Naturally Dye Your Hair

Many people worry about the abundance of chemicals in salon products. If you want to dye your hair using more natural methods, there are a variety of ways you can do so. You can lighten hair using products like lemon or honey. You can also enhance your existing hair color with a variety of herbs, teas, and powders.

Steps

Lightening Your Hair

1. Try lemon. If you want to lighten your hair naturally, try using lemon. Many people swear by lemon as an alternative to salon dye when it comes to lightening your hair's color.
   • Mix a cup of water with two tablespoons of lemon juice. Then, apply it to wet hair and allow your hair to dry naturally. See if you notice a lightening effect.
   • Wait until your hair has dried on its own to wash or rinse.
2. Use honey and vinegar. Honey and vinegar can also work together to lighten hair naturally. A simple recipe using honey and vinegar can be used on your hair if you want to lighten its natural shade.
   • You'll need to use raw, uncooked honey, which you can find at most health food stores. Use a cup of raw honey, two cups of distilled vinegar, a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, and a tablespoon of ground cardamon or cinnamon. Mix the ingredients together into a paste.
   • Run your hair under the shower to get it damp. Apply the paste. Wrap your hair using plastic wrap and keep the wrap secure using a shower cap or swim cap. You can also simply wrap a towel around your head, like you would after showering.
   • Leave the mixture in overnight. Then, wash it out in the morning. See if you notice any difference to your hair's natural color.
3. Use baking soda. Simple baking soda can be used to lighten hair without resorting to chemical dyes. It works by stripping your hair of the chemical buildup that can darken your locks. Mix a small bit of baking soda into your shampoo when showering once a week. With time, your hair should begin to lighten. This method takes longer than others, so keep in mind it might take a few weeks to get your desired effect.
4. Consider cinnamon. The common spice cinnamon can actually help lighten hair. Add a dash of cinnamon powder to a small handful of your regular conditioner. Evenly coat your hair, working from the top of your scalp to the bottom of your locks. Pull your hair back, securing it with clips or ties when necessary. Leave in overnight and then rinse and shampoo in the morning. You should see a lightening effect.
5. Add salt. Salt mixed with water creates a natural lightening agent you can safely use on your hair. Mix one part salt without about 5 parts water. Rinse the mixture into your hair and allow it to sit for 15 minutes. Then, wash your hair. See if it gets any lighter.

Enhancing Blond Hair

1. Prepare for a chamomile rinse. If you want to enhance the natural blond color of your hair, you can rinse chamomile tea into your hair. Not only can chamomile make naturally blond hair lighter, it can reverse damage. If your hair has brown streaks from sun exposure, for example, a chamomile rinse may be helpful.
   • First, prepare the tea. You can use a regular tea bag, but for best effects try to purchase chamomile flowers online or at a local health food store. Steep half a cup of flowers in a quart of boiling water for half an hour. Then, strain and cool the mixture.
2. Shampoo your hair. While waiting for the tea to cool, shampoo your hair. Do so as you normally would, using your regular hair care products. You will add the chamomile after your regular washing regimen.
3. Add the chamomile. Once you finish washing your hair, you can add the chamomile. Pour the mixture over your hair at least 15 times. You should pour it into your hair over a basin, bowl, or a blocked sink. You want to re-use the same chamomile over and over again on your hair. When you finish, wring out any excess moisture. Let the mixture set for half an hour and then rinse out your hair using clear water.
   • If you can't find chamomile flowers, you can also use calendula, mullein blossoms, yellow broom flowers, saffron, turmeric, or quassia chips.
4. Try rhubarb if chamomile is ineffective. A chamomile rinse might not work for everyone. Many blonds use rhubarb root to enhance their hair color. Rhubarb tends to add a honey-colored glow to naturally blond or light brown hair.
   • Take three cups of hot water and pour them over four tablespoons of rhubarb root, chopped into small chunks. Let simmer for 20 minutes.
   • Strain the concoction and then pour it over your hair. As with the chamomile, pour the mixture over your hair 15 times, catching it in a bowl or basin to use again.
   • Rinse your hair with clear water and then let your hair air dry. If possible, let your hair dry in the sun as this will enhance the dyeing effects.

Getting A Brunette Shade

1. Decide on the right henna mixture for you. You can use henna powder to bring out your hair's natural brunette shades. However, how you prepare a henna mixture depends on the specific shade of brown you're trying to achieve.
   • When used alone, henna can produce an orange-red shade. Unless you're looking for a particularly bold color, it's a good idea to mix henna with other herbs or roots. However, if your hair white, gray, or another very light shade you may be better off using henna solo.
   • If you have dark hair already, mix henna with some chamomile to lighten its effects. Use one part powdered chamomile and two parts powdered henna.
2. Prepare your paste. Once you've decided how dark you want to go, prepare your paste. Take the henna powder, with whatever additives you're using, and throw in enough boiling water to produce a paste. Then, add a tablespoon of vinegar. Blend well and allow the mixture to sit until lukewarm to the touch.
3. Apply to your hair. First, run your hair under clean running water to get it damp. Then, slip on a pair of rubber gloves. Massage the paste into your scalp and hair. Brush your hair using a fine-toothed comb to make sure the mixture is evenly distributed throughout your hair. Then, place all your hair under a shower cap or swim cap. Leave the paste in for 30 minutes to 2 hours. If your hair is darker, wait longer.
4. Rinse your hair. Remove the shower cap and rinse your hair under clean running water. Rinse for as long as it takes for all the paste to come out. The water should run clean when leaving your hair. Allow your hair to air dry. Dry your hair in the sun, if possible, to increase the dye's effects.

Increasing Your Hair's Dark Colors

1. Try a sage rinse. If your hair is black or very dark brown, you can bring out these natural colors using sage. If your hair is graying, sage can also serve to hide gray hairs.
   • Use dry sage, which you can buy at most supermarkets. Steep about a handful of sage in a quart of boiling water for at least 30 minutes. Allow it to cool.
   • Strain the sage and water. Then, pour the mixture over your hair 15 times. Make sure to catch the mixture as it falls through your hair, using a bowl or basin. You'll want to re-use the same substance. Allow it to sit in your hair for 30 minutes before washing it out with cool water.
   • This is a method that takes awhile to work. It will not dye your hair instantly. Rather, the effect will build over the course of a few weeks. Repeat this process weekly until you get the shade you want. From there, re-dye your hair once a month to maintain that shade.
2. Use alder bark. If sage does not work for you, you can try using alder bark. This is a botanical substance that produces a slightly lighter shade than sage. It can be used to lighten graying locks or darken naturally blond hair.
   • Obtain bark chips from a health food store or buy them online. Simmer an ounce of the chips in a quart of water for about half an hour. Cool, drain, and use the mixture the same way you would use a sage mix.
3. Try walnut hulls. Simple walnut hulls are something many swear by when it comes to darkening hair. Walnut hulls (the nuts' outer casings) stain easily, so be careful when using this method. It's a good idea to wear gloves. Walnut hulls also require a lot of preparation before they can be used on hair.
   • Crush the hulls into a paste. How much you use depends on how much hair you have. You want to be able to coat your hair completely, so you'll need more for longer hair. Cover the paste with boiling water and a dash of salt. Allow the paste to soak for three days. Then, add 3 more cups of boiling water and simmer for five hours. Make sure to simmer the walnut paste in a non-metal pan.
   • Strain the liquid and place the remaining bits of walnut hulls in a cloth sack. Twist the sack very tight, making sure to strain out any remaining juice. Place the remaining liquid in a pot and boil it until it's about a quarter of its original volume.
   • Add a teaspoon of ground allspice to the remaining water. Place the mixture in your refrigerator for about a week. Then, apply to your hair as you would a sage or alder bark mixture.

Adding Red Tints

1. Use beet or carrot juice. If you want to add red tints to your hair, try beet or carrot juice. For deep reds and strawberry blonds, use beet juice. For a more orange-red color, go with carrot juice.
   • It's fairly easy to use beet or carrot juice. All you have to do is add about a cup of juice to your hair. If your hair is dry, you can add in a splash of coconut oil to condition your hair at the same time.
   • Work the juice into your hair thoroughly. When you finish, wrap your hair in a towel or shower cap and let the juice sit for about an hour. Wear older clothing while you wait, as these juices can stain easily.
   • Rinse the juice out after an hour. If you want a darker color, repeat the process the next day.
2. Try tea. If you already have reddish hair, using tea can enhance your natural color. It will not, however, create a red tinge on its own. Use rooibos tea if you want to enhance your natural red shades.
   • Use 3 to 5 teabags in two cups of water. Let cool, and then apply to your hair. You can mix the tea in with conditioner or simply add it on its own.
   • You should let the tea sit in your hair for at least an hour. For a darker color, leave the tea in longer. Then, rinse out thoroughly.
3. Apply herbal treatments. Herbs can be used to create a reddish color for your hair. However, this is a slower method. You'll need to apply herbs over time to bring out your desired shade.
   • Use 2 cups of water, half a cup of calendula flowers, and 2 tablespoons of hibiscus petals. You can buy herbs at a health food store or purchase them online.
   • Boil the water. Then, add the herbs and let simmer for at least an hour. Strain the flowers and then store the remaining water in the fridge. Every day, use the mixture as your final rinse in the shower.
   • Repeat this process until you reach your desired hair color. Then, rinse your hair with the herbs every few days to maintain the color.

Avoiding Pitfalls

1. Test your hair first. You'll want to test out any natural hair dye method before using it. Your hair may react poorly to a certain method or produce a color you dislike. Dye a small portion of your hair first, using a lock from the back of your head. See if you like the results before attempting to dye your own hair.
2. Do not attempt major changes with natural dye. Natural hair dye will not dramatically change the color of your hair. It seeks primarily to enhance your hair's existing shades. For example, if your hair is a dirty blond using chamomile can produce a lighter, more yellow blond. However, adding henna to naturally blond hair will not turn your hair brown. If you want to completely change your hair color, it's better to go to a salon.
3. Use caution if you've dyed your hair at a salon previously. Some salon products may cause your hair to react poorly to certain natural hair dye methods. As always, test the method on a small piece of hair before attempting to dye all your hair. You may also want to call your stylist and ask her what products he or she used and whether they interact poorly with natural hair dyes.

Related Articles

• Dye Your Hair the Perfect Shade of Blonde
• Dye Naturally Black Hair Gray
• Make Hair Color Fade
• Highlight Brunette Hair Naturally
• Dip Dye on Toca Hair Salon

Sources and Citations

See also

• Do Ecaille Hair Color
• Dip Dye Dark Hair
• Lowlight Gray Hair
• Lowlight Blonde Hair
• Bleach Hair Blonde
• Prepare Your Hair for Bleaching
• Color Hair With Food Coloring
• Dye Hair
• Dye Your Hair Brown After It Has Been Dyed Black
• Dye Hair Two Colors

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