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For centuries, women and men in India have relied on ayurvedic herbs to color their hair safely and beautifully. Unlike harmful chemical dyes, ayurvedic hair colors made from plant powders, fruits, and herbs not only color hair gorgeously but also improve hair health. With a dazzling array of natural ingredients to choose from, making your own customized Ayurvedic hair color at home is now easy. This article will guide you through the process and popular recipe options for the best Ayurvedic hair color.
Benefits of Ayurvedic Hair Color
Using the best Ayurvedic hair color for your tresses has enormous benefits compared to chemical hair dyes:
- No Toxic Chemicals: Ayurvedic colors use plant extracts instead of p-phenylenediamine, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, and other irritants. This prevents scalp burning, itching, and hair damage.
- Vibrant, Non-drying Shades: Ingredients like henna, indigo, cassia, amla, etc. give rich, glowing, and long-lasting color minus dryness. The versatility allows vibrant reds, brunettes, and even blondes.
- Conditions Hair Beautifully: Nourishing herbs like shikakai, hibiscus, fenugreek, gooseberry, etc. deeply condition hair leaving it soft, voluminous, and stronger.
- Economical and Convenient: Ayurvedic hair colors use kitchen-staple ingredients prepared freshly at home. This pocket-friendly method saves salon expenses and time.
- Reverses Greying: Regular use of the best ayurvedic hair color with amla and henna enhances hair growth and reduces greying gradually.
- Suits All Hair Types: Customizable recipes can be created for specific hair needs – dry, oily, thick, or thinning. Nourishment makes it ideal even for damaged and treated hair.
Ingredients for Ayurvedic Hair Color
Here are some of the top Ayurvedic herbs and ingredients that can be used to create different hair color shades:
- Henna: Gives red, orange, and burgundy hues to hair. Enhances volume and condition too.
- Indigo: Derived from indigo leaves, this gives brown and black shades to hair. Helps strengthen hair roots.
- Amla: This superfruit adds shine and cool undertones to any ayurvedic hair color. Its vitamins nourish the scalp and hair intensely.
- Cassia: Another excellent herb for blonding hair naturally without bleach. Gives golden hues.
- Hibiscus: With its vibrant red flower, hibiscus powder is used to enhance red hues in hair. Its vitamins and minerals reduce hair fall.
- Brahmi: Brahmi makes an excellent addition to the best Ayurvedic hair color mixes as it prevents split ends, conditions hair and reduces shedding.
- Fenugreek (Methi): Rich in proteins and nicotinic acid, methi reduces hair fall and repairs damaged hair when used regularly. It also covers greys well over time.
- Coffee and tea: Used as natural hair-darkening agents in ayurvedic hair colors. The antioxidants in both benefit hair health.
- Shikakai: This ancient Indian hair cleanser lathers well to wash off hair color easily without stripping natural oils. It adds shine and volume too.
- Aloe Vera: The enzymatic action of fresh aloe vera gel helps lighten hair naturally. Its nutrients strengthen hair and prevent fungus.
Mixing Ayurvedic Hair Color
To mix the herbs into a hair color paste, use ingredients as per your color goals. For red hair, use more proportion of henna. For browns, increase the indigo quantity. Always add nourishing ingredients like amla, aloe, hibiscus, etc. no matter your color choice. Here are two popular and easy DIY recipes for the best Ayurvedic hair color at home:
1. Ginger Brown Hair Color
Ingredients:
1 cup henna powder
1 tbsp each of amla, shikakai, and coffee powders
1 inch ginger, grated
1 cup yogurt
Mix the dry ingredients first. Add freshly grated ginger and enough yogurt to form a smooth, lump-free paste. Apply evenly on hair and wash off after 3 hours. Repeat monthly. The antioxidant properties of ginger make this one of the best Ayurvedic hair color options for boosting hair health while covering greys.
2. Cherry Red Hair Color
Mix together:
1 cup henna powder
2 tbsp hibiscus powder
1 tbsp amla powder
1 cup beetroot juice
Leave it overnight for the powders to release color. Just before applying, add 2 tbsp lemon juice. Keep the paste on for 4 hours before rinsing. Beetroot and lemon juice enrich the color while hibiscus and amla condition hair nicely, making this an excellent Ayurvedic hair color recipe.
How To Apply Ayurvedic Hair Color
Follow this step-by-step process to easily color your hair safely with Ayurvedic herbs at home:
- Prepare your selected ingredients and mix them into a smooth, lump-free paste adding liquids like water, tea, milk, etc.
- Do a patch test on a few hair strands first and leave for 24 hours. Rinse then check for color or irritation.
- On clean, dry hair – apply the paste thoroughly from roots to tips using a tinting brush.
- Cover hair in a shower cap and leave the paste a minimum of 3-4 hours for best results. Some recipes recommend leaving overnight.
- Rinse hair first with regular water, then wash off with a mild sulfate-free shampoo. Finally, apply conditioner and rinse hair with cool water to seal cuticles.
Conclusion
With increasing awareness of clean beauty, the best Ayurvedic hair color made from natural ingredients is emerging as the safest and healthiest alternative to chemical hair dyes. Customize mixes based on your hair type and desired shade. Regular use provides vibrant color, nourishment, and reduction in greys. Slowly make the switch for beautiful, glossy, and youthful hair without toxins.