Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 6: Using mustard oil
• Method 2 of 6: Using ampoule powder
• Method 3 of 6: Using henna powder
• Method 4 of 6: Using shampoo
• Method 5 of 6: Using black tea
• Method 6 of 6: Using coffee
• Tips
• Warnings

It is possible to darken your hair without using bleaches and hair dyes with harmful chemicals. Many natural methods of darkening hair use ingredients that can be found in the home, such as coffee or tea. However, other methods use agents that are more difficult to find, such as amla powder and mustard oil. With most natural methods, your hair will only darken slightly over time. If you want to darken your hair a lot, henna is a popular natural colorant to use.

To step

Method 1 of 6: Using mustard oil

1. Buy some mustard oil. You should be able to find this at a specialty store or a supermarket with Indian and South Asian products, also called toko. Make sure to buy the cooking oil (preferably cold pressed) and not the essential oil. Mustard essential oil can irritate your skin.
   • If you experience skin irritation, stop using the oil immediately. You could even test the oil 48 hours before use by smearing a coin-sized amount behind your ear.
   • You may also find the mustard oil on the international food shelf in the supermarket.
2. Note that mustard oil is for topical use only. In the European Union, the United States and Canada it is illegal to use mustard oil as a foodstuff. The oil is high in erucic acid, which can cause heart problems and anemia, and increase the risk of lung cancer.
3. Heat the mustard oil. Before applying the mustard oil to your hair, pour it into a small bowl. Warm the oil slightly in the microwave or in a small pan on the stove. Be careful not to overheat the oil. The oil should be slightly warmer than room temperature.
   • If you have not warmed the oil in a bowl, pour the oil into a bowl after heating it. Place the bowl where you will be applying the oil to your hair.
4. Protect your clothing, skin and workplace against stains. The oil can stain your clothes, your skin and your workplace. Take the following precautions:
   • Make sure to wear old clothes or at least wrap a towel around your shoulders to protect your clothes.
   • Wear gloves so that the oil doesn't stain your hands.
   • Apply a layer of petroleum jelly or a thick moisturizer on your neck, ears, and along your hairline so that it doesn't stain your skin.
   • Cover your workplace with newspapers or old towels.
5. Apply the mustard oil on your hair. Start at the ends. When your hair ends are soaked with oil, work your way up until you reach your roots. Make sure to apply the oil evenly to your hair by gently massaging the strands of hair between your fingers and / or hands.
   • You can apply the oil with your hands or with a hair dye brush. You can buy a hair dye brush at a drugstore or cosmetic store.
6. Massage the oil into your scalp. Give yourself a scalp massage when you get to your roots. This helps to moisturize your scalp. Many people claim that massaging mustard oil into your scalp also helps promote hair growth, but there is little to no scientific evidence for this.
7. Make sure to distribute the oil evenly throughout your hair. Run your hands through your hair to make sure your entire hair is evenly covered with oil. You can also comb your hair with a wide tooth comb to spread the oil through your hair.
8. Tuck your hair under a shower cap. If you have no other option, you can also make a shower cap from a plastic grocery bag and wrap it around your hair.
9. Let the oil sit in your hair for at least two hours. You can even leave the oil in your hair overnight.
10. Wash your hair. Wash your hair with a mild shampoo. You may have to wash it twice to get all the oil out. Some oil will likely remain in your hair, so it is best not to use a conditioner. Conditioner will likely make your hair look oily.
    • If you really want to use conditioner, only apply a small amount to the bottom half of your hair.
11. Style your hair as you normally do.
12. Repeat the process up to three times a week. You can apply mustard oil to your hair up to three times a week.

Method 2 of 6: Using ampoule powder

1. Buy amla powder. Amla powder is a powder made from Indian gooseberries that you can easily buy on the internet but may be harder to find in local stores. If you prefer to buy it in a brick-and-mortar store, you may be able to find it in Indian or herbal or natural products stores.
2. Make a paste of the amla powder. Place 2 teaspoons (10 grams) of amla powder in a bowl. Then add 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of any oil to the bowl. Many people use coconut oil. Then add just enough water to cover the amla powder and oil. It is recommended to use hot water. Stir the ingredients together until you get a smooth mixture.
3. Add conditioner to the mixture. Make sure to use enough conditioner to soak your hair completely in the mixture. If you have very long hair, it may be a good idea to use twice or even three times the amount of all ingredients.
4. Make sure to wear protective clothing. Since amla powder darkens your clothes and skin, it's a good idea to wear items that you don't mind getting stained. You can also simply put a towel around your shoulders if you are sure you will not spill any of the mixture on your pants or socks.
5. Wet your hair and divide it into sections. There is no need to wash your hair as you will soon be shampooing the mixture out of your hair.
6. Apply the mixture on your hair. Apply the amla powder mixture to your hair just as you would with conditioner. Make sure to distribute the mixture evenly, focusing especially on your scalp and ends.
   • Amla powder has strong antioxidant properties that make it very good for your scalp. So take the time to massage your scalp while you have the mixture in your hair.
7. Let the mixture sit in your hair for 30 to 90 minutes. It may be a good idea to put on a shower cap or put a plastic bag over your hair to protect your furniture and clothing.
8. Wash your hair.
9. Repeat the process once a week. Amla powder only slightly darkens your hair. It may take a while before you see results. Amla powder is generally better known for its moisturizing and thickening properties.
   • Amla powder is more commonly used along with henna to darken and moisturize hair.

Method 3 of 6: Using henna powder

1. Buy henna for your hair. You can buy henna at various stores, both physical stores and web shops. Most health food stores and even some drug stores have henna in their range. Most people prefer henna sold at Indian products stores because it is said to be purer.
   • If you buy henna from a health food store or drugstore, check the ingredients list on the package to make sure the henna contains only natural ingredients. Some manufacturers mix harmful chemicals into the henna. These are substances that regular hair dyes often also contain.
   • Note that pure henna will give your hair a reddish brown color. If you want to give your hair a dark brown or black color, the henna will probably contain other plants (for example, indigo). Make sure to read the information on the packaging to make sure it contains only natural ingredients.
2. Gather your other supplies. You will need a stain-resistant bowl to mix in the henna paste, as well as a whisk to mix in the henna paste. You will also need barrettes to secure sections of your hair when applying the paste, as well as gloves to protect your hands and a hair dye brush to apply the henna paste.
   • You also need something to cover your hair with when you have applied the henna paste. Shrink wrap is a popular choice, but a shower cap or plastic bag is fine too.
3. Protect your clothing, skin and workplace. You can make a lot of mess when you dye your hair with henna. Wear items that you don't mind getting stained. In any case, cover your shoulders with an old towel. To prevent the henna from staining your skin, apply petroleum jelly or a thick moisturizer to your forehead, neck, and ears. Protect your workplace with some newspapers or old towels.
4. Wash the henna out of your hair. Make sure to wear gloves while doing this, otherwise you will get stains on your hands. When you have rinsed all the henna out of your hair, you can wash your hair as usual with shampoo and conditioner.
   • You may want to wash your hair in the sink or under the tap in the bathtub. There will be pieces of henna coming out of your hair that will cause a lot of mess. That is why many people prefer not to do this in the shower.
5. Watch out for stains. During the first few days after dyeing your hair with henna, the color may transfer onto pillowcases and clothes, so be careful where you leave your head until you've washed your hair a few times.

Method 4 of 6: Using shampoo

1. Buy a shampoo and conditioner designed for brown hair. Buy a shade that is as dark as possible. These products bring out your highlights and even darken the dark areas of your hair if you already have brown hair.
   • You can buy these products at most drugstores. Some barber shops sell more effective products, but they are also more expensive.
2. Shampoo and condition your hair as you normally would. Use the shampoo and conditioner for brown hair like your regular shampoo and conditioner.
3. Repeat the process. The more often you wash your hair, the faster you will see results. If you wash your hair every other day, you should see results in one to two weeks.
4. Add cocoa powder to your shampoo. If you don't want to buy shampoo and conditioner specifically for brown hair, you can also add cocoa powder to your shampoo in a 1 to 1 ratio. Many people claim that you can darken your hair this way.
   • Fill a bottle half with shampoo and half with cocoa powder. Shake the bottle vigorously until both substances are mixed.

Method 5 of 6: Using black tea

1. Prepare a strong pot of black tea. Let the tea cool enough that you can put your fingers in it and move them without it hurting.
2. Pour the black tea into a large bowl. Make sure to use a bowl large enough to submerge your hair.
3. Soak your hair in the tea for about 15 minutes.
4. Wash your hair.
5. Repeat the process every day for two weeks. It will take about two weeks for your hair to darken. After that, you can keep up with the color by soaking your hair in tea once a week. Depending on the quality of your hair, your hair may become lighter again.
6. Try a variation. A variation of this method is to steep 3 uncoated tablespoons (45 grams) of loose black tea leaves and 1 uncoated tablespoon (15 grams) of rosemary leaves in a liter of boiling water for 45 minutes. Then let the mixture cool down.
   • Pour the mixture over your hair after shampooing and rinsing it. Let the mixture soak under a plastic shower cap for at least half an hour. Then rinse it out of your hair with lukewarm water.

Method 6 of 6: Using coffee

1. Prepare a strong pot of coffee. Add enough water to make about three cups of coffee.Add at least twice as much ground coffee as you normally would and finish the coffee.
2. Let the coffee cool down.
3. Pour the coffee over your hair. Hold your head over the sink or take a shower. Rinse your hair with coffee at least three times.
   • Another method is to pour the coffee into a large bowl and dip your hair in it. Hold your hair in the coffee for several seconds.
4. Wash and rinse your hair.
5. Repeat the process. You will notice your hair getting a few shades darker every time you do this method.
6. Try a variation. Mix 500 ml of leave-in conditioner with 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of ground organic coffee and 250 ml of brewed coffee (make sure the coffee is cool). Apply this mixture in your hair and leave it on for about an hour. Then rinse the mixture from your hair.

Tips

• Have a towel ready to dry your hair afterwards. That way you don't have to look for a towel while your hair is dripping on everything.
• When applying darkening agents, always wear protective gloves and old clothing that you don't mind staining. It's also a good idea to cover your work area with newspapers or old towels.

Warnings

• If you are using a remedy that you have not used before, such as amla powder or mustard oil, test it on a small area on your skin 48 hours before you plan to use it. This way you can be sure that you do not react badly to it.
• If you dye your hair with henna, consult your stylist before using regular hair dye. Henna and hair dye can have interactions, which can be bad for your hair.
• When dyeing your hair with henna, use an old towel that you always use when dyeing your hair. Henna stains.
• Be careful, because mustard oil has a pretty strong odor.
• In the European Union, the United States and Canada, mustard oil is approved for topical use only.