Oh why hello there!
I feel like writing a little note before posting this one. Actually, two notes. First, it’s been three months since I last posted (!!) and I’m sorry about that. And also not sorry. Here are my excuses: 1) I’m building a new site for this little blog to grow to, and it has taken much time/energy. 2) I’m trying not to use the computer so much in the evenings, since I sit at a computer all day for my day job. 3) It was summer and I was doing stuff. So, nothing I’m really all that sorry about, but I have missed The Tina Times and am happy to be back!
My second comment is that I feel weird having four beauty-related posts in a row on the site. I wrote this post about ways to lighten hair months ago because my sister requested it (yes, Tina gets to make requests–I suppose that’s one of the perks of having a blog named after you). For whatever reason, I never published it and then accidentally went away. Now, as summer is winding down I figured I should get this summer-blond-info posted stat so it’s actually applicable. But then I noticed that the last three posts I’ve done are also (at least sort of) beauty-related–and I thought, “Eek!”
Not that there’s anything wrong with writing about beauty, but I really don’t want to promote ideas that get us thinking more about how we look. We’re already so hyper-aware of that, and I don’t want to overfeed our (already pretty full) desire to focus on image. I think/feel/know we’re all our most beautiful when we’re our most pure, and that’s a light that comes from within–really doesn’t matter how light your hair is for that kind of beauty.
So, that said, read on…
Whether you’re blond or brunette, these methods will lighten your overall color as well as add natural highlights. They lighten hair gradually (so it’s hard to overdo it) and they aren’t as noticeable as salon highlights as your hair grows out.
Lemon juice
Lemons contain citric acid which accelerates the sun’s natural lightening effect.
In a spray bottle, mix 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about four lemons, depending how juicy they are) with 1/4 cup warm water. Spray on unwashed hair until it’s damp, and sit in the sun for an hour or two.
The citric acid in lemons is very drying, so be sure to wash and condition your hair afterwards. You can repeat this process every few days until you get the desired result (but if your hair is very dry and damaged, wait a week between treatments).
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile flowers have naturally occurring compounds that bring out blond highlights. Brew a batch of chamomile tea, let it cool, spray it on damp hair, and sit in the sun as your hair dries. Another option is to rinse your hair with chamomile tea after you shampoo and condition (don’t rinse out the chamomile–it continues working as it dries).
Chamomile’s lightening properties are less strong than that of lemon juice, so it’s a better option for brunettes who’d like to go for a gradual color change.
DIY Hair Lightening Spray
Bldg 25 has a recipe for an Ultimate All-Natural Hair Lightening Spray that combines all of these ingredients into one spray.
You’ll need: a spray bottle, lemon juice, chamomile tea, honey, cinnamon, and coconut oil. Find the recipe here.
The Tina Times 