In the summer months, plenty of us are seeking golden, sun-kissed strands. The most surefire way to achieve these is to book some time in your local salon, letting a qualified stylist apply some bleach to your hair. However, if you don’t have the money or the inclination to pay for a professional dye job, there are some ways to naturally lighten your hair. Check out three of the most effective here.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is highly acidic, so you need to take care not to get it in your eyes or all over your skin. Dilute one part lemon juice to three parts water and spritz it all over your clean, damp hair. Settle down in the sunshine with a book for half an hour, and then rinse the juice off of your strands. If your hair is anything from a light blonde to a medium brown, you should see some natural highlights developing on the following day.
Camomile Tea
Camomile tea is a much gentler option than lemon juice, so you can apply it several times weekly to gently lighten your hair over a longer time frame. Simply stew a couple of camomile tea bags in hot water, and then rinse your hair in this liquid. Leave your hair to dry naturally, before rinsing again to remove the camomile residue from your hair.
UV Exposure
Sometimes, a summer spent outside in the sun is enough to naturally lighten your hair. You will need to ensure that you are protecting your skin with an appropriate SPF, and it’s worth being aware that repeated sun exposure can dry your hair out. To avoid this, invest in a UV-protecting hair spray which you can apply once weekly, to give your strands a break from the lightening (and drying) effects of the sun.