“Instant Porridge Ya Caramel”: Woman’s Accidentally Bleached Hair Amuses South Africans

• A young woman, Lwazi Zulu, thought she had applied dye to her hair, but soon realised she had bleached it
• There are several things to consider when bleaching your hair, such as not washing it beforehand
• Members of the online community couldn't help but laugh at Lwazi's unfortunate hair predicament

Digital creator Lwazi Zulu was excited to dye her hair purple, an act intended to raise awareness of gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa. However, she mistakenly bleached her hair instead of using the colour.

On 13 November, 2025, the young woman uploaded a TikTok video showing her excitement about seeing the transformation. After removing the silk bonnet, she saw bits of yellow underneath the plastic bag she still wore on her head.

Lwazi closed her eyes before removing the layer and spun around for online viewers to see the results 'first.' Once she opened her eyes, to her dismay, she saw that her hair was blonde and not the desired colour.

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Tips for bleaching your hair

TRESemmé, an American haircare brand, provided seven tips to consider when bleaching hair:

1. Prepare your hair: Arthur Sebastian, an international hairstylist, notes that bleaching lightens hair by reducing pigment, which can be harsh. In the weeks before, avoid unnecessary chemicals and focus on moisturising and protein-rich treatments to strengthen and protect your strands.
2. Know what you're in for: Going blonde isn't instant for everyone. Dark brown or black hair often needs multiple bleaching sessions, which can cause significant damage. If your hair is darker, plan to lighten it gradually and space out bleaching over several months to protect your hair.
3. It's permanent: Bleaching uses hydrogen peroxide and ammonia to strip the hair of melanin, removing its natural colour. Because this process alters the pigment entirely, the change is irreversible.
4. Choose your colour carefully: Blonde comes in many shades, so research which tones suit your hair and skin.
5. Know when to bleach: If you've dyed, highlighted, or relaxed your hair, wait at least two weeks before bleaching. Avoid bleaching brittle or damaged hair, and make sure your scalp is healthy.
6. Don't wash beforehand: Bleach works better on slightly oily hair, as natural oils help protect your scalp.
7. Bleached hair needs upkeep: Bleaching lifts your hair's cuticle, so colour fades quickly. Because pigment can't be fully restored after bleaching, expect frequent touch-ups to maintain your shade.

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Bleached hair amuses the internet

The viral video prompted hundreds of social media users to gather in the comments, wondering how Lwazi could have mistaken bleach for hair dye. She explained, in her defence, that the two products came in one box.

In true South African fashion, people also added humour under the post, making light of the situation.

An entertained @k_m_5.5 said with a laugh:

"I love how you gave us the chance to react before you. I laughed, girl, so hard."

@zmajsus9 tried to remain positive, writing:

"Well, technically, you do have to bleach it to get the colour you want."

@_thabi_tii humorously added in the comment section:

"Instant porridge ya caramel. You see, what I am trying to say is that it looks tasty."

@pickle_tickler_2.4 told the online community:

"This is why my mother tells me I should let a professional dye my hair."

@mphorene1 chuckled and remarked:

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"We don’t see anything wrong because we don’t know what the initial plan or goal was."

@zhellsbells suggested in the comments:

"My friend, if you want it purple, do a conditioner-based one. There is a place called Punked Neon Hair Dye that also offers courier services. Get the dark purple, apply to dry hair, and mix with conditioner. Leave for an hour. Even pink would look beautiful."

Watch the TikTok video posted on Lwazi's account below:

3 Other stories about hair fails

• In another article, Briefly News reported that a woman shared her frustration after a hairstylist botched her requested bob cut, leaving her with a significant patch. Internet users responded with sympathy and advice.
• A woman expressed her disappointment with the poorly executed ponytail frontal hairstyle she received from a local hairstylist. The incident had sparked a wider conversation about social media beauty standards.
• Last year, a woman showed her rich, healthy afro tangled up. She was excited to get a R900 silk press, but that faded away, damaging her efforts to grow her natural hair.

Source: Briefly News