7 plant-based hair dyes to try at home
By embracing plant-based dyes and chemical-free products, we can enjoy vibrant, beautiful hair without compromising on our well-being or the planet.
Several of these natural ingredients have been used for centuries to achieve vibrant and lasting colour. Here are some of the most popular methods, thanks to Wellness Warehouse:
Henna
Derived from the leaves of the Lawsonia inermis plant, henna is a widely celebrated natural dye. It imparts a rich red-orange hue and is often mixed with other ingredients to achieve various shades. Henna also conditions the hair, leaving it soft and shiny.
Indigo
When used in combination with henna, indigo powder can create darker shades like brown and black. Indigo is derived from the Indigofera tinctoria plant and is a natural way to achieve cooler tones without resorting to chemical dyes.
Cassia Obovata
Often referred to as 'neutral henna,' cassia obovata doesn't add much colour to the hair, but enhances golden hues, making it ideal for those with blonde or light hair. It also improves hair health by strengthening and conditioning.
Beetroot Juice
Beetroot juice is a surprisingly fantastic natural ingredient for those looking for a reddish tint. It's often mixed with other natural dyes or conditioners to achieve a vibrant yet subtle red glow.
Chamomile
Chamomile flowers are known for their gentle lightening properties. Chamomile tea or extract can be applied to the hair to bring out golden tones, particularly in lighter shades.
Coffee & Black Tea
For deeper brown tones, coffee and black tea can be excellent options. These common household items can darken hair naturally and enhance shine.
Amla (Indian Gooseberry)
Amla powder not only helps to maintain darker tones when mixed with henna, but also promotes healthy hair growth. Its rich vitamin C content nourishes the scalp and prevents premature greying.
Before you start on your plant-based hair colour journey, make sure to do a patch test first to rule out any allergies or sensitivities. Once you've got the all-clear, remember to:
Prep Hair: Wash your hair with a gentle shampoo to remove oils and residues, allowing the colour to adhere better.
Be Patient: Natural dyes may take longer to develop compared to synthetic options, but the results are worth the wait.
Maintain: Use sulphate-free shampoo and conditioner to preserve your natural colour for longer.
For more on beauty, visit Get It Magazine.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
7 plant-based hair dyes to try at home
By embracing plant-based dyes and chemical-free products, we can enjoy vibrant, beautiful hair without compromising on our well-being or the planet. Several of these natural ingredients have been used for centuries to achieve vibrant and lasting colour. Here are some of the most popular methods, thanks to Wellness Warehouse: Henna Derived from the leaves of the Lawsonia inermis plant, henna is a widely celebrated natural dye. It imparts a rich red-orange hue and is often mixed with other ingredients to achieve various shades. Henna also conditions the hair, leaving it soft and shiny. Indigo When used in combination with henna, indigo powder can create darker shades like brown and black. Indigo is derived from the Indigofera tinctoria plant and is a natural way to achieve cooler tones without resorting to chemical dyes. Cassia Obovata Often referred to as 'neutral henna,' cassia obovata doesn't add much colour to the hair, but enhances golden hues, making it ideal for those with blonde or light hair. It also improves hair health by strengthening and conditioning. Beetroot Juice Beetroot juice is a surprisingly fantastic natural ingredient for those looking for a reddish tint. It's often mixed with other natural dyes or conditioners to achieve a vibrant yet subtle red glow. Chamomile Chamomile flowers are known for their gentle lightening properties. Chamomile tea or extract can be applied to the hair to bring out golden tones, particularly in lighter shades. Coffee & Black Tea For deeper brown tones, coffee and black tea can be excellent options. These common household items can darken hair naturally and enhance shine. Amla (Indian Gooseberry) Amla powder not only helps to maintain darker tones when mixed with henna, but also promotes healthy hair growth. Its rich vitamin C content nourishes the scalp and prevents premature greying. Before you start on your plant-based hair colour journey, make sure to do a patch test first to rule out any allergies or sensitivities. Once you've got the all-clear, remember to: Prep Hair: Wash your hair with a gentle shampoo to remove oils and residues, allowing the colour to adhere better. Be Patient: Natural dyes may take longer to develop compared to synthetic options, but the results are worth the wait. Maintain: Use sulphate-free shampoo and conditioner to preserve your natural colour for longer. For more on beauty, visit Get It Magazine.
The Citizen
28-05-2025
- The Citizen
Help break the stigma surrounding diabetes and save lives
Diabetes stigma might seem like a minor problem – people making bad jokes about getting diabetes, or acting weird around injections. But the reality is that South Africa has a huge diabetes stigma problem, and it's contributing to the fact that 1 in 2 South Africans with diabetes are undiagnosed. This, in turn, contributes to the reason why diabetes is the number one killer of women and number two killer of men in our country. It's time to change the face of diabetes, by showing that it doesn't just affect one kind of person. We can do this by bringing diabetes into the spotlight and by dispelling the myths and misinformation around it. Together, we can show that #DiabetesLooksLikeMe. Read – and share – more about diabetes on Sweetlife. Share the video, share the message: This video highlights the fact that every kind of person, regardless of age, gender, race or socio-economic background, can get diabetes. Play your part in spreading the message and breaking the stigma by sharing a selfie of yourself with the hashtag #DiabetesLooksLikeMe so that we can flood social media with images of all different kinds of people with diabetes. Share your story: Is there a stigma around living with diabetes? You're invited to share your story of stigma around Diabetes on Facebook and Instagram, as well as joining in on a Facebook Live today, Wednesday 28th May at 7pm. It will be a discussion between psychologist Daniel Sher and Sweet Life co-founder Bridget McNulty, both living with diabetes, in which they welcome questions and comments from the broader diabetes community. Everyone is invited! For more on health, visit Get It Magazine.
The Citizen
19-05-2025
- The Citizen
5 tips to build a climate-smart skincare routine
South African skin experts are warning that shifting weather patterns and mounting environmental stressors are taking a real-time toll on our skin health. In cities like Johannesburg, where hot days suddenly turn into thunderstorms and humidity can spike without warning, the skin's natural balance is struggling to keep up. That unpredictability is driving a rise in breakouts, inflammation and sensitivity, even in people who have never had reactive skin before. How to build a climate-smart skincare routine To support skin resilience in the face of environmental pressure, you just need to update your skincare routine and include the correct products and ingredients to be in line with your surroundings. Start with these five tips from Lamelle Research Laboratories: A barrier-supporting serum: Opt for a serum that contains niacinamide and ceramides, as these help strengthen the skin's outermost layer to protect against water loss, while keeping irritants like pollution particles out. Double cleansing: This is a must during humid or high-pollution days. An oil-based cleanser helps to lift sunscreen, sweat and excess oil. Following with a gentle gel or cream cleanser ensures that all debris is removed without stripping the skin's natural oils. It's especially useful for anyone who lives or works in areas with high traffic pollution or inconsistent temperatures. An antioxidant mist or serum: Ingredients like vitamin C or green tea extract help neutralise the free radicals caused by sun exposure and air pollution. These mists don't just refresh your skin they provide ongoing defence, especially when reapplied during long hours outdoors or in an air-conditioned office. Antioxidants work by neutralising free radicals before they can damage collagen, trigger pigmentation, or cause inflammation. Product tip: We love the Skin Essence range by Lamelle Research Laboratories. Packed with powerful antioxidants, it provides an additional layer of protection for skin exposed to the pressures of urban living. Sunscreen: And yes, sunscreen is still non-negotiable. Choose a lightweight, non-comedogenic (pore clogging) formula with broad-spectrum protection. Invest in a humidifier: Indoor environments can also contribute to dehydration. Air conditioners and heaters dry out the air, pulling moisture from your skin. A humidifier can help regulate indoor humidity and support a healthy skin barrier. This is particularly important if you live in a place like Johannesburg, as the mornings are now colder, yet the afternoons are often warm which can be confusing for your skin, causing it to overcompensate. For more on beauty, visit Get It Magazine.
