How to Dye Dark Brown Hair Red Using Natural Products

Co-authored by Karen Leight

Last Updated: December 21, 2021 Approved

Adding red highlights or undertones is a beautiful way to brighten dark brown hair. Instead of going to the salon to get the job done, try using natural products at home. These methods won't turn your hair cherry red - you'd have to bleach it first and use a shop-bought dye to achieve that effect - but they'll create a gorgeous auburn or ruby hue.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Jamaican Sorrel

1
Gather the ingredients. If you live in a tropical country you may be able to find fresh Jamaican sorrel. It's a bright red flower that can be used to add a ruby hue to your hair that sparkles in the sun. If you can't find fresh Jamaican sorrel, buy the dried version instead. You'll need two cups. In addition, get the following supplies:
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup honey
2
Make the sorrel mixture. Place the two cups of water in a small saucepan over medium high heat. Bring to a boil, then add the sorrel, cover the pan with a lid, and turn off the heat. Let it soak for several hours so that the sorrel dye steeps into the water, then strain the water into a bowl and mix in the honey.

Advertisement
3
Get your hair ready. Shampoo your hair as usual, but don't use conditioner. Conditioner stays in the hair and can prevent the dye from setting as well. Towel dry your hair and use a wide-toothed comb to remove tangles.
4
Apply the sorrel mixture. Put on latex or plastic gloves and use your fingers to spread the mixture through your hair from the roots to the tips. Make sure to distribute it well so that no strands of hair get 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 an old paintbrush or pastry brush to apply the treatment.
5
Cover your hair and let the dye sit. Use a plastic shower cap or plastic wrap to cover your hair so it doesn't dry out while the dye is soaking in. Let it sit for 4 hours or overnight. The longer the dye stays in your hair, the redder it will look.
6
Rinse out the dye. Remove the cap or plastic wrap and rinse your hair with warm water. Shampoo and condition as usual, then dry your hair and style it.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Beet Juice

1
Juice two beets. The bright red juice will create a dark auburn hue when used with dark brown hair. You don't need the flesh of the beets, just the juice. If you don't have a juicers, run the beets through the blender and use a strainer to strain the juice from the pulp.^{[1]
X
Research source}
2
Mix the beet juice with honey. Place the beet juice in a bowl and add 1/4 cup of honey. Stir it well until the mixture is completely combined. This simple concoction is ready to apply to your hair.^{[2]
X
Research source}
3
Wash your hair. Shampoo it as usual, but don't apply conditioner. The beet juice will work better on hair without the residue left by most moisturizing conditioners. Towel dry your hair and use a wide-toothed comb to work through any tangles.
4
Apply the beet juice mixture. Put on latex or plastic gloves and use your fingers to smooth it over your hair, making sure every strand gets evenly covered. If you want auburn highlights, apply the mixture to individual strands separated from the rest of your hair with aluminum foil strips.
5
Cover your hair and let the mixture sit. Put on a shower cap or a few sheets of plastic wrap and wait for the beet juice to turn your hair auburn. Let the mixture sit in your hair for 4 hours or overnight.
6
Rinse out the beet juice. Run your hair under warm water to rinse out the juice and honey, then shampoo and condition as usual. When your hair is dry, you'll see the dark auburn tones shining through.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Henna

1
Buy henna powder. Henna powder is derived from the henna flower. The powder is made into a paste that is applied to skin or hair to turn it a coppery reddish color. Henna powder typically comes in 100-gram boxes, which is the perfect amount to dye medium-length hair.
- Paprika and clove powder can also be used to dye your hair various shades of red. If you don't have access to henna powder, try one of these spices instead.
2
Make henna paste. According to the instructions that came with your henna powder, mix the powder with spoonfuls of water until you have a creamy paste. If you want to lighten your hair as well as turning it red, use lemon juice in place of water. Cover the paste and let it sit overnight. Stir in one more spoonful of water the next day, and the henna paste is ready to go.
3
Apply the henna paste. Wet your hair (no need to shampoo it), towel dry it, and comb through it to remove any tangles. Put on a pair of latex or plastic gloves to protect yourself from the dye. Use your fingers to work the henna paste through your hair, making sure to cover every strand.
- If a stray bit of henna paste gets on your skin, wipe it off right away. Henna paste will dye your skin just as easily as it dyes your hair.
- For henna highlights, separate strands of hair you'd like to highlight from the rest of your head using strips of aluminum foil. Paint the henna paste onto the strands of hair using an old pastry brush.
4
Cover your hair and let it sit. Put on a shower cap or use a few pieces of plastic wrap to cover your hair while the dye sets in. Let it sit in your hair for at least 4 hours. The longer you let it sit, the redder your hair will be.
5
Rinse out the henna. Use cold water to wash out the dye. Keep running the water through your hair until it runs clear instead of red. Wait until the next day before shampooing your hair. Your hair will be rich red at first, and over the course of a few days it will lighten.

Expert Q&A

Question

Can you put red dye over brown hair?

Karen Leight
Professional Hair Stylist
Karen Leight is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Owner of Karen Renee Hair, a private salon suite inside the Salon Republic Hollywood in Los Angeles, California. With over 12 years of experience, Karen is a licensed cosmetologist specializing in hair color, balayage technique, and women’s and men’s precision haircuts.

Karen Leight

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Yes, you can, but don't expect dramatic results without bleaching your hair first. If you want to have bright red hair, try bleaching it in stages with a professional, adding the red slowly.
Question

Is Henna hair dye permanent?

Community Answer

Yes. Henna does not wash out, although it will gradually fade over time. Because of this, and because the dye works like a varnish over your natural hair color rather than chemically changing it, emerging roots are far more subtle than chemical dyes.
Question

Doesn't the beetroot dyeing method also give a red color to scalp?

Community Answer

Yes. It does.