Natural Hair Dye Recipes

Make your own natural hair dyes for healthy, chemical-free, all natural hair color

Natural hair dyes won't give you the instant results you get with a bottle of Clairol, but they will subtly enhance your natural hair color and highlights with repeated use over time.

Click on the links to jump straight to a specific hair color or scroll down to browse through them.

Dark Hair Dye Recipes

Recommended Suppliers

Henna for All Hair Colors

Not only is it fast like commercial dyes, but it actually deep-conditions as it colors, giving your hair a rich, healthy shine.

One CRITICAL word of warning: DO NOT use henna on hair that has already been dyed using commercial hair color. You can end up with some awful color issues (green hair anyone?)

Just buy your henna hair coloring and follow the package directions. Looking for a good supplier? Check out henna natural hair dye from Mountain Rose. Click on the little down-arrow to the right of the price to see all the colors. There's lots!

Natural Hair Dyes for Gray Hair

Rosemary-Sage Natural Hair Dye

Ingredients

• 2 cups hot water
• 1/2 cup dried sage leaves
• 1/2 cup dried rosemary leaves

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a pot. Simmer for 30 minutes, then steep for several hours. Strain, then use the resulting liquid for the natural hair dye.
2. Pour the liquid onto your hair and leave on until dried. Rinse and dry.
3. Repeat weekly until you obtain the desired shade, then monthly to maintain hair color.

Natural Hair Dyes for Blonde Hair

Note: If you're using this natural hair dye recipe to cover gray, you have to use it over and over and over. It's not a quick-fix option. If you're looking for instant results, check out the notes for henna up above or go with commercial hair color.

1. Combine 2 cups (500ml) distilled water with 3 tablespoons each dried Calendula petals, Chamomile flowers and chopped Lemon Peel in a pot and bring to a boil on the stove.
   
2. Remove from the heat and let steep for 1 to 3 hours.


3. Strain out the herbs and pour into a large dark glass or PET plastic bottle.


4. Add 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar.


5. To use your herbal hair rinse, simply pour it over your hair after conditioning, massage it gently into your scalp and then rinse. (Don't get it in your eyes - it stings!)

Natural Sun Streaking

1. Mix the juice of 1 lemon with 2 tablespoons strong chamomile tea. Buy chamomile tea.


2. Using an inexpensive straw hat with lots of holes in it, pull strands of hair through the holes. (A crochet hook or pencil is good for this.)


3. Apply the lemon/chamomile mixture to the exposed hair. Sit in the sun for 2 hours - you'll end up with natural-looking streaking. Don't forget sunscreen! (Good book, glass of wine...)

Saffron Natural Hair Dye for Golden Color

1. Put a large pinch of saffron threads into a large jug. Boil 2 cups (500ml) distilled water, then pour over the saffron. Let soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Buy saffron.


2. Strain out the saffron and add 1 tablespoon lemon juice.


3. To use, pour the liquid through your hair 15 or 20 times, re-rinsing with the same liquid. On the final rinse, wring out your hair and leave for 15 minutes before rinsing with clear water.

Marigold Natural Hair Color

1. Simmer 1/3 cup fresh crushed marigold flowers OR 3 tablespoons dried calendula petals in 2 1/2 cups of distilled water in a non-aluminum pot for 20 minutes. Buy dried calendula petals.


2. Remove from heat. After the mixture has cooled, strain out the marigold, saving the liquid. Add 1/4 cup red wine to the liquid.


3. To use, apply the liquid as a final rinse after shampooing and conditioning, pouring it over your hair and catching it in a basin to reapply several times. Allow your hair to dry naturally in the sun if possible.


4. Repeat the rinsing process every time you wash your hair until you're happy with the color.

Herbal Hair Rinse for Red Hair

Natural Hair Dyes for Dark Hair

1. Simmer 1/3 cup walnut shells, black tea, cherry tree bark or whole cloves in 2 1/2 cups distilled water in a non-aluminum pot for 20 minutes.


2. Remove from heat. After the mixture has cooled, strain out the herbs, saving the liquid.


3. To use, apply the liquid as a final rinse after shampooing and conditioning, pouring it over your hair and catching it in a basin to reapply a few times. Allow your hair to dry naturally if you can.


4. Do this every time you wash your hair until you reach the desired shade.

Recommended Suppliers

Mountain Rose Herbs

You'll find a good selection of henna hair coloring, dried herbs, essential oils and glass bottles (along with lots of other great stuff - poke around, it's fun!)

Amazon.com

Just Naturals

Dry Hair

Frizzy Hair

Oily Hair

Thicker Hair

Hair Loss

Dandruff

Still Got Questions?

Got a great hair tip, trick or product you want to recommend? Hair Help is the place for that too! Check it out and join in the fun!

What Next?

Shampoo for Natural Hair

Natural Hair Conditioner

Natural Hair Loss Products

Natural Hair Remedies

Natural Hair Products Main Page

Aromatherapy Recipes Homepage from Natural Hair Dye