Take it from me, a girl who has been obsessively dyeing her hair for 12 years: Lightening is always best left to the pros. Like, yes, I'm all for box dye and tinted hair masks, but "lifting" your hair color even a single shade requires tons of skill—especially when bleach is in the mix. I get it, though—sometimes, you want to try a few subtle, natural-looking highlights before you actually commit to something more permanent. Even though you can't technically learn how to lighten your hair at home (sorry, not helping you destroy your hair or burn your scalp), you can play around with a few natural recipes and top-rated products that'll at least you get a little brighter. Ahead, the safest and most legit ways to lighten your hair naturally (until you, well, save up enough thousands to hit the salon).
-
Lighten hair with apple cider vinegar
TBH, it's hard to find a hair DIY that doesn't involve apple cider vinegar, thanks to the fact that it's loaded with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Along with gently removing product buildup and excess oil from your scalp, ACV can also help lighten your hair (especially if your natural highlights are on the warmer side). Fill a spray bottle with equal parts ACV and water, let it sit on your hair for a few minutes, and then rinse it out. Keep in mind that you probably won't see immediate results—try repeating this process twice a week over the course of a month.
ADVERTISMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓ -
Go lighter with cinnamon and honey hair mask
Honey is another favorite ingredient for lightening hair naturally, especially when it's combined with cinnamon (a natural scalp clarifier), olive oil (a super-effective moisturizer), and apple cider vinegar. Don't take my word for it, though—tons of YouTubers have given this DIY mask their seals of approval, too. Remember: All of the ingredients in here are gentle and hydrating, so even if it doesn't lighten your hair, it's (at the very least) moisturizing it.
-
Get natural highlights with lemon juice
Lemon juice is a great option for natural blondes looking to go a little lighter. You do have to be careful when lightening hair with lemon juice, though, since the super-acidic properties can actually dry out your hair and scalp (along with irritate your face). Word to the wise: Use it in small doses and always mix it with conditioner to keep your hair nice and healthy.
CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓watch now
PSA: Hair-lightening DIYs should be used with caution
I know I'm sounding like a broken record at this point, but do me a favor and promise you'll be careful before you try lightening your hair naturally, k? Hairstylists and dermatologists agree that you should stay away from the hard stuff (think: baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar), and instead rely on ingredients that are going to help the overall health of your hair (hi, honey and cinnamon).
***
This article originally appeared on Cosmopolitan.com. Minor edits have been made by the Cosmo.ph editors.