The 6 Best Natural Hair Dyes

As we all become more conscious of the ingredients inside our beauty products, we also begin to realize that natural is the way to go. When you choose an organic, natural product, then you can be certain that it’s not loaded with harmful chemicals. There’s also a good chance the product is kinder to the environment, and the animals living there as well.

Natural isn’t just reserved for skin products or conditioners. You can actually find effective natural hair dyes that are fantastic for your hair. They not only make it look great, but they also ensure that it doesn’t dry out or lose its volume, which is always a risk with the chemical-loaded hair dyes you might find in your local beauty store.

We’re going to look at the very best completely natural hair dyes on the market, as well as how to use them. Not sure if they’re for you? Don’t worry; we’ll let you know who they’re recommended for exactly. The great thing about all the hair dyes on this list is that they are 100% natural.

They’re also affordable, and you can use them at home too, saving you money on going to your local hair salon. These hair dyes aren’t store-bought products made by organic beauty brands. Instead, they are natural products that you can find in your supermarket or online. People have used these hair dyes for centuries.

View The Best Natural Hair Dyes Below

1. Sage

Sage is a wonderful herb that has a huge amount of uses. Of course, it can be used to season food, to make tea, or as a condiment. But did you know that sage can also be used as a hair dye? It’s perfect for darker haired people who want their hair to gain a deeper, darker shade. Anyone with brown or black hair will find a noticeable difference once sage is used as a dye. If you’ve noticed a few grey or white hairs amidst your flowing locks, then you’ll be happy to know that sage can cover them up.

To use sage as a hair dye, you simply need to follow these steps:

• Purchase dried sage.
• Measure out approximately 3/4 of a cup (give or take, depending on the length of your hair, and the amount of dye that you’ll require).
• Steep the sage in boiled water. You’ll need about a quart for the amount of sage we’ve recommended.
• You need to leave the sage in the water for a minimum of 30 minutes. If you want a very dark shade, then leave it to work for double this time. You’ll notice the shade of water becoming darker as time goes on, so decide yourself when you think that it’s reached your desired shade.
• Remove the sage via straining.
• Wash your hair as normal. Then take a towel and dry it. Don’t use a blow-dryer.
• Soak your hair in the sage water. Make sure to cover everywhere.
• Sit for at least 15 minutes.
• Wash out the dye. And then admire your beautiful new shade of hair.

2. Henna

Henna is one of the world’s most famous and well-used natural dyes. Not only is it used for dying hair, but it’s also used for temporary tattoos, for painting fingernails, and also even for dying silk, leather, and wool. Henna has been used to dye hair for as long as we can remember. There are records of it being used in Ancient Egypt. It is, quite simply, a safe, and very effective natural method of dying your hair.

The color that it will turn your hair depends on your natural shade. Usually, red, orange, or auburn are the most common colors that it turns hair, but it’s possible to purchase a henna powder that has been mixed with other natural plants so that there is a bigger range of colors available. When you dye your hair with henna, then you can expect the color to remain for approximately 4-6 weeks.

If you want to dye your hair with henna, then the following method is the most common practice for doing it:

• Before we can start, you’re going to need the henna powder, water, a headband, cellophane, and some coconut oil, or a similar natural oil. Then you’re ready to go.
• Mix approximately half of a cup of henna with about a quarter of a cup of room temperature water. You need to keep stirring until the mixture thickens. It should turn into a paste. You don’t want it to be watery at all.
• Then you need to leave the mixture for 12 hours. Make sure that you cover it with cellophane.
• Once the twelve hours are almost up, then you should wash your hair. Don’t use any conditioner. Comb your hair, and dry it so that it is damp, using a towel. Then put on the headband. You need to then get the oil and put it on your hairline. It’ll repel the henna so that it doesn’t discolor your skin.
• It’s time to apply that dye. Take your time, doing small sections at a time, until you’ve covered everywhere. Then you need to wrap your hair in the cellophane. And then you simply sit and wait. Two hours is the minimum amount of time until you can wash out the henna, but you can leave it up to six hours. Once it’s done its work, then you can wash it all out.

3. Beet Juice

If you’ve ever tried washing up dishes after pickling beets in them, then you’ll know how quickly beets can stain and color anything that they come into contact with. Beet juice is a superb, natural dye that will give your hair a lovely, deep, reddish tint to it. You can purchase beet juice at your local supermarket. And to use it as a dye, all you need is a natural oil, such as coconut oil. Here is the method:

• Mix the beet juice and the coconut oil in a pot or bowl (or use an alternative carrier oil).
• Wash your hair. Towel dry.
• Take the beet juice dye and apply it to your hair. Don’t skimp. You want to soak your hair with the mixture thoroughly.
• Then wrap up your hair with some cellophane and sit and wait for the dye to work. It should work after an hour or two.

4. Coffee

Coffee isn’t just a great drink for opening your eyes first thing in the morning. It can actually be used for darkening your hair. Some people who have used coffee as a dye even say that it helps to cover up white or grey hairs. Just like the other natural dyes on our list, coffee has been used for centuries.

Of course, you’re going to need a very dark roast, and you might want to avoid using your favorite artisan, freshly roasted coffee beans. But you do want to make sure that it’s organic coffee. Non-organic coffee will contain just as many harmful additives and chemicals as a non-natural hair dye, which is what we’re trying to stay away from.

To dye your hair with coffee, then all you need to do is this:

• You’re going to need to brew up a very strong cup of coffee, much stronger than even the biggest caffeine addicts would want to drink first thing in the morning. The best method for brewing up coffee for hair dye is on the stove in a pot. Once it’s been brewed, then leave it aside to cool.
• While the coffee is cooling, you need to find a very thick, natural conditioner.
• Once the coffee is cool and you have a conditioner, then mix them together, using about two tablespoons of conditioner for a cup of coffee. You also want to add another two tablespoons of the coffee grounds.
• Apply the mixture to your hair. Make sure to do this in the mirror so you can ensure that it’s evenly spread across the whole of your hair. Although it’s possible just to use your hands to do this, a wide-toothed comb can come in handy too. There’s a chance that things might get messy, so don’t wear your favorite t-shirt. It’s recommended that you drape a towel over your shoulders to keep the coffee from staining your skin.
• Now you need to leave the coffee to do its thing. An hour is the minimum amount of time for the dye to work. You can leave it longer but be aware that the conditioner might start to harden.
• Rinse out the mixture. And check out the coloring in the mirror. If you’re not satisfied with the darkness that this method has produced, then repeat the process.

5. Camomile Tea

This is a great natural hair dye for anyone with blonde hair. If you want to make your hair as light as it looks in the summer once it’s been kissed by the sun, then camomile is for you. Of course, you’ll be using proper camomile flowers, rather than a teabag. But that’s all you’ll need.

It’s quite simple to dye your hair with camomile tea. All you need to do is:

• Boil some water. Then pour the boiled water into a pot. Add about half a cup of camomile flowers. Then leave the tea to brew. You’re not making this tea to drink, so you need to make sure to leave it for about half-an-hour.
• Once the tea has thoroughly brewed and cooled, then you need to remove the flowers with a sieve or strainer.
• Take a shower, wash your hair, then dry with a towel until it’s damp.
• Pour the tea over your hair. You’ll need to do this at least ten times for it to have an effect. You need to ensure that your hair is thoroughly soaked with the mixture.
• Leave the camomile mixture in your hair for about twenty minutes. Then you can wash it out and enjoy your lighter hair.

6. Lemon Juice

This is another great choice for anyone who wants to lighten their hair color naturally. It tends to be most effective when it’s used in conjunction with the sun. So, if it’s summertime, and you want to get natural highlights, then lemon juice is ideal for you. It also won’t just lighten your hair for a short time. When you use lemon juice, then it removes the pigment from your hair, making it permanently lighter, and you need to keep this in mind before you use it.

To dye your hair with lemon juice, it’s quite easy, and all you need to do is:

• Visit your local supermarket and purchase lemon juice. You’ll also need something to decant it into that can be used to spray it. A good option is a garden spray bottle that is usually used for plants.
• Fill up your spray bottle with the lemon juice.
• Shower, wash your hair, then towel dry it until it’s damp.
• Completely cover your hair with the lemon juice spray. You may want to comb it through to be sure you’ve covered everywhere. You want to ensure that the juice is spread evenly.
• Leave it for at least an hour before you wash it out. If you’re able to, then get yourself into the sun, so that you can get the best results.
• This process should be repeated daily. You’ll notice your hair become lighter day by day, so once you’ve got the color that you crave, then you can stop spraying your hair with lemon juice, and instead enjoy the natural lightness that it has achieved.