I’ve spent hours experimenting with organic hair care recipes like homemade conditioner and dry shampoo. This time it was natural hair dye recipes. My family is used to my skincare experiments, but this one came with its fair share of laughs. I walked around with some concoction of herbs on my head for weeks!
I’d experimented with natural hair lightening in the past but hadn’t tried dark or red shades (since I have blonde hair). I found a few willing dark-haired friends to test other formulas. Many wasted herbs and a bunch of randomly colored streaks later, I figured out some good dark and red options as well!
Conventional Permanent Hair Dye
Not sure why you’d want to use herbal hair dyes with natural ingredients? Read the label of conventional hair color and you’ll see parabens, silicone, and sulfate to name a few things. Some permanent hair color options also have resorcinol. This chemical helps the color bond to hair, but it’s also known to cause skin irritation and thyroid damage (plus other things).
Then there’s the P-phenylenediamine (PPD) used alongside peroxide. Not only is it used to make kevlar, but it can also cause your cell’s genes to mutate. Not something I want right next to my brain! Plant-based organic ingredients aren’t quite as strong, 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 dying it at home you not only avoid harmful chemicals, but you don’t have to make frequent trips to the hair stylist for a root touch-up.
DIY Natural Hair Dye Without Chemicals
Since these are natural colors from herbal pigments they’ll create natural hues on your hair. You won’t get artificial colors like hot pink or platinum blonde.
The blonde/light recipes will permanently lighten hair since they naturally bleach it. The red and dark hues will leave a temporary tint for a few weeks (depending on how often you wash it). Time in the sun helps set all of the hues and brings out natural highlights.
Note: I haven’t tried all of these natural hair color methods on previously dyed or chemically treated hair. Always test a small swatch of hair (I put a little on my skin too) to test for results and rule out any allergic reactions. Also, don’t use these hair dye recipes on hair that’s been chemically treated in the last 6-8 weeks.
Herbs for Light Hair
If your hair is ash blonde, light blond, or even dark blond, you can get natural highlights with these herbs. They help to lighten and enhance for natural hair coverage. I’ve tried several basic herbal variations including:
- Chamomile tea – I use a really strong brew and spray or pour it on my hair and leave it for several hours. Sitting in the sun during this time enhances the lightening effect.
- Lemon juice – Freshly squeezed lemon juice also produces natural highlights. Spray and brush lemon juice through hair and leave it on for several hours in the sun).
- Chamomile tea rinse – Use it as a rinse at the end of each shower and leave it in your hair! This produces smooth, silky hair and naturally lightens it over time.
For a stronger and faster effect, I’ve used the recipe below. It’s left my hair very blonde, easy to work with, and not yellowy/brassy at all.
Herbs to Dye Red Hair
These will create a red/dark strawberry blonde tint in lighter hair and an auburn tint in darker hair. The effects are cumulative, so extended use over time creates a more vibrant red. The easiest thing is to make it part of your hair care routine if you want continual red hair.
- Calendula flowers or fresh marigold petals from your garden. Don’t worry, you can buy these (unsprayed) if you don’t have any.
- Hibiscus petals
Herbs to Dye Brown Hair
It’s easiest to darken hair that’s already light brown or darker, though these colors will darken blonde tones as well. Used as a rinse, these herbs will also darken grey hair over time. The more they’re used, the darker the results.
For a faster, more dramatic effect, use a henna color like black, dark brown, or mahogany. For a slower or more gentle tone, use these herbs: