Learn how to lighten and highlight hair naturally at home. Using these natural hair lightener ideas saves money and keeps hair healthier!
Last yearI wrotean article onhow to color hair naturallywith homemade herbal hair dyes. Also, my sister Karyn, who naturally colors her hair often, recently asked if I could do natural highlights. So I went to work right away coming up with several interesting and simple options for how to lighten hair naturally.
How to Lighten Hair Naturally: AndAdd Highlights
1. Lemons
First, lemon juice, diluted half and half with distilled water, will lighten dark blond or light brown hair and won’tleave reddish tones unless your hair already has them. Indeed, this is the most widely usednatural hair lightener for a reason.
2. Vinegar
So vinegar, like raw apple cider vinegar, will leave reddish highlights in the same hair color. To start, mix apple cider vinegar 50/50 with distilled water.Next, spray it on all over to lighten all of your hair, or apply it with a cotton ball or brush for strands of highlights. Lastly, leave on for 30 minutes, rinse out, and dry as usual.on
In truth, of all of these options, I’ve used this natural hair lightener themost. Because I have naturally reddish tones to my hair and try to keep it looking natural.
3. Peroxide
Begin by diluting the hydrogen peroxide half and half with water. Next, apply as directed above and test after 15-20 minutes. Note that peroxide will lighten quickly without the worry of drying out like commercial hair bleaches. Lastly, once you get to the shade you want,rinseyour hair well. Indeed, for those wanting to knowhow to lighten hair, peroxide is another very popular method!
4. Chamomile
My grandmother used to swear by chamomile to lighten darker hair. First, brew a really strong cup of chamomile tea and let it cool. Next, apply to individual strands of hair for highlights, or pour over your entire headfor all-over color. Lastly, go out into the sun and let it dry, usually for about 30 minutes. Finish by washing out and styling as usual. (Find dried organic chamomile here.)
5. Henna
On most hair, henna will only darken, but on very dark brown or black hair, henna can lighten and leave reddish highlights. So if you’re looking for black hair with highlights, this may be your jam. Use about 3 tablespoons of henna powder to ½ cup of boiling water. Let this sit for 12 hours or overnight. Then apply to your hair and let sit for 2-3 hours. Wash out well and style as you normally would. (Find henna dye here.)
6. Honey and Olive Oil
I’m not sure of the exact mechanics of how this works, but it creates nice subtle highlights and softer hair. Warm ¼ cup of honey and add¼ cup olive oil. Stir well to combine. Apply to your hair where you want the highlights and leave on for 30-60 minutes. About 5 minutes before you wash it out, work it into all of your hair, focusing onthe ends. Wash out well. If you are using the shower to wash it out, be very careful as oil can create a very slippery surface.
7. Cinnamon
Take half a cup of your normal conditioner and add enough cinnamon powder to make a thick paste. Apply this to your hair and leave for 3-4 hours or overnight. The longer you leave it, the richer the color. In the morning (or at the end of the 3-4 hours), wash it out well and style it as you normally would. This will also soften your hair and leave it nice and silky. Bonus: Cinnamon has antioxidants and natural sunscreen that will protect your hair from the damaging rays of the sun.
8. Honey and Vinegar
If you’re learning how to lighten hair, why not get both of the benefits of honey and vinegar at the same time? Use 2 cups of raw apple cider vinegar to 1 cup of honey. Add a tablespoon of warmed coconut oil and blend together well. Apply to your hair, wrap in an old towel, and leave on overnight. Shampoo out in the morning.
9. Rhubarb
This is another old favorite of my grandmother’s. She told me to use ¼ cup of chopped rhubarb to 2 cups of water. Boil these together and strain the juice. (You can add some sweetener and make a nice toast spread with what’s left!) Then after the juice has cooled, apply it to your hair and leave it on for 10 minutes. Wash out well. Rhubarb contains pectin and will get sticky if left on your hair too long.
10. Baking Soda
Simply make a paste with warm water and baking soda to lighten your hair. First, takeabouta ½ cupand add enough warm water to make a medium paste. I say this because if it’stoo thin it won’t cover well and if it’stoo thick it will dry out quickly and not work either. Now apply the paste and leave for 15-20 minutes. Check your hair to see what it looks like. If you are happy, wash it out. If you want it lighter, leave it on a bit longer.
11. Vitamin C
You can crush8-9 Vitamin C tablets and mix them into the amount of shampoo you would normally use on your hair. Shampoo as usual and follow with conditioner.
12. Salt
Dissolve 1 tablespoon salt (any kind) with ½ cup of warm water. Leave for 15 minutes and rinse out. We all know how salt will highlight our hair after swimming in the ocean. Now you can do it at home. Be sure to follow up with ourSea Salt Sprayto get those nice beach waves!
Black Hair with Highlights
It is worth repeating, that you can use Henna to highlight black or dark brown hair. Use about 3 tablespoons of henna powder to ½ cup of boiling water. Let this sit for 12 hours or overnight. Then apply to your hair and let sit for 2-3 hours. Wash out well and style as you normally would. (Find henna dye here.)
Notes on Results ofNatural Hair Lightener
When talking about how to lighten hair naturally, I should point out that results can and will vary. Everyone’s hair is different and will absorb color or lose color at different rates. The ingredients andthe type of water you use will all vary, resulting in slightly different outcomes.
Allow plenty of time and have fun experimenting with natural hair lighteners.
What About You?
Did you already know how to lighten hair at home?
Have you ever experimented with natural highlights? Why not give one of these a try?
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