then let it fully dry before you use it again.[6]
- Make sure to work on a protected surface, like a counter covered in newspaper or paper towels.
- Mix Mod Podge with your glitter of choice for a stronger glitter look. Pour some Mod Podge into a disposable cup or bowl and mix in as much glitter as you want to make your own glitter sealant. You can make the glitter as weak or as strong as you prefer. Then follow the instructions to apply the Mod Podge and let it dry.[7]
- You can also apply your glitter Mod Podge, another layer of glitter, and then top it off with the glitter Mod Podge again for even more glitter fun.
EditWearing Body Glitter - Combine body oil and loose glitter for an all-body glitter-wearing option. Instead of sprinkling loose body glitter on your arms and hoping it doesn't fall off, combine body oil and loose glitter in a travel-sized shampoo container. Shake the container up really well, and then apply it to your arms, legs, chest, or face whenever you need an extra glitter boost.[8]
- While you could purchase body oils or lotions that already have glitter in them, it can be less expensive and more fun to do it yourself.
- Put petroleum jelly on your skin and add body glitter for a sparkly look. Use a clean makeup or paint brush and apply an even layer of the petroleum jelly to the area you want to cover in glitter (like your collar bones, shoulders, or even your hairline). Then use another clean brush or your hand to gently press loose body glitter onto the jelly.[9]
- Visit a cosmetics store to buy body-specific glitter, which is usually a slightly different consistency than the glitter used for crafting.
- If you don't have petroleum jelly, you could also use hair gel as the sticky base for your body glitter.
- Use this method in areas that aren't going to come into frequent contact with other surfaces. For example, it probably wouldn't work well on your legs if you are going to be sitting and standing and walking around often.
- Mix hairspray and glitter to create glitter brow and hair gel. Spray hairspray into a dish, like a small cup or bowl (or even a disposable Dixie Cup), and add loose glitter. Mix it around with a toothpick or a spoolie brush, and then apply it carefully to your eyebrows or to select strands of your hair.[10]
- Do not use the glitter and hairspray mix on your eyelashes as it could irritate or infect them.
- Wear vibrant lipstick and then add loose glitter for a shimmery lip look. Steer clear of sticky or glossy lipsticks and stick with a cream base to keep the glitter in place better. Put on a layer or two or lipstick, then use your fingers to gently press loose glitter into your lips.[11]
- With this trend, you'll want to avoid pressing your lips together or eating or drinking anything too messy.
- Create a glitter stamp from a makeup sponge and loose glitter. Cut a makeup sponge into a fun shape (like a heart or a star) and dip one side of it carefully into loose glitter. Spread a thin layer of petroleum jelly or hair gel on your body where you want the stamp, and then press the makeup sponge onto the jelly to transfer the glitter.[12]
- Your glitter stamp should stay on all day as long as it doesn't brush up roughly against anything else.
EditKeeping Glitter on Clothes - Use hairspray for a quick fix on your glitter clothing. Take your item of clothing outdoors or to a well ventilated area, and lay it down completely flat. Then spray a light coat of hairspray overtop of the glitter. Use unscented hairspray if you can. Allow the hairspray to dry completely before you wear the clothing item.[13]
- Hairspray is a great, quick fix, but overtime it doesn't hold up, though you can reapply hairspray when you need to. Long-term, you just have to care for and store glittery clothes very carefully.
- Affix glitter to your clothes with fabric glue. Lay out your item of clothing in a clean workspace, and apply the fabric glue in whatever patten you want. Then, carefully shake loose glitter overtop of the glue, coating it so that none of the glue is visible. Let the glue and glitter dry for several hours before picking up the item and shaking off the excess glitter.[14]
- You could even make a stamp out of a sponge and decorate your shirt that way (like stars all over a t-shirt), and then shake the glitter on top of the design.
- Wash glittery clothes sparingly and let them air-dry. When you go to clean your clothes that have glitter on them, try to wash then only when they really need it. Use cold water and the delicate cycle in the washing machine, and don't put them into the dryer. Instead, hang them up to air-dry.[15]
- You could even take your glittery clothes to a dry cleaner instead of washing them yourself.
- When crafting with glitter, try working over a cooking tray. You'll catch all the excess glitter that falls off and can easily return it to its container.
- When making your own body glitter, try to use cosmetic grade glitter rather than crafting glitter.
- Store your glittery clothes in plastic bags to protect them from rubbing up against other items in your closet (and to protect your other clothes from getting glitter all over them).
EditThings You'll Need EditCrafting with Glitter and Mod Podge - Mod Podge (satin, gloss, or glitter)
- Foam brush or paintbrush
- Disposable cup or bowl
- Craft glitter
EditWearing Body Glitter - Makeup or paint brush
- Petroleum jelly
- Hairspray
- Lipstick
- Makeup sponge
- Body oil
- Cup or bowl
- Cosmetic grade body glitter
EditKeeping Glitter on Clothes - Hairspray
- Fabric glue
- Plastic baggies
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Dye Dark Hair a Lighter Color Posted: 11 Oct 2018 01:00 AM PDT Changing your hair color is a great way to revamp your look! Dyeing hair a darker color is pretty straightforward, but if you want to dye your hair lighter than it currently is, you will probably need to bleach it first. Apply your chosen hair color to damp hair right after rinsing the bleach out. Don't forget to maintain your new color by deep-conditioning your hair weekly and keeping shampooing to a minimum! EditBleaching Your Hair - Bleach your hair first if you have black or previously dyed hair. If you fall into one of these categories, there's no getting around pre-lightening with bleach before going lighter. If you have virgin hair, you can usually go a few shades lighter with a high-lift boxed dye. Going from dark brown hair to blonde with hair dye alone is probably unrealistic, but you can definitely lighten up virgin hair without bleach.[1]
- For example, if you have light brown hair that's never been dyed, you can dye it blonde without using bleach.
- If you have dark brown virgin hair, you can dye it light brown or red without using bleach. Buy the dye that depicts the hair color you want to achieve on the box; you don't need to amend anything to account for darker hair as long as it's virgin.
- Purchase a vol 20 or 30 bleach kit from a beauty supply store. If you have red, light brown, or medium brown hair, use vol 20 developer. If you have black or dark brown hair, use vol 30 developer. If you aren't sure, err on the side of caution and get the lower vol 20 developer. You can always bleach again if you need to![2]
- Avoid vol 40 developer, which is the strongest developer available. It's too harsh to use all over your head and is typically used by professional stylists or for highlighting small sections of hair.
- Avoid washing your hair for several days before you bleach. Bleach can irritate and even burn your scalp, but the natural oils that build up when you don't wash it can add a layer of protection. At minimum, avoid washing for 48 honors before bleaching. You may also want to do several conditioning masks in the 2 weeks prior to bleaching to minimize damage and breakage.[3]
- Divide your hair into 4 sections. Part your hair down the center, vertically, from the crown to the nape of your neck. Then divide those sections in half, horizontally, from ear to ear. Clip each section in place on top of your head with a plastic hair clip.[4]
- Don't use metal clips when you're bleaching your hair.
- Dividing your hair into 4 manageable quadrants makes the bleaching process easier and helps to ensure the color is stripped evenly.
- Mix the bleach powder and vol developer together in a large bowl. Your bleach kit will contain both powder and developer, as well as an applicator and pair of plastic gloves. Put on the gloves and an old-t-shirt before you start mixing. Then, measure and pour both ingredients into a bowl. Mix them together until they're thoroughly incorporated.[5]
- Make sure you follow the mixing directions on the packaging. You may need to combine them in a ratio of 1:1 or 1:2.
- Use the bleach immediately after mixing it.
- At this point, drape a towel around your shoulders to protect your skin during the process. You can also add a swipe of petroleum jelly along your hairline to protect the skin around your forehead and face.
- Use the applicator to apply the bleach to the first section of hair. Start with the bottom sections before moving on to the top ones. As you work, separate each section into several smaller sections. Remove the clip to release the first section of hair, section it, and use the applicator brush that came with your kit to apply the bleach mixture onto each section from root to tip. Get as close to the roots as possible without touching your scalp.
- Once the section is saturated with the mixture, clip it back up and out of the way.
- Work as quickly as you can, since the bleach mixture loses strength the longer it sits out. The bleach will still work if you let it sit out for a few hours, but it will take longer to process your hair and generally be less effective.
- Dividing your hair into smaller sections will help you evenly apply the bleach. If your hair is thick, it's especially important that you make many small sections.
- Saturate the remaining 3 sections of hair with the bleach mixture. Unclip the next section and apply the bleach mixture from root to tip. Clip it back up and continue the same process until all 4 sections are thoroughly saturated. Try to apply the bleach in thin layers to small areas at a time so that all of your hair gets coated evenly.[6]
- Let the bleach sit on your hair for the suggested amount of time. Check the bleach kit packaging for instructions about timing. In general, the darker your hair is, the longer the bleach mixture should sit on your hair. 30 to 45 minutes is pretty typical.[7]
- You can put a clear, plastic cap over your hair while it processes. This helps control the bleach so it's less messy. Also, the cap traps in your head's natural heat.
- Be sure to check your progress every 5 to 10 minutes to avoid over-processing your hair.
- Never leave bleach on your hair for longer than 1 hour.
- Rinse out the bleach thoroughly with cold water. The cold water stops the bleach from processing your hair, so try to rinse quickly and thoroughly for even results. Follow the rinse up by shampooing your hair twice in a row, rinsing thoroughly with cold water in between, to make sure you remove all of the bleach.[8]
EditApplying the Hair Dye - Divide your hair into 4 sections. The process for applying hair dye is pretty similar to the bleaching process. Divide your hair into 4 sections, just like you did before bleaching, and clip those sections out of the way. Put on a fresh pair of protective gloves and drape a towel around your shoulders to protect your clothing and skin from being stained by the dye.[9]
- To prevent staining on your forehead and face, smear a little petroleum jelly along your hairline.
- Mix your chosen hair dye according to the package directions. Your boxed dye kit will come with a few liquid-filled bottles and instructions on how to mix them together, so follow the package directions. Every brand will be a little different, so read the instructions carefully.[10]
- Apply the dye mixture to the first section of hair. As you apply the dye, separate each section of hair into smaller sections. Use the applicator that came with the dye to brush the mixture onto damp hair from root to tip. Be sure to saturate your hair thoroughly and evenly with the dye. Clip the hair out of the way and unclip the next section.[11]
- Smaller sections make it easier to completely saturate your hair.
- Continue in the same way until all of your hair is saturated with the hair dye.
- Let the dye sit on your hair for the specified amount of time. Each brand will be different, but a processing time of 30 to 45 minutes is typical for hair dye. Check the package instructions for specifics. Set a timer to alert you when the time is up, just in case you forget![12]
- Rinse the dye out of your hair with cool water. Be sure to rinse your hair thoroughly until the water runs clear. Your boxed dye kit should include a tube of intensely hydrating conditioner to apply from root to tip right after you rinse out the dye. Let the conditioner saturate your hair for about 5 minutes, then rinse it out thoroughly with cool water.[13]
- Cool water seals your cuticle so your hair looks shinier. Also, a sealed cuticle cuts down on frizz. Additionally, hot or warm water may strip the fresh color out of your hair.
- Don't shampoo your hair before you condition it, since this will strip the fresh color out of your hair. Don't shampoo your hair for at least 24 hours.
- If your dye kit didn't come with conditioner, use a regular deep conditioner.
EditMaintaining Your New Hair Color - Keep shampooing to a minimum to prevent color fading. Hair color fades a small amount each time you wash it. Try to go a few days in between washings for the best color retention. If your hair gets oily fast, try using a dry shampoo on your off days.
- When you do shampoo, avoid clarifying products and opt for sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners to protect your color.
- Look for shampoos, conditioners, and other hair products formulated for use on color-treated hair.
- Use a blue or purple color correcting shampoo if you experience brassiness. The lighter you dyed your hair, the more prone it will be to brassy yellow or orange tones over time. You can keep brassiness at bay with a color correcting shampoo purchased from a beauty supply store. Purple shampoos counteract yellow tones and blue shampoos counteract orange tones.[14]
- You may be able to use the color correcting shampoo every time you wash your hair, but check the product directions to make sure.
- Deep-condition your hair weekly to keep it looking healthy. After bleaching your hair, it will probably feel pretty dry and brittle. You may even experience some damage and breakage, all of which is totally normal. The best way to combat these issues is to use a weekly deep-conditioner to restore hydration and nutrients to your hair.[15]
EditThings You'll Need - Bleach kit
- Boxed hair dye
- 2 pairs of gloves
- Old towels
- Large bowl
- Mixing utensil
- 2 applicator brushes
- Hair clips
- Deep conditioner or hair masks
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
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