7 ingredients to Color Your Hair Naturally:
coffee to color your hair naturally
1. COFFEE
Coffee works great if you want to go darker, cover gray hair, or add dimension to dark hair. Brew strong coffee, let it cool, then mix one cup with a cup of leave-in conditioner, and 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds.
Apply on clean hair and allow to sit for an hour.*** If you use apple cider vinegar to rinse, it will help the color last longer.*** You may need to repeat the process a few times to see any noticeable results.
2. TEA
Like coffee, black tea will help you go darker, and can also help cover gray hair. * If you have lighter hair, though, there are other types of tea you can use. Chamomile tea, for example, is recommended for blondes, while Roolbos tea may work for red hair.*
Do keep in mind that tea works best with your natural color. You won’t be able to turn blonde hair to brunette or black hair. But black tea can darken blonde hair and chamomile can lighten it—especially if you sit in the sun while you have it in.
The longer you leave the tea on the hair, the more noticeable the color will be. You can also try repeated applications.
*The key is to make the tea highly concentrated.* Use 3-5 teabags for two cups of water. You can apply the cooled tea to hair alone, or mix with conditioner (as noted in the coffee recipe). * If you’re seeking to cover grays, mix with some fresh or dried sage, which helps open up the hair follicles.*
Leave on hair for at least an hour—more if you want more color. Some even put on a cap and wear the tea overnight, then rinse the following morning. Check your color to determine what intensity you need.
3. HERBS
Depending on what color you’re going for, you can use a variety of herbs to achieve it. Here are some suggestions, depending on what your natural color is:
RED hair: Try calendula, marigold, rosehips, and hibiscus to deepen the red shade or add a few red highlights. The effects are cumulative—if you keep using the dye regularly, you will notice more color. Simmer the flowers in water for about 30 minutes, strain, cool, and then spray or pour on hair and allow to dry in the sun if possible.
BRUNETTE/dark hair: Rosemary, nettle, and sage are all great herbs for dark hair. Simmer all three with water for 30 minutes, cool, strain, and spray or brush through hair. Allow to sit about an hour. You can also use the rinse daily after your shower. Be patient—it may take several days to notice a difference.
BLONDE hair: As mentioned above, chamomile tea works, but you can also try calendula, marigold, saffron, and sunflower petals. To hide grays, try rhubarb root in two cups of water, simmer, strain, and pour over hair.
Add black tea to the darker colors above to help the color last longer. Catnip works for lighter colors.
4. BEET AND CARROT JUICE
These two juices can add natural red tints to your current color. Depending on what shade you want, you can use each alone, or mix them together. For a more reddish tinge, use more beet juice (strawberry blonde, deeper red, or auburn). Carrot will produce a quieter reddish orange.
This one is easy—simply apply about a cup of the juice to your hair. You can also mix in some coconut oil or olive oil to condition dry hair at the same time. Work it through, wrap hair, throw on a shower cap and leave on for at least an hour. (These juices stain—wear something to protect your skin and clothes.) Rinse the juice out, and seal with an apple cider vinegar spray. If the color isn’t dark enough, repeat the next day.
5. HENNA
One of the most popular natural hair dye ingredients, henna is a powdered form of the leaves that come from the henna plant. These leaves have a natural and effective coloring pigment that has been used for thousands of years to dye hair, nails, and skin.
Natural henna, on its own, creates a red-orange color, so if you see products offering other colors produced with henna, realize the manufacturers have mixed the henna with other ingredients to achieve those colors. Redheads and brunettes (looking for a bit of auburn) are the best candidates for henna hair color. Be careful with this one—the results can be more orange than you’d like, so you may want to mix a little chamomile in with the paste to tame the color.
To make your own henna hair dye, mix about one cup of henna powder with 2 cups lemon juice. You can also add in a tablespoon of vinegar to help release the color. Allow to sit about 4-6 hours until it thickens. Apply to hair and comb through. (This is messy so be prepared!) Wrap your hair in plastic wrap and allow to sit 2-3 hours before rinsing.
6. LEMON JUICE Looking for a few highlights? Try fresh-squeezed lemon juice sprayed and brushed through hair. Leave on for several hours. If you sit in the sun, you’ll notice more lightening. Blondes can enjoy even more lightening by mixing with chamomile tea. Lemon juice works slowly, so expect to repeat applications several times before seeing results.
7. WALNUT SHELLS
If you want to secure a dark brown color, this is the natural way to go for dyeing. Crush the walnut shells and boil for about half an hour. Cool, strain, and apply to hair. If you’re wanting to cover grays, you can use a cotton ball to apply only to those areas where it’s needed. Again, be careful as this dye will stain everything, so take precautions.
To create a more intense dye, return the strained juice to the heat and boil until it’s simmered down to about a quarter of the original volume. Allow to cool in the refrigerator, strain if needed, and pour through hair.
To save time, use walnut powder instead of the shells.
Let sit for at least an hour (more if you want more color), and rinse. Try to avoid really hot water as it can take the color away. Wash in lukewarm to make the color last longer.
coffee to color your hair naturally
1. COFFEE
Coffee works great if you want to go darker, cover gray hair, or add dimension to dark hair. Brew strong coffee, let it cool, then mix one cup with a cup of leave-in conditioner, and 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds.
Apply on clean hair and allow to sit for an hour.*** If you use apple cider vinegar to rinse, it will help the color last longer.*** You may need to repeat the process a few times to see any noticeable results.
2. TEA
Like coffee, black tea will help you go darker, and can also help cover gray hair. * If you have lighter hair, though, there are other types of tea you can use. Chamomile tea, for example, is recommended for blondes, while Roolbos tea may work for red hair.*
Do keep in mind that tea works best with your natural color. You won’t be able to turn blonde hair to brunette or black hair. But black tea can darken blonde hair and chamomile can lighten it—especially if you sit in the sun while you have it in.
The longer you leave the tea on the hair, the more noticeable the color will be. You can also try repeated applications.
*The key is to make the tea highly concentrated.* Use 3-5 teabags for two cups of water. You can apply the cooled tea to hair alone, or mix with conditioner (as noted in the coffee recipe). * If you’re seeking to cover grays, mix with some fresh or dried sage, which helps open up the hair follicles.*
Leave on hair for at least an hour—more if you want more color. Some even put on a cap and wear the tea overnight, then rinse the following morning. Check your color to determine what intensity you need.
3. HERBS
Depending on what color you’re going for, you can use a variety of herbs to achieve it. Here are some suggestions, depending on what your natural color is:
RED hair: Try calendula, marigold, rosehips, and hibiscus to deepen the red shade or add a few red highlights. The effects are cumulative—if you keep using the dye regularly, you will notice more color. Simmer the flowers in water for about 30 minutes, strain, cool, and then spray or pour on hair and allow to dry in the sun if possible.
BRUNETTE/dark hair: Rosemary, nettle, and sage are all great herbs for dark hair. Simmer all three with water for 30 minutes, cool, strain, and spray or brush through hair. Allow to sit about an hour. You can also use the rinse daily after your shower. Be patient—it may take several days to notice a difference.
BLONDE hair: As mentioned above, chamomile tea works, but you can also try calendula, marigold, saffron, and sunflower petals. To hide grays, try rhubarb root in two cups of water, simmer, strain, and pour over hair.
Add black tea to the darker colors above to help the color last longer. Catnip works for lighter colors.
4. BEET AND CARROT JUICE
These two juices can add natural red tints to your current color. Depending on what shade you want, you can use each alone, or mix them together. For a more reddish tinge, use more beet juice (strawberry blonde, deeper red, or auburn). Carrot will produce a quieter reddish orange.
This one is easy—simply apply about a cup of the juice to your hair. You can also mix in some coconut oil or olive oil to condition dry hair at the same time. Work it through, wrap hair, throw on a shower cap and leave on for at least an hour. (These juices stain—wear something to protect your skin and clothes.) Rinse the juice out, and seal with an apple cider vinegar spray. If the color isn’t dark enough, repeat the next day.
5. HENNA
One of the most popular natural hair dye ingredients, henna is a powdered form of the leaves that come from the henna plant. These leaves have a natural and effective coloring pigment that has been used for thousands of years to dye hair, nails, and skin.
Natural henna, on its own, creates a red-orange color, so if you see products offering other colors produced with henna, realize the manufacturers have mixed the henna with other ingredients to achieve those colors. Redheads and brunettes (looking for a bit of auburn) are the best candidates for henna hair color. Be careful with this one—the results can be more orange than you’d like, so you may want to mix a little chamomile in with the paste to tame the color.
To make your own henna hair dye, mix about one cup of henna powder with 2 cups lemon juice. You can also add in a tablespoon of vinegar to help release the color. Allow to sit about 4-6 hours until it thickens. Apply to hair and comb through. (This is messy so be prepared!) Wrap your hair in plastic wrap and allow to sit 2-3 hours before rinsing.
6. LEMON JUICE Looking for a few highlights? Try fresh-squeezed lemon juice sprayed and brushed through hair. Leave on for several hours. If you sit in the sun, you’ll notice more lightening. Blondes can enjoy even more lightening by mixing with chamomile tea. Lemon juice works slowly, so expect to repeat applications several times before seeing results.
7. WALNUT SHELLS
If you want to secure a dark brown color, this is the natural way to go for dyeing. Crush the walnut shells and boil for about half an hour. Cool, strain, and apply to hair. If you’re wanting to cover grays, you can use a cotton ball to apply only to those areas where it’s needed. Again, be careful as this dye will stain everything, so take precautions.
To create a more intense dye, return the strained juice to the heat and boil until it’s simmered down to about a quarter of the original volume. Allow to cool in the refrigerator, strain if needed, and pour through hair.
To save time, use walnut powder instead of the shells.
Let sit for at least an hour (more if you want more color), and rinse. Try to avoid really hot water as it can take the color away. Wash in lukewarm to make the color last longer.
DIY Bath Bomb Recipe
Ingredients:
8 ounces Baking Soda (1 cup)
8 ounces Citric Acid (1 cup)
1/2 cup (4 ounces) Sea Salt or Epsom Salt
2 tablespoons carrier oil of choice (coconut is my personal favorite but any liquid oil will work)
2 teaspoons witch hazel (or water)- add a little more if needed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or more water)
15-20 drops of Essential oils or powdered dried herbs
Instructions:
Combine dry ingredients (baking soda, salt, and citric acid) in a large bowl and mix well until combined.
In a small bowl, combine the oil, witch hazel and vanilla extract and stir well. Add essential oils if using.
Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients a few drops at a time. Mix well with hands (***wear gloves***). Add powdered dried herbs if you like-(optional).
Mixture should hold together when squeezed without crumbling. You may need to add slightly more witch hazel if it hasn’t achieved this consistency yet. *I use a spray bottle with additional liquid to evenly add.*
Quickly push mixture into lightly oiled molds, muffin tins or any other container. Press in firmly and leave at least 24 hours (48 hours is better) or until hardened. It will expand, and this is normal. (You can press it down into the mold several times while it is drying to keep it from expanding too much.) Using metal molds creates stronger, more professional looking finished bath bombs.
When they're completely dry, remove & store in an air-tight container. * Best fizzing action if used within a month *
Ingredients:
8 ounces Baking Soda (1 cup)
8 ounces Citric Acid (1 cup)
1/2 cup (4 ounces) Sea Salt or Epsom Salt
2 tablespoons carrier oil of choice (coconut is my personal favorite but any liquid oil will work)
2 teaspoons witch hazel (or water)- add a little more if needed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or more water)
15-20 drops of Essential oils or powdered dried herbs
Instructions:
Combine dry ingredients (baking soda, salt, and citric acid) in a large bowl and mix well until combined.
In a small bowl, combine the oil, witch hazel and vanilla extract and stir well. Add essential oils if using.
Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients a few drops at a time. Mix well with hands (***wear gloves***). Add powdered dried herbs if you like-(optional).
Mixture should hold together when squeezed without crumbling. You may need to add slightly more witch hazel if it hasn’t achieved this consistency yet. *I use a spray bottle with additional liquid to evenly add.*
Quickly push mixture into lightly oiled molds, muffin tins or any other container. Press in firmly and leave at least 24 hours (48 hours is better) or until hardened. It will expand, and this is normal. (You can press it down into the mold several times while it is drying to keep it from expanding too much.) Using metal molds creates stronger, more professional looking finished bath bombs.
When they're completely dry, remove & store in an air-tight container. * Best fizzing action if used within a month *
Homemade Vitamin C Serum : Ingredients:
Secondly, make a small batch and use it only for 3-5 days. It is some extra work, but trust me, the benefits are worth it.
Feel free to use this on the backs of your hands as well. As most of us already know, sun spots show up on the hands first. Vitamin C can cause your skin to be irritated at first. When you apply it, a small amount of tingling is normal. If it is burning, remove it immediately. Don't worry - you can just add more water and/or glycerin to your mixture. This will dilute the Vitamin C so it is more suited for your skin. Serves: Makes enough to last 3-5 days Author: Jenni from Jenni Rain Cloud Experts say because the skin on the back of the hands is so much thinner than on our face or neck, it not only succumbs to the aging impact of the environment, but it also is more susceptible to the aging process in general. "As we age, our skin gets thinner -- but when you're dealing with the backs of the hands, where skin is already thin, any loss of fat underneath is obvious right away -- with loose, wrinkly skin," says Bruce Katz, MD, a professor of dermatology at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York City and director of the Cosmetic and Laser Surgery Clinic at Mt. Sinai Hospital.
Moreover, Katz says that as skin thins, dark spots and pigmentation begin to appear, while veins and tendons become more obvious -- a look that is often associated with a few extra candles on the birthday cake.
- 1 teaspoon Vitamin C Powder
- 1 teaspoon distilled water
- 1 teaspoon glycerin
- ⅛ teaspoon Vitamin E
- small amber or dark glass bottle
- Mix ingredients in a small bowl until the granules are dissolved.
- If you omit glycerin and vitamin E add an extra teaspoon of water so that your serum isn't too strong.
- Transfer to a dark glass bottle.
- Apply to the skin at night after cleansing and toning.
- Let the serum soak in and then apply your moisturizer as usual.
Secondly, make a small batch and use it only for 3-5 days. It is some extra work, but trust me, the benefits are worth it.
Feel free to use this on the backs of your hands as well. As most of us already know, sun spots show up on the hands first. Vitamin C can cause your skin to be irritated at first. When you apply it, a small amount of tingling is normal. If it is burning, remove it immediately. Don't worry - you can just add more water and/or glycerin to your mixture. This will dilute the Vitamin C so it is more suited for your skin. Serves: Makes enough to last 3-5 days Author: Jenni from Jenni Rain Cloud Experts say because the skin on the back of the hands is so much thinner than on our face or neck, it not only succumbs to the aging impact of the environment, but it also is more susceptible to the aging process in general. "As we age, our skin gets thinner -- but when you're dealing with the backs of the hands, where skin is already thin, any loss of fat underneath is obvious right away -- with loose, wrinkly skin," says Bruce Katz, MD, a professor of dermatology at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York City and director of the Cosmetic and Laser Surgery Clinic at Mt. Sinai Hospital.
Moreover, Katz says that as skin thins, dark spots and pigmentation begin to appear, while veins and tendons become more obvious -- a look that is often associated with a few extra candles on the birthday cake.
DIY Sea Salt Recipes: http://www.spaindex.com/7-ways-to-use-sea-salt-in-your-beauty-routine/#more-54881
7 Ways to Use Sea Salt in your Beauty Routine The newest product of the Wakaya family of health and wellness products, produced on the island of Wakaya in Fiji, is Wakaya Perfection Fijian Kosher Sea Salt. Obviously, everyone loves how sea salt flavors almost everything we cook, but did you know, sea salt is a beauty product you should add to your daily beauty routine? Try out these favorite recipes and let us know which are your favorites.
Hair Invigoration:
We’ve tried a Sea Salt spray from a popular hair product brand from our favorite salon, but you can get wavy beachy hair on your own, too, by following these simple steps. Add 6 teaspoons of Fijian Kosher Sea Salt to 6 ounces of hot water (for oily hair, add two additional teaspoons). Stir until dissolved and let cool to room temperature. Pour into a clean, empty spray bottle. Add a dash of tea tree oil and a teaspoon of your favorite conditioner, shake up the bottle, spritz your hair and scrunch it up.
Refreshing Skin Spray:
Add 1 tablespoon of sea salt to 1 cup of hot water, along with 1-2 drops of mint essential oil. Pour into a glass cosmetic bottle with a spray top. Refrigerate until cold. Spray your face liberally on warm days for a wonderful pick me up that will also firm and cleanse your skin.
Face-Exfoliation:
To get soft glowing skin, gently rub 1 teaspoon of sea salt directly onto your face in a circular motion avoiding the sensitive skin around your eyes. Continue to rub until the salt completely dissolves. Press your face against a warm damp towel and wipe away any residue. Finish it off by rinsing your face with cold water and following up with the moisturizer of your choice.
Acne Zapper:
Many users at Acne.org swear by sea salt for helping to decrease inflammation and redness caused by outbreaks. Mix sea salt into a paste with water and gently apply to existing spots for an inexpensive and easy way to treat those pesky zits.
Body Scrub:
Mix together two cups of course sea salt with ½ cup coconut oil. Add 3 drops of your favorite essential oil. This amazing body scrub cleanses and exfoliates. But be warned, it can leave your shower slippery, so make sure you protect the family from slips by wiping down the tiles after you use it.
Detox Bath:
Fill your tub with hot water. Add 1/4 cup of sea salt and 1/4 cup of epsom salt, along with 1/2 cup of baking soda. The hot water is believed to pull the toxins to the top of your skin, and then as the water cools, it flushes them out. Rinse with lukewarm water before drying off. Your skin will be soft and your body will be cleansed.
Hand Softener:
This amazing hand scrub will be the talk of the town if you put it by the sink at your next dinner party. Simply stir together 1 cup of sea salt, 2 teaspoons of lemon extract, and ½ cup of olive oil. Place the mixture in a jar with a small cosmetic spoon for easy dispensing.
Lighten Hair With Chamomile Tea And Lemon Juice
In an interview with Reader's Digest, Popie Poulos, hairstylist and owner of The Salon, recommends rinsing your hair with a mixture of chamomile and fresh lemon juice instead of conditioner to permanently lighten your tresses. Allow your hair to dry while sitting in the sun or use a blow dryer — the heat will lighten your locks.
De-Puff Your Eyes With Raw Potatoes
In an interview with Reader's Digest, Dr.Frances Jang, a dermatologist at Skinworks recommends using raw potato slices to soothe your eyes. She says they are astringent which means they help decrease water retention and they also contain the enzyme catalase which helps lighten dark under eye circles. First, wash and peel a potato. Cut two slices and place one on each eye for 10 minutes. Lay down, relax and let the potatoes work their magic. Rinse the eye area gently with lukewarm water when you're done.
Toothpaste Zaps Pimples
You've heard it before — don't pop your zits! The folks over at Daily Glow suggest applying a bit of toothpaste to a pimple before bed and washing it off with warm water when you wake up in the morning. They say that toothpastes draws impurities out of clogged pores and dries the skin with shrinks the pimple. Opt for organic toothpastes rather than gel toothpastes which don't work as well.
Camouflage Grey Hair
If you want to camouflage some strands of grey hair on the go, the folks at Real Simple suggest using mascara if you have dark hair. For blondes or redheads try dusting your roots with bronzing powder.
Hair Invigoration:
We’ve tried a Sea Salt spray from a popular hair product brand from our favorite salon, but you can get wavy beachy hair on your own, too, by following these simple steps. Add 6 teaspoons of Fijian Kosher Sea Salt to 6 ounces of hot water (for oily hair, add two additional teaspoons). Stir until dissolved and let cool to room temperature. Pour into a clean, empty spray bottle. Add a dash of tea tree oil and a teaspoon of your favorite conditioner, shake up the bottle, spritz your hair and scrunch it up.
Refreshing Skin Spray:
Add 1 tablespoon of sea salt to 1 cup of hot water, along with 1-2 drops of mint essential oil. Pour into a glass cosmetic bottle with a spray top. Refrigerate until cold. Spray your face liberally on warm days for a wonderful pick me up that will also firm and cleanse your skin.
Face-Exfoliation:
To get soft glowing skin, gently rub 1 teaspoon of sea salt directly onto your face in a circular motion avoiding the sensitive skin around your eyes. Continue to rub until the salt completely dissolves. Press your face against a warm damp towel and wipe away any residue. Finish it off by rinsing your face with cold water and following up with the moisturizer of your choice.
Acne Zapper:
Many users at Acne.org swear by sea salt for helping to decrease inflammation and redness caused by outbreaks. Mix sea salt into a paste with water and gently apply to existing spots for an inexpensive and easy way to treat those pesky zits.
Body Scrub:
Mix together two cups of course sea salt with ½ cup coconut oil. Add 3 drops of your favorite essential oil. This amazing body scrub cleanses and exfoliates. But be warned, it can leave your shower slippery, so make sure you protect the family from slips by wiping down the tiles after you use it.
Detox Bath:
Fill your tub with hot water. Add 1/4 cup of sea salt and 1/4 cup of epsom salt, along with 1/2 cup of baking soda. The hot water is believed to pull the toxins to the top of your skin, and then as the water cools, it flushes them out. Rinse with lukewarm water before drying off. Your skin will be soft and your body will be cleansed.
Hand Softener:
This amazing hand scrub will be the talk of the town if you put it by the sink at your next dinner party. Simply stir together 1 cup of sea salt, 2 teaspoons of lemon extract, and ½ cup of olive oil. Place the mixture in a jar with a small cosmetic spoon for easy dispensing.
Lighten Hair With Chamomile Tea And Lemon Juice
In an interview with Reader's Digest, Popie Poulos, hairstylist and owner of The Salon, recommends rinsing your hair with a mixture of chamomile and fresh lemon juice instead of conditioner to permanently lighten your tresses. Allow your hair to dry while sitting in the sun or use a blow dryer — the heat will lighten your locks.
De-Puff Your Eyes With Raw Potatoes
In an interview with Reader's Digest, Dr.Frances Jang, a dermatologist at Skinworks recommends using raw potato slices to soothe your eyes. She says they are astringent which means they help decrease water retention and they also contain the enzyme catalase which helps lighten dark under eye circles. First, wash and peel a potato. Cut two slices and place one on each eye for 10 minutes. Lay down, relax and let the potatoes work their magic. Rinse the eye area gently with lukewarm water when you're done.
Toothpaste Zaps Pimples
You've heard it before — don't pop your zits! The folks over at Daily Glow suggest applying a bit of toothpaste to a pimple before bed and washing it off with warm water when you wake up in the morning. They say that toothpastes draws impurities out of clogged pores and dries the skin with shrinks the pimple. Opt for organic toothpastes rather than gel toothpastes which don't work as well.
Camouflage Grey Hair
If you want to camouflage some strands of grey hair on the go, the folks at Real Simple suggest using mascara if you have dark hair. For blondes or redheads try dusting your roots with bronzing powder.
Scent your strands. Put a small amount of an oil-based fragrance on your fingertips and then run them through your hair, says Sarah Horowitz-Thran, founder of The House of Creative Scentualization. Oil will linger in your locks longer than a traditional spray version, and it won't dry out your do.
Fake awake eyes. To create the illusion of well-rested peepers, use a flesh-toned pencil to line the lower inner rims of your eyes, says Dorf. "This area is usually bloodshot when you're tired, and the pencil will offset the redness so your eyes look bright."
