Seeking a summery, sun-kissed look minus the chemicals and cost that come with a trip to a colourist? Look no further than your kitchen cabinets. Skip the salon and read on for all-natural ways to brighten your mane at home:
Lemon Juice
Natural dirty blondes and brondes can dramatically lighten their locks with this age-old trick. First, combine two parts freshly squeezed lemon juice and one part water. Then use a spray bottle to generously spritz strands with the mixture. Turn up the heat to activate lemon’s natural lightening power by catching some rays or powering on your blowdryer. Follow up each session with a moisturizing conditioner to keep hair healthy.
Cinnamon
Not just for baking, this tasty spice has the power to make your mane up to three shades brighter. Mix equal amounts of your favourite conditioner and ground cinnamon to create a paste. Massage the homemade masque through wet and detangled strands before gathering hair into loose bun and securing with a clip. For best results, cover hair with a shower cap and leave the mixture in overnight. Rinse strands the next morning, and repeat until you achieve the desired result.
Coffee
If you were born with brunette or darker locks, it turns out that coffee can not only give you that must needed jolt in the morning, it can also help to enhance your natural highlights. Begin by brewing an extra strong pot of java. Let the coffee cool completely before pouring into a spray bottle. Spritz the lengths of your hair, grab your sunnies, and sit out in the sun for around a half hour to start seeing results.
Chamomile Tea
Brighten up dirty blonde and light brown hair by making a strong pot of this herbal tea and letting it steep for about thirty minutes. Let the liquid cool before adding a few tablespoons to your favourite conditioner while placing the rest in an empty shampoo bottle. Wash your hair using the tea in place of your regular shampoo, and follow up with the chamomile conditioner mix. For best results, let strands air dry in the sun.
Cherry/Blackberry Tea
Redheads can brighten their hue by steeping five cherry or blackberry tea bags in boiling water. Let the tea completely cool before filling a spray bottle and spritzing your mane. Sit out in the sunshine for around thirty minutes to help bring out natural highlights and get a strawberry sun-kissed look.
Honey
One of the sweetest and most effective ways to naturally lighten hair, honey contains small amounts of hydrogen peroxide. To reap the brightening and moisturizing benefits of this kitchen staple, combine one cup of raw uncooked honey, two cups of water, one tablespoon of cinnamon and one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Use a wide-tooth comb to spread the mixture evenly through damp locks. Wrap your mane in saran wrap, and top off your do with a shower cap. Leave in overnight, and thoroughly shampoo strands in the morning.
