A hair dye kit.
Natural hair dye is a hair dye extracted from plants and vegetables. It is usually used in pure extract form and does not contain chemicals such as ammonia, resorcinol, and phenylenediamine, which are found in commercial hair dyes. Because they are non-toxic, natural hair dyes do not pose a risk to health or the environment. They do not damage the structure of the hair, they can even help with conditioning and moisturizing the hair and are therefore generally good for long-term use.
Hibiscus can be used in natural hair dyes.
However, while these dyes are considered safe, they all have a different threshold of what they can tolerate. There is no guarantee that what works perfectly well for many people will not have an adverse effect on others. People can be allergic to a wide variety of natural ingredients, and a store-bought natural hair dye can contain certain levels of metals, lead, and mercury that can irritate or inflame sensitive skin. That’s why, before using any natural hair dye, it’s a good idea to do a patch test to see your body’s reaction to the dye.
Natural hair dyes often incorporate herbs like parsley.
The patch test is done by applying a small amount of paint to the inner skin of the elbow or to the skin behind the ear; if there is an allergic reaction, this dye should not be applied to the hair. Allergies can develop despite regular safe use, so ideally a skin patch test should be performed before each coloration process. A strand test is also recommended and is helpful in checking how the dye is working on the hair, but this is not always accurate and the final application of the dye may look different.
An effective natural dye rinse may contain catnip.
Compared to chemical dyes, the color options in natural hair dyes are limited. Henna and walnut shells are used to dye hair red or brown, castor and indigo are used to achieve a pastel black, indigo and bluish hue, and saffron, chamomile and rhubarb are used for a blonde look. Tinctures are also made from boiled potatoes, black coffee, and black tea, respectively. Other effective rinses include those made from various herbs such as rosemary, sage, parsley, catnip, lemon, raspberry leaves, hibiscus flowers, calendula, rose hips, betony, ivy berries, black coffee, and black tea.
Chamomile tea can be prepared and applied to lighten hair.
Coloring with a natural hair dye is not an exact science. The process can be complicated, getting the exact color you need is often a matter of trial and error, and the color is not as permanent as a chemical ink. The benefits of hair care, however, are long lasting.