We have already seen a few hair color recipes. Here’s another one in that list – color your hair brown naturally with this recipe and strengthen your hair while you are at it!
We all know we can use Henna to color hair, among other things. This recipe uses Henna, along with other ingredients. For those who don’t want to use Henna, we will be adding more options soon. Ready for the recipe?
Ingredients
Henna Powder – 4 Tbsp.
Mango Kernel Powder – 1 Tbsp.
Indian Gooseberry Powder – 3 Tbsp.
Terminalia Arjuna – 1 Tbsp.
Coffee Powder – 1 – 2 Tsp.
Eucalyptus Oil – few drops
Instructions
In an iron vessel, add the Henna Powder, Mango Kernel Powder, Indian Gooseberry Powder and Terminalia Arjuna Powder.
In a small vessel, add a handful of rice and boil it till fully cooked.
Strain the water and set aside to cool down.
Now, add the rice water to the powders along with a spoon of Instant Coffee Powder.
Mix well – you can add normal water when the rice water is not sufficient or use yogurt or buttermilk.
Mix well and set aside overnight.
Next morning, check the consistency – add a few drops of Rose Water or water if needed – if it is very thick.
Add a few drops of Eucalyptus Oil – only if you are worried about cold, if not you can skip this.
Done!
How to Use the Color?
Use a glove for your hands – henna stains and it will take a few days for it to fade away from your skin.
Apply plain lip balm on your forehead, top of your ears and behind your ears – this is to prevent staining of skin in visible areas.
Now, use a comb or coloring brush to apply the paste – the easiest way to do this is take the paste using gloved fingers and partitioning your hair with the pointed end of the coloring brush and applying the paste.
Once fully covered with this paste, wrap your head with a shower cap and let it sit for an hour – 3 hours (I keep for an hour as I don’t want to get cold, you can even leave it overnight). The longer you keep, the stronger the color results – it will last more than two weeks – well set color lasts up to 2 or 3 months.
Wash off with herbal hair wash powder or a mild shampoo.
Finish off with a coconut milk or rice water rinse – optional.
**This hair color works best when hair is clean and oil-free. If you hair is oily and you can’t wash your hair and then apply it and wash, you can do this instead. Dust your hair with talcum powder or starch powder. Brush off to get rid of the powder and oil and then apply the hair color – trust me, this works.
Tips to Tweak the Recipe
The Yogurt or Buttermilk is optional – I gave the rice water option for those who can’t use yogurt or buttermilk but want to counter the drying effect that henna can have.
Rose Water is optional or is an option for those who can’t use rice water. Rose water softens the hair.
You can also add a few pinches of Cinnamon and Clove – to keep cold at bay and also helps get darker color.
You can add a few drops of Lemon Juice if you aren’t using Yogurt or Buttermilk to help release dye – it is not mandatory.
Do try this recipe and let us know how you liked the results. The results can vary – some don’t get dark brown and might need a helping of either Indigofera or Katam or Katha or Tea or more than one application of Henna paste, or a combination of Indigofera for the rich brown color.
Do keep us posted with the results and stay tuned for a Henna-free recipe and tips on correcting the results when coloring hair naturally. Till then, write back to us with your feedback or questions. Don’t have time for DIY Recipes? Try HY Vitamins Argan-based premium hair care products for your hair care requirements.
