Monthly Archives: April 2019

We pulled together some Spring hair care tips to help you survive the weather change.

Prepare for April Showers

Put hair in a ponytail, braid, then twist around itself and pin. Don’t worry about perfection — the more tousled and textured it looks, the better. If your strands are shorter, use a bobby pin to pin the front section behind your ear; it adds polish to your look, keeps hair out of your face, and takes seconds.

Spring Snip

During this record-breaking snowfall winter season, not only does the air become very dry, so does your hair! Snipping off the dead ends is the first step to freshening up for spring. Rule of thumb is to get a haircut to remove split ends every 8 to 12 weeks.

Fight the Frizz!

All that heat and humidity may be a welcome change, but it always comes with a little bit of frizz. Don’t settle for the crunchiness, though. When picking out your mousse, look for ones with polymers or copolymers. This type of ingredient coats your hair for protection and combats humidity. Read those labels and you’ll be one step ahead of the heat!

Condition Like Crazy

This sounds pretty obvious for avoiding dry ends but it is even more critical to condition your hair in the spring so it’s strong enough to survive the summer. Shove your current conditioner to the bottom shelf for now and invest in some extra-moisture conditioner for the season. If it starts to seem limp or oily, just cut back on your regimen a little.

Sunny Strength!

The sun can damage your hair just as it can damage your skin. Slathering your skin with SPF 30 won’t do much for your hair, but UV protecting shampoo will aid in minimizing the sun’s effects, especially on color-treated hair. Say “No” to unwanted highlights and dryness!

Clean Out the Chlorine

It’s that time! Parties and lazy pool days are on the way, which means the harsh chemicals in chlorine pools are as well. Don’t miss out on a game of water volleyball; clean your hair afterward with clarifying shampoo and you’ll be good to go. As long as you clean it out, those chemicals won’t stand a chance.

For an extra protective step, coat your hair in conditioner before you hit the pool. The conditioner prevents your strands from absorbing as much water while deep conditioning. It’s a win both ways!

Buzzin’ for Balayage

The days are sunnier, so your hair color should be too! If you typically get highlights, ask your colorist for a technique called balayage. The Balayage is a French word meaning to sweep or to paint.  It allows for a sun-kissed natural looking hair color with softer, less noticeable regrowth lines.

If you decide to go lighter with your hair color:

• Wash and condition your hair with cool water
• Ensure that you or your hair stylist sets your hair color using heat and then allow it to cool prior to rinsing the color from your hair
• Use color safe shampoos and conditioners

You don’t need us to tell you that your hair needs to be treated well if it is going to look and feel healthy. Following these easy tips will ensure that your hair is ready for all of the fun in the sun that spring and summer have to offer.

Here are some simple and unique options for lightening your hair naturally.

1. Lemons

First, lemon juice, diluted half and half with distilled water, will lighten dark blond or light brown hair and won’t leave reddish tones unless your hair already has them. Indeed, this is the most widely used natural hair lightener for a reason.

2. Vinegar

So, vinegar, like raw apple cider vinegar, will leave reddish highlights in the same hair color. To start, mix apple cider vinegar 50/50 with distilled water. Next, spray it on all over to lighten all of your hair or apply with a cotton ball or brush for strands of highlights. Lastly, leave on for 30 minutes, rinse out, and dry as usual.

3. Peroxide

Begin by diluting the hydrogen peroxide half and half with water. Next, apply as directed above and test after 15-20 minutes. Note that peroxide will lighten quickly without the worry of drying out like commercial hair bleaches. Lastly, once you get to the shade you want, rinse your hair well. Indeed, for those wanting to know how to lighten hair, peroxide is another very popular method!

4. Chamomile

Chamomile is great to lighten darker hair. First, brew a really strong cup of chamomile tea and let it cool. Next, apply to individual strands of hair for highlights, or pour over entire head for all over color. Lastly, go out into the sun and let it dry, usually about 30 minutes. Finish by washing out and styling as usual.

5. Henna

On most hair, henna will only darken, but on very dark brown or black hair, henna can lighten and leave reddish highlights. Use about 3 tablespoons of henna powder to a ½ cup of boiling water. Let this sit for 12 hours or overnight. Then apply to your hair and let sit for 2-3 hours. Wash out well and style as you normally would.

6. Honey and Olive Oil

I’m not sure the exact mechanics of how this works, but it creates nice subtle highlights and softer hair. Warm ¼ cup of honey and add ¼ cup olive oil. Stir well to combine. Apply to your hair where you want the highlights and leave on for 30-60 minutes. About 5 minutes before you wash it out, work it into all of your hair, focusing on ends. Wash out well. If you are using the shower to wash it out, be very careful as oil can create a very slippery surface.

7. Cinnamon

Take a half a cup of your normal conditioner and add enough cinnamon powder to make a thick paste. Apply this to your hair and leave on 3-4 hours or overnight. The longer you leave it, the richer the color. In the morning (or at the end of the 3-4 hours), wash it out well and style as you normally would. This will also soften your hair and leave it nice and silky. Bonus: cinnamon has antioxidants and natural sunscreen that will protect your hair from the damaging rays of the sun.

8. Honey and Vinegar

If you’re learning how to lighten hair, why not get both for the benefits of honey and vinegar at the same time? Use 2 cups of raw apple cider vinegar to 1 cup of honey. Add a tablespoon of warmed coconut oil and blend together well. Apply to your hair, wrap in an old towel, and leave on overnight. Shampoo out in the morning.

9. Rhubarb

This is an old favorite. Use ¼ cup of chopped rhubarb to 2 cups of water. Boil these together and strain the juice. (You can add some sweetener and make a nice toast spread with what’s left!) Then after the juice has cooled, apply it to your hair and leave on for 10 minutes. Wash out well. Rhubarb contains pectin and will get sticky if left on your hair too long.

10. Baking Soda

Simply make a paste with warm water and baking soda to lighten your hair. First, take about a ½ cup and add enough warm water to make a medium paste. We say this because if it’s too thin it won’t cover well and if it’s too thick it will dry out quickly and not work either. Now apply the paste and leave on 15-20 minutes. Check your hair to see what it looks like. If you are happy, wash it out. If you want it lighter, leave it on a bit longer.

11. Vitamin C

You can crush 8-9 Vitamin C tablets and mix into the amount of shampoo you would normally use on your hair. Shampoo as usual and follow with conditioner.

12. Salt

Dissolve 1 tablespoon salt (any kind) with ½ cup of warm water. Leave on 15 minutes and rinse out. We all know how salt will highlight our hair after swimming in the ocean. Now you can do it at home. Be sure to follow up with our Sea Salt Spray to get those nice beach waves!

Notes on Results of Natural Hair Lightener

When talking about how to lighten hair naturally, we should point out that results can and will vary. Everyone’s hair is different and will absorb color or lose color at different rates. The ingredients and the type of water you use will all vary, resulting in slightly different outcomes.

Allow plenty of time and have fun experimenting with natural hair lightener.