Q&A for How to Lighten Blonde Hair

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Can you lighten your hair with box color?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

If your hair has never been colored before and your box dye is permanent color, then yes. If you have previously colored hair, only bleach can lighten it.

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Question

How can you lighten your hair naturally?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Lemon juice and honey are natural lighteners. You can mix some of each with water in a spray bottle, saturate your hair, and sit in the sunlight.

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Question

Can you go blonde without using bleach?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

This depends on your natural color and your hair history. If you have never dyed your hair before and it's a light brown or dark blonde, then you probably can.

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Question

Can salt water lighten your hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Yes, salt water can break down the natural pigment in your hair causing it to lighten. The effect is enhanced by sunlight.

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Question

Instead of freshly squeezed lemons can you use lemon juice?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Yes you can use lemon juice instead of squeezed lemons. Dilute the lemon juice with water and let it sit on your hair for 30 minutes.

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I have black curly hair so will any of these work for me? If so, which ones?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

If you want to achieve a light blonde shade, using peroxide will be the better option for black hair. Lemon juice, honey, chamomile tea, as well as the other methods above will only subtly lighten your hair.

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Question

If the lemon juice treatment goes wrong, what should I do?

Community Answer

Well, there is not much that can go wrong. Worst case is that your hair becomes very dry or that the treatment doesn't work at all. Just make sure not to use too much lemon and to not leave it in for too long. If your hair gets really dry try hydrating masks or deep conditioning your hair, and make sure not to stress your hair (do not tie it, avoid salt/chlorine water).

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Question

Can I use a blow dryer instead of sitting in the sun?

Community Answer

No, you need the UV rays from the sun to activate the critic acid. A blow dryer just gives you heat and that won't do anything for this.

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Question

Do all the treatments work for light brown and red hair?

Community Answer

For light brown, mostly yes. But using natural remedies, red hair will turn strawberry blonde.

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Question

Could I leave the honey and olive oil mixture in overnight?

Community Answer

Yes.

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Question

Will the honey and lemon make my hair blonde or just a lighter shade of my natural hair color?

Community Answer

if your hair is already blonde, it might lighten it and/or give you highlights. It won't work well if your hair is dark.

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Question

Is it okay to use expired baking powder?

Community Answer

You could, but it may not work as well.

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Question

Will any of these make your hair more of a white blonde than a gold?

Community Answer

Peroxide will make your hair white blonde but make sure you distribute it evenly.

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Question

I followed the directions for the sun-in spray and I sat in sun and used heat. It didn't work. Did I do something wrong?

Community Answer

Everyone's hair is different, so it might just be that sun-in spray does not work for you. You might try asking a hair care specialist what they recommend instead. Also, try going out in the sun for longer periods of time while using sun-in and make sure that your hair is wet/damp when you use it.

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Question

Will peroxide turn my hair green?

Community Answer

Peroxide won’t turn your hair green. If anything, it might make it orange. Worry more about chlorine turning your hair green.

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Question

My hair is strawberry blonde. If I use peroxide, will it give me a pretty whitish blonde?

Community Answer

It's difficult to tell exactly what will happen with peroxide. If you want to be sure of the color, use bleach and a toner, or go to a stylist.

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Question

I have a black hair, how long will it take to lighten my hair with just lemon?

Community Answer

It's unlikely that the lemon treatment will do much to lighten your black hair. Maybe if you did the treatment regularly over a span of many months you might get to dark brown. If you want blond hair, you will have to use bleach.

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Question

When using baking soda, do I want it out of my hair immediately after working it in?

Community Answer

No, you need to leave it in to have the effect of lightening your hair.

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