How to Get Sun-Kissed Surfer Blonde Hair Naturally (No Bleach)

Isn’t it everywhere?

Almost every Instagram influencer or every movie with “hot” people has beautiful surfer blonde hair and tanned skin.

It’s extremely popular.

Surfer blonde hair is characterized by it’s sun-kissed, natural-looking highlights and tousled waves – something like this:

Surfers are known for their beachy, carefree, effortless, and stylish look.

And no, you don’t need to spend hours at the beach or use any harsh chemicals to achieve this, there are several ways you can get surfer blonde hair naturally.

As someone who has used bleach in their hair before and spent years recovering from the damage, I can honestly say that it’s better to use simple ingredients and techniques.

Yes, the process might take more time (and won’t give you results as quickly as bleach), but your hair will be safe and undamaged and you will protect your scalp.

Whether you have straight or curly hair, you can achieve surfer blonde hair in a few easy ways.

In this post, we will explore some of the best ways to get surfer blonde hair naturally, let’s dive in!

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Can you get surfer blonde hair with any color?

I hate to break it to you, but the answer is no.

Not everyone can achieve this look naturally.

If you have hair color that is naturally light, you are more likely to get blonde hair from sun exposure – because the sun bleaches hair and lightens it.

However, if you have natural red or brown hair, you are unlikely to get blonde hair from using sunlight, because sunshine doesn’t change the pigment of your hair, it only lightens or fades it.

So, if you have naturally dark hair, you can achieve surfer blonde hair – but you will have to bleach it. I’m sorry to disappoint you.

However, it is important to note that not every one’s hair reacts the same to bleaching.

Some people’s hair turns a brassy color instead of blonde – this is because everybody has an underlying pigment in their hair.

Meaning, if you have dark hair but your underlying tone is red/orange, lightening your hair with bleach, is going to reveal a brassy, warm tone.

Do you get me?

To summarize, whether or not you can achieve surfer blonde hair naturally, depends entirely on your natural hair color.

If you have light hair, you can get this look with sun exposure alone or other methods I’ll list below.

If you have dark hair, you will have to bleach your hair to get surfer blonde hair.

But please be safe and take care of your hair before and after bleaching.

7 Natural Ways to Get Surfer Blonde Hair

Here are some natural ways (no bleach) to lighten your hair naturally and get surfer blonde hair.

1. Use Lemon juice

Lemon juice has been used for centuries as a popular natural hair lightener. Did you know that?

The citric acid in lemon juice helps lighten hair by breaking down the melanin pigment in the hair. Freaky huh?

Here’s how you use it:

Mix equal parts lemon juice and water in a spray bottle
Spray the mixture onto your hair and comb it through to distribute it evenly throughout your hair
Sit in the sun for an hour to allow the lemon juice to work its magic.
Rinse your lightened hair with cool water and condition it as usual.

Additionally, you can also use lemon essential oil instead of lemon juice.

Simply mix a few drops of lemon essential oil with a carrier oil such as coconut oil or olive oil and apply it to your hair. Leave it on for at least an hour before rinsing it out.

2. Use honey

Did you know that honey (along with being a delightful sweetener) is also used to lighten hair?

Let’s get buzzin’!

First mix 1/4th cup of honey with 1/4th cup of water in a bowl. Honey also has antibacterial properties that can benefit your scalp greatly!
Apply the mixture to damp hair, focusing on the areas you want to lighten. It might get a little sticky, but that’s just the honey doing its thing.
Put on a shower cap and let the honey mixture sit for at least an hour. Use this time to catch up on your favorite show or practice your dance moves – whatever makes you happy!
After an hour, rinse your hair completely with warm water and shampoo normally.

You’ll notice your hair has gone a few shades lighter and it will have that sweet honey scent that will make you crave some french toast.

I use honey frequently for hair conditioning because honey (along with olive oil) makes an excellent hair mask and also conditions hair – leaving your locks silky smooth and shiny.

Just remember, that honey can dry your hair a bit, so use this method sparingly and condition your hair well once it’s rinsed out.

If you are allergic to honey, please use another method.

3. Use Chamomile tea

First, brew a pot of strong chamomile tea and let it cool down to room temperature. Chamomile tea is a natural hair lightener and has a delicious aroma that will soothe your soil.
Next, pour the chamomile tea into a spray bottle and spritz it onto damp hair, focusing on the areas (you can try to concentrate this on the hair surrounding your face). This will also work like a mini spa treatment for your hair.
Now, sit int he sun and let the chamomile tea work its magic. The combination of the tea and the sun’s rays will naturally lighten your hair.
Reapply the chamomile tea every 30 minutes to an hour. And don’t forget to wear sunscreen. We don’t want any sunburn!
After a few hours, rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water and shampoo normally.

You’ll notice a subtle change in your hair color and a delicious chamomile scent that will transport you to a meadow of flowers.

And there you have it!

You’ll have natural-looking surfer blonde hair without the use of harsh chemicals or bleach.

Plus, chamomile tea is excellent for scalp health and can help soothe any irritation or inflammation.

4. Use cinnamon

Did you know that cinnamon is not only a delicious spice but can also lighten your hair?

Let’s spice up your hair game with some cinnamon magic.

First, mix 1/2 cup of conditioner with 1/2 cup of cinnamon powder in a bowl. It will smell heavenly, just don’t eat it.
Apply the mixture to damp hair, focusing on the areas you want to lighten. Make sure to massage it in well and cover all your hair strands.
Now, put on a shower cap and let the cinnamon mixture work its magic for at least 4 hours. You might want to use this time to binge-watch your favorite show or take a nap.
After the time is up, rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water and shampoo as usual. You’ll notice a subtle change in your hair color and a delicious cinnamon scent that will make you crave cinnamon rolls.

But wait, there’s more!

Cinnamon is also excellent for hair growth and scalp health (it stimulates blood circulation and also helps treat dandruff because it has antifungal properties), so you’ll have shiny, healthy locks in no time.

Just remember that cinnamon can be drying for the hair specifically, so use this method sparingly and condition your hair after rinsing the mixture out. And if you’re allergic to cinnamon, skip this method and try something else.

Now, go forth and spice up your hair game with cinnamon!

5. Spend time outdoors

First, dampen your hair with water and comb it through to remove any tangles.

Next, grab a bottle of your favorite hair-lightening spray or make your own by mixing lemon juice and water in a spray bottle as I’ve mentioned in point 1.

Spray the mixture onto your hair, focusing on the areas you want to lighten.

Then, grab a book or a podcast and settle into a comfortable spot in the sun. Make sure you apply sunscreen so you don’t burn.

Reapply the mixture every 30 minutes to an hour and be patient. Hair lightening in the sun takes time and you might need a few sessions to achieve your desired color.

Just remember to stay hydrated and wear lots of sunscreen!

6. Use Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a natural hair lightener and can also help remove buildup and impurities from your hair.

Vitamin C can be very drying on your hair – that’s why this method is close to the bottom.

First, crush up some (5-10) vitamin C tablets in a bowl until they turn into a fine powder.
Mix the vitamin C powder with a small amount of shampoo to create a paste. Don’t use too much shampoo, or you’ll dilute the mixture.
Apply the paste to damp hair, focusing on the main areas you want to lighten. You might feel a little tingly, but this is the vitamin c working it’s magic.
Put on a shower cap and let the paste sit for 30 minutes.
After the time has passed, rinse your hair with warm water.

If you have sensitive skin and you notice that your scalp is burning or feeling extremely itchy, please wash it off.

Use an alternative method like honey or chamomile tea. I’ve mentioned those above.

7. Use baking soda + hydrogen peroxide

Okay, among all the methods – this is the most damaging way to lighten your hair.

But it works well.

It’s a little harsh, so don’t use this method frequently, and be careful when doing this.

Don’t expect a complete hair transformation.

This method is going to lighten your hair by a few shades and it’s a fun DIY project to try at home!

To start, mix 4 teaspoons of baking soda with 3 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide. You can scale up the ingredients if you have long hair, but keep the ratio the same. The mixture will have a thick paste-like consistency, and you’ll feel like a mad scientist stirring it up.
Next, apply the mixture to dry hair, section by section, from roots to ends. You can use a brush or your fingers, but be careful not to get the mixture on your clothes or skin, or you’ll end up with a bleach stain.
Once you’ve covered your hair, put on a shower cap and let the mixture sit for 30 to 60 minutes. It’s best to do this outside, so you can avoid breathing in the fumes and feeling like you’re in a science lab.
After the time is up, rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water and shampoo as usual. You might need to condition your hair to make it soft and manageable since baking soda does dry out the hair a lot!

And that’s it!

You’ll notice a nice change in your hair color.

Again, please remember that this method can be harsh on your hair, so don’t use it too often or leave the mixture in your hair for too long.

Final takeaway:

And there you have it!

We’ve explored several natural methods for lightening hair and getting that beautiful surfer blonde hair naturally.

These methods are gentle, easy to use, and won’t break the bank like expensive salon treatments. They also won’t give you the same results as bleach. You’ll notice your hair go a few shades lighter.

Just remember to be patient. You are taking the natural route, so don’t expect drastic results.

Natural lightening does take time and consistency.

Please be mindful of any allergies or sensitivities you might have before trying these methods.

Now, embrace your inner sun-kissed goddesses with these natural methods!

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