Making your own hair highlighter is easy and cheap!
A product at Bed Bath & Beyond caught my eye the other day: John Frieda’s Controlled Lightening Spray. It reminded me of the Sun-In days of my youth, which always ultimately resulted in orange hair. I’ll never forget the day a guy I was friends with came to school with bright-orange hair, the unfortunate effect of Sun-In on dark hair, which he claimed was his older brother’s doing. Oh, the teasing that poor guy had to endure.
I’d imagine the John Frieda stuff works pretty well. But an even easier route that is tried-and-true is to make your own simple lightening spray. It might not work as fast as JF’s but it’s easy and practically free ~ and I’ve been doing it since I was 13 with no orange streaks to name.
It will create lovely highlights, but not bold streaks. When used over time, it can also help to reduce the appearance of root regrowth on lightened hair.
If you are raven-haired or a redhead and want to boost those shades and/or add highlights, stay tuned. I’ll be posting tips for you, as well! (My hair has been just about every shade in the book, so believe me, I’ve done them all.)
Stuff to Know:
- This highlighter is recommended only for hair that is its natural color or has been colored only with natural products, such as henna or herbs. If your hair has been chemically treated or if you go to a salon for highlights or coloring, please talk with your stylist first. You definitely don’t want to create any adverse reactions (see “orange,” above).
- Spot test any products or ingredients before using any homemade products on your face, head, or body, especially if you have sensitive skin or are prone to irritation and/or allergies.
- In general, each of the homemade products here should be stored in a cool, dark, dry spot for 3-4 weeks
For a container, I used a small plastic spray bottle from the drugstore, which cost $0.99. I had all other ingredients on hand.
Homemade Hair Lightening Spray
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide
- 1/4 cup room temperature chamomile tea
- 1/2 cup room temperature water
- juice from one freshly squeezed lemon
Steps
- In a medium-size bowl, mix together all ingredients.
- Transfer to your container.
To use:
- Spray on damp hair, either all over or in small sections for targeted highlights.
- Comb through. Leave on for one hour, then rinse and shampoo as usual.
- For expedited highlights, blow dry your hair while the spray is still on it, or sit in the sun while your hair air dries. The heat will speed the lightening process.
Do you pay for highlights at a salon or do you do your own?
Have you ever had a horrible hair coloring experience?
I use to lighten my hair in college with lemon and peroxide. I use to rub the lemon on my hair and then go bake myself in the sun. Not the best thing to do. I think there was also a product called sun out or something like that. It came in an orange bottle. I used that as well and it smelled horrible.
Unfortunately, I have grey hair creeping in now so I only go to the salon for color. I don’t trust myself to color my own hair anymore
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Thanks for the awesome DIY, I pinned you!
Cool!
I’m so happy it’s helfpul! Thank YOU and have a great weekend!
Hi! i stumbled apon this from pinterest, and found it very helpful! i tried it today and i am very pleased with the results. thank you for sharing this!
Thanks so much, Sydney! I’m so happy it’s worked out for you ~ and I’m so happy you stopped by to share the news!
Have a great day!
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does this work on dark dark daaaaaaaaark brown hair as well?
Hi Tessa ~ I haven’t tried it on hair that dark, so I don’t know how well it would work. I’d recommend doing a strand test first, before doing anything bigger. Then you’ll know!
Hope that helps.
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I have natural hair, would this work on my hair also?
It’s possible, but it might not get as light as pure blonde. I’d definitely do a strand test first before doing anything more! Then you’ll know, and you’ll know how long it takes, too. Cheers
Would this work on bright orange hair? Thankyou
I’m not sure. I would do a strand test before trying anything more, though.
I have black/ dark brown hair and i put two red rinses in my hair last year like august and november and i dont know if it is washed out all the way so should i try this?
I wouldn’t. But if you did, be sure you do a strand test first, to make sure it doesn’t turn out weird.
Can I use this if I’ve done the keratin treatment but from months ago?
I’m not sure. Try a strand test first to see how it turns out!
Does this stuff ruin ur hair?
It should be fine on untreated (virgin) hair, but it might damage it if you hair is already color-treated or chemically processed. Always do a strand test before so you know how it will turn out!
Is 3% creme peroxide okay to use ?
It might do more damage to your hair than you anticipate or be TOO strong. The stuff in your bathroom cabinet is way more mellow. Also, 3% gets into a whole other realm of haircoloring that I’m not qualified to give advice on yet (I’m still in school, not licensed yet!)
If you decide to try it, be sure to do a strand test first to make sure you know how it will turn out.