There’s an age-old saying that states that “blonds have more fun,” and while there is hardly any truth behind it many women still find themselves flocking to salons to have their darker locks lightened to a variety of shades of blond. However, they also say that “beauty is pain,” and when it comes to lightening hair using traditional methods this old adage actually holds some water. Chemical bleaches and dyes used to lighten hair are horrible for your strands, and can easily cause damage by frying your locks. If you are seeking to lighten up your hair, these all-natural alternatives will help you achieve natural looking blond hair or highlights without harming your hair in the way chemicals do.
Lemon Juice
My sister has dirty blond hair, and she is able to achieve platinum highlights every summer using nothing but lemon juice and water. If your hair is naturally dirty blond or light brown, you can get your hair considerably lighter by applying lemon juice to your locks. Fill a squirt bottle with two parts freshly squeezed lemon juice to one part water and spritz your hair before spending time sitting in the sunshine. This method takes some time to work, but if you apply lemon juice to your hair once every few days you should begin to notice results within a week or two. This method works because the acidic properties of the lemon lighten up the natural pigments of your hair. Be aware that the acidity does have the potential to slightly dry your hair, so be sure to condition your hair well after each application.
Cinnamon
Ground cinnamon is another home remedy that will lighten up your strands. Mix three tablespoons of cinnamon in with four tablespoons of your favorite conditioner to create a paste. Massage the mixture onto your head and comb it through to make sure your strands are evenly coated for best results. The cinnamon may irritate your skin for several minutes but should go away. Put a plastic processing cap over your hair once the mixture has been thoroughly worked in. Leave the cap and mixture on your head for a minimum of four hours, though sleeping with it on overnight will produce the best results. Rinse your hair and repeat this process until you achieve the shade you want or to maintain color. Cinnamon has the potential to lighten your hair by two to three shades.
Chamomile Tea
Freshly brewed chamomile tea is an excellent home remedy to lighten dirty blond and light brown hair without causing any damage. Brew a strong pot of tea by allowing at least thirty minutes for the tea to steep. Allow the tea to cool, and then add a few tablespoons to your conditioner and put the rest in an empty shampoo bottle. When bathing, wash your hair with the tea instead of your normal shampoo, and then condition with the chamomile conditioner mix. Air dry your hair by sitting in the sun if possible. Like lemon juice, chamomile tea slowly changes the pigment of your hair so don’t expect extreme results after one application. However, the tea has no potential to dry or damage hair so feel free to use it daily until you achieve the results you want.
Honey
Honey naturally contains a small amount of hydrogen peroxide, making it ideal for using to lighten hair. The amount is so small it will not have the frying effect on your hair that pure peroxide has. To lighten up your locks with honey, mix 1/3 cup of honey with 1/4 cup of your favorite conditioner. Dampen your hair and then apply the mixture evenly to your head. Put a plastic processing cap over your hair and leave it on for eight hours before rinsing. Honey will not dramatically change the color of your hair, so its best to combine this method with some of the others mentioned in this article if you want your hair more than a shade lighter. You can mix a little bit of lemon juice or cinnamon into the conditioning mixture if you desire.
