Q&A for How to Naturally Darken Your Hair

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Question

Can toner darken blonde hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Yes, especially if the hair has been recently lightened or if the toner is left on for a long time. To help reduce the chance of a toner making your hair too dark, condition your hair before toning it. You can even leave the conditioner in and rinse it out with the toner.

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Question

Can you change your natural hair color?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You cannot intentionally change the color of the hair growing out of your scalp. However, medical treatments, changes in hormones, and aging can change your natural color.

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Question

How do you make your hair darker?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You can darken hair with many different stains and dyes. Tea, coffee, and even spices like cinnamon provide subtle darkening. For a more dramatic color change, try henna.

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Question

Will it work with black hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

If your hair is black none of these methods will produce a significant change, though henna or tea may give it a subtle warm shimmer in sunlight.

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Question

Will my white strands of hair turn black or dark brown?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Natural dyes will blend but not completely cover gray strands. Henna is the best option if you want to use a natural dye to cover grays, but still may not conceal them completely.

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Question

How long will the results from the coffee method last?

Community Answer

The coffee method should last a few weeks. Avoid washing your hair too often; two or three times a week will be plenty. When you do wash your hair, try to use cool water and shampoo/conditioner intended for color-treated hair.

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Question

What if I go darker but do not like the results? Will the coffee just wash out?

Community Answer

If you do not like the results then you will have to go through a lightening process, cut it off, or shampoo more often to have it fade. The coffee leaves a "stain" in the hair so it will not just wash out with one wash.

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Question

If you are trying to grow your hair, would the coffee method damage it?

Community Answer

Caffeine is actually good for your hair and hair growth which is why many hair-growth stimulating shampoos contain caffeine.

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Question

Is it possible to get black hair from medium brown hair in two weeks?

Community Answer

No. Unless you dye your hair using hair dye, it is very difficult to get hair so dark naturally in such a short time.

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Question

Is it possible to go from a medium brunette to a very dark brunette or even to black hair in a few months?

Community Answer

You may not get your hair as black as desired, but it will definitely be darker.

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Question

Does this work on gray hair?

Community Answer

Yes, people with lighter hair often see results faster than those with dark hair.

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Question

I have lightened my dark brown hair with L'Oreal sun-kissed bleach and I didn't like the results as it turned my hair a redder tone instead of lighter brown, will coffee help get it back to dark brown?

Community Answer

It might, but if it's reddish, I recommend you try a purple shampoo, which is toner, it's great for removing orange or red tints from hair.

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Question

Is it good to use shika instead of shampoo?

Community Answer

Soapnut powder (shika) is safe for washing hair. Homemade soapnut powders are even better, but they do not lather. Shika also takes more time to completely cover the hair for rinsing.

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Question

What color of hair does this work for?

Community Answer

It should work for all hair, but the effects are more noticeable with lighter hair colors.

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Question

Will this darken my hair permanently?

Community Answer

No, you will have to do these steps again when you feel like your color is washing out. Your hair will lighten slowly and return to its previous color as you wash it.

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Question

Are lemon juice and almond oil enough to change my hair to black?

Caeiia

Top Answerer

No.

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Question

Will dark hair hide split ends?

Community Answer

It won't hide your split ends, but it will make them less noticeable. The lighter the hair color, the easier it is to see split ends.

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Question

How many washes will it take before the henna powder washes out?

Community Answer

My hair turned slightly reddish after just a few washes( 5-6). I felt henna/indigo was not worth the effort for hair color alone, but my hair was shinier after henna/indigo so maybe I would do it before an important event.

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Question

Will chlorine affect any of these methods?

Community Answer

Chlorine may give hair a greenish appearance, although this tends to happen in blonde hair most often. The chlorine can also damage your hair and, as a bleach, can strip out the color and any darkening you have managed to obtain.

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Question

Will brunette shampoo make my hair black?

Community Answer

No, because brunette shampoo only aims to make hair more brown. Black hair is difficult to obtain without dye, but you can intensify your brown shade with the methods mentioned or search the internet for ways of making hair black without dye.

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Question

Can any coffee work instead of the one above?

Community Answer

Any coffee will work. The article does not specify a brand you need to use. It suggests organic coffee because it's healthier for you and your hair, but non-organic will work just fine.

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Question

How long will it take for my hair to change from medium brown to dark black?

Community Answer

Henna would darken it that much almost immediately; however, most of the other methods probably wouldn't darken your hair that much.

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Question

If I darken my hair, will it be noticeable?

Community Answer

A noticeably different hair color is generally the purpose of darkening or lightening your hair. If you only darken it very slightly, some people may not notice, but there's always a chance that someone who pays close attention will.

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Question

If I use medium strength coffee every day, will it have an effect?

Community Answer

Yes, but it will take much longer, and the results will not be extremely noticeable.

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Question

Does this work on bleached hair?

Community Answer

Yes, this should work especially in lighter hair colors, as you will see results faster. Most or all of these methods stain color into your hair.

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Question

How can I darken only the top of my head?

Community Answer

Use the coffee or black tea method. Put your hair up into a ponytail, the higher the better. Apply the coffee or tea to the top of your hair, then let it soak in for thirty minutes or so and wash it out.

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Question

Will this method take out the reddish tint in my hair?

Community Answer

Most likely it will not. It is intended to darken hair, not take out any color. Using purple hair toner is a good way to get orange or red tints out of hair, though.

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Question

How do I darken my blonde hair?

Community Answer

Any of these options above will work. The henna worked fastest for me.

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Question

Does this work on light blue hair? I need to make it dark blue.

Community Answer

No, as it is dyed hair and almost all of these methods are for making your hair a darker brown/blonde.

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Question

Does cardamom or cinnamon lighten your hair more?

Community Answer

It depends on the person. Cinnamon usually lightens, although you need several tries to get the desired result.

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