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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



 
Eyebrows Comments By: Anon on 2008-03-01
Does this work on dark eyebrows? (haven't tried it so there should be no rating)
 
I have a question Comments By: rebekah on 2008-03-11
i have dark brown hair junk like that so do i dye just a lil strand at first to see if it works, cuz yeah i want to lighten it soon so i can dye my hair cotton candy pink
 
This doesn't work on brunettes!!!! Comments By: P on 2008-03-17
This will not work on color treated hair for dark brown to black. It is too black and will just give you orange highlights that aren't attractive.
 
havnt tried it yet Comments By: anon on 2008-03-22
but does it HAVE to be chamomile tea? or can it be like....regular tea?
does that changce anything?

 
Hmmmmm Comments By: Matylda on 2008-03-22
Smells delicious... i am a very light brown and saw a difference... but my hair is still wet hopefully it worked!!!

 
Amazing Comments By: Lauren on 2008-03-23
It really works its amazing... left it for 40 min and got lighter....
next time i will go in the sun with the product in the hair to have even more effect...

 
how do u get rid of it?? Comments By: Anon on 2008-04-11
i havent tried it yet but i was wondering if it got too blonde how do u get it out? would u just wash it a couple times??
 
help Comments By: grace on 2008-04-14
do you need to leave it in until your hair dries??
or do u just wash it out straight away??
help!

 
questions about the recipe Comments By: anon on 2008-05-30
does yor hair turn green if u use this and are exposed to chlorine?
 
does not work Comments By: anna on 2008-06-01
this does not work it you have medium brown hair
 



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