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(193) comments about this tip

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



 
smoke stain Comments By: Nancy on 2006-01-31
I'm wondering if this will take the stain out of gray hair turned sort of a blond due to nicotine staining the hair?

TIpKing says: You may have to try it to see!

 
question!?? Comments By: Krista on 2006-02-18
Will it turn dyed hair funny colors?

TipKing says: You may have to try by testing it on a small amount of hair. That you can hide if it goes wrong.

 
Just a Question... Comments By: Jessica on 2006-07-07
Well, my mixture is simmering right now, but I was wondering, do you just wash it out after it has gone through your hair a couple times? Or do you sit out in the sun? If you do sit in the sun, how long in the sun? Until your hair is dry?

TipKing saya: I have not tried this tip, but it says nothing about sitting in the sun!

 
going to try it out! Comments By: emma on 2006-07-26
i am simmering it all in one pan now. how long shall i wait till it wil be cool enough to put on my hair? and do u jst pour it over ur hair once?will it highlight instantly?i am not using parsley, will it stil work?do i need to sit out in sun at all?
 
DAMAGE HAIR? Comments By: IVETH on 2006-07-26
DOES IT DAMAGE UR HAIR???

TipKing says: Having read through the whole page I would say no!

 
that is supeeeeeeeeeer Comments By: amanda on 2006-08-16
i have light brown hair and after 30min it was blond
 
does the hair have to be wet or dry? Comments By: Jillian on 2007-02-11
does the hair have to be wet or dry. or towel dryed. or what?
 
Didn't work for me :-( Comments By: Me on 2007-02-13
This one didn't work for me. Perhaps I did it wrong? I don't know, but all I know is my hair looks the same. But on the up side, it smells wonderful. Lol.
 
Soft highlights Comments By: vanessa on 2007-06-03
I tried it with chamomile flowers instead of tea bags so I had to guess the ratio with the parsley.
However, it's hard to go wrong as my hair came out really soft and shiny. Not an easy feat since I swim in chlorinated water at least once a day.
My hair is light brown and yes, I got some some very gentle highlights. I saved some for next time as it needs to be done a few times to be the the shade I want.
Oh, and if you let it simmer without the lemon juice as someone suggested, you can even save enough for a soothing cup of tea!

 
Haven't Tried it yet. Comments By: Anon. on 2007-07-02
Do you need to use the Parsly or does it work better with it? and do you strain the mixture after its boiled and then apply to hair?
 



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