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Hair lightener. Make your own hair lightener

Submitted by Kate

Ingredients

  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups chamomile tea
  • 1 tablespoon of parsley
  • 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
Boil all the ingredients and let it simmer for 15 mins. Strain out the tea bags and parsley (make sure to remove all of the parsley) and let it sit till room temperature. Poor on to hair over a sink and rinse two or three times. Your hair should be smelling nice and looking lighter!

The following was sent in by Answers

Before I answer the questions that have been asked 20X, first you need to understand how hair lightening works. When you lighten your hair, this is not something that will "fade" or can be undone. It's something that is permanent (except for covering it with darker dye).

When you go to a salon to have you hair professional chemically lightened, this is a two-step process. Or if you buy hair lightener in a box - same thing. The "developer" (usually a mixture of peroxide and ammonia = very harsh) opens the hair shaft and strips it of its natural color. Then the (blonde) dye is added to achieve the new shade. Results are different on each person, depending on the natural color of your hair.

This chamomile/lemon mixture acts in the exact same manner - except it is a "natural" method and not chemical. The lemon juice is the natural "developer" and the chamomile adds the warm blonde tones (unique to each person depending on the natural color of your hair.

If you've previously dyed your hair darker than its natural color (i.e. dyed it black), then your hair has not been stripped of its real color. The shaft has been opened and a darker pigment has been added. This will fade over time if you stop dying it black.

NOW THE ANSWERS:

Q: Will it work on naturally jet black hair?
A: No.

Q: Will it work on hair that is dyed black?
A: No. Not until the black dye fades or grows out.

Q: Can I use lime juice instead?
A: No. Lemon juice is a natural developer.

Q: Can it be bottled lemon juice?
A: Yes.

Q: Do I have to sit in the sun?
A: No. But if you don't then you need to use a hair dryer because it is the HEAT that makes the lemon juice work. 20 minutes with a hair dryer is as effective as 3 hours in the sun.

Q: Can I use a different tea?
A: No. The chamomile tea is what gives it the natural looking blonde tones.

Q: Can I just use lemon juice and nothing else?
A: Yes. The lemon juice is primarily what lightens the hair via a natural "chemical reaction." BUT it will look more bleach-blondy and harsh without the tea's tones.

Q: Will it work on brown (even dark brown) hair?
A: Yes. Not as effectively, but yes. You'll need to use more lemon, more heat, etc.

Q: Will it fade?
A: No. You've permanently lightened the hair.

Q: Should I wash my hair afterward?
A: Yes. After you have HEATED it with sun or blow dryer, wash it because the lemon will continue to dry out your hair.

Q: Do I need parsley?
A: No. Parsley promotes shine and hair growth. In this mixture it acts as the conditioner. It does nothing to contribute to lightening it. You can just use conditioner when you're done lightening instead.




Visitors comments



 
Brunette... Comments By: Mollie on 2010-08-08
Will this work on dark brown hair? If not do you know any other recipe that will make dark hair lighter? Thanks.
 
Works a bit Comments By: De on 2010-08-13
My hair is dark brown/black and I tried this last night. After I put it on I blow dried it and my hair had this light brown-ish shine to it. Although it didn't stay that way for a while. I'm going to try it several times and see what happens.
 
READ THIS BRUNETES! Comments By: Mollie on 2010-08-14
I have darkish brown hair and I used water, cammomile tea, parsley, honey and lemon and simmerd it til it started bubbling a little bit and then i left it in for 40-45 mins and then rinsed it out and blow dried and then the next morning i had some golden highlights and i did it again the next day and it got a bit lighter so for dark brunettes just do it every day in 2 weeks or more and add honey as it mas he hair goldish, so it might not work for every1 w dark brown hair but give it a go x
 
To "Khloe" Comments By: Emma on 2010-08-21
Hello.
I've just tried out your rememdy of using cinnamon, lemon, orange tea, black tea, and chamomile tea.
It's the second time I use it, but still there is no effect what-so-ever. How long did you leave it in your hair; I've put the substance on for an hour each. Was it too short? To even make sure that my hair would turn lighter, I even blow-dried it for the last 10 minutes of the hour. Was it wrong?

I really expected a lot; and to say the truth, I was disappointed. It made my hair a lot smoother though. Really silky smooth. That, I was happy about.


So please "Khloe", what exactly did you do? I have medium length dark brown hair.I don't want it until strawberry blonde, but just golden brown.


Thank you.

 
helppp Comments By: hello on 2010-08-27
do you need the sun to make this work? or will a hairdryer work?
 
how long does it last? Comments By: nevermind on 2010-08-29
how long does the effect last?will my hair get dark again after some days?
 
how long does it last? Comments By: nevermind on 2010-08-29
how long does the effect last?will my hair get dark again after some days?
 
Bleached blonde Comments By: Laura on 2010-09-03
Will this work on my bleach blonde hair??
 
wet or dry hair Comments By: amira on 2010-09-08
i love the idea..
does the hair have to be wet or dry at the beginningdo this... please answer i really want to :) can u help me.

 
Red Comments By: mary on 2010-09-23
i had dirty blonde hair and i dyed it and it looked red. i dyed it again and it is back to normal. if i put this on will my hair go red again?
 



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