How to Lighten Naturally Black Coloured Hair at Home

Last Updated: November 4, 2022 Approved

Black hair is beautiful, but sometimes you just need a change. When it comes to altering black hair at home, you have many options. A light dye can make a subtle change, as can natural methods for lightening your locks. However, if you want something bold, try bleaching your hair at home for a radical new look. When you're done, you'll be left with stunning new hair to enjoy.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Dyeing Your Hair

1
Choose a warmer color for a reddish tone. With black hair, choose a dye that's only slightly lighter than your natural hair color unless you want to lift your hair via bleaching first. Select a dye that's a lighter shade than your natural color without being radically different, such as a dark brunette shade. Black hair has a lot of red and copper undertones.^{[1]
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- If you want an auburn hair color, select a reddish brown. This will bring out your natural coppery undertones to create your desired look.
2
Pick a cooler color to avoid red undertones. If you do not want an auburn shade, pick a color cooler than your natural hair tone. This will lighten your hair without giving it a coppery look.^{[2]
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3
Protect yourself from the dye. Before you begin the dyeing process, it's important to make sure you're safe. Dye can sting skin and stain clothing. Put on a pair of gloves and cover your shoulders with a towel to prevent stains.
4
Mix your dye and developer. Use your tinting bowl and brush, which should have come in your hair dye kit, to mix your dye and developer into a smooth, even mixture. In most cases, dye is mixed with developer in a one to one ratio, but read your instructions first. The precise ratio varies by the manufacturer.^{[3]
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5
Section your hair into four sections. Part your hair down the middle of your head, making a part running from your forehead to the nape of your neck. The second parting should go across your head from ear to ear. Use hair ties or hair clips to keep your hair in four even sections.^{[4]
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6
Apply your dye one section at a time. Apply dye starting with a section at the back of your head and then move forward. Working from the top of the section, use the brush that came with your kit to brush dye onto your hair in quarter- to half-inch (0.64- to 1.2-cm) sections. Keep adding dye to sections until the section is completely covered in dye. Then, move on to the next section.^{[5]
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7
Let the dye sit on for the required amount of time. Usually, your dye should sit on for 45 minutes. However, this depends on the brand of dye, so refer to your package instructions. Let your dye sit in your hair for the required amount of time.^{[6]
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8
Rinse out the dye. Use your fingers to gently work the dye out of your hair while in the shower using lukewarm water. Make sure you get all the dye out. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear.^{[7]
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9
Shampoo and condition your hair. After rinsing as much dye out as possible, shampoo and condition your hair as you usually do. Use the products that came with the kit, if applicable. When you're done, you'll be left with a stunning dye job to enjoy.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Natural Products

1
Use honey, vinegar, olive oil, and spices. Mix a cup (240 mL) of raw honey with two cups (475 mL) of distilled vinegar, a tablespoon (15 mL) of olive oil, and a tablespoon (15 mL) of cardamon. Mix the ingredients until you have an even consistency throughout. Then, work the mixture evenly into your hair and put on a shower cap. Leave the mixture on and wash it out in the morning.^{[8]
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- For best results, make sure you're using raw, uncooked honey. You may have to find this at a health store.
2
Rinse your hair with chamomile tea. Brew a strong cup of chamomile tea using a tea bag or tea leaves. Let it cool until it's lukewarm and pour it over your hair. Let your hair dry for about half an hour. Then, shampoo and condition your hair as you normally would. You may notice some lightening.
- This is a good method to try in the morning. You can make a cup of tea, apply it to your hair, and then wash it out during your normal shower routine.
3
Apply baking soda to your hair. Mix warm water and baking soda together until you have a thick paste. Amounts will vary depending on the length of your hair. Work the paste into your hair. Let it sit on for 15 minutes before rinsing and shampooing your hair.
4
Add cinnamon to your conditioner. Sprinkle some cinnamon onto a handful of conditioner and then work the mixture into your hair using your fingers or a comb. Pull up your hair and secure it with a towel or a shower cap. Keep the mixture in overnight and rinse it out in the morning. You may notice your hair has lightened.^{[9]
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5
Use rhubarb. During the summer, when rhubarb is in season, you can use it to lighten your hair. Mix about a quarter cup (60 mL) of chopped rhubarb in with two cups (475 mL) of water. Bring the water to a boil and then strain the liquid. Work the liquid into your hair and let it sit on for 10 minutes before rinsing it out.^{[10]
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6
Lighten your hair with water and lemon. Mix a cup of lemon juice with two cups of water. Work the mixture into your hair. Let it sit on until it dries. Your hair may lighten in response to lemon juice.^{[11]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Bleaching Your Hair

1
Divide your hair into four sections. The sections should be roughly the same size. There should be two sections in the front and two in back. Use hair ties or plastic clips to keep them in place.^{[12]
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2
Mix the bleach according to your package's directions. Bleach kits come with bleaching powder and a cream developer. These need to be mixed together in a specific ratio before you apply the bleach to your hair. Your package's instructions should inform you of the precise ratio your kit uses. Usually, the ratio is one to three of powder to developer.^{[13]
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- Wear gloves when handling bleach.
3
Apply bleach everywhere but your roots. Working through one section at a time, brush on the bleach strand by strand. Start at the ends of these strands and work your way upward, but stop about 1 inch (2.54 cm) from the roots. Your roots will be bleached last as the heat from your head causes them to bleach more quickly.^{[14]
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- You have to work very quickly to ensure your hair bleaches evenly. Therefore, get someone to help you during this part of the process.
4
Apply bleach to your roots. After you've applied bleach to all your sections, use the brush that came with your kit to dab bleach on your roots. Flip your hair using a rat comb to get both the front and back of the roots. Start at the back of your head and work your way forward.^{[15]
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- Be very careful not to get any product on your scalp. Get as close to your scalp as possible, but do not touch the scalp itself.
5
Let the bleach sit for the recommended amount of time. Read the instructions thoroughly to determine how long you should leave the bleach on. Place a plastic bag over your head while you wait. This protects your home from bleach and helps the bleach develop faster. Check your hair every few minutes to see how the color is progressing.^{[16]
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- Bleach stops working after about an hour, so leaving your bleach in longer than this will only damage your hair, rather than lighten it further.
6
Rinse off the bleach with lukewarm water. Make sure rinse all the bleach out of your hair. In the shower, keep rinsing your hair, using your fingers to work out the bleach, until the water runs clean.^{[17]
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7
Shampoo and condition your hair. After rinsing out the bleach, shampoo and condition your hair as you normally would. If your bleach kit came with shampoo or conditioner, use these products rather than what's in your shower.

Expert Q&A

Question

Can you color black hair without bleaching?

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

You can color naturally black hair without bleaching, but you will only be able to achieve brown or dark red. If your hair is dyed black, you'll need to bleach it before dying.
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

You can use box dye to lighten your hair one or two levels if it hasn't been colored before. Make sure you check the back of the box to see the predicted result on your starting color.
Question

Can I dye my hair from black to red?

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

You can certainly achieve a vibrant red on naturally black hair. If your hair is dyed black, it depends on the type of dye that was used.