Who does not love to have a thick, luscious bunch of dark brown hair? But when it comes to flaunting the shade, many of us drop the plan with a fear that the chemical color will take a toll on our hair. So, what is the best alternative to commercial hair colors that can add a beautiful dark brown hue to your locks? The answer is henna and coffee hair dye! This simple and natural DIY recipe will add a rich dark brown tint and a lovely shine to your tresses, and that too without destroying their health. Let’s explore more:
Also Read – How To Use Henna For Fixing Dry, Damaged And Frizzy Hair
Why Use Henna?
Henna or ‘mehndi has long been used as a natural hair dye. However, when used correctly, the haircare benefits of this simple ingredient go far beyond this. Here are why Henna should be included in our haircare routine as a staple: (1)
- It covers grey hair without the harmful effects of ammonia or other chemicals and does not leave it dull, dry, or damaged.
- It repairs damaged hair by building a protective layer around each shaft, making it thick and almost twice as strong. Consequently, we get rid of split ends and too much hair fall.
- It conditions hair by locking in natural moisture, adding shine and gloss.
- It makes the scalp healthy by restoring its acid-alkaline balance and improves the overall growth of locks to a great extent.
Did You Know?
What’s the Difference Between Natural Henna and Black Henna?
As the name suggests, Natural henna is the purest form of henna prepared by drying and grinding leaves of henna. It leaves a temporary red brown tint when applied on the skin. On the other hand, Black henna is chemical treated and leaves black tint on the skin.
Why Use Coffee?
The caffeine in coffee is good for our health and skin and has tremendous positive effects on our hair. Check out why using coffee on your locks is beneficial: (2)
- It stimulates the roots or follicles of our locks and helps us eliminate excessive hair loss while enhancing its natural growth.
- It improves blood circulation throughout the scalp, invigorating it and making the hair healthy.
- It makes the hair softer, smoother, and manageable while giving it a wonderful texture and volume.
- It imparts a rich brown color and a beautiful shine to the hair, making it a perfect ingredient for homemade hair dye.
How do I remove henna?
Apply toothpaste on your henna tattoo and allow it to dry. Rub the area thoroughly and rinse it off with lukewarm water. Alternatively, apply olive oil on the area to get rid off the henna color.
DIY Henna And Coffee Hair Dye Recipe
As both Henna and coffee have dying properties, combining them will result in a dark brown color. So, here is the simple recipe that can turn your mane into that like celebrities:
Also Read – Simple DIY Coffee Shampoo Recipes and Their Benefits for Hair
Ingredients Required:
- Henna powder – 5 tablespoons or as required (depending upon the length of your hair)
- Instant Coffee (dehydrated) – 1 tablespoon or as required (there is no need to add more than two tablespoons as that will be enough to get a rich color)
- Water – 1 cup
- One medium-sized glass mixing bowl
- One small pot
- One spoon
- One shower cap/plastic cap/saran wrap
- Two clean towels
Preparation and Application:
1. In this recipe, we have used instant coffee as it is easy to prepare and does not consume much time. So, start with preparing the coffee. Pour the water into the pot. Meanwhile, turn the heat on. Now, place the pot over the flame and bring the water to a boil. Once it starts boiling, add the instant coffee to it. Once you are done with it, take the pot out of the heat and keep it aside.
2. In the meantime, you must prepare the towels for future use. Just put them in the dryer and toss them for a few minutes. It will heat them. Keep them aside, too.
3. Pour the henna powder into the glass mixing bowl. Start adding the freshly prepared coffee to it slowly. Keep stirring with the spoon so that the Henna dissolves into the coffee entirely and a smooth, thick batter is formed. Keeping the Henna and coffee mixture warm is crucial to get a vital dye. Hence, wrap a heated towel around the glass bowl to lock the heat in.
Henna is a safe natural dying ingredient for our hair. However, it should not be used too frequently on the locks, or else, it will dry out the hair. Make sure that you do not use it more than twice a month. Also, wash you hair thoroughly after using henna on your hair so that there is no residue deposited on your scalp.
4. After that, section your hair to simplify the application. You can create five sections by taking small portions of hair from the top, back, middle, and sides of your head. It will help you ensure that no single hair is missed.
Also Read – Guide To Dye Your Hair Naturally With Coffee
5. Now, apply your homemade henna and coffee hair dye onto the back section of your hair. You should begin right from the roots and go towards the ends gradually. Repeat the same procedure for the other four sections.
6. As soon as you cover all your hair with the dye mixture, wrap it with the saran wrap or put it on the plastic or shower cap. Also, wrap the other towel around it nicely. This will keep your dye warm, prevent it from dehydrating, and avoid its oxygenation.
7. Remove the towel and cap from your hair After 3 to 4 hours. Rinse it off with a herbal shampoo and lukewarm water. Do not forget to apply the conditioner thoroughly. Finally, wash it off with cold water and dry it in the air.
Tips to Remember
- As coffee gives the dye a richer tint, you should avoid using a plastic bowl for preparation. Or it will get poorly stained.
- Hot coffee is considered the most effective way to dye our hair deeply. So, make sure that you mix only freshly prepared coffee with Henna.
- Instant coffee is available in both powder and granulated forms. Though coffee powder always gives a better paste, you can use coarse coffee, too.
Also Read – Overnight Homemade Hair Masks Are Pure Love!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
How do you remove the henna smell from your hair?
Add 1-2 teaspoons of cinnamon powder to your henna paste to alleviate the distinctive henna smell. Cinnamon effectively neutralizes the odor, but be cautious if you have sensitive skin, as it may irritate.
Does coconut oil remove Henna from hair?
For henna color removal, consider a natural oil treatment. Mix equal parts coconut and olive oil, applying the blend to your hair overnight. Rinse it off the next day with a mild shampoo, repeating the process until the henna color is completely removed.
Can Henna be applied on oiled hair?
No, shampooing your hair before applying Henna is advisable to eliminate impurities and excess oil. Applying Henna on oily hair may hinder the herb’s benefits from being fully utilized.
How long does Henna stay in your hair?
Typically, the color from Henna can last anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks. However, the duration may vary depending on hair types and beauty routines.
How often should you henna your hair?
It’s recommended not to apply Henna more than twice a month to prevent excessive hair drying.
Does Henna make your hair stronger?
Yes, Henna contributes to maintaining the natural pH level of the scalp and strengthens hair follicles, promoting overall hair health and resilience.
