22 Natural Ways To Dye Your Hair At Home
Photo by Emma Simpson on Unsplash
Dying your hair can be a fun and easy way to change up your look, but it can also be expensive and damaging to your hair. Since the rise of the natural beauty movement, more and more people are seeking out ways to care for their hair that are not only effective, but also kind to the planet and their bodies. From using henna to foods like coffee, spinach and turmeric there’s a myriad of natural ingredients capable of imparting beautiful hues onto your hair.
So, whether you’re looking to make a bold change or simply want to experiment with subtle highlights, here are 22 ways to naturally dye your hair.
1. Henna — is a safe and natural permanent dye that has been used for centuries to color hair. It comes in different shades ranging from red to brown and to black.
How To Use:
Mix 100 grams of henna powder with 250ml of lemon juice or tea to create a paste. Apply the mixture to your hair with a shower cap. Leave it on for 2 to 3 hours before rinsing it out. The color won’t wash out but it will fade over time.
2. Dried Chamomile Flowers — is good way to naturally lighten hair.
How To Use:
Boil a handful of dried chamomile flowers, let it cool, strain it and apply it after you’ve washed your hair. The chamomile should stay in hair for 30 minutes so use a bowl to collect the water to repeatedly apply the chamomile. After 30 minutes, rinse it with water and air dry your hair in the sun. You should see a blond or light brown tint to your hair.
3. French Roast Dark Coffee — can give your hair a rich deep brown color, and its perfect for covering up grays.
How To Use:
Brew 1 cup of coffee, let it cool and apply it to your hair. Leave it on for about an hour and then rinse it.
4. Jarrah Honey — has a higher amount of hydrogen peroxide properties than regular honey and is a great way to lighten it a few shades.
How To Use:
Mix four parts honey and one part water in a bowl and let it sit for about 30-60 minutes. Apply the honey mixture to your hair, cover it with plastic, and let it sit in your hair for at least 2 hours. You can keep the honey in your hair overnight for much lighter results. Wash the honey out of your hair. Rinse it out with warm water, then shampoo and condition your hair as usual.
5. Carrot Juice — can be used to add red hues in your hair.
How To Use:
Boil 3 medium sized carrots and use the water to rinse your hair. Let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour. Then, rinse it out with shampoo and conditioner. Keep in mind the color will fade after a few washes.
6. Beet Juice — can be used as a natural reddish hair dye.
How To Use:
Cook 1 to 2 beets until they are soft, mash them up and apply, when cooled, to your hair. Leave it on for about an hour before rinsing it out.
7. Lemon Juice — is a natural hair lightener.
How To Use:
Apply one part lemon juice and two parts water (depending on your hair you might not have to dilute it) to your hair for 30 minutes to an hour and rinse it out with shampoo and conditioner.
8. Rosemary — can darken your hair naturally.
How To Use:
Boil 5 sprigs of rosemary (1.25 ounces) and 5 cups of water for about 30 minutes. Let it cool, then strain it. Apply it as a final rinse after shampoo and condition. Let it sit for as long as you can and rinse it. The longer it stay in the darker the color will be.
9. Sage — is a wonderful natural dye for those with dark hair.
How To Use:
Boil one cup of dried sage in two cups of water for about 30 minutes. Let it cool, strain the leaves and apply. Let it sit overnight if you want the color to be darker, and then rinse it out.
10. Thyme essential oil — is known for its hair darkening properties and can be used to enhance or maintain the natural color of your hair.
How To Use:
Boil a cup of water with 10-15 drops of thyme essential oil. Let it cool slightly, and apply after shampooing your hair as a final rinse. Massage it into your scalp and hair. Leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing it out with cool water. Repeat this process regularly to gradually darken your hair color or maintain its richness.
11. Blueberries — can be used to add a blue or purple tint to hair.
How To Use:
Thaw 1 1/2 cups of frozen blueberries and juice them in a juicer. Mix the blueberry juice with about 1/2 cup vinegar and 3/4 cup silicone-free conditioner. Wear gloves and apply the blueberry mixture on dry unwashed hair and leave it on up to 2 hours. Wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner.
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12. Spinach — is high in chlorophyll, which is used as a natural hair dye.
How To Use:
Blend 1 cup of chopped spinach with 2 cups of hot water to create a paste, and then apply it to your hair after shampooing. Cover and leave it on for about an hour before rinsing it out for a greenish tint.
13. Cinnamon — is best for redheads, and can add warmth and depth to the color of your hair.
How To Use:
Mix 1 tablespoon of raw honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Add 2 tablespoons of water and then 2 tablespoons of olive oil. After stirring, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of conditioner to thicken. This hair mask should be used after you shampoo your hair with no conditioner. Just make sure your hair is damp and apply the mixture. Wrap your hair in a shower cap or plastic bag and leave it on for approximately 4 hours before rinsing it out. After 4 or more times used, you may start noticing a change in your hair color.
14. Hibiscus — adds natural reddish pink hues to your hair.
How To Use:
Boil 2 cups of water and add 1 cup of Hibiscus flowers. Let the petals seep in the hot water until the color is infused. Allow it to cool and then strain out the liquid into a spray bottle. Spritz the hibiscus water onto clean dry hair. Comb through for even distribution or apply it selectively if you want highlights. Let it sit on your hair for at least an hour and rinse your hair with water. Dry you hair naturally or use a blow dryer. Avoid letting the hibiscus water come into contact with furniture or clothing as it may cause staining.
15. Black tea — can darken your hair and add shine.
How To Use:
Steep 3-5 tea bags in 2 cups of boiling water. Let it cool, then apply it to your hair for about an hour. Rinse out and use a conditioner afterwards. Repeat the process a few times a week to achieve your desired shade.
16. Walnut shells — can be used to achieve deep dark permanent brown shades to cover grays.
How To Use:
Crush 5 walnuts and boil with 5 cups of water for about half an hour. Once cooled, strain it and apply it to your hair. Leave it on for 1 hour and rinse.
17. Tomato juice — is best used on brunettes who want to lighten their hair.
How To Use:
Juice one whole tomato, and apply and massage it into your hair. Leave it on for 5 minutes, then rinse. Repeat as needed for desired results.
18. Indigo leaves — is a blue and purple dye that can be used to temporarily color hair.
How To Use:
Wash about 200 grams of Indigo leaves, grind them and make a paste of it with water. Or use 10 grams to 100 grams of Indigo powder depending on hair length and thickness. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then use gloves and apply the paste to your hair. Wrap it or use a shower cap and leave it for 3 to 4 hours before rinsing it with cool water, use a cowash and a leave in conditioner and dry naturally.
19. Rhubarb stalks— can lighten your hair and help cover grays.
How To Use:
Boil 6 to 8 Rhubarb stalks in water until soft. Let it cool, strain and apply the dye to your hair. Let it sit for a couple of hours and rinse it out.
20. Turmeric — is a spice used to dye for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine.
How To Use:
Boil 1/4 cup of fresh turmeric or 1 to 2 tablespoon of ground turmeric and 1 cup of water, then apply it to your hair. Leave it on for 15 minutes to an 1 hour depending on how bright yellow you want it before rinsing.
21. Pomegranate — is a fruit that contains a pigment called anthocyanin, which can be used as a natural hair dye.
How To Use:
Juice or blend 6 pomegranates with 1/2 cup of water. Boil it until it looks like syrup. Split it in half. Mix one portion with conditioner and store the second portion in a spray bottle. Apply the first portion to your hair, cover it and let it sit for an hour. Rinse with cold water and apply the second portion, cover it and sit under the dryer for 15 minutes. Then rinse again. Leave it on for an hour before rinsing.
22. Cassia obovata powder — also known as Senna, is a plant that contains a pigment called flavonoids, which can be used as a natural hair dye.
How To Use:
Boil 1 cup of cassia obotava powder and 1 to 2 cups of warm water to create a paste, and then apply it to your hair, when cooled. Leave it on for a few hours before rinsing with a sulfate free shampoo and conditioner. Please note that cassia obovata powder may loosen curl pattern.
Conclusion
So, as you can see, there are various techniques to temporarily dye your hair without using harsh chemicals, and this list only includes a few. These procedures are safe and effective, and they can produce excellent results without harming your hair. Just remember to do a patch test before applying any of these natural dyes to your entire head to rule out any allergic reactions or sensitivities.
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