There are varieties of ways to dye natural hair, but when it comes to keeping your curl pattern healthy then, it is essential to go slow and steady with your choice of dye; most traditional hair dye you get at salons, temporary color spray, or from a box at home contain potentially toxic and hair damaging chemicals like ammonia or parabens, and the best way to avoid these chemicals is using natural hair dyes which uses ingredients you can easily find in your home.
Natural hair is great with colors, but it is essential to take precautions when it comes to using hair dyes if your color is done the right way and with the right dye ingredients, your curls should remain the same.
If you are looking for alternative ways to color your natural hair in the comfort of your home, this post is for you. One way to avoid using chemicals in your hair is through natural hair dye, some of which are listed below.
Is It Better to Dye Your Hair Wet Or Dry?
The back of many box dye comes with instructions that say to dye your hair dry but experts advised dying your hair wet as this is the best way to dye it and you won’t need much dye, your hair has to be washed to get rid of product buildups you get better results when the dye is used on wet hair and your hair is protected from damages.
Ways To Color Your Natural Hair At Home
You can save your hair from being tortured with chemical dye spray by trying homemade spray instead; whether you are experimenting with your look or covering some greys, there are at home natural ingredients that can help achieve that.
1. Carrot Juice
If you want a reddish-orange tint then a carrot juice comes in handy, this is easy to use, and depending on the color of your hair, this is likely to last for a few weeks.
To color your hair with carrot juice
- All you have to do is add carrot juice to your hair but if your hair is dry, mix the carrot juice with a carrier oil like coconut oil or olive oil to condition your hair at the same time
- Apply the mixture liberally to your hair
- When you finish, wrap your hair in plastic and let the mixture sit for at least an hour
- Rinse with apple cider vinegar and ensure to wear a glove as this can stain easily
- Repeat this the nest day if you want a stronger color.
2. Coffee
If you are a brunette looking to cover grey hair or restore your locks luster, coffee is the best choice of color to try, it can give you more than just a caffeine boost, it can help you dye your hair a shade or two darker.
To dye your hair with coffee:
- Brew a strong cup of dark roast coffee and mix with your favorite conditioner
- Apply the mixture to your hair and let it sit for approximately one hour
- Wash it to discover your new brunette hue
- Repeat if necessary
3. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea can help you lighten your hair faster and easier at home, it is another way to add vibrancy to your hair and to maximize your results, you will need to brew a strong cup of the chamomile flower.
To use chamomile tea to lighten your hair:
- Steep half cup of chamomile flowers in boiling water
- Let the mixture sit for half an hour to cool, strain the flower out
- After washing your hair, pour the tea through your damp hair
- Wait for 16 minutes before washing it out
4. Henna
Henna is a plant-based powder that has been used for centuries to dye hair, skin, nails and so much more, it can be used to dye your hair red and it is also used as a traditional tattoo on the skin. Although henna’s powder is green, it will dye your hair reddish-orange and is probably the longest-lasting color with its vibrant natural hair dye.
To use henna to dye your natural hair:
- Mix about three tablespoons of henna powder with enough boiling powder to make a thick paste
- Cover the mixture with plastic wrap and let it sit for 12 hours, you may need to add more water after the 12 hours in order to make it applicable to your hair and put on disposable gloves before applying
- Wash your hair without conditioning
- Apply the mixture to small sections of your combed hair until your hair is completely covered, wrap your hair in plastic and let it sit for two hours or more to let the color sit-in
- Rinse with water and a gentle conditioner
5. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is another ingredient that can be used to lighten your hair naturally, it helps strip the hair of its pigment slowly which is why it’s great for achieving sun-kissed highlights naturally. The results of using lemon to lighten your hair are permanent and you can get rid of this lightened hair by cutting it off.
To use lemon juice to dye your natural hair:
- Pour a lemon juice into a spray bottle
- Spray the juice liberally on your hair
- You can use the comb to spread and separate the juice evenly on your hair
- Sit outside in the sun for fast and long-lasting results
- Leave the lemon juice in for at least an hour and wash.
6. Beet Juice
Beet juice gives you a deeper red tint then you might want to opt for beet juice, this is also for getting a strawberry blonde color. The use of beet juice is also similar to that of carrot juice.
7. Sage
Sage is a suitable option for you if you want to darken a dark brown or black hair, it deepens shade of brunette hair and you can easily blend grey hairs with sage.
To use sage to dye your natural hair:
- Steep between a 1/2 cup or 1 cup of dried sage in two cups of water for at least 30 minutes, the longer you steep it, the darker the tint is meant to be
- Let the water cool before draining the sage
- Wash and towel dry your hair before pouring the sage over your hair for as long as possible
- Let the tint develop for 15 minutes before washing
8. Tomato Juice
A can of fresh tomato juice gives your hair a richer red color, this is a bold natural hair dye, the acidic nature of tomato helps in making your natural hair glossy and deeply nourishing to the locks.
How to use tomato juice to dye your natural hair:
- Open a fresh can of tomato juice
- Apply the juice to your hair and root with a tint brush or use your hand
- When your hair is saturated, twist your hair up and hold with a clip or bobby pin and cover with a shower cap or plastic
- Let it sit for 30 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water
- Repeat weekly for more effects
How to make the color of natural hair dye last longer
It takes some time and lot’s of experiments to get the color your want on your natural hair and once you have dyed it to perfection then the last thing you want to worry about is the color fading and there are a couple of tricks that can make it last longer.
- Limit your use of hot tools like curling irons, hairdryers, and straightening irons
- Avoid hot showers and use a water filter in your shower, this will help filter out color draining chemicals like heavy metal and chlorine
- Prep your hair before coloring, use a chelating shampoo to remove product styling build-up and a deep conditioning mask to put hydration back in your hair
- Skip washing your hair as much as possible and use a sulfate-free shampoo when you do.
Final Thoughts On Natural Hair Dye
Dying your natural hair with some of the natural ingredients listed above is a great alternative to traditional dyes which is full of chemicals that has a toxic effect on your hair and body. Natural hair can be a great canvas for color and all you need is an idea of what you want and choose the right ingredient to achieve that, most of these ingredients are nourishing and strengthens your hair naturally.
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