NATURE-BASED HAIR DYES FOR AFRO CURLY HAIR
You want a hair colour other than your natural hair colour, but you don’t want to run the risk of using chemical-based hair dyes? Well, you are not alone. Many people who revert to their natural afro hair do so to escape the harsh chemicals prevalent in relaxers and other chemical-based hair treatments.
Since the beginning of time, our ancestors have been colouring their hair using nature-based hair dyes, and these nature-based hair dyes have made a big comeback, especially amongst naturalistas.
The beautiful thing is that you get to have that beautiful hair colour without suffering from the breakage, hair loss, dullness and frizz that hair dyes containing chemicals like ammonia, peroxides or monoethanolamide cause.
It is also important to remember that some chemical-based hair dyes will require frequent use to maintain the hair colour, resulting in weakened hair roots and increased hair fall.
All that said, nature will always trump manufactured. This is why this article curates nature-based hair dyes you can use to achieve that naturally gorgeous hair colour.
Beet root
If you want a purplish-burgundy look, beetroot will do the trick. Simply cut the beetroot into tiny pieces and mix this with one teaspoon of coconut oil and one teaspoon of honey. Use a sieve to strain out the chunky pieces. Alternatively, you can bake the chopped-up beets in an oven until they are soft. Blend, strain and add some coconut oil to these.
Whichever method you choose, apply the mixture to your hair for one hour and rinse with a mild shampoo. Follow up with a leave-in conditioner, and that’s it; you’ve got yourself purple-tinted beautiful hair.
Another added benefit is that beetroot also increases the blood flow in your scalp, making for healthy and bouncier hair.
Coffee
Coffee is especially great for dyeing greying hair back to its natural brown colour. Coffee also works as a natural hair tonic, stimulating cell growth. To get greying hair to return to its original colour, brew half a cup of espresso, mix this with half a cup of conditioner, and add one tablespoon of coffee grounds. Use this mixture as a hair mask for one hour before rinsing off.
Cinnamon
Looking for a subtle tint of reddish-brown hair? Cinnamon is a great natural option for achieving this look. The way to get the look is to mix half a cup of conditioner with half a cup of cinnamon. Apply as a generous mask and leave on for between 45 minutes and one hour. Then, rinse off with a gentle shampoo.
One added benefit to applying cinnamon to hair is that it moisturises the scalp and restores hair shine. So go ahead and use this for not just the reddish-brownish tint, but also for the beautiful shine it gives.
Carrot juice
If your choice of colour is reddish-orange, then carrot juice will do the trick. First, we know that carrot overflows with vitamin A and promotes hair growth and fullness. To get that reddish-orange tint, add a tablespoon of olive or coconut oil to carrot juice. Apply the mixture to your hair and wrap this up in a plastic shower cap for at least one hour. Then rinse out the mixture using apple cider vinegar and voila, you have reddish-orange hair.
Henna
Using the paste derived from ground henna leaves to colour hair is a trick as old as the books. In fact, henna is one of the oldest known pigments and will leave your hair a beautiful reddish-orange colour. To get this effect, crush henna leaves to form a fine, dark green powder and mix it with water until it forms a paste. Add some lime or lemon juice to activate the natural dye. Leave the paste to rest for a couple of hours, overnight, even if you can.
Apply the paste to your hair, and you will see it turn a rich copper colour almost immediately. Leave the paste on for between two to four hours, covered with a plastic cap. Once done, wash with a mild shampoo.
If you cannot go to the lengths of crushing henna leaves yourself, purchase henna in powder and use it accordingly.
Your hair with a red tint to it. If your hair is on the darker side, you will have a delicate red highlight that sparkles in the sunlight.
Henna is also said to provide a deep conditioning treatment, so double the benefits.
Food colour
We have added this one to the list because food colouring is fit for human consumption, and by extrapolation, it is fit for your hair. Let’s not forget that it is also chemical-free. Simply take the colour of your choice, add it to half a cup of conditioner, and apply this to your hair. Leave this in for twenty to thirty minutes and then wash off with a mild shampoo.
In conclusion
There is a general risk to colouring hair with chemical-based dyes. This risk is mitigated when you colour your hair with nature-based colours. So go ahead, go for nature; beautiful, head-turning nature.