A lot of people are looking for natural alternatives to almost everything these days. Eliminating chemicals or wanting to live a low-toxin lifestyle is something most people would like to achieve or work towards. You will be thrilled to know that you can turn your gray hair blonde without chemicals!
You went gray because you’re tired of constantly dyeing your roots with hair dyes that contain the chemicals you’d like to avoid. You enjoy low maintenance, but you also feel ready to change your gray hair color for summer.
You dreamed of a beach blonde or a sun-kissed golden glow. Well, you’re in luck; There are some natural ways that you can use right at home to turn gray hair into blonde. We’ll go over the three most popular methods used to turn that gray into gold!
Natural ways to turn your gray hair blonde
Turning gray hair into blonde using lemon juice
Lemon juice is one of the most popular natural hair lighteners. Maybe you even squeezed some lemon in your hair as a teenager before going to lie by the pool!
It’s a pantry staple that many of us have at home and some of us are lucky enough to grow them in our backyard, so it’s also an easy and inexpensive way to lighten your gray hair.
The only thing to remember when using lemon juice as a hair lightener is patience. You will have to sit in the sun a few times to see the results!
How does lemon juice lighten gray hair?
Lemon juice has the ability to lighten gray hair because lemons have citric acid. Citric acid is a well-known alternative to bleach. It is found in many citrus fruits, especially lemons.
It is used in skin care (lightens dark spots on the face for an even tone), for laundry purposes (to lighten or eliminate spots), and of course, to lighten your gray hair!
Steps to lighten gray hair with lemon
Step #1: Gather your ingredients
Instead of applying lemon juice straight to your hair, you’ll want to make a mixture that will not only lighten your hair but keep it healthy and moisturized. Lemon juice alone can be quite drying to your hair! The leave-in conditioner will act as a buffer from the drying effects of the lemon.
Component:
- fresh lemons (at least 3 but you may need more if you have a lot of hair)
- leave-in conditioner (any brand will do just make sure it’s a liquid consistency)
- water
- Spray bottle for application
Step #2: Mix it up!
First, juice your lemons and then add two parts lemon juice to one part leave-in conditioner. For example, if you use 60 grams of lemon juice, add 30 grams of leave-in conditioner.
If you feel the mixture is too thick, add a little water to the mixture to ensure it flows freely from the spray bottle. Shake the bottle and you are ready to apply.
Step #3: Apply
Spray the mixture directly onto the hair, making sure to coat all your strands (if you have thick hair, divide it into four squares to ensure saturation). After you have finished spraying the entire lemon mixture, take a wide tooth comb or a detachable brush and comb the mixture through your hair several times.
*Pro tip: If you don’t want an all-over blonde, section off the area you want to lighten and apply the mixture only there. You can use a brush or even Q-tips instead of a spray bottle.
Step #4: Here comes the sun!
You’ll want to stay out in the sun for at least an hour to let the lemon juice work its magic! So put on sunscreen, take a towel and a good book and you’re set!
Step #5: Rinse and repeat
After being out in the sun for an hour, you will feel the lemon mixture drying in your hair and leaving you with a crunchy texture. That means it’s time to wash! Shampoo and condition (be sure to use a rich, moisturizing conditioner) your hair and style as usual.
You’ll want to repeat these steps several times over the next few weeks to turn your gray hair into the blonde you’ve been dreaming of!
Turning gray hair into blonde using henna
Henna is a great natural alternative to traditional hair dye that has been used for centuries. Usually when we think of henna, we think of red hair colors and darker hair colors, which are the most commonly used.
However, gray hair can be dyed blonde with henna but there is some information you need to know before going ahead with blonde henna!
What is blonde henna?
Blonde henna is different from traditional henna. It is actually made from a completely different plant called cassia obova. It also needs to be mixed with another lightening agent to work; It is usually mixed with lemon juice.
Lemon juice increases the shine capabilities of blonde henna. Blonde henna will not turn your gray hair into a gray and platinum blonde; However, it will give you a gorgeous subtle golden color. Be sure to choose a blonde henna kit when you’re getting ready to dye.
Steps to use blonde exam
Step #1: Gather your ingredients
You will need to purchase your own blonde henna kit. These are widely available online, so order a few days before you’re ready to paint. Also, make sure you have some lemons on hand and gloves to protect your hands from stains.
Step #2: Prepare your henna mixture
Follow the instructions included in your henna kit. This should indicate how much lemon juice is needed for your mixture.
The most important thing to know about mixing your henna is that the mixture will need to sit out for at least 4 hours after mixing, so plan to mix it well before applying it to your hair.
Step #3: Apply the mixture
Using gloved hands, apply the henna to the hair. You may want to divide your hair into four squares to make application easier. Use your hands to really milk the color into the hair for perfect saturation.
This can get messy, so be sure to cover the surrounding areas with a towel or some type of cover. Cover your hair with a plastic shower cap.
Step #4: Process
Most henna should be left for 1 to 4 hours, so give yourself plenty of time to process. It’s the perfect time to catch up on your favorite show or clean the house! Just be careful not to get the henna anywhere!
Step #5: Washing and maintenance
Wash off the henna and shampoo and condition it as usual! Be careful that henna stains easily, so be sure to flush all henna down the drain. Dry hair to reveal your new golden hue.
How long does henna last?
Your bright golden hair will last about two whole months before it starts to fade. Taking great care of your hair by using a color shampoo and conditioner, as well as using a heat protectant when you heat, can keep your hair from fading longer.
* Pro tip: Make sure you want to be blonde before using the exam. Henna cannot be removed from hair, so you’ll want to be sure! The only way to completely remove the henna from the hair is to cut the dyed hair.
Traditional hair color does not mix well with henna-dyed hair and can cause damage, so be sure to disclose any potential use to your hair stylist.
Alternatives that also turn gray hair into blonde
If these natural coloring techniques seem tedious or overwhelming, remember that many salons offer non-toxic alternatives to traditional hair color. Ask your stylist about ammonia-free hair coloring.
You can also choose techniques where the hair color does not touch your skin, such as foil or balayage. These techniques are great ways to blend your gray hair with blonde while limiting your exposure to chemicals.
Important things to remember:
- There are natural hair color alternatives that can be used to turn gray hair blonde.
- Lemon juice works over time to turn gray hair blonde by using the sun to activate the citric acid.
- Blonde henna is a natural hair color that works within hours to give gray hair a golden glow.
- There is also no ammonia, low-toxic hair color techniques and dye that can also help you blend gray and make your hair more blonde.
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