I’ve spent hours experimenting with organic hair care recipes, such as homemade conditioners and dry shampoos. This time, it was all about natural hair dye recipes. My family is used to my skincare experiments, but this one brought me a lot of laughs. I spent weeks with a mixture of herbs in my head!
In the past, I had experimented with natural hair lighteners, but hadn’t tried dark or red shades (since I have blonde hair). I found some dark-haired friends willing to try other formulas. After a lot of wasted herbs and a bunch of random colored highlights, I discovered some good dark and red options as well!
Conventional permanent hair dye
Not sure why you would want to use herbal hair dyes with natural ingredients? Read the label on conventional hair dyes and you’ll see that they contain parabens, silicone, and sulfate, to name a few things. Some permanent color options also contain resorcinol. This chemical helps the color adhere to the hair, but it’s also known to cause skin irritation and thyroid damage (among other things).
Then there’s p-phenylenediamine (PPD), which is used in conjunction with peroxide. Not only is it used to make Kevlar, but it can also cause genes in your cells to mutate. Not something I want sitting next to my brain! Organic, plant-based ingredients aren’t as harsh, but they’re a great alternative if you want a clean hair dye option.
Over time, chemically treated hair can become brittle and lead to hair loss. By coloring your hair at home, you not only avoid harmful chemicals, but you also avoid frequent visits to the hairdresser to touch up your roots.
Homemade natural hair dye without chemicals
Since they are natural colors made from herbal pigments, they will create natural tones on your hair. You won’t get artificial colors like hot pink or platinum blonde.
Blonde/light recipes will permanently lighten your hair as they naturally bleach it. Reddish and darker shades will leave a temporary tint for a few weeks (depending on how often you wash your hair). The time in the sun helps set all the shades and brings out the natural highlights.
Note: I have not tried all of these natural hair coloring methods on previously colored or chemically treated hair. Always test a small sample of hair (I put some on my skin too) to check the results and rule out any allergic reaction. Also, do not use these hair dye recipes on hair that has been chemically treated in the last 6-8 weeks.
Herbs for light hair
Whether your hair is ash blonde, light blonde, or even dark blonde, you can achieve natural highlights with these herbs. They help lighten and enhance the natural coverage of the hair. I have tried several basic herbal variations, including:
- Chamomile tea – I use a very strong infusion and spray or pour it on my hair and let it sit for several hours. Sitting in the sun for this time enhances the lightening effect.
- Lemon juice – Freshly squeezed lemon juice also produces natural highlights. Spray and brush your hair with lemon juice and let it sit for several hours in the sun.
- Rinse with chamomile tea – Use it as a rinse at the end of each shower and leave it to work in your hair. This produces soft, silky hair and lightens it naturally over time.
To achieve a stronger and faster effect, I used the recipe below. It left my hair very blonde, easy to work with and not yellow or brassy at all.
Herbs to dye red hair
These products will create a reddish/dark blonde tone on lighter hair and a reddish brown tone on darker hair. The effects are cumulative, so prolonged use over time creates a more vibrant red. It’s easiest to incorporate this into your hair care routine if you want to have red hair on an ongoing basis.
- Calendula flowers or fresh marigold petals from your garden. Don’t worry, you can buy them (unsprayed) if you don’t have them.
- Hibiscus petals
Herbs to dye brown hair
It is easiest to darken hair that is already light brown or darker, although these colors will also darken blonde tones. If used as a rinse, these herbs will also darken gray hair over time. The more they are used, the darker the results will be.
For a faster, more dramatic effect, use a henna color such as black, dark brown, or mahogany. For a slower or softer tone, use these herbs:
Herbs to dye dark brown or black hair
If you have very light hair, it will be difficult to achieve very dark shades with herbs alone, although with enough patience it can be achieved. Indigo also works for this. I have listed herbs that work and you can use any combination.
As always, test on a small section of hair before using. Henna hair dyes provide dark results that last longer, but if you want to darken your hair gradually, here are the recipes I have tried:
- Black Walnut Powder – Use as an in-shower rinse 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 also provides the darkest coverage for gray hair. Repeat daily or as needed to darken and maintain dark tone.
- Strong black tea – Use strong black tea as a final rinse to darken any hair color. This also nourishes the hair and will provide a temporary darkening effect on most hair types. Repeat as needed to achieve the desired shade and, if possible, dry in the sun.
With any of these herbal hair dyes, make sure to test on a small section of your hair first. Especially with dyed hair and especially with henna dyes, as they have longer lasting effects.
Experiment with any of the above ingredients to find the right combination for your hair. Below are some recipes for you to try.
Natural hair dye recipes
Proven recipes for hair coloring with natural herbs. Works for all hair colors and helps nourish hair and scalp.
Ingredients for light hair dye
Ingredients for dyeing hair red
Ingredients for dyeing brown hair
Ingredients for dyeing dark brown or black hair
Instructions for dyeing hair light
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Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle or other small bottle.
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Shake well and spray or pour onto hair. Brush through to ensure even coverage.
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Go out in the sun for 1-2 hours and then rinse your hair. I suggest you apply it to your hair and do kettlebell exercises in the sun to get the maximum benefits.
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You can use it several times a week until you achieve the desired colour. You can also use it as a rinse at the end of your shower (and then rinse it lightly with water), although it will take longer to take effect. It won’t have a dramatic effect overnight. However, when I put it in my hair before working in the garden in the sun for a few hours, I noticed a difference.
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This spray will stay fresh for several days in the refrigerator.
Instructions for dyeing your hair red
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In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil.
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Reduce heat to low and add the marigold and hibiscus.
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Let it simmer for at least 30 minutes with the lid on.
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Remove from heat and when cool, strain the herbs, making sure to remove all the small pieces (I use cheesecloth).
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Use as a final hair rinse at the end of every shower. Dry hair in the sun if possible.
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Repeat daily until desired tone is achieved and then every few days to maintain.
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Store the liquid in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Instructions for dyeing brown hair
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In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil.
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Reduce heat and add herbs.
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Simmer for at least 30 minutes or until the water is very dark.
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Remove from heat and when cool, strain the herbs, making sure to remove all the small pieces (I use cheesecloth).
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Spray or brush into hair about an hour before showering each day and then shampoo as usual. It can also be used as a rinse and left in at the end of each shower.
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Repeat until you achieve the desired color. It has a cumulative effect and you probably won’t notice much of a difference the first few days. The herbs in this blend are also great for eliminating dandruff and increasing hair growth!
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Store the liquid in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Instructions for dyeing dark brown or black hair
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Tie the black walnut powder into a tea bag or cheesecloth bag.
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Place it in a quart-sized glass jar and add the water.
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Let it infuse for at least 6 hours or overnight.
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Use as a hair rinse in the shower and dry in the sun if possible. This will create VERY DARK hair, especially if you have dry or colored hair. It will also provide the darkest coverage for gray hair.
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Repeat daily or as needed to darken and maintain dark tone.
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You can also use strong black tea as a final rinse to darken any hair color. This also nourishes the hair and will provide a temporary darkening effect on most hair types.
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Repeat as necessary to achieve desired shade and dry in the sun if possible.
- Always do a strand test before doing the entire hair test to check the color and rule out an allergy.
- Some sources recommend against using black walnut hulls for long periods of time. This hair rinse is only for external use, but check with your naturopathic doctor if you have any concerns.
Natural semi-permanent hair dye at home
You can use henna to dye your hair if you want faster and more permanent results. I have purchased from Morrocco Method and have had great success. They have great products and the results are spectacular. I also like that they are natural and not tested on animals.
They come in many color variations, from reddish tones to dark brown and black. The results last for several months or longer if you wash your hair less frequently or use a mild natural shampoo. They do not offer full gray coverage for gray or white hair. However, they will darken it noticeably to help cover gray hair naturally.
Important note: Henna can react with the ammonia present in conventional hair dyes, causing hair to turn orange or even green. If you have recently treated your hair with chemicals, wait at least 6 to 8 weeks before trying henna. Before applying the product, test it on a small section of hair before using it on your entire head.
Indigo for darker hair
Indigo is a natural, vegan plant dye used in Ayurvedic traditions to dye hair and fabrics. It can be mixed with henna to achieve a medium to dark brown shade. In the right proportions, it can even dye hair a deep black. The Morocco Method details how to use it here.
Have you ever used natural dye to color your hair? Tell me about it below!
