Want natural-looking highlights without the expensive salon visit? This article will show you how to get subtle, sun-kissed highlights using lemon juice and sunshine. It’s a simple, cost-effective way to lighten your hair at home.
Friendly warning: Keep in mind that the effect is subtle and natural. Brown or black hair might turn redder, not blonde.
How It Works
Lemon juice acts as an accelerant to the sun’s natural hair-lightening abilities. It magnifies the amount of lightening the sun can do, creating subtle highlights.
The citric acid in lemon juice opens up the hair cuticles when exposed to sunlight. This process strips away a layer of hair color, resulting in a natural change.
Is it Permanent?
The color change is gradual and easy to control. Treat it like permanent hair dye, even though it may fade over time.
Who Can Use Lemon Juice?
Lemon juice works best for those with blonde to dark blonde hair. If you have dark hair, the combination of lemon juice and sun exposure might cause little to no change, or your hair might turn slightly orange.
What You’ll Need
- Lemons
- Warm water
- Spray bottle
- Leave-in conditioner (optional, for dry hair)
- Sunscreen
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Mix the solution: Squeeze the juice from the lemons into the spray bottle and add water. The recommended ratio is two parts water to one part lemon juice. If you have dry hair, use three parts lemon juice and one part leave-in conditioner.
- Prepare your hair: Wet your hair so it’s damp but not soaked.
- Apply the lemon juice: Spritz the lemon juice mixture into your hair. You can apply it to your entire head or just the sections you want to lighten.
- Activate with sunshine: Go outside in the sun for one to two hours to activate the citric acid in the lemon juice and lighten your hair. Make sure you wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays.
- Wash your hair: Wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner to remove the lemon juice.
- Enjoy your new sun-kissed hair!
Highlighting Techniques
- All-Over Lightening for Pulled-Back Hair: Start near the center of your forehead and drop lemon juice just inside your hairline, moving down toward your right ear. Repeat on the left side. Brush back from forehead.
- Streaky Highlights for Pulled-Back Hair: Start near the center of your forehead and drop lemon juice in short lines away from your hairline. Move from center to ear, one side then the other. Brush back from forehead.
- All-Over Lightening for Parted Hair: Drop lemon juice along the right side of your part and comb out away from the part. Repeat on the left side of the part.
- Streaky Highlights for Parted Hair: Drop lemon juice in a zigzag across your part. Comb both sides away from the part.
Tips and Tricks
- Mix it up: Feel free to experiment with the lemon juice application. Try throwing in a streaky highlights layer once a month.
- Chunky fringe highlight: Apply lemon juice just in the front for a chunky fringe highlight.
- Longer hair: Drip some lemon juice on your palm, rub your hands together, then run your hands through your hair, especially the ends. Be careful of little cuts!
- Maintenance: You can repeat the process every few weeks to enhance the highlights.
Precautions
- Sunscreen: Always apply sunscreen to any exposed skin to protect from the sun’s UV rays.
- Dry hair: Lemon juice can be drying, so use a leave-in conditioner or deep conditioner after washing your hair.
- Dark hair: If you have dark hair, be aware that lemon juice may not lighten it significantly, or it could turn orange.
- Patch test: Before applying lemon juice to your entire head, test it on a small section of hair to see how it reacts.
Why Choose Lemon Juice Highlights?
- Natural: Lemon juice is a natural ingredient, so you’re avoiding harsh chemicals.
- Affordable: It’s a cost-effective alternative to salon highlights.
- Easy: You can do it yourself at home with minimal effort.
- Subtle: Lemon juice provides subtle, natural-looking highlights.
Other natural alternatives to highlight your hair
- Honey: Honey contains trace amounts of hydrogen peroxide, which can lighten hair over time. Mix honey with water or vinegar and apply to your hair for a lightening effect.
- Chamomile tea: Chamomile tea has natural lightening properties. Brew a strong cup of chamomile tea, let it cool, and then use it as a hair rinse after shampooing.
- Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar can lighten hair and add shine. Mix apple cider vinegar with water and use it as a hair rinse after shampooing.
Conclusion
With lemon juice, you can achieve natural, sun-kissed highlights at home without harsh chemicals or expensive salon visits. Experiment with different techniques and find what works best for your hair type and desired look. Enjoy your new, naturally highlighted hair!