My Hairstylist Told Me to Use Sun-In on My Dark Hair I'm Never Looking Back

Table Of Content

• Using Lemon Juice to Lighten Your Hair
• Apple cider vinegar
• Make Cinnamon-Honey Tea
• Lightening Your Hair Without Bleach Has Its Perks
• Mix Up Your Lemon Juice with Conditioner
• Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

I first heard about it back in junior high or high school, a magical potion that would make your hair lighter. It's been around for decades, a fabled elixir generations before me used to change up their hair color at home when going completely blonde was too much of a commitment or forbidden by strict parents. But there was a catch – the general consensus was that my dark brown hair wouldn't take to its transformative powers.

Using Lemon Juice to Lighten Your Hair

Someone with dark hair looking to go fully blonde won't get that look with just a bottle of Sun-In. A trip to the salon is the best choice for that situation because the stylist will be using a more powerful bleach and toner on your hair to make it look a certain color. Dobos reminds me that the lightening effect of Sun-In is permanent and all the hydrogen peroxide can weaken the hair's proteins, making it more prone to breakage. So as with any bleach job, be sure you're helping your hair out with a good leave-in conditioner when you feel it's getting dry.

Apple cider vinegar

If you’ve already gotten to that point, though, don’t stress; a couple of washes with a normal shampoo will help fade out the unwanted tones. Send your Q to for a chance to have it featured in a future installment of Hair Health Hotline. If you have (or want) sun-bleached hair, here's what you should know about UV rays' affects on your strands. Sun-In might not give an exact result, but that’s part of the adventure. Letting my hair grow out was a transformation in itself, adding Sun-In gave me that extra boost of trying out a new hair identity.

Make Cinnamon-Honey Tea

But, there's good news– there are ways to lighten your hair at home using natural techniques and ingredients instead of the harsh chemical. To make your own sun lightening spray, you can use lemon or salt. Though they’re natural lighteners, lemon juice is acidic and can burn hair if you’re not careful, and salt can be very drying. If you spend hours a day in the sun, it’ll eventually work its magic and lighten your hair. But this could take an entire summer of all-day sun exposure to achieve and potentially lead to sunspots and a higher risk of skin cancer in the process. The shade you achieve through at-home lightening will depend quite a lot on any other permanent and semi-permanent hair colors you already had in your hair.

How to Apply Lightening Spray

It’s all thanks to quercetin, a flavonoid — or, the thing that gives plants their pigmentation — found in chamomile. Quercetin is known to inhibit tyrosinase, which is an enzyme that helps control hair’s production of melanin, and that makes chamomile an effective DIY hair lightener. According to celeb colorist Aura Friedman, lemon juice works — but proceed with caution. "Lemon juice does lighten hair, but it can also be dangerous," Friedman says. "It's so acidic it can burn your hair. The best way to use it is by mixing it with conditioner or even with coconut oil, so you get those important hydrating and reparative benefits.”. Cunningham predicts this glossy shade is going to be everywhere this summer.

Lightening Your Hair Without Bleach Has Its Perks

Read on to try some proven natural ways to lighten your hair at home. The good news is that, just like the Greeks, you can still try more natural methods to lighten or highlight your hair. They involve less exposure to chemicals, fewer opportunities for skin irritation, and many times, a much lower price tag. To make a big hair change like this one, Burns notes you'll have to bleach your hair first. "Once you get the color of your hair to look like the inside of a banana peel (aka striking blonde hue), you'll have to go back over it with got2B Metallics in silver," she says.

5 ways to lighten your hair without totally destroying it (yes, it's possible!) - FASHION Magazine

5 ways to lighten your hair without totally destroying it (yes, it's possible!).

Posted: Fri, 17 Jul 2015 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Many of these highlighting tips suggest sitting outside for long periods of time to get the added bleaching benefit of the sun. Be sure to protect your skin by wearing a quality sunscreen. Popular blog Brit + Co. explains that a dip in the ocean and being in the sun all day is the easiest way to try this method. You may want to comb through your hair for more even distribution. Alternatively, you may apply only to sections where you want highlights. In fact, highlighting hair can be traced all the way back to Ancient Greece in 4 B.C.

Apply the mixture to your hair, secure it in a bun, and top it off with a shower cap. It's even better if you can let it sit overnight (just remember to put a towel over your pillow so you don't stain your pillowcase!). That baking soda you use to make banana bread can also act as a natural method for lightening hair. There’s just one catch—you need hydrogen peroxide for the baking soda to be effective. Simply mix both ingredients together to create what looks like a paste. Add the mixture into a glass or plastic bowl and apply it to your hair with a brush.

Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

While it might seem like a natural method — hey, it says "sun" right in the name! "That kind of product causes a chemical reaction with your hair. If you want to dye it later on, you have to remember that it will still be there and could cause damage later in the game," says Friedman. If you have been using a hair-lightening product before heading to the salon, fess up to your colorist to avoid breakage. If you already color your hair and you've still caught the bleach bug, it is possible to get hair to an even lighter place using the sun.

Leave it in for 30 to 60 minutes, then rinse, shampoo, and condition your hair. Chances are, you have a lemon or two sitting in your fridge right now. Well, it’s time to get juicing, because you’re going to need a good amount of lemon juice for lightening action. It’s an age-old tip that we bet your mom once tried as a teenager back in the day! Sun says this is probably the best and easiest way to subtly lighten your hair at home. All you need to add is a little sunshine, which will help the lemon work its magic.

Apigenin creates a golden tint, which may attach itself to the hair shaft when applied. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

This is because the sun naturally changes the melanin in hair. Lemon juice doesn’t only freshen breath, increase hydration, and improve digestion. If you’re looking to brighten your hair color, squeezing lemon juice over your strands can give you a new look without going to a salon. Sun also affects the melanin in our skin, but in a different way. Instead of losing pigmentation after spending too much time outdoors, our bodies ramp up melanin production to provide us with the extra protection we need. This is why sun makes skin look darker instead of bleaching it.

Meanwhile, vinegar, beer, and baking soda are more abrasive and can damage the hair. To make your own natural lightener, brew several bags of chamomile tea in hot water, let it cool, and transfer to a spray bottle. Spritz it thoroughly through your hair and leave it on till your hair dries. Letting hair air dry in the sun will help chamomile tea lighten your hair faster. Thus, used properly, this combo can actually help lighten, soften and condition your hair. "The citric acid in lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent," says Bennett.

"Natural brunettes can easily make this transformation seamlessly. Since warm undertones are produced when you go from dark to light, the copper vibrancy is only enhanced," explains Burns. \"This bright platinum with a sweet warm undertone is a great trend to try for those looking to connect with their blonde side,\" says Burns. Using lemon juice to lighten your hair is a simple process. To get started, you’ll need a few lemons, warm water, and a spray bottle. Sun-In is definitely one of those nostalgia-inducing products that many people remember from their teen years.

If you want to intensify its effects, use this scalp-soothing leave-on treatment from ORIBE that features chamomile as a main ingredient. After shampooing, slather this bb through your strands and let it sit for five minutes. K, I know this is the opposite of what you wanted to hear, but lightening your hair should almost always be left to the pros. Sorry, I don’t make the rules—I’m just here to help you save your hair (and scalp!) from some serious damage.

How to Lighten Hair Without Bleach, According to Experts

Table Of Content

• Make a Vitamin C Shampoo
• Mix Chamomile Tea With Honey or Apply Solo
• Use a Saltwater Solution
• How to (Safely) Use Lemon Juice to Lighten Your Hair

Let it sit for about an hour for the ingredients to fully mix (cinnamon needs some time to fully activate hydrogen peroxide in raw honey). Then, apply it to damp hair for a few hours or, better yet, overnight. A dramatic change in brown hair can be achieved through about 10 or more uses. To make your own honey and cinnamon mask, mix 2 tablespoons of organic raw honey, one tablespoon of cinnamon, and one tablespoon of olive oil for extra hydration.

Make a Vitamin C Shampoo

Fortunately, if you rinse the lemon juice out as soon as it’s dry, Tang says that you can avoid much of the damage. The trick is to re-wet the hair post-rinse and douse it with your favorite leave-in conditioner—team Byrdie loves Drunk Elephant’s Wild Marula™ Tangle Spray ($27). “This way, you reduce the amount of breakage and stress you are putting on an already stressed hair cuticle, and you counteract and stabilize the pH of your hair back to its natural healthy state,” he says. To apply, slather it onto damp hair so the water helps kick things into gear.

The Best Hair Lightener Sprays for 2018 - Glamour

The Best Hair Lightener Sprays for 2018.

Posted: Thu, 07 Jun 2018 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Mix Chamomile Tea With Honey or Apply Solo

\"Once you get the color of your hair to look like the inside of a banana peel (aka striking blonde hue), you'll have to go back over it with got2B Metallics in silver,\" she says. Spray the lemon juice mixture directly onto your scalp or hair. Playing with my hair color has been a longtime curiosity of mine. I pinpoint my fascination with it to my childhood, when my older cousin introduced me to those old photo booths that spit out pictures of you with a different hairstyle in each frame. Four tiny versions of little Gabriel were stuck on my grandmother's refrigerator for years.

Use a Saltwater Solution

Olive oil having hair benefits is no secret, but we had no idea lightening your strands was one of them. This works because sea salt is jam-packed with health-benefiting minerals, like magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium. These minerals are vital to the health of our skin, hair and nails. Like thickening one’s hair, the idea of dyeing hair has been around for a very long time. Ancient Egyptians became pros at it — but the dye was lead-based back in the day, and their goal was to create dark hair by dyeing it black … very black. To find out just that, we chatted with a couple of celebrity colorists for the on all things citric acid and hair.

Hair Lightening Products

It does, however, contain lemon juice and chamomile extract, which apparently work with the sun to brighten hair gradually. The spray also contains coconut byproducts (oil and water) to keep hair hydrated in the sun and salty ocean. Ahead, ELLE.com consults expert hair colorists to advise on the best ways to naturally lighten your hair, both during summer and beyond.

To use, mix equal parts of lemon juice and distilled water in a spray bottle, apply onto your hair, and sit in the sun for one to two hours. Remember that this option can be pretty drying, so make sure to step up the hair masks afterward. The citric acid in lemon juice works in a similar way to bleach — by opening up the hair shaft and neutralizing the natural pigment. It isn’t a particularly strong solution, so it will work best on hair that is already blonde or very light brown.

How to (Safely) Use Lemon Juice to Lighten Your Hair

When you expose your hair to sunlight after applying lemon juice, the citric acid opens up your hair cuticles. This strips away the first layer of hair color, resulting in a natural change in color. Many girls want to lighten their naturally blonde hair to make it just a little brighter and bolder, especially during the summer months. Luckily, there are many methods of achieving blonder hair, whether you're on a budget, looking for a natural solution or trying to lighten your hair in a hurry. Post clarifying and conditioning at home, book another appointment with your stylist and ask them to lighten your hair with a vitamin C powder. Heads up that no shampoo will strip or lighten your hair color entirely, but it's a good starting point before heading back to your colorist to chat about more effective lightening options.

Lush’s Marilyn line — which includes a potted cream treatment and a hot oil treatment — also has rave reviews on the company’s website. Like the Summertime spray, the products’ main active ingredients are lemon and chamomile, and they are both also formulated vegan. They help brighten hair that is already blonde, and naturally lighten darker hair. The cream treatment contains linseed gel and extra virgin olive oil to make hair feel super soft, while saffron does the same in the hot oil formula. For already naturally light hair shades, Sun Bum’s Blonde Formula Hair Lightener can lift blonde even lighter.

You’ll find this ingredient added to various other DIY hair “bleaching” recipes, but you may try using this ingredient on its own to achieve highlights and overall lightening. While it's effective, lightening your hair with the sun is best avoided because of its effects on hair and scalp health, according to experts. "[Lightening hair in the sun] causes dryness because [the UV rays] are breaking down the protein compounds (aka keratin) in the hair," says Debski. A lack of keratin can lead to brittle, weak strands, says Papanikolas. If after your shower, a little beer residue sticks to your strands, that’s okay — and is even good for scalp health! Beyond being an easy way to lighten hair at home, most beers are packed with malts and hops that contain nourishing, strength-building proteins.

Master colorist and founder of Grettacole salons and spas, Gretta Monahan, tacks on to this, noting that the lemon’s acidity deteriorates the cuticle layer of the hair, which ultimately reduces your hair’s color pigment. “When combined with exposure to sunlight, the citric acid accelerates the bleaching process and basically this reaction breaks up hair pigment to expose the underlying lighter color(s),” she explains. According to colorist and #mydentity brand founder, Guy Tang, lemon juice changes the color of hair due to a reaction that occurs when citric acid and hair are exposed to UV light.

Pour solution into a spray bottle and apply evenly to your hair from roots to tips. There are various ingredients you may have in your kitchen or bathroom that may be used to lighten your hair. You may want to experiment with different methods to see which works best for your hair color and type. That's why this method of bleaching is a hard pass, according to these experts. "The sun is not your friend, especially if you plan to be in it all day," says Bennett. "It will dry out the hair and scalp, so I do not consider it safe," adds Debski.

“Even with naturally blonde hair, it will still be much more subtle than a salon bleach,” she points out. And, for what it's worth, you don't have to have fully-blonde locks. Even if you have light highlights, spritzing in some lemon can brighten them up. Also, mind that it is still possible to have an allergic reaction even when using natural hair lighteners. To lighten hair as safely as possible, always do a patch test at least 24 hours before using a product or a DIY treatment in your hair. Equally important is to use products in your hair for a minimum amount of time first to see how your strands react before letting them sit in your hair for longer.

45 Hottest Female Celebrities With Short Hairstyles 2024 Trends

Table Of Content

• Keira Knightley Short Haircuts
• Bouncing Curl Bob
• Wavy Natural Bob
• Piecey Texture
• Best Celebrity Short Hair Ideas

Negga’s look for the 2017 Film Independent Spirit Awards was much more representative of the tough-as-nails fighter she is. She still boasted a head full of curls, but these were close-cropped, tiny pin curls; she looked amazing. Jada Pinkett Smith has never been afraid to be daring with her fashion choices.

Keira Knightley Short Haircuts

She’d be a knockout wearing the proverbial potato sack, but much like Natalie Portman, she never seems to know what to do with long hair. At the Lifetime TV Summer Luau in May 2019, she showed up with her hair pulled back in a boring high ponytail. She looks much better in this photo from opening night of the th Annual Hollywood Brazilian Film Festival in LA. The dark, chin-length bob frames her face beautifully and makes her look incredibly elegant and full of poise.

Bouncing Curl Bob

Rihanna has a very large forehead which doesn’t lend itself to long hair. Her chest-length, gradient loose curls from the 2013 Grammys would’ve looked great on someone else, but on Rihanna, all they did was draw attention to her large forehead. In 1997, Winona Ryder's chic and flattering pixie crop was inspiration for every woman. Kate Hudson demonstrates how to gracefully grow a buzzcut into a pixie, with her blonde crop brushed forwards with piece-y texture.

Wavy Natural Bob

Here’s a female celebrity whose blonde pixie cut screamed sex appeal. The combination of her wavy golden blonde locks against her light skin tone was stunning. The key is combing out curls for the beachy waves, then brushing it all forward.

Piecey Texture

If you’re a fan of Anne Hathaway’s short hair, try this one. Winona Ryder’s 90s pixie cut was a throwback to the decade we all love. The short, choppy layers framed her face in a flattering way, making her look both edgy and timeless.

Length and Layers

Her writing appears in Refinery29, The Knot, StyleCaster, and more. About a week into the new decade, Jada Pinkett-Smith deemed it the Era of the Pixie. She traded her blonde braids for a curly pixie with bangs, a switch we'll be bringing to our stylists ASAP. From Mia Farrow to Zoe Kravitz, here's a crash course on short hair in Hollywood. Channel Emilia Clarke's slick pixie by parting your hair to the side and styling with gel or a pomade to keep it firmly in place all day (or night) long. With her stunning blonde hair, Margot Robbie has created for herself one of the most recognizable images in show business right now.

Rihanna Short Hairstyles – Deep fringe short cut

Gemma Arterton got rid of her shoulder-length brunette locks and opted for a pixie crop to get into the role of Joan of Arc. Returning to her roots, Rihanna recently stepped out with a short jet-black crop – a style she became synonymous with a decade ago. Teasing your hair all the way from the tip to the root could cause damage.

While many young celebrities are wearing the look, it looks just as chic on the older set. Here, Jada Pinkett Smith proves how a pixie cut is really done. She's been rocking hers for years—use her look as inspo and style your pixie cut slicked back with a deep side part. Like we said, getting a pixie cut is the perfect opportunity to experiment with a hair color you've been too previously nervous to pull the trigger on. Take a page from Ginnifer Goodwin's book and go for a pretty pastel that skews almost gray (the perfect complement to your favorite colorful eyeliner).

Do You Prefer These Celebs With Short Hair Or Long Hair? - BuzzFeed

Do You Prefer These Celebs With Short Hair Or Long Hair?.

Posted: Tue, 25 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Katy Perry has flaunted many hairstyles over her singing career. A straight pixie with different layers is very flattering to her face shape, and the platinum color really suits her light skin tone. Older ladies, don’t brush off singer Annie Lennox and her super short pixie! Women with oval-shaped faces will look gorgeous, rocking a fiery red pixie.

Experiment with different colors, patterns, and materials to complement your outfit and showcase your individual style. Their confidence, talent, and undeniable beauty have shattered stereotypes and empowered individuals to express themselves authentically. Although Hough's pixie was the talk of the town, she actually wanted to try something even more daring. "I've always wanted to shave my head," she told the publication, "but that probably won't happen either." Hmm, well, there's still time.

These 15 Celebs Prove the Bob Hair Trend Is Here to Stay - NewBeauty Magazine

These 15 Celebs Prove the Bob Hair Trend Is Here to Stay.

Posted: Fri, 29 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

She looked great with a slightly-longer-than-chin-length wavy bob. The spiky waves gave her a fun, youthful vibe, and the bangs framed her face perfectly. Portman looked much more suave and chic with the short hair she had after shaving her head for V for Vendetta. Here she is pictured at the movie’s 2006 premiere in New York.

Ciara proves a simple baby fringe can make a short haircut look seriously cool. You can find all your questions like this in the article we wrote for you. Kristen Stewart’s wavy, blonde bob defines celebrity short hair with a touch of elegance. Winona Ryder’s cropped coif still stands out as one of the best short celebrity hairstyles of all time, and no wonder—look how flattering it is! A crop like this begs for a tousled bedhead approach to styling. For simple yet classy style for short hair, try this straight bluntly cut shoulder-length haircut.

If a bright shade isn’t your style, something darker will also flatter light skin tones. Lily Collins wore a romantic, side-swept pixie cut that really suited her delicate features. The longer layers in the front added a soft touch to her look, proving that pixie cuts can be both feminine and versatile. Kaley Cuoco’s layered pixie cut bursts with movement and personality.

The 70 Best Short Haircut and Hairstyle Ideas

Table Of Content

• Trendy Pixie Haircuts: 2023’s Blonde, Edgy, and More
• Zendaya’s Blunt Bob
• Face-Framing Bangs
• Christina Hendricks Short Hairstyles – Bouncy auburn short bob
• Bouncing Curl Bob
• Phoebe Waller-Bridge's long layered pixie with side bangs

With her vast knowledge of the latest trends, haircuts, and colors, she helps people look their best. Beyonce has got this neat pixie cut for autumn; you can also follow the celebrity if you think these highlights will look good on you. Very few celebrities take the risk to go for a boy cut and Coco Rocha has skillfully achieved it at her best. She always gives it a feminine twist with hot lip colors and bold cat eyes.

Most Dramatic Celebrity Hair Transformations: Before and After Photos - SheKnows

Most Dramatic Celebrity Hair Transformations: Before and After Photos.

Posted: Wed, 10 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Trendy Pixie Haircuts: 2023’s Blonde, Edgy, and More

Not only that, but after making a strong case for the trendy octopus hair shag, Eilish signaled to everyone that it truly is the lob’s time to shine. So many of Swift’s most memorable “eras” are defined by significant hair changes. In the case of her angular, side-bang bob, the haircut bridged the gap between her Red and 1989 eras, leaving any country-inspired sounds behind with the extra inches shed. If you have naturally thick hair that’s relatively easy to work with, you’ll love something low maintenance, like Ciara's shaggy 'do.

Zendaya’s Blunt Bob

The crease-free classic pulled-back bob looks chic and sleek. This hairstyle works best on oval faces as it emphasizes the symmetry of the face. Dua Lipa proves that you could pair a glossy golden dress with a simple slick hairdo.

Face-Framing Bangs

Wear yours straight, with a little product scrunched in, or pinned in sleek, smooth waves like seen above. Actress Jennifer Lawrence made sure no one would see her as Katniss Everdeen again once she chopped off her long locks and went to a long pixie. The top features short layers that add beautiful texture and the warm shade of blonde is perfect for light skin tones. If you have curly hair, you may want to copy actress Audrey Tautou’s pixie. It’s ideal for women with thin to medium-thick hair, since you’ll only have to scrunch in a little curl cream or mousse to enhance that natural texture for a beautiful look.

Christina Hendricks Short Hairstyles – Bouncy auburn short bob

If you have naturally curly hair, a pixie cut à la Ruth Negga will be perfect for you. Just make sure you're equipped with a good curl cream to keep those ringlets on lock. The Australian beauty adds depth to the short cut with honey browns and rich caramel highlights. Scarlett Johansson gives her cut a deep side part and casually sweeps it across her forehead.

There are plenty of hairstyles to choose from and tons of celebrities with short hair to inspire your next visit to the salon. This iconic 90s haircut will go down as one of the best pixie cuts of all time. Ryder switched from a shorter, boyish pixie to a slightly longer, edgy pixie.

This formula is a hack to see if short hair is right for you as celebrities embrace bob cuts - New York Post

This formula is a hack to see if short hair is right for you as celebrities embrace bob cuts.

Posted: Tue, 02 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Jennifer Lawrence with Highlights and Lowlights

If you decide you want to try something really short with your curly hair, Selena's look from the 2018 Met Gala might be a good place to start. Jennifer Lopez, like Beyoncé, can pull off any look, and this short bob with curls at the end is no different. When Emma Watson cut her hair, the resemblance between her and the 1960s model Twiggy became uncanny. We can't exactly unsee the similarities today — despite the fact that Watson has gone back to longer locks.

Bouncing Curl Bob

"It's so easy, man." She continued, saying, "I've always wanted to cut my hair... so it's exciting to be able to just be free and chop it off." Hilton looked so much more beautiful and personable at the 2008 Summer Stars Party in Hollywood. She had lovely, chin-length princess curls, parted on the right, and held in place with a small bobby pin. Her 2012 look at the UK Premiere of What To Expect When You’re Expecting, though, is the prime example of how flattering short hair can be. This blonde bob with the swoop in front was the perfect look for Diaz. Holmes hair looks much healthier and more lustrous when short.

Try something relaxed and retro-feeling if your hair texture allows it. She’s back to sporting a longer style, but back in the day, she was the queen of sleek and slicked back. Take a page from her book and style it with ease with an epic styling gel and your favorite hair straightener.

Kourtney Kardashian shocked her millions of followers when she revealed her new bob haircut. The eldest Kardashian had previously been known for her long strands, but ever since she made the chop, she’s stuck with short hair. Some might say the fresh style has something to do with her whirlwind romance with Blink-182’s Travis Barker, but either way, the star is clearly loving her new look. Always a beauty chameleon, Selena Gomez wowed social media when she debuted her voluminous wavy bob with bangs earlier this year. Her beachy waves make a strong case for running to the salon this instant or letting your hair get tousled by the wind outside.

"They even said I was different," she explained, "And it felt like me." She looks much better when she decides to go short, such as in this photo from the 2013 Hollywood premiere of The Call. Her messy, textured pixie is one of Berry’s best looks because it showcases her to die for cheekbones. Moss’ black hair is exceptionally beautiful, but when she wears it long, she doesn’t stand out; in fact, she hardly looks like herself.