Q&A for How to Make Your Hair Blonder

Return to Full Article

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Can lemon juice ruin 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
    Anything that lightens your hair—bleach, salt water, peroxide, lemon juice—does so by opening the cuticle and breaking down the natural pigments. Any of these methods can cause damage if they're over-used, but lemon is less harsh than many other lightening options.
  • 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.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Yes, saltwater helps to break down the pigment in your hair, which can produce a strong lightening effect, especially when combined with sunlight. It can be drying though, so use it in moderation.
  • 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.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    You should never leave hydrogen peroxide in your hair for longer than 1 hour at a time. It usually takes 20-30 minutes to achieve any lift.
  • Question
    What happens if you put vitamin C on your hair?
    Gina Almona
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Gina Almona is the Owner of Blo It Out, a New York City-based hair salon. With over 20 years of beauty training experience, Gina's work has been featured in People Magazine, Time Out New York, and Queens Scene. She has been able to keep a fresh perspective in the industry by demonstrating and participating in trade shows and workshops like the International Beauty Show. She received her cosmetology training from the Long Island Beauty School, Astoria.
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Adding vitamin C powder to your shampoo may help lighten your hair. After several washes, you could notice a difference in tone.
  • Question
    What is a good mixture with lemon juice that I can apply to my hair?
    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
    You can add lemon juice to a bottle of conditioner to use while you're in the shower. Let it sit while you finishing washing your body, and then rinse it out. This method should lighten your hair over time.
  • Question
    How can I do this before bed without going into the sun?
    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
    You can wash your hair with apple cider vinegar without needing to sit in the sun. It may take several washes over a period of time before noticing a change. You can experiment with the lemon juice, baking soda, or Vitamin C methods without the use of sun.
  • Question
    Is it safe to naturally lighten your hair?
    Gina Almona
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Gina Almona is the Owner of Blo It Out, a New York City-based hair salon. With over 20 years of beauty training experience, Gina's work has been featured in People Magazine, Time Out New York, and Queens Scene. She has been able to keep a fresh perspective in the industry by demonstrating and participating in trade shows and workshops like the International Beauty Show. She received her cosmetology training from the Long Island Beauty School, Astoria.
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Most of the natural methods for lightening hair involve sunlight, which I don't recommend as a professional. Your hair should be protected from sun exposure at all times.
  • 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
    You can add salt water, honey, and/or lemon juice to your hair and spend some time in the sun. Repeated treatments will increase the lightening effect.
  • Question
    Can boys also use this?
    Community Answer
    Of course. Hair is hair.
  • Question
    My hair is brown with light streaks; I would like more and lighter streaks. How do I do this?
    Community Answer
    My suggestion is Chamomile, honey, lemon juice, cinnamon and coconut oil. Coconut oil helps prevent the other ingredients from drying out. If you don't have any, use olive oil.
  • Question
    My hair already has blonde streaks but I would like them to be more vibrant I guess. How would I do that?
    Community Answer
    Rather adding yet more dye, use lemons. All you need to do is two lemons squeezed on your hair, use a blow dryer to set it and sit in the sun for a bit if possible. Repeat it once a week for good results.
  • Question
    How long do I have to be in the sun for my hair to get lighter?
    Community Answer
    It depends how you light you want your hair to be. For more dramatic results, add a few tablespoons to one cup of water and spray it on your hair, and then go out in the sun for an hour. You may have to repeat this process several times, but eventually you'll see results.
  • Question
    How do I make my hair a blond, surf look if my hair is light brown now?
    Community Answer
    Use a tiny bit of hydrogen peroxide and quite a bit of lemon juice mixed with chamomile. Sit in the sun for an hour or an hour and 45 minutes.
  • Question
    Does lemon juice make your hair go dry?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it usually does. Just mix it with coconut oil in your hair and it will be fine.
  • Question
    Is there any way to get a light brown or dirty blond hair color if I have dark brown hair without using chemical dyes?
    Community Answer
    You can keep trying the methods mentioned above. If you do them frequently, at least once or twice a week, then your hair will most likely get lighter, at least to a light brown.
  • Question
    I am a dirty blonde already, but I want my hair to be lighter what should I do?
    Karley Snyder
    Community Answer
    If you have dirty blonde hair, try using natural hair products to lighten your hair gradually. Products like lemon juice or chamomile tea rinses will lighten your hair without major damages.
  • Question
    How can I naturally get the shiny strand at the end as well?
    Community Answer
    You could use some conditioner and leave it in overnight. You could also use some coconut oil when coloring/lightening your hair.
  • Question
    Is the tip for dirty blonde hair permanent?
    Community Answer
    Your hair will most likely get darker over time, especially in the winter when you don't get as much sun. If you want it to be permanent, reapply.
  • Question
    How do I naturally get rid of the white hair?
    Community Answer
    Use a warm coconut oil and lemon juice solution all over the scalp and hair. Leave the solution in the hair for 20 to 30 minutes. Then rinse of the solution with water, and follow up with a shampoo. This process must be repeated twice a week for preventing grey hair naturally.
  • Question
    So, if I have black hair, there's no other way except for hair dye?
    Community Answer
    Correct. To be specific, first you have to bleach your hair to strip the dark color, then dye it with the desired color. However, you can reduce the damage by making it lighter in steps. Black to blonde in one go = hair loss. Also, if you put foil around your hair while the dye is in there, it will color quicker, so you have to leave the damaging stuff in shorter.
  • Question
    How long will my hair stay like this (after I lighten them)?
    Community Answer
    Your hair will grow out, but the portions you lightened will stay light.
  • Question
    For the lemon juice remedy, does my hair have to be exposed to sunlight afterward or can it just air dry in a house? It's dark outside whenever I wash my hair.
    Community Answer
    The lemon works best when exposed to sunlight as the UV reacts with the lemon to lighten the pigment.
  • Question
    I don't have any of the things listed, but I have lime juice. Would it work the same/ similar to lemon juice?
    Karley Snyder
    Community Answer
    Lime juice may work similarly because of its high acidic content; however, for best results, purchase lemon juice.
  • Question
    Is there any way I can do it without dye or lemon juice?
    Community Answer
    Dye and lemon juice are the most effective tools for making your hair blonder.
  • Question
    Does the beer and lemon juice work with alcohol-free beer?
    Community Answer
    Yes.
  • Question
    How do I make my hair strawberry blonde?
    Community Answer
    It depends on how dark your hair is. If your hair is black or brown, you will need to lighten it (bleach works best). If your hair is blonde, then you can use a strawberry blonde hair dye kit.
  • Question
    Can I bleach my black hair to blonde using natural remedies?
    Community Answer
    If you have black hair, it's not possible to bleach it to blonde using only natural remedies. You'll end up with a brassy color and damaged hair. Talk to a professional hair stylist about your options.
  • Question
    Could I go from a dark brown to blond streaks using natural methods that won't damage my hair?
    Autumn Vaughn
    Community Answer
    It’s time-consuming, but possible. Try lemon juice if you want nice results.
  • Question
    I have just bleached my hair and now have orange tones. How can I get rid of them?
    Community Answer
    If you'd like to lighten the orange tones more, try applying lemon juice just to those areas and sitting in the sun for an hour at a time until you reach the desired shade.
  • Question
    How do I do this to someone in their sleep?
    Community Answer
    If they're sleeping outside on a sunny day, you could apply lemon juice to make it lighter. But I wouldn't suggest permanently coloring/changing someone's hair whilst they're asleep (unless you use a wash-out dye, and even then the person might get really mad). In any case, unless the person is an extremely deep sleeper, they'll almost certainly wake up at some point if you try any of these methods.
Ask a Question

      Return to Full Article