If you want your hair to have a sun-kissed appeal, and don’t want to visit the salon because you’d like to avoid high costs or harsh chemicals, there are several home remedies you can try to achieve your desired summery style. Some can even be used in combination, to heighten the lightening effect or to take advantage of other benefits offered by different ingredients. Many of these ingredients can be found in your kitchen or pantry.

Chamomile is one of these. It can be used in its commercial tea form, or you can use fresh chamomile blooms straight from your garden. In either case, brew one cup of the tea to normal strength, using boiling water. After allowing the water to cool, rinse your hair with it. This can be repeated 3-6 times. Black tea may also be used in the same way–however, for those who already have very light hair, black tea may actually have a darkening effect.

Lemon juice, either from fresh lemons or concentrate, is another well-known choice for lightening, especially when used in combination with sunbathing. Because undiluted lemon juice may be too strong for your hair, and cause drying or severe bleaching, dilute one tablespoon equivalent to fresh lemon juice in one gallon of water.