Natural Hair Dye Recipes (for Any Hair Color)

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homemade hair color from herbs
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Along with homemade shampoo and DIY dry shampoo, I’ve spent hours and hours experimenting and formulating natural hair dye recipes. My family is used to my kitchen experiments, but this one came with its fair share of laughs as I walked around with some concoction of herbs on my head for weeks!

I’d experimented with natural hair lightening in the past but hadn’t tried dark or red shades (since I have blonde hair). I found a few willing dark-haired friends to test other formulas. Many wasted herbs and a bunch of randomly colored streaks later, I figured out some good dark and red options as well!

Not sure why you’d want to use herbal hair dyes? Read the ingredients on conventional dyes and then get back to me! 🙂

DIY & Natural Hair Dye From Herbs

These are natural colors made from herbal ingredients and as such will create natural hues on your hair. They will not create artificial colors like hot pink, completely platinum blonde, or jet black (ok, so that isn’t a fake color, I just haven’t figured out how to do it!).

The blonde/light recipes will actually permanently lighten hair since they naturally bleach it. The red and dark hues will leave a temporary tint for a few weeks (depending on how often you wash it). Time in the sun will help set all of the hues and bring out natural highlights.

Note: I have not tried all of these natural hair color methods on previously dyed or chemically treated hair. Always test a small swatch of hair (I put a little on my skin too) to test for results and rule out any allergic reactions. Also do not use these hair dye recipes on hair that has been chemically treated in the last 6-8 weeks.

Herbs for Light Hair

I’ve tried several basic herbal variations including:

  • Pure, strong chamomile tea sprayed or poured on hair and left on for several hours. Sitting in the sun during this time will enhance the lightening effect.
  • Fresh squeezed lemon juice, sprayed and brushed through hair and left on for several hours (in the sun) will also produce natural highlights.
  • A chamomile tea rinse at the end of each shower (leave in hair!) will produce smooth, silky hair and naturally lighter hair over time.

For a stronger and faster effect, I’ve used the recipe below. It has left my hair very blonde, easy to work with, and not yellowy/brassy at all.

Herbs to Dye Red Hair

These will create a red/dark strawberry blonde tint in lighter hair and an auburn tint in darker hair. The effects are cumulative, so extended use over time will create a more vibrant red. The easiest thing is to make it part of your hair care routine if you want continual red hair.

  • Calendula flowers or fresh marigold petals from your garden (don’t worry, you can buy these if you don’t have any)
  • Hibiscus petals

Henna Natural Hair Dye: A Faster Way

If you want faster and more permanent results, you can use henna hair color. I’ve purchased from Morrocco Method with great success. They are excellent natural products, and the results are very dramatic.

They have a lot of color variations with red hues and light to medium to dark brown. The results last for several months (or longer if you wash your hair less often or use a gentle natural shampoo). They won’t completely cover grey hair, but will darken it.

Important Note: Henna can react with the ammonia in conventional hair dye and the results turns hair orange or even green! If you have chemically treated your hair recently, wait until it’s been at least 6-8 weeks before trying henna. Before applying the package, test on a small section of hair before using on the whole head!

Herbs to Dye Brown Hair

It is easiest to darken hair that is already light brown or darker, though these colors will darken blonde tones as well.

Always test on a small part of hair before using on the whole head, especially on chemically treated hair. Used as a rinse, these herbs will also darken grey hair over time. The more they are used, the darker the results.

For a faster, more dramatic effect, use a henna color like black, dark brown, or mahogany. For a slower or more gentle tone, use these herbs:

Herbs to Dye Dark Brown Hair or Black Hair

If you have very light hair, it will be difficult to get really dark hues with just herbs, though with enough patience, it can be done. I’ve listed herbs that work, and you can use any combination.

As always, test on a small section of hair before using henna hair colors will provide really dark results that last longer, but if you want to go dark gradually, these are the recipes I’ve tried:

  • Black walnut powder — use as a rinse in the shower for hair and dry in the sun if possible. This will create VERY DARK hair, especially if you have dry or color treated hair. It will also provide the darkest coverage for grey hair. Repeat daily or as needed to darken and maintain dark shade.
  • Use strong brewed black tea as a final rinse to darken any color hair. This is also nourishing for the hair and will provide a temporary darkening effect on most hair types. Repeat as necessary to get desired shade and sun-dry if possible.

With any of these herbal hair colors, make sure to test on a small part of your hair first, especially with color treated hair and especially with the henna colors as they have more lasting effects.

Experiment with any of the above and mixtures of them to get the right mix for your hair!

homemade hair color from herbs
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4.19 from 16 votes

Natural Hair Dye Recipes

Tried and true recipes for herbal color hair with natural herbs rather than chemicals
Prep Time30 minutes
Author: Katie Wells

Materials

Light Hair Color Ingredients

Red Hair Color Ingredients

Brown Hair Color Ingredients

Dark Brown Hair or Black Hair Color Ingredients

Instructions

Light Hair Color Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle or other small bottle.
  • Shake well before each use.
  • Spray or pour into hair and brush through to get even. This works best when applied to hair directly before sun exposure and left in for 1-2 hours before being rinsed out. Can be used several times a week until desired color is reached. I suggest putting this in your hair and doing a kettlebell workout in the sun for maximum benefit 🙂
  • You can also use this as a rinse at the end of a shower (and then lightly rinse with water) though it will take longer to have an effect. This will not have an overnight dramatic effect, though when I’ve put it in my hair before gardening in the sun for a few hours I definitely noticed a difference.

Red Hair Color Instructions

  • In a small pan, bring the water to a boil.
  • Reduce to a simmer and add the calendula/marigold and hibiscus
  • Simmer for at least 30 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and when cool, strain herbs out, making sure all small pieces are removed (I use cheesecloth).
  • Store the liquid in the refrigerator.
  • Use as a final hair rinse at the end of each shower. Dry hair in the sun if possible.
  • Repeat daily until desired shade is achieved and then every few days to maintain.

Brown Hair Color Instructions

  • In a small pan, bring the water to a boil.
  • Reduce to a simmer and add the herbs.
  • Simmer for at least 30 minutes or until the water is very dark.
  • Remove from heat and when cool, strain herbs out, making sure all small pieces are removed (I use cheesecloth).
  • Store the liquid in the refrigerator.
  • Spray or brush into hair about an hour before showering each day, then shampoo as normal. Can also use as a rinse and leave on at the end of each shower.
  • Repeat until desired color is reached. It has a cumulative effect and you probably won’t notice much difference the first few days. The herbs in this mix are also great for getting rid of dandruff and for increasing hair growth!

Dark Brown Hair or Black Hair Color Instructions

  • Tie the black walnut powder in a tea bag or cheesecloth bag.
  • Place in a quart mason jar and add the water.
  • Steep for at least 6 hours or overnight.
  • Use as a rinse in the shower for hair and dry in the sun if possible. This will create VERY DARK hair, especially if you have dry or color treated hair. It will also provide the darkest coverage for grey hair.
  • Repeat daily or as needed to darken and maintain dark shade.
  • You can also use strong brewed black tea as a final rinse to darken any color hair. This is also nourishing for the hair and will provide a temporary darkening effect on most hair types.
  • Repeat as necessary to get desired shade and sun-dry if possible.

Notes

  • Always pre-test on a strand of hair before doing the entire head to check color and rule out allergy.
  • Dark Hair Caution: Due to the known mutagenic properties of juglone, some sources caution against prolonged use of black walnut hull when pregnant or nursing. Check with your doctor for medical advice if concerned.

Ever used natural hair dye to color your hair? Please let me know below!

My favorite natural hair color recipes for naturally creating light, dark or red tones in all types of hair without chemicals.

Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

252 responses to “Natural Hair Dye Recipes (for Any Hair Color)”

  1. Mykena Avatar

    Ok so I have natural dirty blonde hair that I LOOOOVE and I just got back from vacation for 3 weeks and the sun has bleached it out. Is there any way I can darken it again naturally? Thanks!

  2. laura Avatar

    Hi! Will the lighten rinse lighten brown hair to blondish? Or does it already have to be blond to work? Thanks!

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar

      Well, my hair is already blonde, so that’s what I was testing it on. That said, it may indeed lighten your hair. You may have to wait through more applications to see results, and it won’t be as severe as bleaching.

  3. Fae Avatar

    Hi Katie,

    I really love this site! I learn so much and cant wait to explore more.

    I have been transitioning my life in every form to a more natural lifestyle. And I wanted to try the chamomile recipe for lighting my artificial hair color out of my hair.

    I did three bags of chamomile tea (all that was currently in my house) and a lemon honey tea plus lemon as recipe said; did only the dark part of my hair.
    I wanted to report back that it did seem to lighten my hair slightly; bringing out more red tones from the artificial color.

    I also was in my local health food store and found a chamomile lightening product from herbatint. It was available on amazon for less than what it was being sold for locally.

    I thought I would mention to you that it does work on chemically treated hair. Thanks for the recipes and an amazing reference site!

  4. Sharan Avatar
    Sharan

    My husband has black hair but it is going white. He is also starting to lose hair. Are the herbs for brown hair the only ones that stimulate hair growth?

    Thank you!
    Sharan

  5. Elyna Avatar

    When using all natural ingredients to dye your hair, how long does the color stay in your hair once it shows?

  6. Panda Avatar

    Are these permanent? If so, which ones. I would like to know the ones that will come out.

  7. Shar Avatar

    Hi, I am very confuse which recipe I should look at. I have jetblack hair, and I want a lighter hair, brown or red. But are those recipes only work for lighter hair to become darker?

  8. marge Avatar

    Hi Katie…. have u or has anyone else ever tried cloves? leave a brown color?

  9. Niquie Avatar
    Niquie

    I was wondering about the nettle for brown hair. Is is any particular nettle? I have stinging nettle growing wild on my farm. I was wondering if I could us it with the sage and rosemary leaves.

  10. Fae Avatar

    Hi.

    I have a few questions about henna.

    I really want to start using it on my hair, however I have a large amount of chemically color treated hair, as well as my natural color. So I’m concerned about the color not being blended. What are some tips that could help with this? Should I get two different colored henna? Or process it longer on the bottom? Is there a specific brand to use?

    What kind of shampoo do you suggest using after color treating with henna?

    What are some specific tools /tips I should have when doing the color treatment?

    Also, my MIL colors her hair with a natural color that washes out over time (naturatint – dark blonde / light brown color), she is gray otherwise and would like to lighten her hair to be grey. Are the suggestions on this post the best way to go? Or what are some other tips? Would henna be a good suit for her? Are there henna products that are mixed with other powders that do not have additives in them?

    1. Layla Avatar

      Remember that Henna is going to be permanent. Also, actual Heena will only be orange to red.

  11. Mitali Achalkar Avatar
    Mitali Achalkar

    Dear wellness mama,

    I have a head of jet black hair and a fair complexion. I am utterly bored with black hairs and want hues of red, Your natural reciepe for red has hibiscus petals, those should be fresh or dried? Its not mentioned in the reciepe.

  12. Shukla Avatar

    In India black walnut is not available so can we use simple walnut at place of black walnut?

  13. Anna Avatar

    How long do the hair dye effects last? I need to get my daughter’s hair as black as possible for a play and I want to use tea and/or natural ingredients but don’t want it to last.

  14. Ayub Khan Avatar
    Ayub Khan

    Which companies make dye’s from hemp. I have no idea. Please help. Thank you. Await your reply

  15. Ayub Khan Avatar
    Ayub Khan

    I have white hair but would like to have light to medium brown hair. Should i just use black tea with coffee added for the effect i am looking for? Or would you suggest a better way. Waiting for your reply. Thank you.

  16. Julie Avatar

    If I had hisbicus to the lighten hir recipe instead of calendula, will I get slightly red highlights? Thank you!

  17. sandy Avatar

    Dear Welness Mama,
    I read all your blogs, right from healthy eating, home made cleaners. and beauty tips. I am impressed by your natural hair dye receipes because I can not use store bought dyes because it does not suit my skin. I get rash and buring sensation on my scalp. Can you please please please tell me where can I buy black walnuts. Is these trees are easily available in Naperville. I tried to see the pictures online, but i am still confused. Are they hard like stones?Because near my house I have seen some trees having those parrot green colour fruits,hard like rocks, and bigger than big apples. Or please let me know whether I can buy them in any stores.

  18. clay Avatar

    I just wanted to add that for a beautiful titian hair color, which can be used with mousy blonde hair, is rhubarb root. It will lighten mousy hair to a gorgeous shimmering honey blond with a hint of red. You boil the root, then soak your hair in it. I found the recipe in an old herbal beauty book and did this in high school. It was great! One day I will do it again…It’s only been 20 years!

  19. Aryn Fain Avatar
    Aryn Fain

    Can I add vodka to the lightening cammomille tea mix to preserve it for serval uses? If so, how much should I put in?

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