Q&A for How to Highlight Your Hair Naturally

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Can honey lighten 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

Honey is a great natural lightener but it must be raw, organic honey to work properly. For an extra boost, you can mix it with some lemon juice.

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Question

How long do you keep hydrogen peroxide in 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

Hydrogen peroxide can be used on its own to lighten hair or mixed with other ingredients ranging from powder lightener to baking soda. Either way, you want to leave it on for no longer than an hour. The lightning power will reduce significantly after thirty minutes.

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Question

Are hair highlights permanent?

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, lightening your hair is always permanent. This is because it involves breaking up your natural pigment. You can easily dye over highlights, but they will never disappear on their own.

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Question

Can saltwater 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. Saltwater helps to break down the pigment in your hair naturally. It's most effective when combined with sun exposure, which also lightens hair.

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Question

Is it required to sit out in the sun is or can we just sit inside the house?

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 sit in the house. However, the natural sunlight better helps to lighten the hair.

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Question

Do I need to do the lemon juice treatment at a certain time of the year?

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

There is no specific time of the year; you can put lemon juice in your hair whenever you would like in order to lighten it. However, it may make more sense to do it in the summer season (for the sun and heat) unless you live in a place that has warm weather all year round.

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Question

Would organic wildflower honey and olive oil work?

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, this would be an effective combination. Just make sure the honey is raw, not just organic.

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Question

Is honey and olive oil on medium brown hair permanent?

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

Subtle, but yes, permanent. Any lightening effect is, since it involves the removal of natural pigments.

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Question

Does the lemon juice method work on dark brown hair?

Community Answer

It does but it requires a thicker cover and multiple applications to really see the difference.

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Question

Which idea works best with black or brown hair?

Community Answer

The honey+olive oil treatment works best. You need to use raw honey, which contains hydrogen peroxide (lightens) and the olive makes sure that the hair doesn't receive damage.

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Question

How much lemon should I use?

Community Answer

Depending on how long your hair is, one to two lemons usually works fine for longer hair. However, make sure to dilute, so that your hair does not get ruined.

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Question

Will the cinnamon method work on black hair?

Community Answer

Yes, it will work, but it may take more applications. Remember not to let it sit in for too long.

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Question

Will cinnamon make my hair red?

Community Answer

Yes, cinnamon can make your hair reddish-brown.

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Question

Is peroxide bad for hair?

Community Answer

If you use it in a large quantity and/or leave it in too long, it will damage your hair.

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Question

Does peroxide works better on its own? Why do I have to add water?

Community Answer

Peroxide is a strong acid and if you use it by itself, it may severely damage your hair or corrode it (thin your hair until it has the consistency of granny hair). For these very sound reasons, do not add peroxide to your hair without diluting it first!

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Question

Will using lemons still make my hair lighter if I sit in front of a window that gets a lot of sun, instead of going outside?

Community Answer

Yes because you are still having the sun hit your hair and it still gives off the same heat.

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Question

Can I use limes instead of lemons?

Community Answer

Yes, but you might need more limes since they are small and contain less acid than lemons.

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Question

Can I use the lemon on my legs or arms if I have dark hair?

Community Answer

Yes, the acids will bleach any hair on your body the same way.

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Question

Will the honey and olive oil treatment damage my hair? What shade does it bleach my hair?

Community Answer

Honey and olive oil are both good for hair it will at no point damage your hair. In fact, in many countries, people use this method just to get healthy, good looking hair. Usually, this method gets your hair dark brown or light brown it all depends on what color your natural hair is.

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Question

What color will honey make my hair?

Community Answer

It depends on what color your hair is in the first place. The highlighting from honey is subtle, so it'll just be a slightly lighter version of your current hair color. You can keep repeating the treatment to gradually lighten it more until you reached your desired shade.

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Question

How many times do you think I have to do it if I want to highlight a certain portion of my black hair with a lime?

Community Answer

Try doing it 3 times every week, but put coconut or olive oil on two times a week, since lime can dry your hair. Repeat the process for a month.

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Question

Does cinnamon leave your hair looking darker or lighter?

Community Answer

It depends on your natural hair color. I have black hair and the cinnamon method is turning my hair dark brown. If you have blonde hair, it will make your hair darker.

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Question

Do you have to sit in the sun?

Community Answer

Sitting in the sun with lemon juice on your hair will expedite the lightning process, so it's highly recommended.

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Question

Will these treatments work if I straighten or blow dry my hair? Is it better to do in my hair's natural form?

Community Answer

It doesn't make a difference what form your hair is in, as long as you can clearly place the formula where you want it to go.

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Question

Will the tea bags work on dark brown hair?

Community Answer

Tea bags will work on brown and even black hair. This theory has been proven by scientists and beauticians.

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Question

How long should I leave the lemon juice in my hair?

Community Answer

The longer you wait, the lighter your hair will get. Going in the sun or using some type of heated tool on your hair will lighten it even more.

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Question

Can I use oranges instead of lemons?

Community Answer

No. The acids that are in the lemons or limes bleach your hair. In oranges, there is no acid that will bleach it.

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Question

Must it be sun on the lemon juice, or can I just use heat?

Community Answer

You can use lemon juice on its own, but it may take more applications to reach the desired color. Sunlight boosts the acids in the lemon juice.

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Question

Which would work the best for light brown hair?

Community Answer

Honey would work the best for light brown hair. Lemon will take few tries.

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Question

Can I just spread the lemon juice mixture if I don't have a spray bottle?

Community Answer

Yes, but you should use a cotton ball or something to apply the lemon mixture to your hair to ensure even coverage.

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