Herbal dyes for gray hair

For most women, the discovery of gray hair becomes not just an unpleasant discovery, but a real disaster. Therefore, the question of hair coloring immediately becomes relevant. In this situation, solving the problem is not as easy as in the case of traditional painting. The reason is a special interaction with chemical or natural dyes.

Causes of poor coloring of gray hair

It is difficult due to the absence of a pigment-giving substance in the structure, which leads to increased rigidity and immunity to chemical or natural dyes. The type of natural melanin also influences the result of a cosmetic procedure. Light curls with eumelanin after its removal turn out to be more pliable in comparison with dark ones saturated with pheomelanin.

Efficiency of coloring depending on the type of gray hair

To properly dye your hair at home, first determine its type:

1. Focal. A peculiarity is the appearance of bleached hairs not all over the head, but on a certain part of it. In such a situation, you should select a dye, taking into account the percentage of gray hair and the thickness of the rods. The rest of the strands are dyed in the usual way without adding a natural tone.
2. 10-30%. Hair coloring is practiced using the traditional method or tones corresponding to the natural and expected darker color are mixed in equal proportions with a three percent oxidizing agent.
3. About half. The shade number of natural curls and their thickness are first determined. If you plan to achieve a beautiful blonde at home, but the strands are naturally dark, be sure to lighten your hair to avoid the appearance of yellowness. It is necessary to use a mixture with the addition of natural color in equal quantities with tint dye.
4. 60-70%. With thin curls, it’s possible to get a beautiful blonde at home even without pre-lightening. If they are thick enough, without a pigment-neutralizing preparation it will only be possible to paint them in dark versions.
5. Gray hair covering almost the entire head. Here, too, there are reservations for thick and thin strands. In each case, an oxidant is used at a concentration of 1.5%.

If your hair is naturally too heavy and the pigment is almost completely absent, it is better to choose special professional coloring compounds.

Professional dyes for gray hair

You can cover gray hair using the following techniques:

1. Highlighting with foil. It turns out to be effective if at least half of the natural color is preserved. Not one, but two shades are used for coloring.
2. Tinted balm. It does not cause harm and quickly covers gray hair, but there is no radical change. The composition is applied to the strands after washing the hair, evaluating the result. If it turns out to be unsatisfactory, a professional remover of a similar brand is used to reduce the intensity.
3. Use of ammonia-free semi-permanent drugs. The tinting agent is unable to penetrate the structure of the curls, so the dye is retained only in the scaly layer close to the surface. The results last for 2-3 weeks. It is advisable to use this method if there is 30% gray hair.
4. Permanent dyes.

If the initial tone does not belong to blonde, but represents a dark range, many experts advise hiding gray hair with the help of coloring and highlighting. A decent effect is obtained if the bleached curls are present in a minimal amount.

Coloring dark and gray hair with natural products

These are henna and basma, known to everyone, which can be used both individually and in combination with each other. In addition to high-quality coloring, with their help it is possible to restore health, restore silkiness, shine, stimulate growth, and eliminate dandruff. The only negative is that you have to paint it repeatedly, devoting more time to the procedure compared to applying permanent compounds. The result is strands that shimmer with light, dark chestnut (read about the rules for dyeing chestnut shades here), mahogany, and fiery red shades.

1. Features of pure henna.

When choosing this method of eliminating gray hair, it is important to consider a number of points:

1. Natural henna products provide a vibrant copper or orange tone. With naturally dark hair and a small number of bleached strands, it is possible to achieve an even color. If gray hair predominates, pronounced transitions between bright orange and dark copper are not excluded.
2. Before using henna in its pure form, you should definitely evaluate the percentage of pigmented and bleached curls. It is better if they are distributed evenly and not concentrated in local areas (for example, on the temples).
3. The peculiarity of henna and other natural dyes is the impossibility of predicting the result. The type of strands has a direct impact on the resulting shade. Maximum dye penetration is typical for a soft structure. If the hair is thick and coarse, it is often possible to completely dye the gray hair only on the third attempt. This increases the holding time. Sometimes this interval is about 6 hours. Henna does not harm your hair, but it is a significant waste of time.

It is advisable to pour boiling water over henna to enhance the release of natural pigment. Another method of use is to dilute the powder with warm water and then heat the mixture in a water bath for 3 minutes. At the next stage, vinegar, kefir or lemon juice is added to the safe paint, achieving the consistency of thick sour cream.

The prepared paste is applied to the hair immediately after preparation, since with prolonged contact of henna with air it loses its properties. It is better to immediately select the maximum exposure time. If there is a desire to get a tone that is not too dark, but to cover the gray hair completely, you should first carry out the procedure for one strand hidden in the thick of the hairstyle.

When combining both dyes at once, you need to be very careful about the choice of proportions. The best option is to consult a professional who will evaluate the structure of the curls, the type of gray hair and give appropriate recommendations. As for preparation, the recipe is similar to using henna in its pure form.

Some craftsmen advise additionally adding vegetable, cosmetic oil or egg yolk to the mixture for a more even paint job. At the end of the procedure, the strands are washed only with warm water, do not apply shampoo to them, otherwise the color may change noticeably.

3. Basma and black hair.

The answer to the question whether it is possible to eliminate gray hair and obtain a black tone of curls using basma has two possible options:

1. This effect is achieved by basma, supplemented with natural black pigments.
2. You can choose step-by-step coloring. First, pure henna is applied, obtaining a pronounced red color, then dyeing is done only with basma. The result may not be completely black, but a rich chestnut shade.

When planning the use of henna and basma at home, pay attention to:

1. If gray hair appears only near the roots, the dye should be applied in several passes with preliminary treatment of only the bleached part of the hairstyle. The holding time can reach several hours, after which the remainder of the mixture is distributed along the length of the hair.
2. To obtain the most durable color, periodic dyeing must be supplemented with rinsing carried out in between. For this, a special solution is prepared at home by pouring a liter of warm water at the same time as basma and henna. After brewing, add lemon juice and stir the resulting mixture well.

Other natural remedies are also used to hide gray hair. One of them is a chamomile decoction, which helps give curls with a natural shade of blonde a golden tint.

Updated: April 15, 2019

The pursuit of style and beauty entails both positive and negative effects. Giving your hair freshness with dyes does not add health to it. To solve problems with damage to the hair structure, manufacturers began to produce a line of natural coloring products based on herbs and oils. Ease of use and affordable prices only attract the attention of the fair sex to these products. Who doesn’t want to look beautiful and well-groomed, while having healthy hair?

Natural hair dyes

Natural based dyes a true find for those who want not only to treat their hair, but also change the tone or shade. Natural hair dyes include:

1. ammonia-free compositions of ready-made paints;
2. henna and basma;
3. coffee, cinnamon, honey, lemon, kefir;
4. decoctions of various herbs.

Natural dye envelops the structure of the hair shaft and gives it color from the outside, rather than penetrating inside like chemical dyes. The structure remains intact, and the surface coating acts as a protective film from the environment. In addition, herbal compositions add elasticity and shine to hair, heal split ends and activate metabolism in scalp cells.

Folk recipes

The basic recipe for almost all household paints is 2 tbsp. Boil spoons of raw materials over low heat in 0.5 liters of water. Strain and apply warm broth to hair. Depending on the tone, keep under a towel from 30 minutes to several hours. The best natural dyes are coffee, chamomile, rose hips, onion and walnut peels, rhubarb and linden, tea, honey and lemon.

Good old henna and basma

Henna dyeing This is additional nutrition for the hair and strengthens it. In combination with basma, you can give various shades:

1. on light hair - mix henna and basma in proportions 2:1, brew with boiling water until it becomes a paste, apply for 20 minutes, wrap, rinse with warm water;
2. for light brown color - proportions 1:5:1 (time 30 minutes) give color saturation or a bright red tint;
3. for brown-haired women - the shade will be dark red, chestnut or burgundy, proportions 1:1 or 1:5:1 (time from 45 minutes to 2 hours);
4. for gray hair - you get a black or chestnut shade, proportions 1:1, time 2.5 hours.

Attention! The full shade appears within 48 hours, during which time the henna is saturated and placed on the surface of the hair shaft.

Plant-based hair dyes:

1. Natural hair dye Chandi - These are paints that contain Iranian henna. Inside the package there are one hundred grams of powder, with instructions on how to dilute it. The color palette includes shades ranging from light tones, chestnut, dark and reddish. Dries my hair a little. Average cost from 250 rubles;
2. Natural hair dyes Logona - also from the organic series, with a cream-paste consistency. The cost of paint is from 800 rubles. The composition is varied: glycerin, henna and oak extracts, montmorillonite (clay mineral for healing), erythrulose (designed for color retention). When used, hair gains volume, shine and elasticity. The names of the shades are unusual and bright. For example, Indian summer, brown nougat, teak, titian, copper blonde. Covers all tones (from light to black);
3. Natural hair dye Aasha - completely herbal paint. It is considered more therapeutic, but the shade of the hair changes depending on the declared color - from black to light tones. Contains a complex of Ayurvedic herbs and Indian henna, which enhance each other's actions. The active components of the paint are henna, walnut, aloe vera, sesame and coffee, rhubarb, lemon and many others (to give shades). The coloring is rich, strengthens the structure of the hair shaft, nourishes the scalp, gives elasticity and shine, adds strength, and is aimed against baldness. The average cost is within 300 rubles;
4. Natural organic hair dye Khadi - organic paint. Palette for light, brown, dark and gray hair. The paints mix well with each other to obtain a unique shade. The composition contains henna and indigo, shikakai, amla, neem, sandalwood. The color is long-lasting, the hair is perfectly strengthened, lifted at the roots, and the product perfectly nourishes the scalp. The average cost is around 650 rubles.

Attention! When using natural hair dyes, you should make sure that you are not allergic to plant components. To do this, apply the dye to a small area of ​​skin, hold it for as long as it will be dyed on the hair, and wash it off. If no negative reactions occur within two days, then the product is suitable.

Choosing natural dyes for gray hair

1. natural dye for gray hair: dyeing dark hair for brunettes into blond hair - To lighten dark hair, you can use special hair masks. Chamomile 1.5 tbsp. pour 2 tbsp. boiling water and boil for 5 minutes. Leave for an hour, then add 50 ml. 3% hydrogen peroxide and apply to a clean and dry surface, a spoonful of honey and 0.5 lemon juice, apply the mask for several hours, wrap with a towel, rinse with warm water. Repeat both methods several times;
2. natural dye for gray hair: how to dye blond hair dark - to darken, you can use rinsing with strong brewed tea (pour 3 tablespoons of tea leaves with one glass of boiling water, boil for 10-15 minutes, cool, filter, apply for half an hour and rinse). Also, during the walnut season, you can brew a glass of green husks (1 tbsp per liter of water, boil for 30 minutes), apply the decoction to clean hair, wrap for 40 minutes, rinse with warm water;
3. natural dye for gray hair: coloring red hair - for the decoction, take 200 g. onion peels and a liter of water, boil in a water bath for 30 minutes. The amount of husk or water varies (you need to experiment). Rinse your head with the decoction and wrap it up for half an hour. It is good to paint a rosehip decoction - add 1/4 cup of rosehip juice, the same amount of beetroot and carrot juice, add three cups of boiled but cooled water. Apply for an hour and sit under the sun. Wash off with shampoo;
4. natural dye for gray hair: with rhubarb root - For the product, take 30 grams. rhubarb root and leaves, pour 0.5 l. white wine, steam on fire for 30 minutes, apply the decoction for 45 minutes, rinse with warm water, you will get a light brown tint;
5. natural dye for gray hair: with rosemary and sage - A tincture of rosemary and sage will help remove emerging gray hair. Brew 2 tbsp. tablespoons with a glass of boiling water, strain and apply the broth to washed hair for ten minutes, rinse. Do this every time after washing your hair;
6. natural dye for gray hair: how to dye gray hair with cocoa powder - If there is half a bottle of shampoo left, then add cocoa powder to it. Mix everything well and wash your hair with homemade cream shampoo. Gradually the gray hair will go away.

Tips for successfully choosing natural hair dye that covers gray hair

1. it is worth choosing a shade of dye closer to your own;
2. if your hair is completely gray, it will be more effective to dye it with a tint balm or rinse it with decoctions every day;
3. if brown hair is turning grey, then reddish and chocolate colors are suitable for it;
4. yellowness on gray hair is well colored by infusions of chamomile, sage and black tea;
5. When working with henna, it is better to dilute it with basma or other herbs to avoid emerald color and vice versa. breed basma. so as not to get blue;
6. when stained with various herbs. you need to know for sure whether you have an allergic reaction to the components.

Top 10 natural hair dyes that cover gray hair. Characteristics, properties

1. Biocar - consists of a large number of plant components and oils. It not only covers gray hair, but also strengthens and nourishes hair shafts that have lost color.
2. Color Mate is made with henna and does not contain ammonia. The palette is designed for all shades, does an excellent job of coloring, and also strengthens the roots of the hair shaft, is perfectly absorbed and protects against aggressive environments.
3. Phytotonics - based on Indian henna with the addition of herbs to achieve different tones. Contains Zeolux, a color catalyst made from volcanic peat.
4. Cream henna from Phytocosmetic is Iranian henna with the addition of basma to give the finished shade indicated on the package. Gives hair softness and shine. very easy to apply.
5. Hashmi is a herbal dye made from henna. Strengthens and nourishes from the very roots. Works well in combination with basma.
6. Aasha is a herbal dye aimed at treating and restoring hair.
7. Lady Henna is a henna-based cream dye with a varied color palette. Heals and strengthens.
8. Logona - organic paint and plant ingredients. Gives rich color, elasticity and vibrant shine.
9. Chandi is another henna based brand. Nourishes and strengthens hair shafts, colors.
10. Khandi is a combination of henna and indigo that produces beautiful shades and shine.

Dye for gray hair at home

Home paints not only mask the gray color, but also treat, in some cases even get rid of gray hairs.

In order to prepare a home remedy, we use regular henna and basma, but be sure to add 5 drops of Aevit vitamins (or 5 balls) for each color. This will gradually restore balance to your scalp and help grow stronger hair.

Coloring is also done by rinsing with strong infusions of chamomile, black tea, rhubarb (it is better to buy herbs at the pharmacy and brew according to the instructions on the packages).