If your hair is naturally blonde, congratulations! You are one of the 2% of the world's population who can boast golden hair. Unfortunately it can happen that, over time, light hair tends to darken. You can resort to different systems, natural and commercial, which will help you keep them their beautiful blonde color for as long as possible.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Avoid Brass or Green Shades
Step 1. Use a purple shampoo
At hairdressing salons or drugstores, you can find a number of purple shampoos (literally purple in color) that counteract the formation of brassy shades in blonde hair.
- By "brass tone" we mean the assumption, by the hair, of a yellow or orange shade that does not look good. This occurs when the blue molecules in the hair begin to fade, letting the yellow or orange molecules shine through more.
- Purple shampoos restore blue tones, helping to prevent this phenomenon.
Step 2. Install a filter to the shower head
The minerals contained in tap water can help change the natural blond tone to a brassy color (due to iron deposits) or a greenish color (due to the chlorine contained in the water).
The filter will limit the chromatic variations due to the minerals that are absorbed by the hair, favoring the maintenance of their natural color
Step 3. Use a toner
If your hair is taking on a brass tone, make an appointment with your hairdresser for a toner application or buy it at a perfumery and apply it yourself.
- The toner increases the blue and purple tones in the hair and excludes the orange and yellow ones, contrasting the brassing.
- The amount of a toning treatment at the hairdresser is usually quite high.
- A toner purchased at a perfumery costs a lot less, but may not be as effective as one made by a hair professional.
Step 4. Wet your hair before going to the pool
Wet them with tap or filtered water, before entering the tub, helps to hinder the absorption of the chlorine contained in the pool water by the hair.
Make sure the water you spray your hair with doesn't already contain a high percentage of chlorine - it would defeat your purpose
Step 5. Use an acid rinse to counteract the green tones in your hair
If your hair starts to turn greenish after a swim in the pool or because of the shower water containing high levels of copper or chlorine, you can try to dampen them using an acid rinse. This will remove buildup left by styling products and mineral deposits that can be causing the color change from the hair.
- Mix 125ml (for short hair) up to 250ml (for longer hair) of apple cider vinegar with half a liter of water. After shampooing, rinse your hair with this mixture and leave it on for about 5 minutes. Then rinse and proceed with the usual hairstyle.
- Dissolve 6-8 aspirin tablets in a glass of warm water and wet your hair with this solution. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then rinse to get rid of it.
Method 2 of 2: Keep Hair Naturally Light
Step 1. Apply some lemon juice and sit in the sun
To prevent your hair from darkening, mix equal parts of pure lemon juice with water or olive oil, then spray the mixture into your hair. Diluted this way, the juice will help keep your hair hydrated, but keep in mind that it will take longer for it to work.
- Stay in the sun for about an hour - lemon will help lighten your hair naturally.
- Follow the application of lemon with a conditioner treatment, as the juice may dry out your hair.
- Repeat several times a week, until the hair reaches the desired shade.
Step 2. Apply hydrogen peroxide and sit in the sun
Like lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide can also help you lighten your hair, particularly if you expose it to the sun.
- Fill a spray bottle with hydrogen peroxide.
- Spray it all over your hair.
- Go outdoors and let your hair dry in the sun.
- Apply conditioner, as hydrogen peroxide can dry out your hair.
- Repeat weekly until you get a satisfying gradation.
Step 3. Rinse your hair with chamomile tea
An infusion of chamomile (the same one you drink) used to rinse your hair will give them a warm golden reflection.
- Boil about half a liter of water and add 5 chamomile tea bags.
- Leave them to infuse for 15-20 minutes.
- Wait for the chamomile to cool.
- After having shampooed and treated with conditioner, pour the infusion on your hair or, alternatively, pour it into a spray bottle and spray it all over your hair.
- Leave the solution on your hair and air dry it.
- Repeat this every day until they have reached the desired shade.
Step 4. Use a chamomile mask
If you prefer a more intense treatment, you can apply a chamomile mask instead of rinsing.
- Boil 250 ml of water and add 4 chamomile tea bags.
- Leave to infuse for 15-20 minutes.
- Wait for the chamomile to cool.
- Mix about two tablespoons of natural infused plain yogurt (2 tablespoons are good for medium-length hair; if you have short hair, use less; if you have long, use a little more).
- Apply the mask and cover your hair with a shower cap, cling film or, failing that, a towel.
- Leave the treatment on for an hour, then proceed with shampoo and conditioner, as you normally do.
- Repeat once or twice a week, until the hair has reached the desired shade.
Step 5. Add cinnamon to conditioner
Cinnamon naturally lightens hair without harmful consequences.
- Grind 3 tablespoons of cinnamon. This fresh ground spice is ideal for the purpose but, if you don't have any, you can use ground cinnamon that you find on the market.
- Add a few tablespoons of conditioner to the cinnamon and mix thoroughly.
- Carefully apply the mixture all over your hair. Cover it with a shower cap, cling film or, failing that, with a towel. Leave on for four hours (or overnight).
- Wash your hair as usual with shampoo and conditioner the next morning.
- Repeat several times a week until the desired shade is reached.
Step 6. Add honey to the conditioner
Honey naturally lightens the hair without damaging it and, moreover, it is beneficial for both the hair and the scalp. However, it lightens your hair slower than many other methods.
- Combine 110g of honey with 60g of conditioner and mix well.
- Apply the mixture to your hair, then cover with a shower cap, cling film or, failing that, a towel. Leave on for four hours or overnight.
- Wash your hair as normal with shampoo and conditioner the next morning.
- Repeat the operation to obtain the desired gradation.
Advice
The lighter the hair, the more it will need protection from the sun's UV rays, especially in the summer when they are at their most intense. Then use a UV protective spray or apply a serum to your hair to minimize damage
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