Going for the sunkissed look? Here are a few gentle ways to get there.
When you want to go blonde for the summer, you do not have to damage your hair with chemical dyes and bleach to get there. While you might not achieve platinum blonde naturally, you can naturally lighten your hair with these five solutions.
The summer sun can lighten your hair quite effectively. And you don't have to pay a thing. Just spend time outside on sunny days—without a hat. Your hair reacts to the sun's heat and oxygen, spurring the pigmentation that gives your hair its color, known as melanin, to organically lighten.
Keep flipping your part so that both sides of your hair can soak in the rays. Since the heat can also dry your hair out, make sure to condition it back to life at the end of your day in the sun.
Remember squeezing lemons into your hair as a kid to achieve salon-quality blonde streaks? Well there is a method behind those summer streaks. Since lemon juice is a natural oxidizer, which means it beckons more oxygen to your hair, the heat from the sun and extra oxygen can accelerate the lightening process.
Squeeze one part lemon and pour two parts water into a spray bottle. Then douse your hair in this solution. Now, all you have to do is sit back and relax in the sun and let the lemon juice do its work.
You can drink it, you can bathe in it, and now you can "bleach" your hair with it. Apple cider vinegar works to balance your pH levels in your hair. In the process, it removes residual dirt and unwanted oils from your hair follicles, naturally lightening the color of your hair.
It is potent, so you do not need very much. Use one part ACV and five parts water. Include it in your shower routine, in between the shampoo and conditioner. Douse your hair with the ACV solution and rub it deep into your scalp. After about half a minute, you can rinse it out and continue to your conditioner. You may also notice that the ACV helps to reduce frizz and tangles as well. Added bonus!
A day at the beach will not only lighten your spirits, but also your hair color. If you do not live near the beach or cannot get down there as much as you would like, you can try this at home.
Add one Tbsp. sea salt into 1/2 cup warm water. Soak your hair in the mixture for about 20 minutes and then go rinse it out in the shower. Sea salt's naturally-occuring minerals, calcium, magnesium, and potassium, all work to encourage healthy hair growth as well.
Who knew that baking soda could minimize kitchen odor, soothe skin irritation, whiten your teeth, and lighten your hair? It's now a kitchen and bathroom essential. Similar to the ACV, the baking soda will remove unwanted oils and dirt and leave your hair feeling cleaner, fuller, and lighter!
Mix together one part baking soda and two parts water. Massage the mixture into your hair evenly—scalp to tips. After letting it sit for 15 minutes, rinse it out in the shower. Rinse thoroughly. Leftover baking soda can dry out your scalp. If your hair feels too dry after using this solution, follow up with a deep condition.