How to Bring out Natural Red and Blond Highlights

Co-authored by Marius Morf

Last Updated: February 12, 2023

Light, natural-looking highlights can add a lot of dimension and life to blonde or red hair, but you don't have to spend a lot of money at the salon to get them. If you already have natural highlights, herbs and tea can enhance their appearance. Hibiscus tea can subtly highlight natural red highlights while a lemon and honey rinse can enhance blonde highlights in a soft, understated way. You can also apply herbs and teas from your kitchen to bring out any natural highlights in your hair.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Hibiscus Tea for Red Highlights

1
Use the tea method to enhance and tone your natural highlights. This method will make the natural red in your hair look more vibrant, and subtly tone areas where your hair is already lighter.
- You shouldn’t use this method if you’re looking to create red streaks in your hair.
2
Boil water in a saucepan. Place a medium sized pot over the stove at high heat. Bring two cups (475 mL) of distilled water to a boil. Then, turn off the burner and remove the pot from the stove.^{[1]
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3
Steep your tea. Add three to five bags of hibiscus tea to your water. Some grocery stores will sell hibiscus tea, but you may also have to check a health food store or buy the tea online. Let the mixture steep for five to 10 minutes. Then, strain the water into a spray bottle.
- If you want, you can add a dash of paprika to the water.
- The longer you steep the mixture, the stronger it will be.
4
Spray your mixture on evenly over your whole head. Spritz your mixture evenly throughout your hair, or at least over the ends and top, surface layer. This will ensure that the spray picks up all your natural red highlights, no matter where they are.
5
Leave the spray on for an hour. You should let the mixture sit in your hair for at least an hour so your hair color has time to enhance. To contain the mess, you can try putting something like a shower cap or towel over your hair.
- You should rinse towels or shower caps after use.
6
Rinse your hair. After an hour, get in the shower and rinse off your hair. Keep rinsing until the water runs clean and all the tea is removed. Once your hair dries, you may notice natural red highlights.
- Not all hair will respond to this treatment. You may have to apply the spray more than once to see results.
7
Spray every few weeks to maintain the vibrancy. If you like the effect of the spray, you can reapply it every 2-4 weeks. To intensify the warm tones, reapply a few times a week.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Doing a Rinse for Blonde Highlights

1
Create your hair-lightening mixture. Mix two cups (475 mL) of distilled vinegar, one cup (240 mL) of raw, uncooked honey, a tablespoon (15 mL) of extra virgin olive oil, and a tablespoon (15 mL) of ground cinnamon together in a small bowl. Use a spoon to mix everything together until you have an even, smooth mixture.^{[2]
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- Make sure you get raw, uncooked honey for this rinse. You may have to make a trip to a health food store, as regular grocery stores may not sell raw honey.
2
Dampen your hair. Take a quick shower to simply wet your hair with clean water. Pat your hair dry with a towel and let it dry off for a few minutes. Your hair should be damp, but not soaking wet, when you apply the mixture.^{[3]
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- If you haven’t washed your hair in the last 24 hours, or if you’ve used styling products, you can shampoo instead of rinsing.
3
Apply the mixture to the top layer of your hair. Separate the bottom section of your hair, tying or clipping it to the side. Then, work the mixture into the top layer of your hair, the same way you would work in shampoo. Make sure the hair is completely saturated.^{[4]
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- Highlighting only the top section will give your hair a nice, dimensional effect. You can apply over all of your hair, but it might make your hair look flatter and less natural.
- These highlights will be subtle, enhancing the tones that are naturally present.
4
Cover your hair. This mask gets really messy, so it's important your hair stays covered while you leave the mask in place. Wrap the highlights strands in plastic wrap. Then, place a shower cap or swim cap over your hair.^{[5]
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5
Let it sit overnight. Once your hair is covered, you should leave the mask in overnight. The mask needs at least eight hours to work.^{[6]
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- Cover your pillow with a towel before bed. Even with your hair covered, the mask may leak slightly.
6
Wash your hair in the morning. Shampoo and condition your hair as you normally would the next morning. As honey is sticky, it may take some extra time to wash the mixture from your hair. Your hair should now have natural blonde highlights.^{[7]
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- Use purple shampoo to help brighten up yellow hues in your highlights.
- This mask will not work for everyone. Some people may have to apply the mask more than once for success.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Enhancing Your Highlights

1
Add herbs to bring out red colors. Herbs like calendula, marigold, and rosehips tend to bring out natural red highlights. Simmer your chosen herbs in water for about 30 minutes. Then, strain the water into a spray bottle and spritz it onto your hair. Let your hair dry in the sun and see if you notice any highlights emerge.^{[8]
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- There is no precise amount of herbs and water to use. It depends on the length of your hair. The more herbs you use, the stronger the mixture will be.
2
Try yellow herbs to enhance natural blonde highlights. Herbs that bring out blonde hair include marigold, saffron, and sunflower petals. As with red highlights, simmer the herbs in water for 30 minutes before straining the water into a spray bottle. Then, spritz the mixture on your hair and let it dry in the sun.^{[9]
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3
Apply chamomile tea to lighten your hair. Chamomile tea can often lighten hair. This can bring out natural highlights by drawing more attention to the contrasts in your hair. You simply need to seep three or five chamomile tea bags in two cups (475 mL) of water. Once the mixture has cooled, work the tea into your hair. Let it sit for an hour before rinsing.^{[10]
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4
Spritz on lemon juice for blonde highlights. Squeeze a few fresh lemons over a spray bottle to collect the juice. Spritz the juice onto your hair and then brush your hair to work it in. Let the juice sit on for a few hours before rinsing.^{[11]
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- Dry your hair in the sun, if possible, as this will help with the lightening process.
5
Use beet or carrot juice to bring out red highlights. Beet juice works for a reddish tinge while carrot juice produces a more orange-red. Work a cup (240 mL) of juice into your hair. Wrap your hair in plastic wrap and a swim cap. Let the juice sit on for an hour. Rinse out the juice and then spritz some apple cider vinegar into your hair to lock in the color.^{[12]
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- Wear gloves and old clothes while you apply, as the juice can easily stain your clothes, scalp, or skin.

Expert Q&A

Question

Are hair highlights permanent?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Yes, highlights are permanent in the sense that they won't fade away. However, they do grow out and can be colored over.
Question

Can you lighten your hair with box color?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Some box colors can lighten your hair up to two levels, but they must be permanent color. This only works on hair that has not been dyed previously.
Question

Can saltwater lighten your hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Yes, saltwater can add highlights or be used to gradually lighten your hair. This works best in combination with sun exposure.