This generation is all about setting yourself apart with idiosyncratic choices, and when everyone else is just opting for chemical hair treatments in an attempt to learn how to lighten hair, why not go for better and inexpensive ways to bleach your hair?
After creating a hole in your pocket with those expensive salon treatments that might make your hair frizzier than a poodle and rougher than a broomstick, we are sure you are looking for how to naturally lighten your hair And this is why we stepped up our game to bring you the best natural remedies to lighten your hair at home without touching dyes or bleach.
1. Lemon juice
You get the benefits of lemon juice not only when you drink it, but also when you use it for your hair. The citric acid in lemon juice is a very weak oxidizing agent that reduces the production of melanin and lightens the hair naturally. The process is accelerated when you expose your hair to the sun. Keep in mind that prolonged exposure is also not advisable.
You need:
- 1 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup conditioner or a teaspoon of coconut oil
- 1 spray bottle
Part your hair and spray the mixture from roots to the tips. Wait until it’s completely saturated, sit under the sun for at least 20 minutes (now you won’t hate summers), and get ready to rock that diva-ish hair after washing them.
2. Honey and vinegar
This mixture might sound like a bad idea, but don’t worry — when the aftermath of the application will give you light as a feather and smooth as a silk scarf locks, you will personally thank us. If you don’t like apple cider vinegar for its foul smell, you can always replace it with warm water.
You need:
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil (if your hair is really dry, mix a little amount of conditioner as well)
Make a paste of these ingredients and apply the mixture well with a nylon bristles dye brush. Keep it on for at least four or five hours, or you can let it sit overnight by wrapping a towel around your head.
3. Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide
Baking soda for hair is always a great option, and when it is combined with hydrogen peroxide, the amalgamation of both gives you diva-esque hair. As many people tend to use only hydrogen peroxide, when the results are not up to par, they keep wondering why. Well, because only hydrogen peroxide won’t lighten your hair.
You need:
- 1 cup of baking soda
- 3-4 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide
- Mix them well and apply the mask in a generous amount
- Keep the mixture on for no more than 60 minutes and wash your hair well
4. Saltwater solution
Saltwater solution not lightens your hair but removes dandruff and debris that are stuck to the roots of your hair, giving you an effortless, spa-like treatment at home. This mixture is perfect for those who have already bleached their hair and want to keep the bleach for a longer period. Saltwater solution will only slightly open your hair cuticle, and sun exposure will give you better results.
You need:
- 1 cup of warm water
- A pinch of salt
- Spray bottle
- Spray the solution onto your hair and leave it on for about 15 minutes while sitting under the sun
- Leave on for about half an hour and then rinse it off
5. Orange juice and club soda
Vitamin C in orange juice makes it an effective product for lightening hair. Although the results may not be adequate, blending other ingredients in the juice not only makes it a great option for lightening hair but it also removes layers of chemicals that haven’t been washed away. You can also crush 8 or 9 Vitamin C tablets in case you run out of oranges.
You need:
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup club soda
- 1/4 cup fresh grapefruit juice
- 1 drop of sage essential oil
- Prepare a mixture in a spray bottle and shake vigorously to form a consolidated solution. Section your hair into four parts and spray the mixture from front to end. Wear a plastic shower cap and allow the orange juice to penetrate your scalp. Sit under the sun for an hour and rinse it off.
6. Henna paste
Some women have been using this technique since the beginning of the time, especially in parts of Arabian Peninsula and Indian Subcontinent. You may be wondering why a product that is meant for darkening hair can lighten it at the same time. Only blondes are not looking to lighten their hair, but women with dark brown and black hair are.
You need:
- 3 tablespoons henna
- 1/2 cup boiling water
- Let the mixture sit overnight so the color activates
- Apply onto hair next morning and leave it for 2 to 3 hours. You can add cinnamon powder to the mixture for a greater effect. Rinse it off with lemon juice or vinegar.
7. Cinnamon and conditioner
This pleasant-smelling mixture is so versatile that it leaves your hair with powerful and irresistible fragrance, making it lighter and softer. You don’t even need to wash your hair with shampoo to remove the odor that other mixtures might give you. Grind the cinnamon and use the powder.
You need:
- 1/2 cup cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Make a thick paste and apply it as you would normally. Tie your hair in a bun and leave the mixture on for 3 to 4 hours before rinsing. You can even add a tablespoon of honey for more satisfactory results.
8. Tea, lemon, and yogurt
Tea bags for under eyes, tea bags for at-home bath spa, green tea for weight loss, and now chamomile tea for lightening hair. This herbal tea is a gentle and natural method for how to lighten hair. The most basic way is to boil 4 to 5 tea bags. Allow the mixture to cool before you rinse your damp hair. To make it even more effective, add some natural hair lightening ingredients.
You need:
- 1 cup freshly brewed chamomile tea
- 2 teaspoon lemon
- 1 teaspoon yogurt
- Mix all these ingredients well together until it forms a paste, and then apply it onto your hair. Pin up your hair and let the mixture sit for 30 to 60 minutes. Wash your hair and condition it well. If you are using only chamomile spray, instead of washing it, let it air dry.
9. Marigold petals
Who would have thought the benefits of marigold petals also included lightening hair? The best part about using marigold is that it also moisturizes coarse and dry hair, and gives you dandruff-free hair as it hydrates the scalp. You can also use calendula tea for this mixture. Its lightening properties will give you both softer locks and lighter hair tone.
You need:
- Marigold petals
- 1 cup of apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon almond oil
- Spray bottle
- Boil marigold petals with apple cider vinegar. Filter the mixture and add almond oil to the already prepared solution. Spray the final mixture onto your dry hair and let it dry.
10. Rhubarb
This species of plant is a controversial one as we're still not sure whether it’s a fruit or a vegetable. Rhubarb is a seasonal spring vegetable but it is considered a fruit. There's no doubt that with its exquisite name, it also has excellent benefits, and one of them is working as a lightening agent for hair.
You need:
- 1/4 cup chopped rhubarb
- 2 cups water
- Boil them together and set the mixture aside to cool. After it cools down, strain the liquid either in a spray bottle or in a bowl if you think you would be able to pour it entirely onto your hair. Leave it on for about 10 minutes and complete the wash with a conditioner.
11. Coffee
This method is highly recommended for women with brown and black hair. Not only you can use coffee as a hair mask or as a hair loss treatment, but you can lighten your hair and make it more manageable. It’s recommended that you use organic coffee, but if you don’t want to spend a little extra amount on it, you can always add other natural ingredients to make the mixture powerful.
You need:
- 2 cups of freshly brewed coffee
- 1/4 cup conditioner
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Spray bottle
- Allow the coffee to cool down on its own or by keeping it in a refrigerator. Pour half of it in a separate cup so that you have 2 cups of coffee separately. Spray all over your hair and sit under the sun for at least 20 minutes. Wash it normally and then pour the other coffee up onto your hair.
Bonus tips
We know you are very much excited to try these methods, but before you get up and try them out, make sure to prepare your hair well in advance. Oil your hair 3 times a week, do deep conditioning, or try a hair mask. This will make the process a lot easier and more effective.
It is recommended to expose your hair to the sun during the process or after it. Also don’t forget to give your hair a nice massage with UV-protecting leave-in conditioner before you step out in the sun.