Mix a cup of water with two tablespoons of lemon juice. Then, apply it to wet hair and allow your hair to dry naturally. See if you notice a lightening effect. [1] X Research source Wait until your hair has dried on its own to wash or rinse. Repeat this treatment once a week to slowly lighten your hair. Don’t do it any more than this or you could damage your hair.
Use raw, unpasteurized honey, which you can find at most health food stores. Use a cup of raw honey, two cups of distilled vinegar, a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, and a tablespoon of ground cardamon or cinnamon. Mix the ingredients together into a paste. [2] X Research source Run your hair under the shower to get it damp. Divide your hair into sections. Apply the paste to each section from roots to tips. Wrap your hair using plastic wrap and keep the wrap secure using a shower cap or swim cap. [3] X Research source Leave the mixture in overnight. Then, wash it out in the morning. [4] X Research source
This method works well for people who have already dyed their hair using professional dye or who use many styling products.
When the tea has cooled, strain out the leaves and combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and transfer to a spray bottle. Shake before use and spray the mixture on the areas of your hair that you want to lighten. Expose your hair to the sun for 10 to 15 minutes, making sure to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself from the UV rays.
First, prepare the tea. You can use a regular tea bag, but for best effects try to purchase chamomile flowers online or at a local health food store. Steep half a cup of flowers in a quart of boiling water for half an hour. Then, strain and cool the mixture. [10] X Research source
If you can’t find chamomile flowers, you can also use calendula, mullein blossoms, yellow broom flowers, saffron, turmeric, or quassia chips. [13] X Research source
Take three cups of hot water and pour them over four tablespoons of rhubarb root, chopped into small chunks. Let simmer for 20 minutes. [14] X Research source Strain the concoction and soak your hair in it. [15] X Research source Rinse your hair with clear water and let your hair air dry. If possible, let your hair dry in the sun as this will enhance the dyeing effects. [16] X Research source
When used alone, henna can produce an orange-red shade. For a brunette color, it’s a good idea to mix henna with other herbs or roots. However, if your hair white, gray, or another very light shade you may be better off using henna solo. [17] X Research source If you have dark hair already, mix henna with some chamomile to lighten its effects while keeping the red-brown tone. Use one part powdered chamomile and two parts powdered henna. [18] X Research source
Use dry sage, which you can buy at most supermarkets. Steep about a handful of sage in a quart of boiling water for at least 30 minutes. Allow it to cool. [22] X Research source Strain the sage and water. Then, pour the mixture over your hair 15 times. Make sure to catch the mixture as it falls through your hair, using a bowl or basin. You’ll want to re-use the same substance. Allow it to sit in your hair for 30 minutes before washing it out with cool water. [23] X Research source This is a method that takes awhile to work. The effect will build over the course of a few weeks. Repeat this process weekly until you get the shade you want. From there, re-dye your hair once a month to maintain that shade. [24] X Research source
Obtain bark chips from a health food store or buy them online. Simmer an ounce of the chips in a quart of water for about half an hour. Cool, drain, and use the mixture the same way you would use a sage mix. [25] X Research source
Crush the hulls into a paste. How much you use depends on how much hair you have. You want to be able to coat your hair completely, so you’ll need more for longer hair. Cover the paste with boiling water and a dash of salt. Allow the paste to soak for three days. Then, add 3 more cups of boiling water and simmer for five hours. Make sure to simmer the walnut paste in a non-metal pan. [26] X Research source Strain the liquid and place the remaining bits of walnut hulls in a cloth sack. Twist the sack very tight, making sure to strain out any remaining juice. Place the remaining liquid in a pot and boil it until it’s about a quarter of its original volume. [27] X Research source Add a teaspoon of ground allspice to the remaining water. Place the mixture in your refrigerator for about a week. Then, apply to your hair as you would a sage or alder bark mixture. [28] X Research source
Choose a loose-leaf black tea or black tea powder and steep one-half cup (72 grams) of tea in two cups (16 ounces) of boiling water. Allow the water to cool with the leaves still in it. When it reaches room temperature, strain out the leaves and transfer the tea to a spritzer or spray bottle. Spray your scalp with the tea water and massage it gently in to the roots of your hair down towards the tips of your hair. [29] X Research source Twist your hair or pile it on top of your head and secure it with a large plastic clip. Then, cover your hair with a shower cap or plastic wrap and let the tea sit for an hour. Rinse with lukewarm water only and style as usual. For best results, repeat on a weekly basis.
When you bathe, use the coffee conditioner instead of regular conditioner. Each time you use it, let the conditioner sit in your hair for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing it out.
When the mixture has boiled and cooled to room temperature, strain out the herbs and transfer the infused water to a spray bottle. Spray the herb water on your hair after every shower, comb it through your hair, and style as usual. [31] X Research source The sage will help cover greys, the rosemary will give your hair a nice shine, and the nettles are a great restorative.
When the mixture is ready, put on disposable gloves and apply it to your hair with a tint brush. Pile your hair on top of your head and wrap it in plastic wrap. Let sit for at least one hour, and for as long as four hours for a more intense color. [33] X Research source Rinse with water and a gentle conditioner when your time is up.
All you have to do is add about a cup of juice to your hair. If your hair is dry, you can add in a splash of coconut oil to condition your hair at the same time. Beet and carrot juice be used to create deeper and more purple tones in your hair. [34] X Research source When you finish, wrap your hair in a towel or shower cap and let the juice sit for about an hour. Wear older clothing and gloves while you wait, as these juices can stain easily. Beet stains, especially, are difficult to get out. [35] X Research source Rinse the juice out after an hour. If you want a darker color, repeat the process the next day. [36] X Research source
When all your hair is saturated, pile it on top of your head or twist your hair up and secure it with a clip or bobby pins. Cover your hair with a shower cap or plastic. Let it sit for 30 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. [37] X Research source Repeat weekly for best results.
Use 3 to 5 teabags in two cups of water. Let cool, and then apply to your hair. You can mix the tea in with conditioner or simply add it on its own. [40] X Research source You should let the tea sit in your hair for at least an hour. For a darker color, leave the tea in longer. Then, rinse out thoroughly. [41] X Research source Alternative: Steep the herbs in the water until it has cooled to room temperature. Transfer to a spray bottle and apply as before. Wrap your hair in plastic and rinse with water after an hour. Repeat weekly.
Use 2 cups of water, half a cup of calendula flowers, and 2 tablespoons of hibiscus petals. You can buy herbs at a health food store or purchase them online. [42] X Research source Add the herbs to boiling water and let simmer for at least an hour. Strain the flowers and then store the remaining water in the fridge. Every day, use the mixture as your final rinse in the shower. [43] X Research source Repeat this process until you reach your desired hair color. Then, rinse your hair with the herbs every few days to maintain the color. [44] X Research source
