Beauty treatments don’t have to be expensive or have harsh side effects. Many household ingredients from your own kitchen can be used instead of commercial or salon treatments. Cinnamon is a great spice that can be used to lighten hair and enhance highlights. It is a safe alternative to lightening your hair up to two shades lighter. Ground cinnamon will also leave your hair soft, hydrated, and smelling incredible. Learn how to naturally lighten hair and enhance highlights using ground cinnamon.
Prepare Cinnamon Mixture
In a medium-size bowl, combine 1-cup of your favorite conditioner, 3 tablespoons of ground cinnamon, and 1/3-cup pure honey (optional). Mix the ingredients together with a plastic spoon. Do not use a metal spoon as it can react with the mixture. Cover the bowl until you are ready to use it.
Shampoo and Condition Hair
Wash your hair as you would normally with shampoo, followed by a conditioner. Detangle your hair with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to allow for an even coat of cinnamon. Part hair into two-inch sections. Clip back each section to the head to prevent tangling during the cinnamon mixture application.
Coat Strands with Cinnamon Mixture
Unclip the first section of hair you would like to lighten. Use a thick paint brush or your fingers to coat each strand with the cinnamon mixture. Braid the section of hair when completed and clip it back to the head. Unclip the next section and repeat the process. Continue until all of the hair is coated in the cinnamon mixture and braided. Avoid getting the cinnamon mixture on the skin as cinnamon is known as a skin irritant.
Allow the Cinnamon Mixture to Set
Pull a plastic processing cap over your hair, twist the excess and clip tightly to not allow air flow in the cap. Sit under a hair dryer for 30 minutes to allow the cinnamon mixture to set. If you do not have a hair dryer available, wrap a warm towel around your head for the 30 minute period. Remove the heat source after the intial 30 minutes and allow the mixture to set on the head for an additional 3 to 4 hours. The longer the processing time, the better the results.
Rinse the Cinnamon Mixture and Enjoy
Remove the processing cap after the time has completed. Remove the braids and gently untangle the hair with your fingers. Rinse out the cinnamon mixture by using the pressure from the running water of a shower or bath tub. Expect your hair to lighten up to two shades lighter than its original color. The more applications of the cinnamon mixture you apply, the lighter the hair will become.
Sources:
Texture Playground: Cinnamon Hair Lightener
Rockin’ It Napptural: Feed Your Hair – Cinnamon
Natural Cures: Health Benefits of Honey and Cinnamon
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