I have dark brown hair and I want it blonde. I don't want to go to the hairstylist. I have tried lemon juice and my hair is too dark for it. I don't want to use dye. What should I do? What can I use?
Anna from Seattle, WA
If you apply hydrogen peroxide to dirty hair over time you will get nice reddish streaks. For really drastic changes, you really have to go to a professional. (06/05/2008)
By pam munro
If you really want blonde, go see a professional. (06/07/2008)
By Kat
Dye is going to be your only choice. (06/08/2008)
Go to the pros, they know what they are doing. I can't imagine risking my hair to a homemade idea, then wondering why it's a weird color and feels like straw? What could be more important? Save money on something else if you really wanna be blonde. (06/08/2008)
You could try sun in if they still make it. I did that years ago. Make sure you get a very good conditioner as it will dry out your hair. You can use it with the sun or with the blow dryer. Try just on a piece at first to see what color you will get. If your hair is really dark it might turn orange, so be careful. (06/09/2008)
By wacky camper
Hi Anna
First of all, I disagree with the above comment 'Dye is your only choice'. That's rubbish. I have naturally blonde hair, so when I dye it (even using brown colours), it goes brassy blonde. The best way to avoid this is to not use dyes. What I use, is a blue bleaching powder bought from a pharmacy, and mixed with peroxide. It bleaches the hair, but beware, it is a permanent effect.
Not having any dye in my hair means it does not go brassy blonde and looks quite natural if you streak it. You can buy peroxide in the same shop at 6% or 12% strength - talk to the retailer about what would suit you best. Good luck with it! (06/13/2008)
By Cathy from Townsville, QLD
If your hair is dark and you want to be blonde, I agree, your best bet is going to a stylist/colourist if you want a good job that is risk free. I've dyed my hair all kinds of colours, many times, and I would still not mess around with that blue powder! I did a strand test once and thank god because my hair broke with hardly any stress on it. Sun-in will only turn your hair orange.
If you insist upon doing it yourself you need to get a pre-lightening kit before you put your preferred shade of blonde on top.
The final thing is bearing in mind that this is a 'thrifty' site, the upkeep for being blonde is costly in my book. But that's up to you! (06/23/2008)
By Claire
Okay, you really need to strip your hair then apply color. There is no way of making this happen unless you color your hair. There are semi permanent colors that will wash out in 6 weeks, but if your goal is to go lighter than your natural color, welcome to the world of coloring your hair girlfriend. (06/24/2008)
By Kristen
Please keep in mind that whenever you go blond you will open the hair shaft, which can dry the hair and give it an unhealthy appearance. You know those women whose hair looks like hay.
I used to lighten my hair which is dark blond-light brown.
I use Natrutint and order it online. This hair color was recommended to me by my stylist of 10 years for when I'm in a pinch with my roots and out of town. It has no peroxide and covers any grey hair well. Since I moved out of state I've been using Natrutint for a year and love the consistency of the color. I now color my hair darker and I get compliments all the time about how healthy my hair looks. Darker color does not open the hair shaft, drying the hair. You get a shiny glow. (08/05/2008)
By Vera Brown
I've been going from blonde to dark and vice versa for years. I go to the drugstore and get hair color removal (two boxes should work) and then buy the color you want. After using color removal use hair color immediately. Just use hair repair masks for a while after using cause hair will get dry. Easy as pie. I have been to pros and sometimes they do worse than my dog could do. Save yourself the $$ and go to the drugstore. (10/15/2008)
By amy
How many times did you apply lemon juice, and how long were you in the sun? Do it repeatedly for a while, and spend at least 1/2 an hour out in bright sun. But if that doesn't work, you can always add a few teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide (but not too much!) to the mix, and lay out in the sun for around an hour. Do this a lot, and over time you will become a blonde, trust me. I went from brown to a darker blonde in a month and a half! (07/12/2009)
By Cara
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