Whether your hair is dark, brown, blonde, or red, the highlighting process will bring out its natural light complexion. Spending time in the sun is an easy and effective way to naturally highlight your hair, but there are other natural ways to speed up the golden process. Learn how to use a variety of household appliances for a stylish highlight look.
Step
Method 1 of 6: Using Lemon Juice
Step 1. Squeeze the lemon
Cut a lemon in half, then use a squeezer or your fingers to squeeze the juice out of it into a bowl.
- Be sure to separate the lemon seeds first so they don't clog the spray bottle.
- Avoid using bottled lemon juice because it contains preservatives that are not good for hair.
Step 2. Add water to the bowl
Dilute the lemon juice by adding an equal amount of water. For example, add half a cup of water if you have half a cup of lemon juice.
Step 3. Pour the lemon juice mixture into a spray bottle
You can find a new spray bottle at the pharmacy, or use an old one you have at home.
- If using an old spray bottle, be sure to wash it thoroughly before adding the lemon juice. Avoid using bottles that contain toxic chemicals.
- Whisk the lemon juice mixture evenly.
Step 4. Spray hair with lemon mixture
Focus on the part of the hair you want to highlight. You can layer your entire hair or focus on just a few strands.
- Dip a cotton ball in the lemon juice mixture and apply it to the strands you want to highlight if you want a more precise fit.
- The more lemon juice you apply, the lighter the color will be.
Step 5. Bask in the sun for the lemon juice to react on the hair
Let the sun dry the lemon juice mixture that has been applied to the hair for 30 minutes. The hair color will start to lighten as it dries.
- Be sure to protect your face and body with sunscreen cream and clothing while in direct sunlight.
- The longer you bask in the sun, the lighter your hair color will be. However, be careful because bleaching your hair with lemon juice can damage it and make it dry.
Step 6. Wash your hair using shampoo and conditioner
Thoroughly rinse the lemon juice mixture through your hair, then wash it off with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Highlights will appear when the hair is dry.
Method 2 of 6: Use Chamomile
Step 1. Brew chamomile tea
Use dried chamomile flowers or 3 to 4 tea bags to brew a very strong tea. Allow the tea to cool after brewing.
Step 2. Rinse hair with tea
Stand in front of the sink and pour the tea over your head if you want to lighten your hair completely. If not, apply chamomile tea to a few strands of hair that you want to highlight
Step 3. Bask in the sun for the hair to react to the tea
Let the sun dry the tea liquid on your hair for 30 minutes. The hair color will start to lighten as it dries.
Step 4. Wash your hair using shampoo and conditioner
Rinse the tea out of your hair, then wash it off using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Highlights will be visible when the hair is dry.
Step 5. Repeat the process
Use a chamomile treatment once a week if you want to get a lighter hair color.
Method 3 of 6: Use Honey and Olive Oil
Step 1. Mix cup of honey and olive oil
Stir the honey and olive oil mixture together in a bowl.
Step 2. Apply the mixture on the hair
Decide if you want to lighten the entire hair color or just a few strands.
- To use all over your hair, pour the honey and olive oil mixture over your hair. Use your hands to work the mixture through your hair like shampoo and conditioner, making sure each strand is evenly coated.
- To highlight several strands of hair, use a cotton ball or pastry brush to apply the honey mixture to the desired area.
Step 3. Leave the honey mixture on your hair for 30 to 60 minutes
The longer you leave it on, the lighter your hair will be.
Step 4. Wash your hair using shampoo and conditioner
Hair color will appear lighter when it is dry. Repeat the process for a lighter finish.
Method 4 of 6: Use Henna
Step 1. Apply and massage the henna mixture over the hair
Mix 3 tablespoons (44 ml) of henna powder with cup boiling distilled water. Leave the henna mixture for 12 hours at room temperature.
Step 2. Get ready to use henna
Henna can stain skin and clothing, so wear a worn, long-sleeved T-shirt and gloves for protection. Apply lotion or cream to the neck and hairline to prevent the henna staining these areas.
Step 3. Wear a worn long-sleeved T-shirt and gloves for protection
Also, apply lotion or cream to the neck and hairline to prevent the henna from staining the skin.
Step 4. Apply and massage the henna mixture over the hair
Apply the henna all over your head or only on the part you want to lighten the color. Cover your head with a plastic shower cap to prevent the henna from drying out too quickly.
Step 5. Leave the henna mixture on the head for 2-3 hours
Remove shower cap and apply conditioner to hair. Rinse the henna, then wash it with conditioner first before shampooing and styling your hair as usual.
Method 5 of 6: Use Cinnamon
Step 1. Mix cinnamon powder with conditioner to make a thick paste
Apply the mixture to your hair using a pastry brush and cover it with aluminum foil (for highlights) or a plastic shower cap (for the entire hair).
Step 2. Let the cinnamon mixture absorb into your hair
Leave it on for 3-4 hours, or even overnight, for lighter results.
Step 3. Wash your hair and apply conditioner
Rinse the cinnamon mixture, wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner, then let it dry. Repeat the process for lighter cinnamon-colored highlights.
Method 6 of 6: Use Hydrogen Peroxide
Step 1. Make a solution consisting of hydrogen peroxide and water
Pour half the hydrogen peroxide and half the water into a spray bottle.
- Spray bottles can be found at pharmacies or just use an old bottle you have at home.
- If you get an old spray bottle, be sure to wash it thoroughly before pouring in the peroxide mixture. Avoid using bottles that contain toxic chemicals.
Step 2. Spray your hair with the peroxide mixture
If you want to lighten certain sections of your hair, apply peroxide to those sections using a cotton ball.
Step 3. Leave the peroxide mixture for 20 minutes until it absorbs into the hair
Check to see how bright your hair is now, and let it sit longer if you want it to be even brighter.
- The longer the peroxide mixture is left on and the more you use it, the brighter your hair will be.
- Be careful not to use too much peroxide or leave it on for too long, as these chemicals can dry out and damage hair.
Step 4. Rinse hair and apply conditioner as usual
Make sure all the hydrogen peroxide has been rinsed thoroughly, then moisten it with conditioner. Let your hair dry naturally and don't reuse the peroxide mixture for at least two weeks.
Tips
- If you're in doubt about how your hair will look after using a natural highlighting technique, carefully test a few strands of hair before doing the entire head process.
- Wear a towel around your shoulders to prevent lemon juice, cinnamon, or hydrogen peroxide from getting on your skin. These ingredients are known to irritate the skin so be careful when using them.
- You can also mix cinnamon powder with honey to make a thick paste. Apply on hair and let dry.
- Remember that lemon juice will dry out your hair.
- Be sure to use plenty of moisturizing products so that your hair doesn't dry out, as this will make it look even worse than it was before the highlight.
- Do this outdoors on a sunny day for best results.
- Lemon juice gives brown hair a reddish-orange tint, but will make it lighter if you have blonde hair.
- For darker or really striking hair colors, dip a hairbrush or comb in one of the solutions above and apply it thoroughly once a week.
- When using hydrogen peroxide, be sure to store it in a dark bottle to keep it fresh, otherwise it will spoil and become useless due to exposure to light.
- Vinegar can help highlight hair. Use any type of vinegar, then pour it into a spray bottle. Spray vinegar on your hair, then let it sit in the sun for a few minutes. Wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner as usual when you're done.
Warning
- Don't repeat any highlighting method more than once or twice a week. This can cause hair to become dry and brittle.
- All of the above methods result in permanent hair color.
- Don't bask in the sun with lemon juice on your hair for more than 60 minutes.
- Always be careful when using peroxide; good idea to use it a little at a time every now and then. Keep peroxide out of your eyes.
