6 Surprising ways you can naturally colour your hair at home

Shelina Assomull

22 Feb 2018

updated the 23 February 2018 à 10:42

Looking for some colour without the chemicals? Try one of these!

1/6
Coffee
Next time you're brewing that morning espresso, be sure to rub some into your hair. No seriously. Black coffee works a great treatment for those looking to be brunette, as well as brunettes covering greys. Brew an espresso and wait for it cool, then mix it with 2 cups of conditioner and extra coffee powder. It may take a couple of rounds before you achieve optimum results, but you'll get there without damaging your hair.
2/6
Tea
This is a tea-rrific way to gently dye hair varying colours. Opt for black tea for brunettes, chamomile for blondes and rooibos for redhead. To get a working dye make a highly concentrated cuppa (we're talking 4 teabags) and wait for it to cool. Then apply and leave in for as long as you want. Monitor your hair to take note of how fast its taking to the colour and rinse off accordingly. Some people even leave it in overnight!
3/6
Henna
Henna is a well known favourite of those looking to colour without the harsh chemicals. This au naturale solution is a powdered form of the henna plant it comes from. Henna is available in the form of many products, but its natural form is a browny-orange, so it is best suited to those seeking auburn and redhead tones!
4/6
Sage
Brunettes: Simmer the sage for half an hour and then strain and wait for it to cool. Brush it into your hair and then wash off after an hour. Make it a part of your hair washing routine for the next few days for optimum results. For those looking to go red, try rosehips or hibiscus. Blondes do the same with marigold or sunflower.
5/6
Beet and Carrot Juice
Red heads, this one's for you: If you're looking for a deep red tinge, try carrot juice, and those looking for ginger tones, carrot. If you want something in between mix the two together. Simply rub the juice into your hair and leave on for an hour. Repeat as necessary.
6/6
Lemons
Looking for highlights? Squeeze some fresh lemons and brush the juice through your hair. Leave it in for 5 hours. This is especially effective on blondes - and when hit by the sun!

Unfortunately, dyeing your hair is a necessary evil for many of us. The cuticle burning, end drying, colour stripping effects of harsh dyes are not favourable but better than the alternative – the greys!

However, chemically colouring your hair, especially over long periods of time, can seriously damage your locks and even accelerate hair fall. Now, if only there was a way to dye your hair without all these nasty effects! Good news: we have the secrets.

In the gallery above, we have picked out six of the most effective ways to dye your hair with completely natural ingredients. Granted, this may not be as strong as many of your DIY boxes, but your precious tresses will certainly thank us later.

Shelina Assomull

Photos: Getty Images

Tried and tested: A hair fall control shampoo that really works?

Youthful Locks: 8 Tips to prevent your hair from aging

Scalp Health 101: 10 Reasons your hair isn’t growing fast enough

'Wabi Sabi': The Japanese decor trend that will be...