One great way to have a new look is to lighten your hair color. For light hair, such as blonde or light brown, natural products like hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice, honey, and chamomile tea can safely lighten your hair. If you have dark hair, you will need to use bleach or bleach to fully remove the color. All of the lightening methods described in this article are potentially damaging to hair, but bleach is the harshest/strongest lightening agent so generally, it's best to use it by a professional.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Brighten Hair with Lemon Juice
Step 1. Mix lemon juice and water in equal proportions
Lemon is a natural hair lightening agent. Although natural, lemon juice can dry out your hair, so it's important that you dissolve it first. Mix lemon juice and water in a 1:1 ratio to reduce the acidity, and put it in a spray bottle.
- For best results, use fresh, organic lemon juice. You can use bottled lemon juice, but make sure it's 100% real juice. Alternatively, you can buy your own lemons, cut them in half, and squeeze out the juice.
- Lemon juice is acidic and can dry out hair. If your hair is very dry, you can replace the water with coconut oil or conditioner to reduce breakage.
- You can also dilute the lemon juice with more water if you're concerned about potential hair damage.
Step 2. Spray the mixture on the hair
After mixing in the lemon juice, select the part of your hair you want to lighten (eg the whole hair, the ends, or just the highlights). After that, spray the mixture on the desired area.
Arrange your hair using your fingers or a wide-toothed comb to ensure that the mixture adheres to your hair evenly
Step 3. Dry your hair by blowing it out in the sun
Once your hair is coated with the lemon juice, you will need to leave it in the sun. The heat helps the citric acid in lemon lighten hair color. Therefore, stay outside until your hair is finished drying.
- To avoid damage, do not sit in the sun for more than an hour and a half.
- If you're worried about damaging your hair, you can apply the lemon mixture before your shower as a rinse. After you're done showering, rinse your hair and continue with the conditioner treatment. Repeat this process periodically to lighten hair color gradually.
Step 4. Rinse lemon juice from hair and apply conditioner
Once your hair is dry enough, take a shower and remove the lemon juice from your hair with your usual shampoo. Use conditioner to make sure your hair stays damp, then air dry your hair.
- For a stronger glow, you can leave lemon juice on your hair overnight and rinse it off in the morning.
- If your hair needs a stronger conditioner treatment, apply conditioner to your hair and put on a shower cap, then sit under a preheated dryer.
Method 2 of 5: Brighten Hair with Pure Honey
Step 1. Mix honey with water
Pure honey contains a certain amount of hydrogen peroxide so it can lighten hair safely. To make a natural hair lightening solution, mix 1-2 tablespoons of honey with 240 ml of water until evenly distributed.
For a more nutritious treatment, replace the water with olive oil. This oil is great for moisturizing your hair, but it also has a few hair-lightening properties that work well when mixed with honey
Step 2. Apply the mixture on the hair
After the honey and water are evenly mixed, make sure your hands are clean and massage the mixture into your hair. You can apply it all over your hair or target specific areas of your hair that you want to highlight (highlight).
- Comb hair that has been smeared with honey so that the mixture is evenly distributed.
- If you have thick hair, separate your hair into 4 sections, 2 on the bottom and 2 on the top. With this division, you can spread and spread the honey more easily.
Step 3. Let the mixture sit for a maximum of 1 hour
After applying the honey mixture to your hair, let it sit for 30-60 minutes so that the mixture can lighten your hair. If you want, you can also put on a shower cap and leave the mixture overnight for a stronger brightening result.
- You can also leave honey on your hair to act as a moisturizing and conditioning mask. In the morning, hair will feel smoother!
- If you're worried about the shower cap coming off at night when you sleep, wrap your head in a towel or silk scarf after you put on the bathrobe.
Step 4. Rinse honey from hair and apply conditioner
When you are ready to rinse your hair, wash your hair with your usual shampoo. Continue the treatment with conditioner, and air dry your hair.
If your hair feels sticky after you rinse it, wash it with shampoo. Follow these steps before you apply conditioner
Method 3 of 5: Making a Brightening Rinse with Chamomile Tea
Step 1. Make a strong brew of chamomile tea
To make a strong brew, boil water in a kettle. Put a chamomile tea bag in a tea cup, and pour some water into the cup. Brew the tea for 10-15 minutes for a strong brew.
If you have very long or thick hair, you may need two or more cups of tea. Add one tea bag for each additional cup prepared
Step 2. Cool the tea
After it has been brewing for a while, remove the tea bag and throw it away. Let the tea sit on the table until it reaches room temperature so you don't burn your head when you apply the tea to your hair.
To cool it, you usually just let it sit for 20-30 minutes
Step 3. Pour the tea on the hair at the beginning of the shower
Spray or pour the mixture on your hair before showering. Leave the tea in your hair while you do another shower routine (eg brushing your teeth or washing your face).
- You can leave the chamomile rinse for half an hour. Therefore, you will need to pour your hair in the rinse water before entering the shower box.
- You can also pour cooled tea into a spray bottle, spray the mixture on your hair, and sit out in the sun for half an hour if you prefer.
- You can use apple cider vinegar as a similar rinse. Simply dissolve the vinegar by mixing 120 ml of vinegar with 240 water, and use it like a chamomile tea rinse.
Step 4. Rinse the tea from your hair and apply conditioner as usual
At the end of the shower, wash the tea from your hair using your usual shampoo. Moisturize your hair with conditioner, and dry it naturally by aerating it.
- Unlike other ingredients like hydrogen peroxide or bleach, tea won't dry out your hair very much. However, you still need to clean your hair with a good moisturizing conditioner.
- You don't need to use shampoo, especially if you add vinegar to the rinse water. The tea leaves no residue, while the vinegar acts as a shampoo by removing oil and dirt.
Method 4 of 5: Using Hydrogen Peroxide to Lighten Hair
Step 1. Mix equal proportions of water and hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle
For the most effective lightening, use a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution that is usually available in most pharmacies. Combine hydrogen peroxide and water in a 1:1 ratio in a spray bottle, then shake to mix the ingredients evenly.
Using hydrogen peroxide at a higher concentration can damage your hair
Step 2. Comb and pin the hair into sections
Before applying the hydrogen peroxide mixture, smooth out any tangles with a comb or brush. After that, separate your hair into sections with bobby pins so you can apply the mixture all over your hair.
- You need to separate your hair into 4 sections, 2 on the bottom and 2 on the top.
- Separate the hair into two horizontal sections at the back of your head first (about ear level), as you would a ponytail with the hair in the top half. After that, re-divide the section vertically, just like when you made a smaller pigtail.
Step 3. Spray the hydrogen peroxide mixture on the hair
Once the hair is divided, spray the mixture all over the hair as evenly as possible for a thorough lightening. If you want to create highlights, moisten a cotton swab or foam pad with the peroxide solution, and rub it over the strands you want to lighten.
- Alternatively, for an ombre look, apply the solution to the ends of your hair.
- Once you've finished layering one section, untwist the other section of hair and repeat the lightening process.
Step 4. Let the solution sit for about half an hour
After you have applied the hydrogen peroxide solution as desired, let it sit on your hair for a length of time according to the desired brightness level. On average enlightenment, you just have to let the solution sit for 30 minutes. If you leave it for too long, your hair can dry out.
If you want to speed up the lightening process, sit out in the sun after you've smeared hydrogen peroxide on your hair. When your hair starts to dry, you can rinse off the solution
Step 5. Rinse the solution from hair and apply conditioner
After getting the desired color, rinse the hydrogen peroxide from the hair with cold water. Use your favorite conditioner to moisturise your hair, and rinse again with cold water. Dry your hair by aerating it.
- If possible, choose a moisturizing conditioner. Hydrogen peroxide tends to dry out hair, so moisturizing conditioning products can prevent this problem.
- You will need to air dry your hair because the heat from the dryer makes your hair even drier.
- If you can't let your hair air dry, use a cool or low heat setting to dry your hair for 75-90% of the normal drying time, then let your hair dry naturally.
Method 5 of 5: Bleaching Hair
Step 1. Use deep conditioner periodically beforehand
Since bleaching is very harsh and can dry out your hair, you need to make sure your hair is properly moisturized from the start. About 2 weeks before bleaching, apply a deep conditioning mask product twice a week to make sure your hair retains moisture and water.
If your hair is very dry, you can use a deep conditioner three times a week before bleaching
Step 2. Mix the bleaching powder with the developer solution according to the directions on the package
You can buy whitening powder from a beauty supply store, but you will need to mix it with a developer solution before applying it to your hair. Use the right amount of bleach and developer solution according to the directions on the package, put in a non-metallic bowl, and mix thoroughly.
- Developer solutions are available in several strength levels. To lighten your hair and reduce breakage, choose a product with a volume of 30. If your scalp is very sensitive, you will need to use a product of volume 20.
- If you've never bleached before, try using a 10 or 20 volume developer solution. You'll need more time to bleach, and you may not get the color you want right away.
- Although bleach works better on hair that has never been dyed before, you can still use it if you have dyed your hair before.
- The darker your natural hair color, the more damage the bleach will usually do.
Step 3. Apply bleach to hair using a brush/brush
For a more thorough coverage, use a special brush or paint brush to apply the bleach mixture to your hair. Use the sharp end of the brush so you can apply the mixture as close to the roots as possible. Carefully apply the bleach mixture to the ends of your hair.
- Make sure you wear rubber gloves before applying the bleach mixture to your hair.
- If you're not concerned about the visible roots of your hair, it's a good idea not to apply bleach to your scalp. This step helps prevent damage to the hair follicles.
Step 4. Let the bleach sit for about half an hour
After coating your entire hair with bleach, let it sit for about 30-45 minutes. Check your hair every 15 minutes until it reaches the color you want, whether it's light blonde, yellow, or brown.
- Read the instructions that came with the product packaging as different brands apply different processing times depending on the brightness of your natural hair.
- Everyone has different hair. Your hair may process the product longer or faster than the hair of a friend or relative. Use the process duration information described in this article for reference only.
- Never leave bleach for longer than 45 minutes. If the hair color seems less light, you will need to follow a second bleaching process the next day.
Step 5. Rinse the bleach from the hair
When you're done, rinse your hair with cold water to remove the bleach. After that, use a shampoo with your favorite formula so that the hair is really clean.
- Rinse hair thoroughly and don't use conditioner right away because conditioner can reduce the effectiveness of toner.
- If you can, use a mild shampoo that can moisturize your hair. After using bleach, your hair will become dry. Therefore, these mild shampoo products can make hair feel softer.
Step 6. Apply toner on hair and leave it on
After bleaching your hair, your hair will usually appear yellowish instead of pure white. To even out or smooth out color, use toner on damp hair. This product is useful for neutralizing the yellowish/golden color of the hair. Leave the product for 20-30 minutes.
- You can buy hair toner products from beauty supply stores or pharmacies.
- You can get the same effect using purple shampoo. Purple shampoo products can remove golden and yellowish colors from hair, and don't need to be left on for a long time like toner.
Step 7. Rinse off the toner and apply a conditioner mask
After the toner has been left on for the set duration, rinse your hair with cold water. Apply a deep conditioning mask to hair and rinse according to directions for use.
If your hair color is very dark, you may need to bleach your hair two or three times until it is blonde. However, spend some time restoring your hair before you go back to bleaching it. Wait for about 2 weeks before lightening your hair again
Tips
- Pay attention to hair quality. If your hair feels damaged after a lightening session, wait until your hair looks healthier before re-lightening.
- Even if you use a natural lightening method, always do a strand test before lightening your entire head. Apply the lightening mixture to the hair strands in an invisible area. If you like the result, you can lighten an entire section of hair.
- You can also try a more nutritious or moisturizing mixture. For example, if you initially used a mixture of lemon juice and water, try a mixture of honey and olive oil in the second process as this mixture is lighter and less damaging to your hair.
- All hair lightening processes require patience. It's a good idea to go through the process slowly so you don't damage your hair or get a color you don't like. Be prepared to undergo several treatments before your hair takes on the desired color.
- Don't expect drastic results with natural methods. This method will lighten your hair color slowly and gently. Hair color will not change from brown to blonde in just one treatment.
- If you have light hair colors, such as blonde and light brown, natural lightening methods (eg using lemon juice, honey, chamomile tea, or hydrogen peroxide) may be a good choice. If you have dark hair, you will need to bleach your hair to make it much lighter.
- Keep in mind that the lighter your natural hair color, the more effective the lightening method will be.
- It's a good idea to lighten your hair when your hair hasn't been washed. This is because the hair's natural oils will coat and protect the hair from dryness/damage due to lightening. For best results, don't wash your hair for 24-72 hours before you lighten it.
- In all the enlightenment methods you follow, make sure you wear old clothes. Materials that lighten hair can stain or lift the color of the fabric. Also, it's a good idea to spread out an old towel or plastic trash bag on the floor to protect it from spills or drips of the bleach mixture.
Warning
- Do not color your eyebrows or eyelashes because you risk injuring your eyes.
- When leaving the mixture on your hair, do not exceed the recommended time or duration as doing so may cause damage to the hair.
