Using chamomile or similar to brighten very ashy dark blonde?

[Tosca]

Will it work? How do I use it?

My hair used to be a light medium blonde from being in the sun. After not spending much time outside for nearly the last two years, my blonde is now dark and ashy, especially on the underneath bits. There are a few bits that are still light, but it is definitely darker than it used to be. Can I brighten/get rid of the ashiness with camomile or another herbal rinse? I would prefer not to use cassia due to the messiness.

Also, what is the procedure for herbal rinses for brightening? Do I do it in the shower after washing? Do I leave it in or rinse it out? How do I prepare it?

[kattmara]

I have been thinking about this too for a couple of days, my colour gets ashy during the darker months and the winter light here in the far north makes everything look even more cool toned which I kind of like but I would also like to have the option to make some changes during early spring.

I know that lemon, and other citrus I guess, can lighten the hair but I think that it might also cause dryness which can make hair more prone to damage (at least my hair). I have heard that honey can lighten the hair also but honey makes my hair dry too, maybe a "treatment" with chamomile and a teaspoon of honey and some drops of lemon could do the trick? I guess you have a lot of sunny days in Australia so maybe you could sit with your back to the sun and the hair out (with or without the rinse) for a while if you have the time? About the when and where I would say that it could work both before or after showering but that it would be best to wash out or rinse the hair with water afterwards and maybe conditioner if you use that or your favourite hair oil.

May I ask how you wash your hair? I have noticed that my hair looks darker and ashier when I use only baking soda (and an ACV rinse), I don't know why but even a friend of mine who doesn't care about hair at all asked me out of nowhere if I had toned it.

This post got a bit messy I suspect but I have a fever right now so if something is unclear just ask!

Edit: I have also read that cinnamon can lighten the hair but I don't know if it will remove the ashy tones in blonde hair or if it works best for brown hair.

Second edit: I just tried cinnamon and I do not recommend it if you have sensitive skin, maybe if you are careful and don't get it on the scalp/skin which I did - I got two grains on my forehead and got very red skin in circles around them, about three centimetres in diameter. I made a mixture of eggyolk, cinnamon and my regular washing conditioner and the other two ingredients I have never had a problem with. Didn't want to irritate my scalp so I rinsed it out after just five minutes so I don't think it did any difference on my haircolour, I'll have to wait until it dries.

[Tosca]

Sorry, I guess I worded my first post badly. I don't mind my blonde darkening a bit, but I would like to boost the yellow/gold tones, to counteract the ashiness that makes my hair almost brown. Brown is a perfectly good colour, but I am rather attached to my blonde.

I wash my hair with shampoo and conditioner, the same stuff I have been using all my life.

[pailin]

Chamomile certainly won't lighten hair, but it might add some golden tones. I don't know if they last more than one wash,and I don't know the best way to apply it.
Washing method is a good point too- my hair will look lighter and brighter with some routines than others.

[lapushka]

I used to wash with a chamomile shampoo by Garnier Ultra Doux (they still have that in their assortment), and it enhanced the gold that I had in my hair, but it doesn't "lighten". It's not the more you wash with that shampoo, the more it will show either. It's a temporary thing. A chamomile rinse might do a tad more, but I wouldn't count on "lightening effects". You actually need something like honey or containing peroxide for that (and that might dry out the hair). Pha had a lot of damage from honey lightening, as I recall.

[Anje]

Give it a try. I've heard blonds swear it brightened up their color a bit with some more gold tones. I think you use it as a final rinse after washing, but I'm not completely sure.

Another thing to consider trying is senna/cassia. That has a bit of yellow to it that lasts at least a while. Obviously, strand test it first, because I'm not convinced it fades completely.

[vampyyri]

I've used it to brighten up my really ashy roots. It brings out my golden highlights! I use it as the final rinse in my shower, squeeze out the excess, and let it air dry.

[Tosca]

So do I just brew it up like a normal cup of tea and pour it on my head? I would prefer not to use cassia, as I have heard it is very messy, but are there other herbs or teas that would produce the yellow/gold colour?

[Anje]

Let it cool off well below tea-drinking temperature, but yeah, pretty much.

[lapushka]

I used to take dried camomile flowers and soak them. I still have a bag (oooold) but it's just been sitting here. I used to experiment with all kinds of things. I did much prefer the ease of the shampoo and the conditioner, though. And it seemed that the results were similar. Especially in the sunshine!!! I'm not sure it's going to be all that great for winter time but spring/summer, should be fun!

[kattmara]

I used to take dried camomile flowers and soak them. I still have a bag (oooold) but it's just been sitting here. I used to experiment with all kinds of things. I did much prefer the ease of the shampoo and the conditioner, though. And it seemed that the results were similar. Especially in the sunshine!!! I'm not sure it's going to be all that great for winter time but spring/summer, should be fun!

How much did you use? I have a bag too that I got as a gift and they are meant to be used as tea but they have just been sitting in my cupboard. I don't like strong smells (even if they are good) so I would prefer to make it as light as possible but if it's too light I guess it will be an unnecessary procedure.

[LadyCelestina]

Speaking of Garnier shampoo, there is also the L'oreal Extraordinary oil line, which has yellow tinted shampoo and hair cream, and the conditioner has golden sparkles in it. It's a really noticeable golden boost.

[lapushka]

How much did you use? I have a bag too that I got as a gift and they are meant to be used as tea but they have just been sitting in my cupboard. I don't like strong smells (even if they are good) so I would prefer to make it as light as possible but if it's too light I guess it will be an unnecessary procedure.

The whole bag, as I recall. I think it was 100 or 150 grams of camomille flowers. Yeah, definitely don't make it light. I used 1,5L of water.

[missmelaniem]

Just found this little recipe

5. For blondes, try a chamomile and white vinegar mix for bringing out golden highlights and extra shine. You can literally boil 1 cup of water and steep 2 bags of chamomile for 10 minutes; add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar, saturate clean damp hair, then rinse well. A chardonnay rinse will add high shine to highlights, volume, and bounce. Just pour straight from the bottle or use a sprayer to apply after you shampoo, then condition lightly.

You might want to try diluted lemon juice also:

2. If you want to add sparkle, brightness and shine to your lackluster golden locks, try a simple citrus spritzer made with 2 cups of water to 2T lemon and lime juice. Spray in after shampoo and conditioning weekly as a leave-in before you style for gradual lightening results. For an overall shine and lift try a cocktail of lemon juice, raw honey, olive oil, and water (3 tablespoons lemon juice + 1 tablespoon of raw honey + 1 tablespoon of olive oil to 1 cup of boiling water). After water boils, remove from heat, blend ingredients for one minute. Let it cool for heat sensitive application. On clean damp hair, apply generously to saturate hair, brushing thoroughly for even coverage. If possible sit in the sun for 15 minutes or clip up and cover with a shower cap for an hour. Rinse well, shampoo lightly condition and style as desired.

[missmelaniem]

Heres the site where I found the info... they have several options for different color hair too

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nicole-cothrun-venables/nontoxic-hair-dye_b_1005188.html