Q&A for How to Naturally Dye Your Hair

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How can you lighten your hair naturally?

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

Salt water, lemon, and raw honey are great natural lighteners. Spending time in the sun can help too!

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Question

Can saltwater lighten your 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, it can. Ocean water works, but you can also mix 1 tablespoon of salt into 3/4 cup of water and spray it on your hair.

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Question

What is the rarest 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

Red hair is the least common natural hair color. Redheads make up less than 2% of the general population.

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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 rinse your hair with tea or a sage infusion for a subtle darkening or you can use henna for a more dramatic change.

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Question

Will these natural methods of changing hair color eventually wash out?

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, except for the lightening methods like using lemon or chamomile. Lightening hair is permanent, but it does grow out.

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Question

How do I get my natural red hair to a darker brown 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

This sort of dramatic color change isn't possible with these natural methods.

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Question

How long does the lemon method usually take to work?

Community Answer

Usually the lemon method takes about an hour or so with exposure to the sun. Remember to use sunscreen on your skin!

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Question

How long will it take using the lemon method to dye black hair brown?

Community Answer

It usually takes two to four weeks. It depends on the darkness of your natural color.

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Question

How many weeks will it take to get at least a little brown color?

Community Answer

It can take about 3 weeks. What you should do is wash your hair on Sunday, and then on Wednesday.

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Question

Is there a possibility to dye my hair from brown to red using natural methods?

Community Answer

You'll probably get a red tint, but the natural methods are not strong enough to really dye your hair.

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Question

Can I do ombre with the lemon method?

Community Answer

Yes, but it will take a while. Another method is to put the lemon juice on and sit in the sun for an hour, and then wash it off.

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Question

How do I make very dark brown hair very light pink?

Community Answer

This is not possible with natural methods. You will likely need to bleach your hair and then use a pink dye. If you're worried about doing this yourself, go to a salon.

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Question

Can I dye my hair blonde with lemon or will it not work?

Community Answer

It depends on your natural hair color. If it's relatively light, you could get blonde hair with consistent use. If it's dark, it won't be able to lighten your hair quite that much. The only way to get blonde hair from dark hair is through chemical bleaching.

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Question

How long will the baking soda method take for light/medium brown hair?

Community Answer

It will take a week or longer. I don't recommend this method, since it dries your hair out a lot.

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Question

Will the salt method make black hair grey?

Community Answer

Yes, it will make it go grey.

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Question

If you use daisy tea how long would it take to get ombre hair from brown to blonde?

Community Answer

It would take a quite a while because, after all, you are using natural methods only.

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Question

How many days will it take to make my hair brown using the lemon method?

Community Answer

It depends on what shade your hair is naturally. It could take anywhere from 1-10 weeks.

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Question

How can I get a gray color?

Community Answer

Try a beauty supply store, which will have a greater range of dyes than a drug or grocery store.

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Question

I had jet black hair, but I have a lot of white coming in. How can I naturally dye my hair to black?

JuliaAnne

Community Answer

For that, you might want to consider just coloring your hair with hair dye. You can probably find natural hair dye in stores, or go talk to a professional hairdresser about what you're looking for.

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Question

How do I go from gray to dark brown or black?

Community Answer

Try coffee. It can help darken your hair. It might take a few tries, so don't get discouraged if it doesn't work immediately.

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How can I change my black hair to red naturally?

Community Answer

Changing your hair color to that degree with natural methods isn't possible. If you want to change your hair color drastically, you'll need to go to a salon instead.

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Question

Will the mixture come out, and when?

Community Answer

The mixture will, over time, wear away as your hair grows. So, yes it will eventually come out (some mixtures just come out by your hair being washed). As for when, I would say about a month or two.

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Question

Will lemon juice hurt my hair?

Community Answer

If you use lemon juice on your hair, make sure to wash it out completely as it will make your hair dry out really fast and feel like straw.

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Question

Can I dye my burgundy hair to a cocoa cinnamon color without stripping?

Community Answer

Yes, you should be able to do this. It may take some time, though.

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Question

How can I make it blonde from black?

Community Answer

You have to slowly bleach it back. It takes a while, especially since black is meant to be a permanent color. If you wanted it blonde quickly you shouldn't have made it black.

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Question

I want the ends of my hair to be a light brown. Will any of these methods work?

Community Answer

You can use henna, it's natural and it's good for your hair.

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Question

How long does it take for lemon juice to make my dark brown hair lighter?

Community Answer

It should probably take about 2 to 3 weeks. Wash only once a week, otherwise it can damage your hair.

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Question

How long does the beet juice dye stay before it washes out?

Community Answer

It will remain for about 4-6 weeks depending what your real hair colour is. If you are a blonde, then it will last 6 weeks because your hair is lighter. If you are a brunette, then it will last for 4 weeks because your hair is much darker.

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Question

How can I dye my hair naturally with onion skins?

Community Answer

Add onion skins to a pot of water and boil for 30-60 minutes. Leave to soak overnight then strain and pour over clean hair. Leave in for about half an hour before rinsing. Onion skins contain the antioxidant-rich pigment called quercetin, which creates a lovely earthy golden brown colour.

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Question

Is it possible to make my black hair slightly blonde with a natural dye?

Community Answer

Yes, if you mix lemon and baking soda, it will make your hair turn a few shades lighter. Use it on one strand before going on your full head, to make sure you like the shade, because sometimes, it doesn't turn the way you want it to.

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