Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Experiment with natural dyes
• Method 2 of 3: Using henna
• Method 3 of 3: Coloring your hair
• Tips
• Warnings

Dyeing your hair naturally takes more effort than traditional hair dye. However, you can leave natural products on your hair longer than chemicals so that you can achieve the color you want. Cassia obovata, henna and indigo are herbs you can use as dyes to cover gray hair. Henna colors hair with rich shades of red, brown and copper, and golden highlights. If these bright shades are not what you are looking for, you can mix henna with other herbs, such as indigo, that soften the colors. With indigo you can achieve the somewhat cooler shades, from medium brown to black. Covering gray hair with black takes the longest as you have to do the henna process first and then apply the indigo paste. Paints made exclusively from herbs are non-toxic and less harmful than the harsh and chemical dyes. You can use rinses - such as those with coffee, tea, lemon, or potato peels - to dye and darken or lighten gray hair.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Experiment with natural dyes

1. Determine if natural dyes are right for you. Coloring your hair naturally can be messy and take longer to process than chemical dyes. However, if your hair is damaged or damaged easily, natural dyes will be gentler on your locks than traditional hair dyes. It's up to you to determine whether the benefits outweigh the inconvenience.
   • If you have sensitive skin, these vegetable dyes are best for you. Chemical hair dye, on the other hand, could cause contact dermatitis.
   • Natural dyes such as cassia obovata, henna and indigo are mixed into a paste that you have to let sit overnight. They also take longer to develop (from one to six hours) after being applied to your hair.
   • Keep in mind that the results you get with natural dyes can vary. If you have a specific color in mind, they may not be a good option for you.
2. Be realistic. While you could plan for an overall shade, natural dyes respond differently to each individual's type and condition. Your results are unique and can be lighter, darker or more varied in color than expected.
   • Natural dyes, especially color rinses, may not completely cover your gray hair. How well it will work for you depends on the method you use, how long you leave it on, and your hair type. You will likely need to repeat the coloring process after 48 hours if your gray hair has not been successfully covered.
3. Test beforehand. Your individual hair type and different hair products you have used in the past affect how your hair changes with natural dyes. Save a few strands the next time you get your hair cut, or cut a lock of hair in the back of your neck. Apply the dye you want to use to the hair strand using the instructions for the method you have chosen.
   • After applying the dye, wait the entire processing time. Then rinse the hair strand completely and let it dry in direct sunlight if possible.
   • Check the end result in bright and natural light. If necessary, adjust the ingredient or processing time for your own hair - less or more depending on the color you want.
   • Keep in mind that the test may not give an accurate result for all of your hair. Some parts of your hair, such as the top section, may react differently to the dye. This is because typical styling, touch, and environmental exposure can affect your hair.
4. Decide where to color your hair. Since coloring with natural hair dyes is usually sloppier than traditional hair dyes, it is best to think in advance about the best place to color your hair.Cassia obovata does not stain unless something has been added, such as rhubarb. However, henna and indigo are both difficult to apply and stain.
   • If the weather is nice, you could grab one or two large mirrors and dye your hair outside.
   • If you are dyeing your hair in the bathroom, it is a good idea to do it in a bathtub or shower.
   • Wear old clothes or a hooded coat when dyeing your hair. Then cover all surfaces with plastic wrap or old towels.
   • You can also ask a friend to help you limit the clutter.
5. Use a natural conditioning treatment after coloring gray hair. When hair turns gray, it's not just the pigment that changes. The hair shafts are also thinner, making the hair more porous and more prone to breakage. You can restore the moisture in your hair with a natural product, such as egg, honey and olive oil or coconut oil.
   • Cassia obovata, henna, lemon, and tea can dry out your hair, so consider applying a natural conditioning treatment especially afterward.
   • Mix a whole egg and apply it to clean and damp hair once a month. Leave the mixture on for 20 minutes and then rinse with cold water.
   • Massage half a cup of honey and one to two tablespoons of olive oil into damp and clean hair. Let the mixture sit in your hair for 20 minutes and then rinse with warm water.
   • Coconut oil remains solid at room temperature, so heat it in your hands or in the microwave (if the latter is the case, make sure it is warm and not too hot before applying). Put a few teaspoons of it in damp hair and wrap your hair in an old towel (coconut oil can stain fabric). Let it sit for one to two hours, then rinse completely and shampoo your hair.

Method 2 of 3: Using henna

1. To achieve blonde to strawberry blonde hair, consider cassia obovata. Use cassia powder with water or lemon juice for a blonde shade. For strawberry blonde, add henna. Use pure cassia powder for blonde, or 80% cassia powder and 20% henna powder for strawberry blonde. Use water to turn the powder into a paste, or if you want an extra lightening effect, orange or lemon juice. Add liquid to the powder a little at a time until its consistency is similar to yogurt. Put the mixture in the refrigerator and let it sit for 12 hours.
   • Use cassia obovata for blonde or gray hair. If you have gray hair, but the rest of your hair is darker than blonde, then the cassia obovata will only brighten and condition your darker hair, but not color blonde.
   • Use a box (100 grams) of cassia powder for short hair.
   • Use two to three boxes (200-300 grams) of cassia powder for shoulder-length hair.
   • Use four to five boxes (400-500 grams) of cassia powder for long hair.
2. Prepare henna paste for red, brown or black hair. Mix three teaspoons of amla powder, a teaspoon of coffee powder and a little curd or yogurt in the henna powder. Stir the ingredients together well. Slowly add one to two cups of hot water (not boiling) to the henna paste in a bowl until the paste is thick and not runny. Mix the contents and close the bowl with a lid or tight plastic wrap. Let it sit uncooled for 12 to 24 hours before using it on your hair.
   • Amla (Indian gooseberry) is non-drying and adds coolness to the red so it doesn't turn out as bright. You can omit the amla if you want a very vibrant orange-red. Amla gives hair volume and improves texture and curls.
   • Use 100 grams of henna powder for medium length hair or 200 grams of henna for long hair.
   • Since henna can dry out, it is wise to add conditioner to the paste the next morning, such as two to three tablespoons of olive oil and 1/5 cup of moisturizing conditioner.
3. Add indigo powder to the paste for brown hair. Once the henna paste has rested for 12 to 24 hours, mix in the indigo powder thoroughly. If the paste does not have the consistency of thick yogurt, add warm water a little at a time, until you reach the right texture. Let the pasta stand for 15 minutes.
   • If you have short hair, use a box (100 grams) of indigo.
   • If you have shoulder-length hair, use two to three boxes (200-300 grams) of indigo.
   • For long hair, use four to five boxes (400 to 500 grams) of indigo.
4. Apply the paste to your hair. Put on gloves. Divide your hair and apply the paste to damp or dry hair with gloves on, a pastry brush, or a beauty supply color brush. Make sure to cover all of your hair to the roots. You may find it helpful to secure sections of your hair with clips after covering them.
   • Henna paste is thick, so don't try to "rake" it through your hair.
   • Apply the paste to the roots of the hair first, as that is where most of the shade and processing time is required.
5. Cover your hair and let the paste sit. If you have long hair, fix it with a hair clip first. Use plastic wrap or a shower cap to protect the dye.
   • For red hair, let the paste sit for about four hours.
   • For brown or black hair, leave the paste in your hair for one to six hours.
   • You can check the color by scraping away a little bit of the henna to see the result. When you have reached the desired color, you can rinse off the henna.
6. Rinse the paste thoroughly. Wear gloves when rinsing out the dye or you will get stains on your hands. Use a gentle shampoo to wash your hair. You can also use a moisturizing conditioner if desired.
   • For red hair, you can dry and style it as usual. For black hair, continue with the indigo dye.
7. Then use the indigo paste to get black hair. Add warm water to the indigo powder a little at a time, until you have a yogurt-like consistency. Mix one teaspoon of salt per 100 grams of indigo powder. Let the pasta stand for 15 minutes. Apply the paste to damp or dry hair. Use gloves for this. Do the pasta in sections: start at the back of your head and end at the front. Cover hair thoroughly up to the roots.
   • If you have short hair, use a box (100 grams) of indigo. If you have shoulder-length hair, use two to three boxes (200-300 grams) of indigo. For long hair, use four to five boxes (400 to 500 grams) of indigo.
   • Once your hair is soaked in the paste, use a clip or hair clip to secure your hair. Wrap plastic wrap or a shower cap over your head. Let the paste sit in your hair for one to two hours.
   • Rinse the paste completely after one to two hours processing time. You can use a conditioner if desired. Dry and style your hair as usual.

Method 3 of 3: Coloring your hair

1. Use lemon juice as a natural reliever. You need 30 minutes of sunlight per session and a total of four to five sessions. Squeeze one to two lemons (depending on your hair length). Apply the juice to your hair with a brush.
   • Optionally, you can add two parts coconut oil to one part lemon juice to condition while it lightens.
2. Darken your hair with a coffee rinse. Tilt your head back in a bowl of strong black coffee. Squeeze out the liquid and pour a cup of coffee through your hair at a time. For more dramatic results, prepare a paste of instant coffee and hot water with a thick consistency and spread it on your hair in sections.
   • Secure your hair, wrap it in a plastic bag and let it sit for 30 minutes. Rinse it under water and then dry your hair as normal.
3. Lighten your hair with tea. Make a chamomile tea rinse by placing 1/4 cup of chopped chamomile in a heatproof bowl. Add two cups of boiling water. Let it cool down. Pour it through a strainer and keep the water to use as a final rinse on clean hair.
4. Try a potato peel rinse. You can darken gray hair with a rinse using a cup of potato skins. Put the peels in two cups of water. Bring the mixture to a boil in a saucepan with a lid. Then let it simmer for five minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool.
   • Strain out the potato skins. Use the water as a final rinse. You can optionally pour it into an empty shampoo bottle for easier application. Dry your hair with a towel and let the rinse sit.

Tips

• If you don't want to dye your own hair, you can get it done at an eco-friendly hair salon. Eco-friendly hair salons use beauty products that are less toxic, cleaner and generally safer than standard hair salons.
• If you need to remove some splashes of color with your dirty gloves, lay out a few wet wipes for easy access. That way you can remove splashes of dye while coloring, if necessary.
• Henna works optimally when it is warm. When you feel the mixture cooling on your head, use a hair dryer to warm your hair back up with the paste in it.
• Natural dyes tend to soften after the first few days and "set" the final shades. If you are concerned that your hair will look brightly colored for work or school, for example, consider coloring your hair at the end of the week so you have the weekend to let it set.
• Use an oil-based protector such as petroleum jelly around your hairline to avoid dyeing your skin.
• If you get some dye on your skin, you can use olive oil or baby oil to remove it.
• If you are using a ready-to-use henna rinse, follow the instructions and wait times on the package.
• When coloring your hair, wear an old shirt that you don't mind getting dirty.
• If you are using real plant leaves instead of powder, grind them into a paste and use the prescribed amounts for powder.
• Henna doesn't fade, so you just need to touch up your roots, rather than reapply it completely.

Warnings

• Henna does not produce an even color. Instead, it provides your hair with a variety of shades. In terms of coverage, it is more difficult to apply than traditional hair dye.
• Be careful not to get dye in your eyes.
• If you are flushing natural dyes from your hair down the sink, consider using a drain trap to prevent chunks of the fabrics from getting into your pipes.
• If you're using a pastry brush to apply a dye, make sure you're using the brush for that purpose only, or else throw it away when you're done. You obviously don't want to reuse the same brush for food preparation.
• Do not leave the dye paste unattended in the reach of pets or children. It may be advisable to keep any food coloring that requires refrigeration in a container that is clearly marked so that no one mistakes it for food.
• Henna is quite permanent, so be sure before getting into this look.
• You might have a hard time finding a salon willing to work with henna-treated hair should you later decide to go back to using chemical dyes.
• Henna can loosen or relax curls.