Subtly enhancing your hair colour gives your face further definition and can give your spirit a lift. Although we are positive that we will soon find a genuinely safe range of hair dyes, these natural solutions are a great way to experiment without damaging your health and hair with synthetic dyes. Although these natural hair colouring techniques wont result in a drastic change in colour, they will be effective at lifting your hair colour a shade or too or by adding highlights.

These treatments will need to be repeated to maintain the desired colour and we also recommend that you test your chosen treatment first on a strand of hair to ensure you will like the change.

For the Blondes

Chamomile

Use this stunning herb consistently to noticeably brighten fading blond hair, or use it lightly for subtly highlights.

• To make a chamomile hair rinse, add ¾ of a cup of chamomile flowers or 8 chamomile tea bags to a quart of boiling water.
• You can also add ¼ teaspoon of lavender essential oils to the water.
• Allow the mixture to boil for 20 minutes or longer.
• Strain the mixture and then pour it through your hair after towel drying.
• Catch the mixture in a bowl and pour it through several more times.
• You can also add the mixture to some yogurt to get a paste.
• Allow the last of the mixture to remain in your hair for 20 minutes before rinsing.

Lemon

I’m sure the mention of lemon and sun brings memories of your younger days but nonetheless this very popular treatment does work, as the action of lemon juice and heat can lift your hair colour a shade or two, depending on how light your natural hair colour is. Lemon juice in itself is strongly acidic though, so diluting it will keep it from damaging your hair. It should be mixed with at least an equal amount of water, more if your hair is already damaged or if you are concerned with greying.

Whilst water works great by itself , we recommend that you combine it with olive oil http://www.faithful-to-nature.co.za/Crede-Organic-Olive-Oil-p-541.html rather for it to has lightening effects as well as excellent softening effects that will counteract any dryness caused by the lemon.

• Mix a tablespoon or two of olive oil in a cup of water with one tablespoon of pure lemon juice.
• Massage mixture into hair and leave to soak for 30 minutes in the sun. (The sun is much better for you and your hair, but a hair dryer will also suffice if you cannot get into the sun.)
• Rinse well, two shampoos may be required to completely remove the olive oil.

Honey

Honey is a superb hair lightener because it naturally contains traces of hydrogen peroxide.

• You can mix a tablespoon of honey with a cup of water and let it sit for 30 minutes to allow the peroxide to develop.
• Then coat hair completely with the mixture and allow it to sit for at least 20 minutes.
• After applying the mixture, you can also cover hair with saran wrap and leave overnight.
• We recommend that you add a tablespoon of olive oil to the mix for an intense overnight moisture treatment.

Rhubarb

If you happen to be boiling chopped rhubarb, use the water leftover as a rinse to lighten hair. It can also give your hair a shiny gloss if used regularly.

For the Brunettes

Sage

Sage is a well-known natural hair coloring folk remedy for darkening hair color over time, even for those with grey hair.

• Add a half cup of dried sage to two cups of boiling water.
• Allow your hair to dry naturally. When it does, your hair should have a natural chamomile glow. Repeat the process as necessary to achieve the desired look
  To get maximal brightening effects, do this twice a week.
• Allow this mixture to boil for thirty minutes.
• Strain it and then pour the liquid through your damp hair.
• Repeat several times, allowing the last rinse to remain on your hair for 40 minutes.
• Rinse and dry your hair as usual.
• You may not notice dramatic results the first few times you use it.
• Reapply it weekly until you achieve your desired natural hair colour.

Coffee

Coffee works well to darken your colour intensity and to boost shine.

• Mix the following together: 2 cups of leave in conditioner, 2 tbs of ground coffee and 1 cup of cold brewed coffee.
• Mix the leave in conditioner with the ground coffee and the cold brewed coffee in a bowl.
• Then put it in your hair like you would any ‘regular’ hair dye.
• Leave it in for 1 hour or as long as you see fit.
• Rinse Well

Walnuts

You can also naturally darken your hair with black walnuts, but the walnut can permanently stain so please be very careful and test a bit on your head first.

• Crack a few walnuts and place the entire walnut in boiling water and boil for 15 to 25 minutes.
• Put on gloves and apply this to your hair and place a hair cap over your hair.
• Let it sit for 30 minutes and let dry.
• Rinse and wash your hair.
• Repeat the process until you get your hair to be as dark a shade as you want it to be but you can just rinse your hair with it after shampooing if you don’t want to go too dark.

Vinegar & Soy Sauce

Use apple cider vinegar and soy or tamari sauce to darken hair without dye. Simply use half a cup of apple cider vinegar with a half cup of soy sauce as a final rinse after shampooing. The scent is not great. It does fade as the mixture dries but don’t make plans to go out straight after as this could be a little stressful if the scent does not disappear immediately. Allow your hair to dry naturally. When it does, your hair should have a natural chamomile glow. Repeat the process as necessary to achieve the desired look. To get maximal brightening effects, do this twice a week.

For the Red Heads

Paprika & Rosehip Tea

Paprika mixed into a paste with rose hip tea can produce beautiful red results and will also add extra shine to your hair.

• You will need 2 cups of leave in conditioner or yogurt, 1 tbs of paprika and a strong cup of tea made from 4 tea bags or rosehip tea or a handful of rosehip shells
• Mix the ingredients together and put it in your hair.
• Leave in for 1 hour or as long as desired.