Colour your hair naturally

 If you want to change your look or cover up the greys in your hair, you may choose to colour your hair. If you’re wary of the chemicals found in commercial dyes, ‘healthier’ alternatives are available.

The harsh chemicals found in some commercial hair dyes can easily be absorbed into the blood stream. Here are some natural alternatives you can try.

Henna

It is the most common natural hair dye. When ground into fine powder, it can be used to dye the hair. Using henna alone to dye the hair may, however, result in a very red colour. To get a toned-down colour, mix henna with other natural vegetables and plants to get different shades. When buying henna, ensure it is not adulterated. Those who use natural dyes feel that it makes their hair shinier and healthier.

Tea

Various types of tea and coffee can also be used as dyes. Concentrate them enough to get deeper shades of colour. Dying your hair with tea makes your hair look and feel better.

You will need between three to five teabags.

• Brew the tea stronger than what you would drink. Shampoo your hair, towel dry it then pour the tea over it. Tea has natural staining properties and richly coloured anti-oxidants perfect in adding colour and shine to your hair.

• If you want to cover grey using tea, mix equal parts of tea with dried sage. Always ensure the mixture has cooled down before you apply it. The longer you leave the ‘dye’ on; the better; an hour or more is good for best results.

• Rinse your hair with cool water and then style as usual.The more tea you use, the more intense the results.

Other natural hair dye options:

• Lemons: They can be used to lighten or add highlights to the hair. The juice is a natural bleach. Its intensity can be heightened by exposing the lemon-treated hair to sunlight.

• Coffee: Like tea, strongly brewed black coffee can be used as a darkening hair rinse.

• Beetroot juice, carrot juice: These are natural hair dyes that can be used to add red tints to hair. You can use them separately or together. The dye should be left on the hair for at least one hour.

• Sage tea: This natural dye has been used for years to colour dark hair. It is commonly used to cover grey hairs.

• Chamomile tea: This dye is effective for lightening your hair colour. Put the tea bags in boiling water for at least half an hour.

Photos: blackwomanhairstyles.com