Q&A for How to Lighten Blonde Hair

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  • Question
    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.
    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.
  • 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.
    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.
  • 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.
    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.
  • 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.
    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.
  • 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.
    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.
  • Question
    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.
    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.
  • 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).
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Question
    Could I leave the honey and olive oil mixture in overnight?
    Community Answer
    Yes.
  • 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.
  • Question
    Is it okay to use expired baking powder?
    Community Answer
    You could, but it may not work as well.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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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