How to Make Homemade Washable Blond Hair Dye

Homemade washable blond hair dye will only last until your next shampooing.

Commercial hair dyes often contain harsh chemicals that can strip your hair of essential oils and make it dry and brittle. Instead of exposing your hair to these products, you can try coloring it with a homemade dye made from a few natural ingredients. By making your own blond hair dye at home, you can save money while using a product that will help maintain your hair's luster and vitality.

Things You'll Need

• Saucepan
• 1/2 liter cider vinegar
• 30 g powdered rhubarb root
• 20 g chamomile flowers or 3 cups chamomile tea
• 20 g marigold flowers
• Juice of two lemons
• 50 g acacia honey
• 50 g 95% proof liqueur
• Sieve
• Bowl
• Plastic container with lid

Instructions

1. Bring 1/2 liter of cider vinegar and 30 g of powdered rhubarb root to a boil in a small saucepan. Let the mixture simmer for exactly 10 minutes on low to medium heat. Do not simmer the mixture for more than 10 minutes.

2. Add the chamomile -- either 20 g of chamomile flowers or 3 cups of chamomile tea -- and 20 g of marigold flowers to the mixture.

3. Add the juice of two lemons to the mixture and cover the saucepan with a lid. Let the mixture continue to simmer on low to medium heat for approximately five minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow it to cool.

4. Filter the mixture through a sieve once it has cooled to room temperature. Allow the liquid to strain into a bowl, squeezing out the excess liquid from the herbs.

5. Transfer the mixture to a container with a tight lid. Add 50 g of acacia honey and 50 g of 95% proof liqueur to the mixture and secure the lid.

Tips & Warnings

• Apply the mixture to your hair thoroughly and cover your head with a shower cap to prevent drips. Leave the dye on the hair for at least 30 minutes. Rinse the dye out of your hair with cool water.

• Remove the excess water from your hair with a towel and allow it to air dry. Apply the mixture again after each shampoo to refresh the color. Refrigerate any leftover mixture to use in the future. The hair dye will be good for two to three weeks if kept cold.

• Mix the hair dye with conditioner for easier application.

• This hair dye can easily stain skin or clothing.

References

• Hairboutique.com; Going Blonde the Natural Way; Karen Marie Shelton; 2011
• Pioneer Thinking; Homemade hair Colorants; Purdue University

Resources

• Easy Aromatherapy Recipes: Natural Hair Dye
• My Sensitive Skin Care: Homemade Hair Dye Recipe