So I am standing in the drugstore, in the isle with all of the boxed hair dyes...

I am trying to create an inch-thick blonde streak on my dark-auburn hair. The problem is this: As you know, creative people have these *surges* of intense ideas - and have this need to *do this RIGHT NOW* kind of thing! (Don't want to order anything online.) In my area, the only products in stores are the Clairol, Revlon, etc. boxed hair dyes.

Is it a waste to try a white-ish blonde dye on my darker hair, or is it that they bleach your hair first at a salon, then make you blonde? What product can I get to make my dark hair blonde, that is available at the drugstore?

Creatively frustrated,
~L~