The golden and coppery glow that your hair gets in the summer is something most of us want to keep all year round. While the idea of tormenting your hair with chemicals to maintain this discoloration makes you sick, try the natural way. There are many natural methods to make your hair glow, whether it's blonde or red tones.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Making All Colors More Luminous
Step 1. Go outside
There's a reason everyone's hair is golden and shiny in summer; The sun has a natural bleaching effect on hair in addition to browning your skin. Wait for a sunny day, and then leave your hair out in the sun for your hair magic to work. Remember to wear sunscreen so you don't get burned in the process.
Step 2. Go swimming
Since time in the sun and swimming outdoors often go hand in hand, it's difficult to distinguish the bleaching done by each process. However, the sun is not the only process at work; salt and chlorine in the ocean and swimming pools work to lift your hair color (natural build). Dive into a nearby cove, and your strands will be shinier in no time.
Step 3. Wash with vinegar
The recent trend of washing hair without shampoo has led people to the discovery that vinegar is efficacious for making hair shiny. When you go to the bathroom, rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar. Doing this regularly will slowly make your hair glow over time.
Step 4. Use some baking soda
Similar to vinegar, baking soda is an alternative to chemical-based shampoos that also makes hair color shine. When you shower, sprinkle your hair with baking soda and scrub it thoroughly. The growing paste will naturally whiten your hair.
Step 5. Give your hair a honey mask
Want honey brown hair? Use natural ingredients to make masks. Mix honey with a little distilled water and apply it to your hair. Let the honey soak for 30 minutes or so. When mixed with distilled water, honey undergoes a chemical process that helps make your hair shine super fast. For a double bonus, get out in the sun while your hair is soaking honey.
Step 6. Use vitamin C
Not only daily health needs, vitamin C can bring out a lighter color in your hair ties as well. Get a bottle of vitamin C tablets, but use them for your hair not for your consumption. Crush up to 5-10 tablets (depending on the length and thickness of your hair) and add the powder to your shampoo. Washing with this concoction will give your hair a dose of bleaching nutrients.
Step 7. Try Hydrogen Peroxide
While not the most natural of the destructive techniques, hydrogen peroxide is a way for you to make your hair glow at home without using multiple products. Rinse your hair with hydrogen peroxide, leaving it on for about 10-15 minutes before rinsing with a second water. First, test this method on a small section of hair to make sure you're happy with your hair color.
Step 8. Brew black tea
Useful on many beauty quests, black tea is full of tannic acid which can bring out the highlights in your hair over time. Brew a few cups of strong black tea (using a few tablespoons/tea bag) and pour it over your hair. Let it soak for 30 minutes before rinsing it off warmly.
Step 9. Apply olive oil
Olive oil not only nourishes your hair by moisturizing it, it also brings out the natural highlights of your hair. Add more olive oil and let the olive oil work on your hair for at least 30 minutes. Rinse when you're tired of greasy hair, and you'll notice your hair looks brighter.
Method 2 of 3: Bringing Out Blonde Highlights
Step 1. Spray lemon juice
Used by women for hundreds of years to achieve strong, brightly colored hair ties, lemon juice is one of the oldest and most effective natural lightening techniques. Pour the lemon juice into a spray bottle and coat your strands completely. Let it dry for about 20 minutes before rinsing again.
Lemon juice can dry out your hair with frequent use, so mix it with a little oil to keep your hair soft
Step 2. Brew a cup of coffee
If you have brown hair, make a pot of strong coffee. Allow to cool, refrigerate if necessary. Pour the cold coffee into a spray bottle, and spray it all over your hair. Sit in the sun for about half an hour. This method will not lighten your overall hair color, but will lighten the natural highlights of your hair.
Step 3. Make chamomile tea
The bright natural coloring of the chamomile and the natural chemicals of the flowers combine to bring out the blonde streaks in the hair. Dip five chamomile tea bags in boiling water. When the tea is completely cool, spray it on your hair, comb through your hair, and sit in the sun for about 30 minutes to bring out the natural highlights.
Step 4. Use dried marigold flowers
Similar to chamomile flowers, marigolds can give you the golden highlights you've always dreamed of. Put 1 cup water, 1 cup apple cider vinegar, and some dried marigold flowers in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Strain the flowers and let the liquid cool completely. Put it in a spray bottle, spray it on dry hair, massage it into your scalp, and let your hair dry on its own.
Step 5. Try the Rhubarb plant
Boil some rhubarb roots, allow the liquid to cool completely, and try on a flashy hair tie before applying it all over your head. The rhubarb plant adds a yellow tint, so if your hair is already very light, it may turn darker.
Method 3 of 3: Bringing Up Red Highlights
Step 1. Brew berry tea
There's a reason three different teas are included on this list – they work! If you want to bring out red highlights in your hair, use natural red tea and let your hair soak. Look for berries or teas that are red when brewed, such as raspberries, blackberries, or pomegranates. Let some of these tea bags soak in a few cups of water and then pour it through your hair. Let it soak into your hair for at least 30 minutes before rinsing.
Step 2. Try beetroot juice
If you've ever cooked beets, you know how powerful beet juice's staining abilities can be. Bring out your hair a natural red color by letting beetroot juice do its magic. Mix it with a little distilled water to dilute it, and coat your strands with the concoction. Let soak for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
Step 3. Make a cinnamon mask
Brewing hot cinnamon tea using real cinnamon is a great way to bring out the caramel-colored streaks in your hair. Mix a few cinnamon sticks or 1-2 tablespoons of cinnamon with a few cups of water (more or less depending on the length and thickness of your hair). Tie your hair and let it soak for a while before rinsing.
Step 4. Color your hair with henna
This trick is a cheat trick, because henna is used primarily as a dye for hair and skin. Mix henna with water (or tea, for extra brightening power!) to form a paste, and apply to your hair. Cover your hair with a shower cap and let the henna sit - the longer you wait, the redder your hair will be. Rinse with water as usual, and be amazed by your ginger-colored hair ties!
