Girls with blond, well-groomed hair look especially attractive and sophisticated. Natural blondes are quite rare. But modern dyes allow you to get any desired curl color. Unfortunately, not all of these chemical products are safe. After their use, the condition of the strands may worsen. Are there other ways to give strands lighter shades? Undoubtedly. Since time immemorial, fashionistas have used natural dyes, among them chamomile is considered the most popular for lightening hair.
Lightening hair with home remedies
Many paints, although supplemented with healing oils and proteins, are based on hydrogen peroxide or ammonia. These chemical compounds are durable, but their action is aimed at destroying the structure of the hair shaft: the scales are loosened, lipids are washed out and the dye penetrates deep into the hair.
If you don’t want to risk the health of your hair, you should pay attention to natural remedies. They are not as visually effective, but are much safer than synthetic paints. Moreover, even if using natural dyes it is not possible to radically change the color of your hair, the benefits of traditional hair cosmetics are obvious.
To lighten hair and add a golden hue to it at home, use honey, fruits, dairy products, vinegar, onions, cinnamon, lemon juice and various herbs. Among which, long-time “favorites” are chamomile, saffron, rhubarb, and lavender.
Can chamomile be used to lighten hair?
The answer is clear: you can. But it should be noted right away that turning a brunette into a blonde with the help of chamomile decoction will not work. This flower has long been used as a tint dye for blond and red hair; it makes it even lighter by 1-2 tones, refreshes it and gives it a golden glow and a soft wheaten hue. But dark-haired ladies should still pay attention to this medicinal plant. A strong decoction of it can even give brown and black hair a copper tint, but for this you should take 3 times more herbal tea than for fair-haired ladies.
Washing and rinsing hair
A simple procedure that works wonders when done regularly:
- curls become obedient;
- do not get tangled, comb well, become strong and healthy;
- the hair acquires a pleasant, delicate shade;
- inflammation on the scalp goes away;
- Excessive fat content of hair disappears.
READ ALSO: Effective hair restoration using sage: medicinal properties and contraindications, methods of use for strands
What to do:
- prepare a decoction or infusion according to one of the suggested recipes;
- Apply warm liquid to hair after shampooing. No need to rinse off.
Take note:
- for active hair growth and to prevent hair thinning, prepare an infusion or decoction of nettles;
- you can add the same amount of sage, calendula or yarrow;
- use a natural product after each wash of your hair.
Advantages and disadvantages of using chamomile
This method of changing hair color undoubtedly has more advantages than disadvantages.
The only disadvantages, if you can call it that, are the impossibility of radical “repainting” and the duration of application to obtain the result. But this does not make chamomile useless as a tint. Using a wildflower you can achieve amazing effects.
Here is a kind of scale of how chamomile is used and how it appears on hair of different colors:
- Blondes. A decoction of chamomile without additives, when used regularly (2 months), will give the curls a lighter color (by a couple of tones);
- Brown-haired. There will be no noticeable lightening, but the hair will receive additional shine and volume;
- Brunettes. To obtain a copper tint or soft lightening, chamomile should be combined with vinegar, cinnamon, lemon, honey, or even hydrogen peroxide;
- Gray hair. A very strong decoction will do a great job with gray hair. Colorless, aged strands will acquire a pleasant honey hue;
- Colouring. Using a decoction of chamomile with the addition of lemon juice, onion peels, turmeric, and ginger, you can achieve amazing results in coloring individual strands. In this case, the transition between colors will be as natural as possible, which cannot be achieved using the “hydropyrite” method.
In addition, chamomile has medicinal properties. This plant contains vitamins, dyes, oils, trace elements, resins and carotenoids. All of them have a beneficial effect on curls: they nourish, moisturize, soothe, and disinfect. Therefore, chamomile leaves and flowers are widely used in the production of shampoos, creams and other care products.
The undeniable advantage of using chamomile for lightening and treating hair is the following facts:
- This is an absolutely safe light dye;
- Relieves skin irritation;
- Strengthens curls and accelerates their growth;
- Suitable for all hair types;
- It has no contraindications, it can be safely used during pregnancy and lactation;
- It is a cheap and accessible product, easy to prepare.
Chamomile for dyeing hair can be used either dried or freshly cut shoots. The resulting shade lasts for about a month. It is also used as a rinse after washing your hair, as part of caring masks.
Hair mask recipes
Best recipes:
- from severe dry scalp. Grind dry or fresh raw materials, add high-quality vegetable oil (proportions 1:2), let it brew for a week. Strain and rub into the scalp an hour before washing your hair for a month. Frequency – three times a week;
- from excessive oily hair and skin. Mix pharmaceutical tincture of chamomile and hot pepper (5 ml each) with castor oil (40 ml). Use a comb to distribute the oily liquid over the strands, with cellophane on top. Leave for 1 hour;
- for hair growth. Grind the leaves and flowers (2 tbsp), add olive or castor oil (100 ml). Place the bottle with the mixture in a dark place for a week. Filter and treat the roots before each shampoo. The duration of the procedure is up to half an hour;
- nourishing mask. Steam 3 tbsp. l. raw materials 250 ml boiling water. After 45 minutes, the infusion is ready. Filter, add 100 g of lanolin. Warm the mixture slightly and spread over the entire length. An excellent product for strengthening curls;
- against hair loss, for hair growth. Combine a tablespoon of nettle, chamomile, sage, and pour in 150 ml of boiling water. Filter the infused liquid, rub into the root zone, comb along the entire length.
READ ALSO: The healing power of hop cones for hair: beneficial properties and contraindications, use for healing strands
Step-by-step recipes
Lightening decoction of chamomile flowers
Method 1
- Fresh or dried chamomile flowers – 2-3 tablespoons
- Hot water – 100-150 ml
The collection and water are taken in a ratio of 1:3. It is better to brew the product in a thermos and let it brew for about 6 hours. Strain the resulting broth and squeeze out the herbs. The result will be a rich tea-colored liquid. The hair is impregnated with it, as is done when coloring. The top of the head is wrapped in plastic wrap and a towel or scarf. After an hour, you need to rinse your hair; you do not need to use shampoo.
Method 2
- Chamomile collection – 2 spoons
- Water – 500 ml
Place cold water in a saucepan on the stove and bring to a boil, add chamomile flowers and continue boiling. After 5 minutes of intense boiling, reduce the heat and simmer the “brew” until the liquid is reduced by half and the liquid becomes dark golden brown. Remove from heat, cool and strain. A concentrated decoction is used to color hair and individual strands; when diluted, it is used as a rinse.
Coloring compositions with chamomile
"Chamomile and saffron"
- Chamomile flowers – 2 spoons
- Saffron – 2 spoons
- Water – 250 ml
- Juice of 1 lemon
Prepare a decoction from water and herbs, leave for 4-5 hours, strain after cooling and add lemon juice. Apply and leave for half an hour, rinse with water without soap.
"Chamomile, turmeric and lemon"
- Boiling water – 1 l
- Chamomile – 3 spoons
- Turmeric – 1 teaspoon
- Zest from 1 lemon
Pour chamomile, turmeric and pieces of zest into a liter of boiling water and boil for 8-10 minutes. Cool and pass through a sieve. The liquid is enough for several times and can be stored in the refrigerator. Apply to (clean) hair every day until visible results appear.
"Chamomile, lemon and honey"
- Chamomile flowers – 4-5 spoons
- Honey – 3 spoons
- Juice of 1 lemon
Prepare a rich decoction of chamomile in advance, let it cool and squeeze out the liquid. Add honey and lemon juice to it, mix thoroughly until the honey is completely dissolved. Apply to curls and leave for up to one and a half hours.
This mask is designed for dark hair.
"Chamomile, oil and lemon juice"
- Dried chamomile flowers – 8 spoons
- Hot water – 300 ml
- Juice of half a lemon
- Vegetable oil - tablespoon
Pour boiling water over chamomile and keep in a water bath for 10-15 minutes; after the liquid has cooled and been filtered, add freshly squeezed lemon juice and oil.
To achieve a greater effect, the mixture is applied to the entire length of the hair, then the strands are combed and dried naturally. After the applied liquid has completely dried, the hair should be washed using shampoo.
"Chamomile and nettle"
- Dried collection of chamomile flowers and nettle rhizomes - 2-3 tablespoons each
- Water – 1 liter
Place the herbal raw materials in boiling water and, without reducing the heat, boil for another 10-15 minutes. After the broth has cooled, separate the liquid from the herb and moisten its hair. Keep under a cap and scarf for 20-30 minutes, then rinse.
"Chamomile and glycerin"
- Chamomile – 5-6 tablespoons
- Glycerin – 30 g
- Boiled water – 0.5 l
Chamomile inflorescences are poured with boiling water and left for about 3 hours, filtered and glycerin is carefully added. This mixture is applied to dry strands like a regular dye and washed off after 30-40 minutes.
Lightening alcohol infusions with chamomile
"Chamomile, rosemary and vodka"
- Fresh chamomile flowers – 50 g
- Rosemary – 50 g
- Vodka – 200 g
Place the plant material in an opaque container with an airtight lid, fill it with vodka and put it in a warm, shaded place. Leave for 2 weeks, shaking occasionally. Strain the finished product. Pour into a clean bottle.
Use to lighten hair 1-2 times a week.
"Chamomile, henna and vodka"
- Fresh chamomile flowers – 300 g
- Vodka – 400 ml
- Henna – 100 g
- Water – 200 ml
Chamomile is infused with vodka as in the previous recipe. Henna is diluted with hot water to form a liquid paste, cooled and mixed with alcoholic chamomile infusion, put in a dark place for another 2 weeks.
Store the product in the refrigerator and use it to dye strands on dark hair, to partially or completely lighten blond curls. To do this, apply the mixture to your hair for 40 minutes.
Chamomile for hair: coloring and treatment
For hair, chamomile is a unique remedy that can give it a golden hue or lighten it a little. At the same time, chamomile tinctures and masks restore damaged and weakened hair.
The dye made from this flower has a very gentle effect on the hair. Coloring occurs gradually, not at once. But due to this, there is no harmful effect on the scalp and hair structure.
Making hair lightener is very simple. Take 2 tablespoons of dried chamomile flowers, add 3 cups of hot water, and boil over medium heat for 15 minutes. Then cool the infusion. Rinse your hair with it after every shampoo. And after just a few of these procedures, you will notice how your hair becomes lighter and acquires a beautiful golden hue.
You can also prepare a stronger clarifier. For this you will need 8 tablespoons of the plant. Pour 300 ml of hot water over them and let steep for 15 minutes. When the broth has cooled, strain it. Then add the juice of half a lemon and a couple of tablespoons of any vegetable oil. Apply this mixture to your hair, spread it over the entire length with a comb and let it dry. Then rinse your hair well with water.
To dye your hair golden yellow, take 100 - 150 g of dry chamomile inflorescences, pour 500 ml of boiling water over them and let it brew for 2 hours. When the infusion has cooled, strain it and add 60 g of glycerin. Wash your hair with this solution.
If hair coloring is not your goal, then you should not refuse to use various masks and chamomile tinctures. Regular use of cosmetics from this plant makes hair smooth, silky and shiny. In addition, chamomile moisturizes dry hair, stimulates its growth, strengthens the roots, and helps fight dandruff.
You can make chamomile shampoo at home. To do this, prepare an infusion of dried inflorescences: pour 2 tablespoons of the plant into 50 ml of hot water, strain after half an hour and cool the solution. Mix the resulting amount of infusion with the same amount of baby shampoo. Wash your hair regularly with this product and you will soon notice that your hair has become stronger and more manageable.
You can mix chamomile with other herbs, it won’t make you worse. To get rid of dandruff, mix chamomile, calendula and lavender flowers in equal proportions, pour a glass of boiling water and let it brew for about 20 minutes. Then strain the solution and rinse your hair with it.
If you prepare an infusion of chamomile, nettle and sage, and then rub it into the hair roots, this will be an excellent remedy for strengthening them and accelerating growth.
