Getting the shade of blonde, gray or white you want can be really tricky, especially if your hair has yellow tones. Luckily, you can get rid of those yellowish tones by using some natural ingredients. If you have natural blonde hair, you can try to remove it using lemon juice. If you have dyed blonde, gray or white hair, you can use apple cider vinegar or a combination of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Once you have eliminated the yellow tones from your hair, follow the tips in the article to improve your beauty routine and prevent them from returning.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Remove Yellow from Natural Blonde Hair with Lemon Juice
Step 1. Squeeze 2 lemons and pour the juice into a spray bottle
Cut 2 lemons in half, squeeze them and pour the juice into a measuring cup for liquids. Make a note of the amount of juice you got and then carefully pour it into a spray bottle.
- An average of about 60 ml of juice is obtained from 2 lemons.
- You can measure the ingredients by eye if you don't want to use a measuring cup.
- It is best to use a funnel to avoid spilling the juice as you pour it into the bottle.
Step 2. Add hot water to create a solution consisting of 2 parts lemon juice and 1 part water
Divide the amount of juice you measured by 2 to correctly dose the hot water. Pour the water into the spray bottle, screw on the dispenser cap and shake it to mix the two ingredients.
For example, if squeezing 2 lemons you got 60ml of juice, divide the amount by 2 and add 30ml of hot water
Step 3. Spray the solution on the hair
Distribute it over your hair until it is evenly moist. Pay special attention to areas where yellow tones are concentrated. Try to apply more product to the roots and less to the tips, as they are generally very porous and will therefore absorb more lemon juice than the roots.
- You can keep the advanced solution in the refrigerator for later applications.
- Lemon juice will expose the hair's natural pigments, which are generally yellow or golden. This method is particularly suitable for those who have natural blond hair and want to lighten it.
Step 4. Leave your hair in the sun for at least an hour
Sit in an area exposed to direct sunlight, set a time of at least 60 minutes on your mobile timer, and relax while your hair lightens.
Protect the skin on your face and exposed areas with a sunscreen. Use a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher
Suggestion:
you can stay in the sun for 2 hours to get the best possible result, but don't keep the lemon juice on your hair all day because it tends to dry them out.
Step 5. Wash your hair and apply a moisturizing conditioner
Rinse them with hot water and wash them with shampoo to get rid of all traces of lemon juice. Apply a moisturizing conditioner to clean hair to make it softer and smoother. Leave the product on for about 3 minutes, then perform the last rinse with cold water.
Cold water seals the hair cuticles making them smoother and shinier
Step 6. Repeat the treatment every 1-2 days until you can completely remove the yellow tones
The lemon juice treatment will lighten your hair a little at a time. If there are few yellow tones to eliminate, the lemon effect may be visible after just one treatment. However, it may take several applications to get the result you want.
- Let your hair rest for 1-2 days between applications.
- Generally about four applications are needed to achieve visible results.
Method 2 of 4: Remove Yellow from Hair with Apple Cider Vinegar
Step 1. Pour 250ml of apple cider vinegar into a spray bottle
Measure out apple cider vinegar with a liquid measuring cup and pour it into a spray bottle to apply it to your hair with ease. If you want, you can also estimate the amount of vinegar by eye.
- Apple cider vinegar is a very popular product; you can find it easily in the supermarket next to traditional vinegar.
- The apple cider vinegar will lighten the hair slightly and act mildly on yellow tones.
Step 2. Apply apple cider vinegar to your hair
Spray it on the roots, then slowly work your way down to the tips until all of your hair is evenly soaked in vinegar. Pay particular attention to areas where yellow tones are concentrated.
- Apply more vinegar to the tips than to the roots, as the tips are more porous and will absorb more of it.
- It is best to apply vinegar to your hair while you are in the shower, as it will still need to be rinsed off.
Suggestion:
vinegar smells strong, but should disappear over time. If it bothers you, you can mask it with the help of a scented hair product.
Step 3. Massage apple cider vinegar into your hair and scalp for 2-3 minutes
Gently rub your scalp and hair with your fingertips. Continue to massage for 2-3 minutes to give the vinegar time to work.
- In this way you will be sure that the vinegar is well distributed on the hair.
- Take advantage of this moment to take a break and relax.
Step 4. Rinse the vinegar from the hair with warm water
Turn on the shower faucet and let the hot water wash the vinegar out of your hair. Rinse them for at least a couple of minutes to make sure you've completely eliminated the vinegar.
If you don't intend to use conditioner, rinse your hair one last time with cold water before you get out of the shower. Cold water seals the hair cuticles making them smoother and shinier
Step 5. Apply conditioner to cover the vinegar smell and make your hair smoother
Apply a thin layer of conditioner to wet hair and massage it to distribute it evenly. Leave it on for about 3 minutes, then rinse your hair with cold water.
Use a conditioner formulated for your hair type. For example, if you have dyed hair, use a colored hair conditioner to keep the color alive
Method 3 of 4: Remove Yellow from Hair with Bicarbonate and Hydrogen Peroxide
Step 1. Combine 45g of baking soda and 2 tablespoons (30ml) of 3% hydrogen peroxide
Measure out 45g of baking soda and pour it into a clean bowl, then add 2 tablespoons (30ml) of hydrogen peroxide.
- This amount is suitable for those with short and thin hair. If you have long or thick hair, you may need to increase the doses.
- When you pour the hydrogen peroxide into the bowl, a chemical reaction will be triggered and an effervescent foam will appear. This is normal, so don't worry.
- Mix 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of water with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of hydrogen peroxide to dilute the formula and make it more delicate.
Attention:
do not use hydrogen peroxide in a solution greater than 3% because it can damage the hair.
Step 2. Mix baking soda and hydrogen peroxide until you have a smooth, pasty mixture
Mix the two ingredients together using a wooden or plastic (not metal) spoon. Keep stirring until you get a smooth, pasty mixture.
You need to be able to spread the mixture on your hair; then, if necessary, add more hydrogen peroxide to make it more fluid
Step 3. Apply the mixture to the hair with your fingers or use a paint brush
Distribute it evenly over your hair using your hands or any tool of your choice. The main thing is that all strands are coated with a thin layer of the mixture.
- If you decide to apply the mixture to your hair with your hands, it is best to wear a pair of protective gloves.
- You can purchase a tint brush at perfumeries or shops that sell products and items for hairdressers.
Step 4. Let the mixture sit on your hair for 15 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water
Set your phone's timer for 15 minutes, then relax as the blend works to lighten your hair. At the end of the exposure time, rinse your hair with warm water while running your fingers through the strands.
This mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide should be able to eliminate yellow tones from your hair
Step 5. Apply the shampoo and conditioner
Pour a dime-sized amount of shampoo into the crook of your hand, then apply it to your hair from the roots to the ends. Rinse your hair using warm water, then apply a thin layer of conditioner and let it sit for 3 minutes. Rinse with cold water for the last time.
- Cold water seals the cuticles making the hair smoother and shinier.
- For the best possible result, you can add a little apple cider vinegar to the last rinse water.
Method 4 of 4: Preventing Yellow Tones
Step 1. Use an anti-yellow shampoo once a week to enhance the shade of your hair
Anti-yellow shampoos are purple in color and deposit small particles of color on the hair to counteract yellow and orange tones. By using an anti-yellow shampoo once a week instead of your usual shampoo, you can prevent your hair from turning yellow. Choose a dark purple shampoo if you have blonde hair. If you have gray or white hair, it is best to go for a lighter purple.
Do not use anti-yellow shampoo more than once a week unless your hairdresser recommends it. If you use it too frequently, your hair could become dull or take on a purplish undertone
Variant:
if you generally only wash your hair 1-3 times a week, use anti-yellow shampoo every other week.
Step 2. Use a cleansing shampoo once a month
Water can contain minerals that settle on your hair and when you use the curling iron or straightener the heat can trigger a reaction that causes them to turn yellow. Smoke, smog and residues from cosmetic products can also alter the color of your hair. For this reason, once a month, you should wash them with a purifying shampoo. By eliminating the substances that tend to accumulate on the hair, you will prevent them from taking on yellowish tones.
Choose a shampoo that deeply cleanses your hair, but is light and non-aggressive
Step 3. Use a heat protector to avoid burning your hair when using the blow dryer, straightener or curler
Heat can damage your hair and cause it to yellow if it's blonde, gray, or white. Unfortunately, once damaged, there is no way to restore the original color and the only solution is to cut them. The best thing to do is to prevent damage by applying a heat protector to your hair before drying and styling. Spray the product evenly before using the hair dryer, straightener or curling iron.
- Look for a product suitable for your hair type; for example one for colored hair.
- Many heat protectors also protect the hair from the sun's rays as well as from heat.
Step 4. Make sure the straightener or curling iron is perfectly clean before using it
If they are dirty, they can leave deposits on the hair or worse burn it. Before use, always check that they are perfectly clean and once a week wipe them with a damp microfibre cloth.
When you are done using the curling iron or straightener, remove the plug from the socket and let it cool. When you can touch it without burning yourself, wipe it with a damp microfiber cloth to remove residue from cosmetic products
Step 5. Always wear a swimming cap when swimming in the pool to protect your hair from chlorine
You probably know that chlorine damages hair, but it also tends to make it yellow. To prevent yellow tones, wear a swimming cap every time you go swimming in the pool.
- You can purchase a swimming cap from sporting goods stores or online.
- If you don't want to wear a swimming cap, wet your hair thoroughly and soak it with conditioner before entering the pool. The conditioner will act as a protective barrier to prevent them from absorbing the chlorine.
Variant:
at the end of the swimming session, immediately rinse your hair and wash it with a clarifying shampoo, even if you were wearing a swimming cap. Apply your favorite moisturizing conditioner, leave it on for 3 minutes and rinse with cold water for the last time.
