Natural Hair Dye Recipes
Tried and true recipes for herbal color hair with natural herbs. Works for all different hair colors and helps nourish your hair and scalp.
Equipment
Ingredients
Light Hair Color Ingredients
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup strong chamomile tea
- ¼ cup strong calendula tea (optional, will produce more golden tones)
Red Hair Color Ingredients
- 2 cups filtered water
- ½ cup calendula flowers (or fresh marigold petals)
- 2 TBSP hibiscus petals (or more for more red hues)
Brown Hair Color Ingredients
- 2½ cups filtered water
- ¼ cup nettle leaf
- ¼ cup rosemary
- ¼ cup sage
Dark Brown Hair or Black Hair Color Ingredients
- ¼ cup black walnut powder
- 3 cups filtered water
Instructions
Light Hair Color Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle or other small bottle.
- Shake well and spray or pour it onto the hair. Brush it through to ensure even coverage.
- Go outside in the sun for 1-2 hours, then rinse your hair. I suggest putting this in your hair and doing a kettlebell workout in the sun for maximum benefit!
- This can be used several times a week until the desired color is reached. You can also use this as a rinse at the end of a shower (and then lightly rinse with water) though it will take longer to have an effect. This will not have an overnight dramatic effect. However, when I put it in my hair before gardening in the sun for a few hours I noticed a difference.
- This spray will stay fresh for several days in the fridge.
Red Hair Color Instructions
- In a small pan, bring the water to a boil.
- Reduce to a simmer and add the calendula/marigold and hibiscus.
- Simmer for at least 30 minutes with the lid on.
- Remove from heat and when cool, strain herbs out, making sure all small pieces are removed (I use cheesecloth).
- Use as a final hair rinse at the end of each shower. Dry hair in the sun if possible.
- Repeat daily until the desired shade is achieved and then every few days to maintain.
- Store the liquid in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Brown Hair Color Instructions
- In a small pan, bring the water to a boil.
- Reduce to a simmer and add the herbs.
- Simmer for at least 30 minutes or until the water is very dark.
- Remove from heat and when cool, strain herbs out, making sure all small pieces are removed (I use cheesecloth).
- Spray or brush into hair about an hour before showering each day, then shampoo as normal. Can also use as a rinse and leave on at the end of each shower.
- Repeat until desired color is reached. It has a cumulative effect and you probably won't notice much difference the first few days. The herbs in this mix are also great for getting rid of dandruff and for increasing hair growth!
- Store the liquid in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Dark Brown Hair or Black Hair Color Instructions
- Tie the black walnut powder in a tea bag or cheesecloth bag.
- Place in a quart mason jar and add the water.
- Steep for at least 6 hours or overnight.
- Use as a rinse in the shower for hair and dry in the sun if possible. This will create VERY DARK hair, especially if you have dry or color treated hair. It will also provide the darkest coverage for grey hair.
- Repeat daily or as needed to darken and maintain dark shade.
- You can also use strong brewed black tea as a final rinse to darken any color hair. This is also nourishing for the hair and will provide a temporary darkening effect on most hair types.
- Repeat as necessary to get desired shade and sun-dry if possible.
Notes
- Always pre-test on a strand of hair before doing the entire head to check the color and rule out an allergy.
- Some sources recommend against prolonged internal use of black walnut hull. This hair rinse only uses it externally, but check with your natural health care practitioner if you have any concerns.