Worried about the chemicals seeping into your scalps from the hair dye? Your concerns are indeed genuine. There are enough reasons to worry about traditional hair dyes. These hair dyes are now considered a possible risk factor for various types of cancer. Some chemicals in these hair dyes get absorbed through the skin. Or it can be inhaled from fumes in the hair. Well, here is the good news. Natural ways are available to color your hair, saving you from the harmful effects of chemicals. So next time back away from the chemicals and rely on these ingredients for a natural makeover.
1. Henna
Your friends may have already suggested this most popular natural hair dye. This is the powdered form of leaves from the henna plant, which has an effective coloring pigment. This is ideal for redheads and brunettes as henna gives a red-orange color.
Combine 1 cup of henna powder with 2 cups of lemon juice. Leave the mixture for about 4-6 hours. After the mixture thickens, apply it to your hair and comb through. Cover your hair with a plastic wrap and wait for another 2 hours before washing.
You can also combine it with sesame oil and curry leaves. Boil some sesame oil and keep it in a tightly closed container along with a few curry leaves. Mix some henna with this extract and boil it for some minute. Apply it to your hair once it is cold. You can wash your hair after 2 or 3 hours.
2. Walnut Shells
To add dark brown color to your tresses, walnut shells could help you. The outer hard shell covering of walnuts gives this strong color. Before you go ahead, a word of caution: As a strong dye, it will stain everything that comes into contact with it. So take adequate precaution.
Crush the walnut shells. If this is a tough task for you, use walnut powder instead. Boil them for about half an hour. Later cool and strain it. Apply it on hair. Want to focus on the gray hair? Dip a cotton ball in the dye and apply only to those gray areas. Leave it for at least an hour and wash in lukewarm water. Hot water may take the color away.
3. Tea
Different types of tea are now available. Their effect on your hair also varies accordingly. For instance, chamomile works well for blondes. At the same time, rooibos tea is ideal for redheads. In general, tea powder is good for enhancing darker shades.
Prepare a highly concentrated tea. For a cup of water, you can use 2-3 teabags or use enough tea powder to make it sufficiently concentrated. Strain, cool it and apply on your hair. Or you can also mix it with a conditioner and use it. Leave it for at least an hour. If you let it sit for longer, the effect will be more.
4. Coffee
To deepen the darker shades of your hair, go to your kitchen and grab your coffee powder. A strong coffee is effective in covering your gray hairs.
Brew a strong coffee, cool it. Mix it with a cup of leave-in conditioner and 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds. Apply the mix on your hair. Let it sit for about an hour and rinse thoroughly.
5. Lemon Juice
You may not notice any immediate results after using lemon juice. But consistent use of lemon juice will take care of your hair.
Take freshly squeezed lemon juice. Brush it through your hair. Allow to sit for several hours.
6. Beet Juice
This is ideal for giving natural red tints to your current color. You can also try mixing beet juice with carrot juice. This will give you a reddish orange effect on your hair.
Prepare a cup of beet juice. Apply it to your hair. Or blend a cup of carrot juice and beet juice and apply it. Leave it for at least an hour. Wash your hair well.
7. Other Herbs
Decide your choice of hair color and then choose the herb you want because each herb acts differently. Calendula, rosehips, hibiscus, and marigold can be used to enhance your red shade. For brunette and dark hair, rosemary, sage, and nettle work great.
To apply it on the hair, you need to simmer the flowers in water for about 30 minutes. Cool and strain it before spraying it on your hair. Leave it on the hair for about an hour.
