6 Ways to Lighten Your Hair Naturally, According to Stylists

Lemon Juice

The age-old blonde-boosting tactic that you may have tried in your youth is actually expert-approved, but only if you're already working with lighter strands. The acidity in lemon juice enables it to lift color by changing the hair’s pH levels, but it still needs a boost of heat for maximum impact. In terms of lemon juice application, LA-based colorist Anja Burton suggests the following:

"Squeeze lemon into a spray bottle and spray the strands of hair to mimic natural highlights. Let the strands dry in the sun." She warns, "Avoid getting any lemon juice on your skin; it could burn with sun exposure.” 

Vinegar

We're big fans of using an apple cider vinegar rinse whenever our hair needs a good deep clean to get rid of build-up and debris, but did you know that ACV can also be used to lighten your hair naturally?

But proceed with caution, as using too much or leaving it on for too long can cause damage to your hair. Note: if your hair is super fine or already in a brittle state, this is probably not the best natural option for you. However, if your hair is pretty thick and healthy, you'll want to use a 50/50 ratio of water and ACV.

"Brunettes have a tendency to pull orange tones," explains NY-based colorist Ashley Schafer. To avoid unwanted warmth, brunettes can try using white vinegar to pull cooler tones. The same goes for blondes, who desire cool tones, but apple cider vinegar is your best bet if you’re looking for more warmth. To get the desired effect, though, you'll likely have to add toner to counteract the natural way your hair lightens (which is warm). 

Honey

Honey does way more than just sweeten your tea in the morning– it can also be used to lighten your hair. Surprising, we know. The main component in honey that helps lighten your hair is called glucose oxidase. It helps break down the sugars and keeps the honey from spoiling. But, if you add water to your honey, the glucose oxidase creates tiny amounts of hydrogen peroxide—an ingredient that can lighten the hair.

Using honey on its own can take a long time to work, but if you'd like to speed up the process, you can use a bit of cinnamon or cardamom for an additional boost.

To apply, slather it onto damp hair so the water helps kick things into gear. To keep the hair wet and contained, twist it up into a bun and cover it with a shower cap. You’ll want to keep the hair coated anywhere from 1 to 4 hours depending on how light you’re trying to go and how dark your existing color is. Some heat can help speed things up, so whip out the blowdryer and direct the hot air to hit your shower cap now and then while you let it sit.  

Baking Soda

While more frequently recognized as a way to naturally brighten your teeth, baking soda may do the same for your hair. And the recipe is the same for both– mix one tablespoon of baking soda with 1/3 cup of warm water, aiming for a perfectly pasty consistency that’s not too thick or too runny.

Apply with a color brush or paint brush and try your hand at some DIY balayage. Paint on your highlights and wrap them in foil. “Keep off the scalp and focus around your face and ends,” advises Schafer. And as with every application we’ve learned so far, applying heat will help speed up the process.

Sea Salt

Sea salt is a popular method for lightening hair. "It brightens previously lightened hair and also natural bases (think children’s hair),” explains Burton. As if any of us need an added excuse to head to the beach, Burton suggests “get your hair wet with salt water from the ocean and let the sun air dry it.” And if you aren’t based in a place like LA with year-round summer, simply mix one tablespoon of sea salt with half a cup of warm water and leave it on for up to 20 minutes for a super natural and gradual lift over time. 

Chamomile

This delicate little flower carries a pigment in its petals called apigenin. Apigenin creates a golden tint, which may attach itself to the hair shaft when applied. 

NY-based colorist Cara Craig advises us to “dilute with water and apply to damp hair, distributing throughout with a wide tooth comb. The lightening agent will be activated with heat, so you can sit in the sun or use a hair dryer.” If you have a lighter natural base color to begin with, you can also try using the chamomile tea in your cupboard and dipping your hair into the tea once it's fully steeped. The bonus is that chamomile may have conditioning properties that will leave your hair feeling soft and shiny.