I stumbled across an article about how to make all-natural hair dye in several different colors.  I was intrigued and decided to conduct my own research.  The tutorials are all pretty much the same, especially for red hair.  You can use beet juice or henna.  This redhead was all in!  Read about my experience, see the before and after pictures and find out if I’ll ever do it again!

 

How to Make All-Natural Red Hair Dye

Keeping it real here folks, despite the fact that my entire life and home and family are now 98% “clean and non-toxic,” one of the last things I changed was going to the salon to dye my red hair… red.  See… red hair doesn’t “gray” like other colors, it dulls.  And since I refuse to age, I like to lighten and brighten it up.  I’m not perfect nor do I claim to be. My blog and education are designed to keep it real and to share with you that I’m a normal person just like you are, who is trying to be healthier every day.

But… a $2.00 version of an all-natural hair dye for redheads that is all-natural and non-toxic versus one that costs (cough cough hack hack) at the salon and is full of chemicals?  I’m giving it a try.

When I told Hubby that I was going to dye my red hair red with beet juice, he laughed so hard that I think he peed himself. “So is the title of the blog post going to be, ‘Dye Your Hair with Beet Juice – EPIC FAIL’?  You KNOW you are going to look like Ronald McDonald!” #supportivehusband #makesmelaugh

Unlike some hair dying tutorials on the web… I actually went there. With my own hair.  Was I worried about how I would look?  Seriously? I was bald during chemo – a bad hair day really doesn’t get worse than that.  No concerns whatsoever.  And I thought it would be fun to walk you through the process along with me.  I would never promote anything on my blog nor would I recommend something to you without trying it out first. I know that coloring your hair can be scary, even if you go to a professional.

This is the BEFORE:

 

 

During the process, Hubby was watching and laughing, he said, “Be sure to remind all of your readers that your husband was right!”  He also suggested that I tell my readers my husband is like a prophet.  There is not a wiser man in this house. Do I hear some hallelujahs?  Can I get an AMEN? #husbandforsale #cheaptoo

My hair is shoulder length, which I think qualifies as medium length.  You will need to adjust the quantities for longer or shorter hair.

PS – I proved him wrong. #weknowwhoisalwaysright

 

Psst… wanna know which skin care ingredients are toxic, hormone disruptors, and carcinogens? Click below…

 

 

The Supplies and Ingredients

One can of beets. I used a 15 oz can and it was more than enough.

1/4 cup honey (optional).

1/2 – 1 cup coconut oil.

Glass or stainless steel bowl.

Wide comb (optional).

Hair clips that you don’t mind getting stained, especially if you have longer hair.

Shower cap or conditioning cap that you don’t care about and can throw away.

Old clothes you don’t mind getting stained.

2-3 old towels you don’t mind getting stained.

Paper towels.

Latex medical gloves or rubber dishwashing gloves.

 

The How-To

Gather everything you need.

Put on your old clothes and drape towels around your shoulders.  Ensure that you do this in a place that the beet juice can be cleaned up and will not stain anything important.

Put on your gloves.  I like the thinner medical latex gloves.

Drain the beet juice into the bowl.  I used the juice from a 15 oz can, and I would have been fine with only half of it.  For longer hair, you may need the entire can of juice.

Mix the beet juice together with honey and coconut oil to form a creamy paste consistency.  This isn’t an exact science, but you want it to be thicker rather than runny.

Section your hair and carefully add the beet “paste” to your hair – roots to ends.

You can go through it with a wide tooth comb, but I just used my hands and fingers to be thorough.

When all of the hair is covered in the paste, clip it up if it’s long, and put on a shower or conditioning cap.

Roll up some paper towels and place them under the shower cap at your brow and ears and neck to help stop the drips.

Say “Beet Juice, Beet Juice, Beet Juice” three times for the red color to appear. (#sorrynotsorry – you know I was going there LOL!!!)

Depending on how red you want it to be, how light or dark your hair is, and how much you can stand it, let it be for 1-4 hours.  The longer it is in, the more the dye will penetrate your hair.

When your time is up, take a shower and shampoo and condition your hair.  Be prepared to see lots of beet juice coming out.

Enjoy your new hue!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Pros

This homemade red hair dye is all-natural and does not have any toxic chemicals.

It’s super cheap.  Honey and coconut oil are staples in our pantry, and how much does a can of beets cost?

The color fades gently rather than a sharper transition with a traditional chemical dye.

 

Psst… wanna know which skin care ingredients are toxic, hormone disruptors, and carcinogens? Click below…

 

The Cons

Natural red hair dye is messy, smelly, and sticky.

I didn’t know beforehand to roll up a paper towel under the shower cap, so it kept running down and getting into my eyes. It stung.  I had to wipe my brow every few minutes. A friend suggested that I roll up paper towels around the edge of the shower cap to keep the drips at bay.  While I didn’t do this, I included it in the tutorial because it’s a great idea. I also did this with my head “upside down” in the sink.  Make sure you do this standing straight up and part your hair into sections.  Much easier and less messy.

It’s time-consuming.  Most of the tutorials said to plan for 3-4 hours. You have to plan for a day of laundry, cleaning, or whatever it is you do around the house.  Unless you want to go out in public with a shower cap on your head. Ohhhh….. what a great way to embarrass the kids!  I digress…

The color won’t last as long as a traditional chemical dye.

 

The Alternative

If you like the concept of a more non-toxic hair dye but don’t want to go through all of this effort, Madison Reed has some yummy colors that are easy to use and a more natural choice! I am now in “the club” and get their hair dye shipped automatically. As fun as the DIY was, it’s so much easier to use Madison Reed!

 

 

The Bottom Line

Will I do it again?  Probably not.

I love this way to naturally dye your hair. I mean… it doesn’t get any more all-natural. But it is a wee bit too messy for me. I’m a huge fan of Madison Reed and much prefer to use their colors. Marigold is my favorite!

 

 

Soooo…. what are you going to do? If you use this method, be sure to post on Instagram and tag or #pinkfortitude!

 

 

Are you Inspired?

Get Your FREE List of Toxic Skin Care Ingredients to Avoid!

 

 

 

 

Love, hugs, and the beet goes on.

 

 

 

 

 

FTC requirement:
This article and website contain affiliate links and ads which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and make a purchase. Any information on this website is not meant to treat or diagnose any medical condition. Please consult your doctor for medical advice. We believe in conscious capitalism and the American Dream. Full Disclosure Policy, Legal Clause, and Terms and Conditions – Click HERE.