How to Dye Hair Without Dye

Dyeing your hair is a great way to refresh your look, but your hair is prone to damage. In addition, it is also difficult for you to change the color of dyed hair in a short period of time. If you want to darken your natural hair color, try going with a punky color like blue, or you can try many other options if you just need to change the hair color to match the outfit! Note, because you are not using dye, the results usually do not last long.

Table of Contents

Bold natural hair color

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Use coffee filter and conditioner for dark hair. Place 2 cups of dry conditioner in a bowl, then add 2 tablespoons (10 grams) of coffee grounds and 1 cup (240 ml) of room temperature filter coffee. Apply the mixture to your hair, wait 1 hour, then rinse your hair with warm water. To make the color last longer on your hair, you should rinse your hair one more time with apple cider vinegar and dry your hair naturally. ^{[1] X Research Source}

The density of the hair depends on the density of the coffee. Use espresso for better results. Don’t add milk or sugar to your coffee.
For best results, use a white conditioner. You can also use a regular conditioner or a hair mask.
This method can turn light-colored hair into a dark brown tone.
New hair color does not last long and will fade after 2-3 washes. You can repeat this method several times to prolong the effect.

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Use tea to darken your natural hair color. Mix 3-5 tea bags with 2 cups (470ml) of water. Wait for the tea to cool before using it on your hair. Pour the tea over your hair or combine with 2 cups of conditioner and wait 1 hour before rinsing with warm water. Similar to how to dye hair with coffee, the new hair color will fade after about 2-3 washes. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Use black tea if you want to darken your hair or dye it gray.
Use rooibos tea or hibiscus tea if you want to increase the red tone of your hair.
Try chamomile tea if you want to lighten blonde or light brown hair.

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Use herbal water to darken your natural hair color and bring out highlights. Simmer 1-2 (5-10g) tablespoons of optional dried herbs with 2 cups (470ml) of water for 30 minutes. Strain the herbal juice and put it in a spray bottle, then spray it on your hair until it’s wet. Like the method of dyeing hair with coffee or tea, new hair color does not last long and will fade after 2-3 washes. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Use chrysanthemums, hibiscus, marigolds or rosehips to accentuate the red tones. Dry your hair in the sun, then rinse your hair with warm water.
For dark hair, try using crushed walnut shells, nettle, rosemary or sage. Wet your hair with herbal water and wait 1 hour before rinsing your hair with warm water. You don’t need to be exposed to the sun to dry your hair.
To lighten blonde hair, you should try chamomile, chamomile, marigold, saffron or sunflower. Pour the herbal water on your hair, let it dry naturally (preferably in the sun), and then rinse your hair with warm water.

Use artificial colors

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This method should only be applied on blond, light brown or bleached hair for best results. Since the methods in this section create a translucent effect, they only deepen the natural color of the hair. That means the darker the hair color, the harder it will be to see the new color effect.

Note, the blue and red colors used on blond hair will create green or orange colors.

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Mix sugar-free Kop-Aid powder with conditioner if you want to dye your whole hair. Dissolve 3 sachets of unsweetened Kop-Aid powder in 1 cup of hot water. Stir the Kop-Aid water with enough conditioner to cover the entire hair. Apply the mixture to your hair, then put on a shower cap that covers all of your hair. Wait 1 hour before rinsing your hair. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

You can use another beverage product, but make sure it’s sugar-free so your hair doesn’t get greasy.
With this method, the new hair color remains after many washes. If the color still hasn’t faded, you should try washing your hair with a deep cleansing shampoo.
For best results, use white conditioner. You do not need to use more shampoo after completing the process because the conditioner has somewhat cleaned the hair.

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Dissolve Kop-Aid powder in water if you want to dye individual sections of hair. Stir 2 packets of Kop-Aid powder with 2 cups (470ml) of hot water. Tie your hair into 1 or 2 ponytails, then dip your hair in Kop-Aid water. Wait 10-15 minutes, then remove the hair. Use a paper towel to dry your hair and let it dry naturally. Finally, wash your hair with a mild, sulfate-free shampoo. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Washing your hair after dyeing your hair is very important because this is the step to clean your hair. If you skip this step, the color in your hair can stain your clothes. ^{[7] X Research Sources}
If you have long and thick hair, you will need to increase the amount of “dyed”. Add 1 packet of Kop-Aid powder every time you add 1 cup of water.
You will get temporary results and the hair color will fade after many washes. If your hair hasn’t faded, you can use a deep-cleansing shampoo.

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Mix some food coloring with conditioner to replace Kop-Aid powder. Put enough white conditioner in the bowl to cover the entire hair, then stir in a little more food coloring until you have the desired color. Apply the mixture to your hair as you like, wait for about 40 minutes, then rinse your hair with warm water and do not need to use additional shampoo. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

New hair color will fade after 2-3 washes.
For long lasting hair color (lasts up to 2 weeks), you should use a 20 vpume strength dye product. Read the instructions for use to find out how long the product should stay in your hair.
Do not use food coloring made from vegetables because this product does not change hair color. You just need to use regular food coloring.

Try other methods

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Try a hair mascara if you’re looking to create highlights or hairline. This is a product that lives up to its name: mascara for hair. This product is very simple to use; You will take a thin section of hair, then use a mascara brush to brush that section of hair gently. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Mascara for hair comes in natural and artificial colors. This is an opaque color so it will be suitable for dark hair.
If you can’t find the right color for your hairline, choose the closest color. Dark tones will look more natural than light tones.
Mascara for hair usually fades after 1-2 washes.

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Use hair dye to create a light color. Wet the section of hair that you want to dye, and then apply hair color powder over it – making sure to paint the top and bottom sides of the hair. Repeat this process until your hair has the desired color. Blow dry the hair and brush it. Use the heat of a curling iron or straightener to make the color adhere to your hair, or use a hairspray to hold it in place. ^{[11] X Research Source}

If you can’t buy hair powder, you can use fairy powder or eyeshadow. These are artificial color products.
Most hair dyes are translucent, but hair powder is opaque, so it is very suitable for dark hair.
This is the perfect method for highlighting your hair, but you can still use it to dye your entire hair. However, be aware that color can stick to clothes. ^{[12] X Research Source}
Hair powder will fade after about 2-4 washes, but can discolor light hair.

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Replace powder with colored hairspray. You just need to spray the product on thin, dry hair. Wait for the hairspray to dry, and then brush to remove any hair from the pillow. Note, your hair may be stiff after using the product. ^{[13] X Research Source}

Colored hair sprays often contain artificial colors, but you can also find products with natural colors. This is an opaque color, so it is suitable for dark hair.
The product will fade after 2-4 washes, but may permanently discolor light hair. ^{[14] X Research Source}

Advice

Wear a shower cap while you wait for your hair to color. If you don’t have a shower cap, you can wrap your hair in cling film.
Food coloring and Kop-Aid powder may stick to the skin; Therefore, it is best to wear plastic gloves and apply mineral oil wax to the roots.
Wash your hair with cold water and a sulfate-free shampoo to make the color last longer.
These methods cannot completely replace professional dyes. If you want the color to last longer, try henna, a natural dye.
Use white conditioner when possible. Colored conditioner can affect the color of the dye.

Warning

Some methods can discolor blonde hair because it is light hair. However, you can fix the problem with a deep cleansing shampoo.

Things you need

Bold natural hair color

Coffee, tea or herbs
Conditioner

Use artificial colors

Kop-Aid powder or food coloring
Conditioner
Shower cap

Try other methods

Mascara for hair
Color to dry hair
Colored hair spray
Colored gel
Hair extensions

Steps

Bold natural hair color

Use artificial colors

Try other methods

Advice

Warning

Things you need

Bold natural hair color

Use artificial colors

Try other methods

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