1-Combine lemon juice and water. Mix one-quarter cup of warm water with one cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice or bottled lemon juice, then add one cup of orange juice and fill a spray bottle with the mixture.
2-Add conditioner if you have dry hair. The citrus/water mixture can further dry hair, so add one-quarter cup of the hair conditioner of your choice, then whisk in a small bowl and set aside.
3-Protect your skin with a layer of sunscreen. You are going to use the power of sunlight to activate the lightening effects of the citric acid, so make sure that your skin is protected from harmful UVA and UVB rays.
4-Apply the lemon lightener to your hair. For full coverage, spray the mixture over all your hair and give it a few light brushes.
Add highlights, if desired. Soak a cotton ball in the lemon and orange mixture and slide it down the strands you want highlighted. Try to keep track of which strands were lightened, because the process takes a while and you’ll have to reapply the lightener several times for it to take effect.
5-Find a comfortable spot outside in the sun. You will need to sit outside in direct sunlight for at least an hour to an hour and a half to begin seeing any color change.
6-Reapply the lemon juice after 90 minutes. Continue sitting in the sun for another 30 minutes.
7-Give your hair a deep conditioning when you’re done lightening. Wash your hair, and then deep-condition with a generous amount of hair conditioner or another natural substance
8-Give the process time to work. Don’t expect to see sudden changes right away.– lightening with lemon juice takes time! Expect the following color changes in three to four weeks:
Dark brown to light brown or ecru
Light brown to golden blonde
Dark blonde to light blonde
Dark red to dark blonde
Light red to light brown or blonde
Black won’t show much change at all
