Q&A for How to Lighten Your Hair

Chamomile tea can lighten your hair. Black tea can actually stain it darker.

Vinegar may lighten your hair slightly over time. It tends to produce subtle warmth instead of strong brightness.

Lemon juice can cause dryness, but it isn't damaging. You can follow it with a rich conditioner to make sure your hair stays shiny and moisturized.

Chamomile, honey, and lemon are great natural lighteners. You can also lighten hair with hydrogen peroxide.

Yes, you can. Try also adding hydrogen peroxide or lemon juice. If using lemon juice, make sure you expose your hair to the sun for at least fifteen minutes.

If you spray too much then it will dry your hair a little, but make sure to just condition it after you rinse it out with cold water.

You can probably use another oil like grapeseed oil, but it won't have the lightening effect. I wouldn't recommend using vegetable oil instead, if that's what you're thinking.

No, but if you want to temporarily lighten your hair, just use like a L'Oréal or Revlon temporary hair dye. Then if you decide you don't like lightening your hair, you can wait for it to come out completely or you can dye it close to your natural color.

Bleach, because it is the strongest. The others will take a lot longer and probably require multiple applications.

It may have something to do with the color of your natural hair. I have very dark, ashy brown hair and I never saw a result either. My sister has brown hair with some lighter tones in it than mine, and the hydrogen peroxide lightened hers a few shades. The only thing I've found effective for lightening my hair has been actual hair bleach. Any person working in a beauty salon or beauty supply store should be able to tell you what type of developer you need for your desired shade.

Yes. You are removing the pigments from your hair, and you cannot put them back. If you want to go back to your natural color, you can dye it back.

The bottle will say if it's raw or not. Raw means unprocessed. Most likely the honey in the bear is not raw.

Yes, the honey needs to be raw.

If may be, depending on your natural hair color. Check out Lighten Hair Naturally With Honey for some tips.

Yes, because it contains hydrogen peroxide, which bleaches hair. Things to note, however: 1. It is permanent (once you remove hair pigments, you can't put them back, you have to wait for it to grow out), and 2. Toothpaste only work on some hair colors. I've heard that it didn't work for people with really dark brown/black hair, but on my friend who has dirty blonde/brown hair it worked perfectly. You may need a few applications.

Approximately 2-3 weeks if you apply it on your hair at least 3-4 times a week. Otherwise you could use the chamomile or lemon mixture, which is much more effective and quick.

Yes, but be careful with bleach. It is very easy to lighten your hair too much.

No, purple shampoo/conditioner does not contain any lightening agents. However, it may make hair look somewhat lighter by neutralizing brassy yellow or orange tones.

Use a toner to neutralize the orange color, ideally with the help of a professional. Stores like Ulta and Sally Beauty offer toner, so research the right one for your hair shade and get developer if needed. Alternatively, you can try a blue shampoo, though it may be less effective.

Using a shower cap can help your hair lighten faster by trapping the heat from your scalp, speeding up the chemical reaction.

Your roots will grow in your natural color, but the ends will remain light.

The effect on your hair color depends on the concentration of hydrogen peroxide. Most drug stores sell 3% hydrogen peroxide, which won't lighten your hair more than one shade. Hair developer, essentially hydrogen peroxide cream, comes in 3%, 6%, 9%, and 12% concentrations (10, 20, 30, and 40 volume, respectively). While often mixed with bleach, developer alone can lighten your hair by a few shades. Remember, hydrogen peroxide is damaging, so avoid using higher-volume developer at home.

If your hair turns brown instead of blonde, you might need to use a stronger bleach or increase the processing time. After lightening, use a toner to eliminate any warm tones and achieve the desired blonde result.

To lighten black-dyed hair, you'll need to bleach it first, as color won't lift black dye. You may need a few sessions to gradually lighten the hair to your desired shade. Use a hair bleach kit, preferably without ammonia, and follow up with a toner to neutralize any brassiness.

To achieve strawberry blonde, use a light red or copper toner on your blonde or lightened hair. You can also try a strawberry blonde hair toner, such as those from Wella, if you're starting with a lighter base.

Lemon juice can lighten hair, but it works best with sunlight to activate its bleaching properties. Without sunlight, the effect will be slower and less noticeable, though it can still have a slight lightening effect after repeated use.

Apple cider vinegar can be beneficial for your hair when used in moderation, as it helps balance pH. However, using it too frequently or undiluted can dry out and potentially damage your hair. (By the way, it can also help neutralize brassy tones.)

Yes, lime juice can lighten hair similar to lemon juice, though it may be less effective. For best results, use it with sun exposure to enhance the natural lightening process.

You can use high-lift dye or a color remover to gradually lighten dark brown hair without bleach.

Lemon, honey, cinnamon, and chamomile tea all have effective lightening properties.