Lightening your hair with some highlights or throughout is a fun way to get a new look. But bleaches and lighteners can sometimes be harsh on your hair, with lasting effects. What some people don’t know is that there are some effective natural lightening methods that work on all types of hair. Get the lighter look you want with these healthier ways to lighten ethnic hair.
Prepare Your Hair for Lightening Before lightening your hair, some advanced preparation is necessary. Make sure your hair is clean, dry, and does not contain any product. This way, the lighteners will not react with any of the ingredients that your regular hair products contain. It is recommended to shampoo only with a good shampoo to remove all oils and other residue. Leave conditioning for afterward, as the conditioner may also interfere with the process. Be sure to wear clothing that you don’t mind being damaged, as some of these lighteners may have a bleaching effect on clothing as well. Lemon Juice Hair Lightening Spray This mixture can lighten your hair significantly. Therefore, it is recommended to only use this method if you are looking for a dramatic lightening effect. For naturally dark shades, expect this to create a light brown to brownish blonde highlighted look. The lighter your hair is when you start, the lighter it will be when you finish the process. If your hair is colored or lightened, measure the results by the tone of the current color. To prepare this lightening spray, you will need one spray bottle, a bottle of distilled water, and a bottle of lemon juice from concentrate. Blend the water and lemon juice half and half in the spray bottle. Shake to mix it thoroughly. Once the mixture is made, spray it onto dry hair and brush through until the hair is saturated. Leave it on until the hair is lightened as desired. Going out in the sun will help speed the process. Leave the hair down so that it is exposed to the elements. Do not leave the mixture on for more than a couple hours, to avoid excessive dryness. Rinse the hair thoroughly. Do not shampoo. Apply a good conditioner to the hair and scalp and use only oils to soften and style for the first 24 hours. After this, you can style as usual. This is to help seal in moisture and avoid dryness and irritation. Do not use this method on hair that has been chemically treated recently, as it may cause dryness and breakage. Hydrogen Peroxide Hair Lightening Spray Much like the lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide can also have dramatic lightening results. Expect to see light brown to blonde hair when using this mixture. The lighter your hair is at the start of the process, the lighter it will be at the end. If you start with a blonde tone, be aware that your hair may turn a lighter blonde to a white, silver, or gray tone. You will need one spray bottle, a bottle of distilled water, and a bottle of hydrogen peroxide. Mix the water and hydrogen peroxide half and half in the spray bottle. Saturate the hair by spraying it evenly and brushing it throughout. You can go out in the sun to speed the process. Keep an eye on the hair and rinse thoroughly as soon as you reach the desired lightness. Do not leave this on your hair for more than an hour, to avoid damage. Once the hair is rinsed thoroughly, deep condition the hair and scalp and use only oils to soften and style for 24 hours. Then, style as usual. If your hair is especially sensitive to breakage, this method is not recommended. Do not use this method if your hair has been chemically treated or exposed to chlorine recently. Doing so may cause the hair to turn green instead and it may also cause excessive dryness and breakage. Remember that hydrogen peroxide is a chemical. It is simply the better alternative to more harsh chemicals. Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Lightening Rinse The effects of this lightening rinse can vary from person to person. On darker hair, it may simply result in bringing out natural highlights. For the best results, the recommended distilled water is a must. Vinegar is good for deep cleansing and softening your hair. Therefore, this method has added bonuses. To create this hair lightening rinse, combine half apple cider vinegar and half distilled water in a large bowl. After your hair has been shampooed and conditioned, rinse it with this mixture, rubbing and making sure that it gets into all of the hair. Leave the rinse on the hair, as it is a rinse and not a solution. Do this frequently to slowly lighten your hair or bring out natural highlights. Style as usual, paying extra attention to your usual moisturizing process. Chamomile Tea Hair Lightening Rinse When lightening your hair with chamomile tea, expect to bring out natural highlights. The effects will occur most obviously in areas that are naturally lighter. This is simply a way to further highlight what you already have naturally. On some people, other areas may lighten slightly as well. To create this lightening rinse, make a pitcher of chamomile tea (any brand will do, as long as it is 100% chamomile tea). Once the tea is brewed well, chill it until it’s cold. After shampooing and conditioning the hair, rinse thoroughly with the tea. Do not rinse the tea off. Repeat regularly for the best results over time. Style as usual, making sure to moisturize well. Hair Lightening After-Care Remember that lightening your hair is an extra process your hair is being put through, even when the process is natural or healthier than other options. Even though alternative methods may be safer, you should still give extra care to your hair to help avoid dryness and breakage. Follow the after-care styling and conditioning instructions included with each method for the best results. Be sure to also condition the ends and provide extra oil on them to help prevent breakage. by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff  Go green in a whole new way, and consider trading commercial hair-care products for natural, eco-friendly alternatives. I've always been into doing things the natural way and have experimented with many natural hair-care solutions over the years. I'm also very frugal, probably what some would refer to as cheap. With more and more people deciding to go green, I decided to share some of my personal tips on how women can go green with natural hair care that is also eco-friendly.
Go Green With Eco-Friendly Highlights To highlight your hair the natural way, try a mixture of 1/3 lemon juice, 1/3 vinegar, and 1/3 water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture onto the hair and sit in the sun for a few minutes. Rinse the hair and let it air dry naturally. The highlights should look natural. This is a great eco-friendly alternative to chemical-ridden hair dyes. Any of the mixture not used on hair can be used as an all-purpose household cleaner for counters, linoleum floors, bathroom fixtures, kitchen appliances, and more. There are many benefits in using this eco-friendly hair care product to go green. Natural Shiny Hair Care To go green with hair and still get shine, women can try mixing 1 egg, 1 tsp tea tree oil, and 1 tsp honey together. Use this mixture to wash the hair. Let the hair dry with natural air. The result will be super-shiny hair. If there is any of this natural eco-friendly mixture left over, use it as a facial cleanser. It will remove buildup, while adding moisture. In both cases, rinse with lukewarm water. Hold Your Hair With Eco-Friendly Hair Spray or Gel If you have picky hair that does not like to stay in place, try this all natural and eco-friendly method. This is an alternative to hairspray or hair gel. Mix 1 tsp honey with 2 tsp tea tree oil. Apply to the hair with fingertips in the area in need of hold. This eco-friendly hairspray alternative should not only hold the hair in place, but gives it shine and can help repel insects, such as mosquitoes. Green Curl Care for Women Curly hair can be tough to manage, but with the right natural products, your curls can be defined, conditioned, shiny, and manageable in no time. For all of that, as well as strength and split-end protection, add a quarter-sized amount of tee tree oil to your palm. Rub the palms together and rub the tea tree oil through your curly hair. This is a simple way to wear your curls natural, rather than damage them with straightening devices and products. The eco-friendly tea tree oil keeps the hair under control all day. The tea-tree oil also acts as a natural insect and mosquito repellent, while most over-the-counter hair care products contain scented ingredients that attract insects. Manage Frizzies and Flyaways the Green Way If you have frizzies or flyaways, don't reach for alcohol-filled gels and sprays that add to the problem in the long run. Instead, reach for the tea tree oil. I have tried this method on many different hair types and it has worked on hair that is straight, curly, short, long, wavy, and pretty much everything in-between. For this eco-friendly and natural alternative to hair care products for women, first wash and condition the hair. While the hair is still wet, fill the palm of your hand with tea tree oil. Run the palms together and then finger-comb and rub the tea tree oil through the hair. Let the hair dry naturally. This will leave the hair soft and untangled throughout the day. It also gives shine and control. *Note that these natural, eco-friendly hair care tips all are straight from personal experience and may not have the same results for everyone. Try at your own risk. **I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff  Image (c) Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved Tired of fussing with your hair every day? Frustrated with knots, frizzies, split ends, flyaways, or other hair styling problems? I went through many brands of hair styling products, both salon-grade and traditional, before I finally realized that most of that stuff is what caused the damage to begin with. This rang true for the varied hair types and lengths my family has.
Fed up with spending too much money looking for the right solution, I started opting for more natural solutions to solve my hair issues. Here are some of the things I do to keep my hair looking great without too much fuss and product. Organic tea tree oil (and sometimes other oils) is the only styling product I use on my hair, no matter the style. Tame the Bedhead Look To tame the bedhead look, apply tea tree oil to the hair by first rubbing it into the palms of your hands. For long hair, use about a quarter size drop and for shorter hair, use about a dime size. Now apply that to the hair, starting at the tips and working up to the roots. Take a boar-bristle brush, wet it, and brush through the hair. Start from the bottom and work up to the top as hair becomes untangled. Reduce Static or Flyaways If you have one stray hair or section that just won't seem to stay down, try taming it with some tea tree oil. You only need a small amount and this generally works for both straight and curly hair. Simply apply the tea tree oil to the troublesome area and smooth with fingertips. Sometimes brushing is required, but not always. Reduce Breakage To reduce breakage, you guessed it, I apply tea tree oil to the tips and roots of the hair. Over time, it helps to heal split ends and keep the hair stronger and healthier. Create Shine Yes, it's true. The tea tree oil creates shine as well. If you would like your hair to be shiny without feeling weighed down, tea tree oil is the answer. Only a small amount is needed and its lightweight consistency allows the hair to still breathe while shining. Simply apply all over the hair, but sparingly. Cure Dry, Itchy Scalp If your scalp gets itchy and dry (or even flaky), apply tea tree oil to the scalp every night before bed. Doing so after a good shampoo and condition gives the best results. Gently massage a small amount all over the scalp, paying special attention to the driest areas. Create Curls Without Using a Heated Product After a good shampoo and condition, apply tea tree oil throughout the hair and scalp. Now, braid the hair in two braids down the side and sleep that way. This creates loose, wavy curls. For shorter hair, you may need more than a couple braids because of the shorter strands. For tighter curls, use more braids that are smaller. Take the braids out in the morning and just finger comb through the hair and go. Fight The Frizz Anyone with thick or curly hair probably has experienced frizz at one time or another. It isn't fun. It can look like you just received an electric shock. Instead of going around like that, apply tea tree oil throughout the hair, starting at the tips and smoothing down and into the hair, eventually getting up to the roots. Thick, curly, or long hair will require more than short or straight hair. After application, finger comb or use a wide-toothed comb. Fight Dry Hair To fight dry hair, apply just as if you were fighting frizz. Tea tree oil can fight the dryness without flattening hair. Be careful not to put in too much, especially if your hair is thin or straight. |
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Lyn Lomasi is founder and owner of the Brand Shamans Content Community. Services include ordained soul therapy and healing ministry, business success coaching, business success services, handcrafted healing jewelry, ethereal and anointing oils, altar and spiritual supplies and services, handcrafted healing beauty products, and more!
Lyn is your brand healing, soul healing, marketing & content superhero to the rescue! While rescuing civilians from boring business practices and energy vampires, this awesomely crazy family conquers evil and creates change. They live among tigers, dragons, mermaids, unicorns, and other fantastic energies, teaching others to claim their own power and do the same. By supporting us, you support a dedicated parent, healer, and minority small business that donates to several causes. Profits from our all-inclusive store, Intent-sive Nature support these causes and our beautiful family! HIRE OR SHOP WITH LYN | CONTACT LYN Archives
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