This natural sweetener is a true beauty star: It's used in DIY face masks and hair masks to nourish, has antibacterial properties, and can even lighten hair. "Honey contains very small amounts of hydrogen peroxide, which is what is able to lighten hair," Santo explains. Here, she explains a few ways to use honey to brighten strands: Hairdresser Brooke Evans of Brooke Evans Ironbridge salon, says: “Sometimes darker hair can be lifted at a low level – but using peroxide at home is risky, it can really damage your hair. If used incorrectly, there’s a big risk of damage.” Igarashi K, et al. (2018). Research on hair bleach that causes less hair damage and smells less pungent than ammonium hydroxide. HougaardMG, et. al. (2012). Occupational eczema and asthma in a hairdresser caused by hair-bleaching products. That doesn’t mean you can’t play around with a few safe options though—whether it's a gentle DIY, a heat-activated hair mist, or a clarifying shampoo that'll brighten up your color just a bit. 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). And when in doubt? Always book an appointment with a pro if/when you can.

Hair Lightener | Spray-In Lightening Formula | Sun Bum Hair Lightener | Spray-In Lightening Formula | Sun Bum

To try out this method while mitigating the risk of damage, combine one cup of baking soda with no more than three tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide. Mix it up and apply the paste to your hair, letting the mask sit 30 minutes for lighter hair and 45 minutes for darker.To try it, squeeze the juice of a fresh lemon into a spray bottle. You’ll want to add a little water to help dilute the juice’s acidity, in addition to mixing in conditioner or coconut oil for moisture. Now, spritz it on, either covering your full head of hair or targeting the specific parts you want to lighten. (If natural highlights are what you’re after, go for the latter!) Then, head outside to soak up some sun for about 30 to 45 minutes before you rinse, and don’t forget your sunscreen. Hair lightening sprays are great hair products to help lighten your hair without going to a professional. They won’t give you the desired results you would get as you would with a professional, but they can give you a lightening effect in the summer. For more subtle changes, there are natural ways to lighten hair at home without bleach, some with household or pantry ingredients you may already have on hand. Just be aware of the results you can achieve based on your current hair color: "If you are a natural blonde, DIY treatments can lighten your shade around the face or on the ends," says Steven Picciano, a Goldwell National Artist. If you have darker hair, like dark brown, "the best result you can expect is a warmer, softer version of what you have," he explains. REBECCA Barnes, 42, from Holloway, North London, says: “My interest was piqued when I came across this reformed mist. Combine ingredients into a paste and apply to damp hair. Leave on for three to four hours or overnight, covering your head with a shower cap. Wash and style as usual.

Sun-Bleached Hair: How to Get It, Steps, Precautions and More

Combine ingredients in a bowl or spray bottle. Saturate hair. Leave on as long as all day. Going out in the sun may help speed the lightening process. Rinse and style as usual.

Will you be claiming the VAT back?

One last note: While your teenage self may have loved spritzing good old Sun-In, all of our experts give it a hard no. "It can make hair orange and brassy, which is very hard to correct," Soto warns. Another popular way to lighten your hair is a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Following in the footsteps of the “ No Poo” haircare movement, mixing hydrogen peroxide and baking soda is believed to lighten your hair while keeping it healthy. Because apple cider vinegar is so much gentler than, say, lemon juice reacting to direct sunshine, you can do this as often as twice a week without risk of drying out or damaging your hair. Simply apply the mixture throughout your hair, leave it on for 15 to 30 minutes, and rinse it out thoroughly in the shower. 5. Combine Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide I definitely saw better results with the former. I applied it every day for two weeks, but a couple of times a week would probably work best for long-term use — it’s worth remembering that hydrogen peroxide, a type of bleach, dries out hair. SOPHIE Swietochowski, 28, from Harpenden, Herts, says: “My highlights cost more than my gym membership, phone bill and dentist trips combined.

hair lightener 2 x 50ml - Boots Boots Smooth Care hair lightener 2 x 50ml - Boots

Don’t have any beer on hand? Vodka is a common alternative, and its clear blue tones are thought to help lift hair’s brassiness, too. Just be sure, for either one, not to do more than one or two rinses monthly, since alcohol can majorly dry you out. (Plus, you don’t want to wind up constantly smelling like Panama City Beach during spring break.) 9. Proceed with Caution When Using Sun-In Honey + Cinnamon + Olive Oil: This is great for strawberry blonde hair, as adding cinnamon to honey will produce a warm blonde hue with reddish undertones. Mix one cup of raw honey to two cups of water. Add one tablespoon of cinnamon and one tablespoon of olive oil and stir all of the ingredients together. Apply the mixture evenly onto wet hair, cover with a shower cap before bed, and shampoo it out in the morning. Combine these two ingredients into a paste to lighten hair one to two shades, suggests Jessica Scott Santo, owner of Jessica Scott Hair in Sciota, Pennsylvania. Before applying the mixture to your whole head, do a strand test, Santo recommends, because hydrogen peroxide may result in hair damage or dryness. If all goes well, here's how to move forward: Combine ingredients and apply to damp hair. You may want to comb through your hair for more even distribution. Alternatively, you may apply only to sections where you want highlights. Altering your hair’s natural color can be a fun way to freshen things up, add to your confidence level and help achieve that sun-kissed glow we all crave during this time of the year. But before you go rushing to your hairdresser or local pharmacy for bleach or hair dye materials, consider hair lightening spray. When used properly, these sprays can naturally lighten your hair in a way that bleaching or coloring your hair can’t. And you can’t do it all from the comfort and ease of home. What Is Hair Lightening Spray?

Log in/register

Double whammy: Off-the-shelf hair products that help you achieve that sun-lightened look can contain harsh chemicals that can do a real number on your hair.