Adding highlights or red undertones is a great way to spice up dark brown hair. Instead of going to the hairdresser, you can try using natural products directly in your home. These methods will not turn your hair cherry red - you should first bleach it and then use a chemical dye to achieve that effect - but they will allow you to achieve beautiful shades of auburn or ruby red.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Jamaican Shamrock
Step 1. Prepare the ingredients
If you live in a tropical country you may be able to find Jamaican sorrel. This is a bright red flower that can be used to add a bright ruby red tint that is visible in sunlight. If you can't find fresh sorrel, buy the dried version. You will need two cups of powder. Also make sure you have the following ingredients:
- 500 ml of water
- 60 ml of honey
Step 2. Make the shamrock mixture
Pour half a liter of water into a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then add the sorrel, cover the pot with a lid, and turn off the heat. Leave to soak for a few hours so that the sorrel is soaked in water, then filter the water into a bowl and mix with the honey.
Step 3. Prepare your hair
Wash your hair with your usual shampoo but don't use conditioner. The conditioner stays in the hair and can prevent the dye from setting. Pat your hair dry with a towel and use a wide-toothed comb to remove knots.
Step 4. Apply the sorrel mixture
Put on latex or plastic gloves and use your fingers to spread the mixture over your hair from root to tip. Make sure you distribute it well so that no strands of hair are left out.
If you want red highlights, choose just a few strands, separate them from the rest of the hair using strips of aluminum foil and use a pastry brush or an old brush to apply the mixture
Step 5. Cover your hair and leave the dye on
Use a plastic cap or cling film to cover the hair so it doesn't dry out as the color sinks into the shaft. Let it sit for 4 hours or overnight. The longer the dye stays in the hair, the redder the hair will turn.
Step 6. Rinse off the dye
Remove the plastic cap or foil and rinse your hair with warm water. Wash them with shampoo and conditioner, then dry and style them as you like best.
Method 2 of 3: Beetroot Juice
Step 1. Squeeze two beets
The bright red juice creates a dark auburn shade when used on dark brown hair. It is not necessary to use the pulp of the beets but only the juice. If you don't have a juicer, blend the beets and use a colander to filter the juice from the pulp.
Step 2. Mix beet juice with honey
Pour the beetroot juice into a bowl and add 60ml of honey. Mix well until the mixture is well blended. This simple blend is ready to be applied to the hair.
Step 3. Wash your hair
Wash your hair with your usual shampoo, but don't apply conditioner. Beetroot juice works best on hair without the residue left by most moisturizing conditioners. Pat your hair dry with a towel and use a wide-toothed comb to remove any knots.
Step 4. Apply the beet juice mixture
Wear latex or plastic gloves and use your fingers to spread the mixture over your hair, make sure to distribute it well so that no strands of hair are left out. If you want red highlights, apply the mixture only on individual strands separated from the rest of the hair with strips of aluminum foil.
Step 5. Cover your hair and leave the dye on
Put on a plastic cap or cling film and wait for the beetroot juice to dye your hair auburn red. Leave on for 4 hours or overnight.
Step 6. Rinse off the beet juice
Wash your hair with warm water to rinse out the juice and honey, then wash it with shampoo and conditioner. When the hair is dry you will be able to see the dark coppery red highlights.
Method 3 of 3: Henna
Step 1. Buy Henna powder
It is made from the Henna flower. The powder is mixed to create a compound that is applied to the skin or hair to dye it a coppery red color. It is typically sold in packs of 100 grams, which is perfect for dyeing medium length hair.
Paprika and clove powder can also be used to dye hair various shades of red. If you can't find Henna powder try using one of these spices
Step 2. Make the Henna Blend
Following the instructions provided with the powder, mix it with several tablespoons of water until you get a creamy mixture. If you want to lighten your hair and get a red tint at the same time, use lemon juice instead of water. Cover the mixture and let it rest overnight. Add another tablespoon of water the next day and the Henna tincture will be ready to use.
Step 3. Apply the resulting dye
Wet your hair (no need to wash it with shampoo), pat it dry with a towel and comb it to remove any knots. Wear a pair of latex or plastic gloves to protect yourself from the dye. Use your fingers to apply the Henna dye through your hair, being careful not to forget any strands.
- If Henna comes into contact with your skin, rinse it off immediately. Henna dye dyes the skin as easily as it dyes hair.
- To create highlights with Henna, separate the strands of hair you want to dye using strips of aluminum foil. Apply the dye to the strands of hair with an old kitchen brush.
Step 4. Cover your hair and leave on
Wear a shower cap or use cling film to cover the hair as the color penetrates the hair shafts. Leave on for at least 4 hours. The longer you leave the dye on, the redder your hair will be.
Step 5. Rinse the Henna
Use cold water to wash off the dye. Keep rinsing your hair until the water runs clear. Wait until the next day before shampooing your hair. Your hair will be bright red at first and in a couple of days the color will fade.
