Learn How to Cover Your Gray Hairs With This Awesome Natural Brown Dye

Vanessa Dixon
by Vanessa Dixon
3 Materials
$20
1 Hour
Easy

Hi everyone. In this tutorial, I will be sharing how to get rid of gray hair naturally with natural dark brown hair dye. Let's get started.

Tools and materials:

  • Henna hair dye
  • Non-metal spoon
  • Plastic cap/shower cap (or a plastic bag)
Gray hairs

I’ve been putting off dyeing my hair with chemical dyes for as long as possible. But I’m starting to go gray, so I’ve been looking at the best way to hide gray hair without putting chemicals that I can absorb on my head.


The method I’ve chosen is henna hair dye.


How to use henna for hair dye

The way henna works is that it stains your hair, so it is hard to get the color out once you’ve dyed your hair. 

Strand test

1. Strand test

The best thing to do is a strand test beforehand. Pull out some hair from your hairbrush and apply the henna solution onto it.


Leave it on overnight and then wash it out to see how it will look on your hair.


This is also a great way to see if you like the color and if you have any allergic reactions to it.

Mixing henna with boiling water

2. Mix the henna mix and boiling water

The henna box you buy should have its own instructions, but let’s go through it anyway.


To make the mix, pour the whole packet of henna into a large bowl and add 3-3 ½ cups of boiling water. Add the water slowly to the henna.

Stirring

3. Stir

Stir with a wooden or plastic spoon, not a metal spoon. Stir the water until it develops a consistency similar to yogurt.


If it’s still quite dry and not quite that yogurt consistency, you can slowly add a bit more water until it develops into that lovely, thick consistency.


If you experience any clumping or grittiness due to a dry batch of henna, you can add 2-6 heaping tablespoons - using a plastic spoon - of plain yogurt.


Check the instructions before applying to your hair if your henna needs to cure overnight.

Towel-drying hair

4. Wet and towel-dry your hair

Wet and rinse out your hair before applying the henna as they say that having damp, towel-dried hair helps it to stick and set on the hair better.

Applying henna

5. Apply the henna to your hair

Henna can stain the skin, but it will wash off eventually. If it concerns you, you can use gloves to apply the henna. I just used my hands and the henna faded after a few days.


When applying the henna, begin from the crown of your head and then, if you have thick, long hair like me, work from the bottom and work up.

Applying henna

Pin back your hair to one side and get the bottom strands and then slowly work to the top.


If you apply from the top and then try to work under where you’ve already applied, it’s hard as henna is very mud-like and thick.


It’s also very helpful to lay towels down where you’re doing the dye as it can drip everywhere and henna stains. This helps prevent any mess from happening.

Applying henna

Once all of your strands have been coated in the henna, work down to the ends of your hair.

Wrapping hair

6. Wrap your hair and let it sit

Wrap your hair in a plastic cap or shower cap and pin it in place. I didn’t have either, so I made a makeshift one out of a plastic bag.


This helps create a heated environment on your hair and helps the henna set better. Sitting in the sun can also help.


It’s also recommended to use intermittent heat by using a hair dryer on the low heat setting, or using a warmer towel placed over the cap for about 5-10 minutes, to retain the warmth and moisture.


I found the plastic cap had enough heat for the color to set.


If you choose either of those options, be careful not to let the plastic cap melt.


You can leave the henna on your hair for 45 minutes to 4 hours. 

Rinsing

7. Rinse

Rinse out the henna using warm water until the water runs clear.


It takes up to 3 days for the true color of henna to show through your hair.

Natural brown dye to cover grays


Natural brown dye to cover grays

Natural brown dye to cover grays

Here’s my hair the next day! My hair’s a shade darker and the grays have gone! I can now wear my hair up in a super high ponytail and not worry about the grays that were underneath showing through.


If you decide to use henna hair dye for gray hair, let me know how it works for you!

Suggested materials:
  • Henna hair dye
  • Non-metal spoon
  • Plastic cap/shower cap (or a plastic bag)

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