Q&A for How to Lighten Your Hair Without Bleach

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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

You shouldn't leave it in for longer than an hour. To achieve your perfect level of lightness is often a multi-step process. It's best to lighten in stages, waiting a week between applications.

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Question

What is a high-lift hair 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

A high-lift hair color is a color that has a higher percentage of ammonia than other permanent color formulas. The result is a color that can lift 3-4 levels instead of 1-2.

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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

Applying lemon juice is a great way to gradually lighten your hair. Honey also works well as a lightener but it needs to be raw and organic.

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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.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Yes, if you pick a box dye that is permanent color and in a lighter shade than your own hair it will lighten it a level or two. The only exception is if your hair has been previously dyed. The only way to lighten previously colored hair is with bleach.

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Question

Can I use normal honey I buy from stores?

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

No. It needs to be unpasteurized, raw honey. I'd recommend getting some from your local farmers market.

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Question

What color will dirty blonde hair turn after using the lemon technique?

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

You should end up with warm, light golden pieces.

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Question

If I dyed my hair naturally black hair brown, but the brown wasn't light enough, can I use honey to further lighten my 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

Unfortunately no. Honey is not strong enough to remove permanent dye. You' will need to go to a professional colorist to fix the problem.

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Question

What color will my black brown hair turn after lightening?

Community Answer

It'll (most likely) become a lighter shade of brown with a slight copper-y coloured tinge. Even if you do these techniques many many times, your hair won't become blonde or anything unless you bleach it.

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Question

Which of these is the fastest method?

Community Answer

I would say try to use a combination of all of these methods (lemon juice, honey, chamomile tea, vitamin c, cinnamon) and add a little bit of hydrogen peroxide to use as a masque for your hair. That should give you the fastest method for a lighter color.

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Question

How do I lighten my bleached hair?

Community Answer

I sugget using toner or purple shampoo if you're aiming for platinum blonde or white

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Question

How well will this work in dark brown hair?

Community Answer

It will most likely become a couple shades lighter if you repeat the process.

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Question

How light will the hair be after using all of the techniques?

Community Answer

It depends how light your hair is to begin with. It will probably lighten a few shades, maybe more, but not a huge amount.

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Question

Which technique will make my hair platinum or bright blonde in 1 day to 2 days?

Community Answer

You can't do that without dying it. Lemon does help a lot but to get it platinum blonde you need bleach.

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Question

If I use the lemon juice technique, how long will I need to wait for lighter hair results?

Community Answer

Usually you have to repeat the process many times to see results. To speed up the process a little, sit in the sun while the lemon juice is still in your hair.

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Question

How can I lighten pink, purple and blue hair?

Community Answer

A color corrector such as Color Oops should work fine. You can find it at your local beauty supply store and sometimes even Walmart.

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Question

What would work best for my strawberry-blonde hair to get to Marilyn Monroe's infamous blonde hair?

Community Answer

You have to bleach your hair for Marilyn's hair color. These methods will lighten your hair, but they will not completely change its color.

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Question

How long do I have to wait for the lemon technique to work?

Community Answer

If you mean lemon juice on the hair in sunlight, do this every day for about a week and a half and you should see a difference if you have light brown hair. For darker hair it might take twice that time.

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Question

I've been dying my hair black for many years. What's the best way to lighten it so that I can dye it a dark purple?

Community Answer

Using a bleach/lightener will make the process a lot easier, but if you don't want to use a lightener, try your best to wash out the color from your hair and then try using hydrogen peroxide, which is a lightener but is less damaging than bleach.

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Question

How can I lighten my hair without damaging it?

Community Answer

There's pretty much no way to drastically lighten your hair without the risk of damage. However, saturating your hair in coconut oil the night before you bleach your hair can protect it from excessive damage.

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Question

After bleaching/dying auburn hair, which one of these methods would get the brass/copper tones out?

Community Answer

Toners are used to neutralize that unwanted brassy copper color. They are usually purple or blue in color.

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Question

Will my black hair turn brown or not change?

Community Answer

It may turn a few shades lighter, or it may turn orange.

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Question

If I use the cinnamon technique, will it immediately work the next morning?

Community Answer

Usually you have to repeat the process several times over 2-3 weeks for you to notice the difference.

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Question

If I need to prelighten my hair before temporarily dying my tips, would I jut put it on my tips or on my whole head?

Community Answer

If you're only dying the tips, you'll only need to lighten the tips. These methods won't lighten the hair too much though, so if your hair is a darker shade, you might want to bleach it.

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Question

Will lightening my hair without bleach damage my hair in any way?

Community Answer

Most of these methods shouldn't, except potentially the lemon juice method. After using lemon you should condition your hair because the acid can dry it out.

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Question

How do I lighten my black hair?

Community Answer

The same way, it just won't get as light as the hair of someone with a lighter natural color, and it may take more tries to see results. If you want really light hair, you'll need to bleach it.

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Question

How would I apply it if I only want to dye the tips?

Community Answer

Take a ponytail, put it as high you want it and apply the mixture and repeat this daily for a few weeks.

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Question

What is the best way to remove a black color without bleach?

Community Answer

There is no other way.

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Question

This article says that you shouldn't attempt these methods if you've dyed your hair before. What if I have darkened my hair with coffee?

Community Answer

You don't need to worry about it since coffee isn't real hair dye.

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Question

Can I use pink salt for method one number nine?

Community Answer

Yes, just as long as you remember to use it carefully. Use about double the amount recommended, do it twice or once a week until it;s the desired colour.

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Question

How do I lighten my permanent hair coloring?

Community Answer

You can't. You have to dye it a different shade if you want it to be lighter.

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