Natural Hair Dye
Why are you thinking of going natural?
If you’re thinking about going natural, there are a few things to consider. Here’s why some people choose to switch from chemical-based to natural hair dyes:
- Avoiding chemicals
- Wanting healthier hair
- Safer for the environment
- Trying something different
What’s your goal?
It’s important to know what you want your hair to look like, so that you can make sure the dye will get you there. Think about what would make this goal possible for you. If it’s just a change of color, then any dye will do. But if your goal is to grow new hair, or fix damage from heat styling tools, then there are some natural dyes that could be more effective than others. Your next step is figuring out how to get there—and what happens if it doesn’t work out. Then finally comes measuring whether or not the process worked!
What do you want to avoid?
It’s important to understand what you are looking to avoid before you make a switch. You want to avoid the following:
- Toxic chemicals
- Harsh ingredients
- Allergies (especially if you have sensitive skin)
- Residue, which can lead to dryness and irritation on your scalp
- Looking fake or unnatural; this is something that happens with many box dyes and can be avoided by using natural hair dye products. The process of dying your hair can also cause damage; this includes rashes, itching, irritation, pain and burning as well as odor buildup after repeated use of chemical-based dyes.
What is your hair type?
To begin, you need to know what kind of hair you have. This will determine whether you’re able to use hair dye and how long it will last. The main types are:
- Curly, wavy or fine: You’ll have a hard time with color dyes that don’t contain silicones or other chemicals because they can’t penetrate your hair without the addition of those ingredients. If choosing natural products for this type, try using henna (a powder which can be mixed twice weekly) or cassia (a paste made from plant leaves). Both require mixing with water and lemon juice before applying them directly to the scalp where it’s left on overnight before rinsing off in the morning (do not use shampoo afterwards). This method may also require weekly root touchups as new growth appears since these pigments tend not to adhere as well on curly/wavy textures compared with straight ones due to their density.
- Thick/coarse: If you have thick or coarse strands then dyeing shouldn’t be an issue because most box dyes contain protein boosters in order for them to adhere properly onto coarse hair types; however some people report difficulty removing them completely so check out reviews before buying!
- Thin/fine: If your strands are naturally fine then stick with permanent colors like demi-permanent options like Clairol Nice ‘n Easy Foam Hair Color ($13) which comes in 10 shades such as Natural Black & Natural Dark Brown while leaving enough time between each application so that regrowth doesn’t show through those lighter patches.”
Are you willing to DIY?
If you’re the kind of person who can take a few hours out of their day, spend it on a project, and then get something awesome in return—like making your own yarn—then dyeing your hair is for you. The main perk is cost savings. If you buy natural dye kits that are sold online, they can cost as much as $20 per kit! By comparison, buying all of the ingredients separately will run around $10 or less depending on how much product you use per application (and also how many applications you want to do).
The downside of doing it yourself is that it takes time: Prepping your hair involves washing it with an old shampoo before applying the dye; waiting for the mixture to work its magic over several hours; washing out both dyes and pre-shampoo; then sealing everything with coconut oil before styling again so that none of these natural products wash out prematurely. Time could be better spent reading about more pressing matters than learning about organic chemistry for personal use only (although I did learn some interesting things about my own body).
Finally, if dying your own hair makes sense financially but not logistically—say if there’s no nearby place where people sell natural dyes—you may be able to find someone in your area who does offer those services at an affordable rate (this happened when I lived in Cambridge).
Are you willing to adjust your routine?
If you’re looking to switch to a more natural hair dye, it’s important to keep in mind that this can impact your routine. For example, if you are using a permanent hair dye and want to switch to something with less chemical ingredients, then you may need to wash your hair less frequently and condition more frequently. You may also need different products depending on the type of color that is used on your hair.
All of these changes can be difficult for people who have already been used to one particular routine for years—but if they are willing accept the shift in their routines, then switching from a non-natural dye product may be an easy way for them make an informed decision about their health and wellbeing!
There are a lot of factors that go into dyeing your hair naturally.
For those of you who are thinking about switching to a natural hair dye, there are a lot of factors that go into this decision. The first thing you’ll want to do is determine what type of hair dye will work best for your needs. There are four main types of dyes: synthetic dyes, semi-permanent dyes, permanent dyes and vegetable dyes.
Simply put: synthetic dyes are manmade chemicals in the form of colored molecules; semi-permanent includes ammonia; permanent includes hydrogen peroxide; vegetable includes henna or indigo (which is generally not recommended for darker hair). Each type has its own pros and cons—for example, synthetic bottles don’t last as long as semi-permanent bottles but they’re cheaper while permanent bottles can damage your hair if applied incorrectly or too often.
Once you’ve decided which kind will work best for your needs—and this may take some trial and error—it’s time to consider what type will work best with your natural coloration as well as how darkly pigmented it is before applying any dye that could potentially stain clothes during application (for example).