It can be time-consuming (and expensive) to color your hair, and to keep up with the maintenance post-dye job. Not only that, but hair dye and bleach contain tons of harmful chemicals that you probably want to avoid. So why not try a more natural method by using your favorite tea as a hair rinse?
Hair rinses made from tea can add color to your hair depending on what tea you use, but they can also add shine and moisture to hair that has been dyed a few too many times. Let’s look at some of the chemical-free ways you can improve and add life to your hair!
Darken Medium/Dark Hair | Black Tea
Harmful chemicals used in standard box dyes and at salons are something that should be avoided, if possible, at all costs. But don’t worry! You can still darken your hair naturally using black tea from your pantry. This hair rinse is so easy, you’ll instantly fall in love.
There are only two ingredients:
5-6 tablespoons Assam organic loose-leaf tea leaves
Pot of boiling water
Honestly, all you really need is the tea! Simply bring your water to a boil, add your loose-leaf black tea leaves, and in about 20 minutes you’ll have the perfect tea for dying your hair.
Once you’ve removed the tea leaves, you can apply the black tea to your hair the same way you would a normal hair dye.
Use an applicator or a brush to apply and let it sit in your hair for at least an hour. Finish by rinsing your hair with cold water and don’t shower again for at least 24 hours.
The black tea not only darkens your hair, but it also works to strengthen and thicken your locks. That’s why it works so great all by itself!
Keep in mind, you should not use this rinse on blonde or light hair! Unless you want a mildly dark dye job, it’s not recommended. This rinse works best on medium to dark hair colors to gradually darken and enhance your natural color. The color will begin faded in about a week, so re-use the rinse as often as needed to keep your hair dark and strong!
Refresh Red Hair | Rooibos Tea
Rooibos is great for your hair because it helps smooth it and add shine, reduces dandruff and oil, and promotes hair growth. And it also works as an amazing way to refresh dull or dry red hair!
Just like our previous rinse, there are only two ingredients:
5-6 tablespoons What the Duck!? loose-leaf tea leaves
Pot of boiling water
To DIY this hair dye, simply bring a pot of water to a boil and add the Rooibos tea leaves of your choice. Let steep for about 20 minutes and then remove the tea leaves. Let cool and use as a final rinse after you’ve shampooed your hair as normal. Leave on for 10 minutes for a quick refresh or up to an hour for a stronger tint.
This recipe can be used on other hair colors, but be warned that your hair may be left with a slight reddish tint!
This recipe can be altered and used in ways other than a rinse, too! You can use it as a leave-in conditioner by applying it with a spray bottle post-shower or use it with apple cider vinegar as a conditioner.
Relieve Dry Scalp | Green Tea
Whether your scalp is dry due to scorching hot summer days or blistering cold winter nights, this mask will help you rejuvenate your scalp and your hair.
Here are the ingredients for this rinse:
2-4 tablespoons Gunpowder loose-leaf tea leaves
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
Boiling Water
2-3 drops lavender/rosemary essential oil
Steep your green tea in about 2 cups of boiling water for 20 minutes. Remove the tea leaves and pour the green tea into a container large enough to hold it and the rest of your ingredients. Add your apple cider vinegar and essential oils to complete the recipe!
When using this hair rinse, first wash your hair like normal. Next, pour the rinse on your scalp until you’ve used enough for your head and your hair (about ½ – ¾ cup). Massage the rinse into your scalp and leave it on for about 10 minutes. Once 10 minutes have passed, condition and rinse as normal!
This rinse is great for a dry scalp because green tea acts as an antioxidant that can help soothe irritated skin and calm dandruff. It can also help to stimulate hair growth!
Apple cider vinegar is going to promote shiny hair but also work to exfoliate dry skin. Rosemary and lavender essential oils can both stimulate hair growth and help with the dryness and itchiness of your scalp. You can add one or both to your recipe!
There are so many ways to create a great hair rinse, whether you’re looking for simple benefits such as sleekness and shine or are looking for an all-natural way to add color to your luscious locks! Your DIY hair rinse might smell so good you’ll want to drink it – and you can, because it’s all-natural! Let us know if you’ve tried a tea hair rinse before or if you use one of these recipes by sharing it with us on our social media.
