Are you looking for a natural solution to add subtle highlights to your hair without resorting to chemical products? The answer might just be in your garden! Discover step by step how to harness the dyeing properties of certain plants to achieve natural highlights and how to make your own hair lotion. Whether you have a green thumb or are simply looking for an eco-friendly and natural way to care for your hair, this tutorial offers practical and easy-to-follow tips.
Why choosing a plant-based lotion?
Benefits of natural ingredients
Plants have the advantage of being free from chemicals and toxic substances often found in commercial hair lotions. Moreover, the natural dyeing properties of certain plants can yield surprising results without damaging your hair.
Ecological benefits
Using plants from your garden or sustainable sources helps reduce your ecological footprint. This choice aligns with a broader commitment to environmental respect while highlighting the importance of responsible gardening.
Choosing the plant based on your hair
The choice of plants is crucial for the success of your homemade hair lotion. Here’s an overview of plants to achieve natural highlights, depending on your hair colour.
For blonde and light brown hair
- Chamomile: the flowers of Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) or German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) provide golden and luminous highlights.
- Calendula: also known as marigold, calendula adds golden highlights.
For auburn hair
- Onion skins: they provide golden blonde and copper tones.
- Hibiscus flower infusion: this infusion, also known as karkade, is ideal for adding reddish hues to your colour.
For dark brown and brunette hair
- Black tea: it adds darker shades to hair. It can help to diminish grey hair.
- Rosemary leaves: perfect for dark hair, it adds shine to the hair.
- Walnut leaves: for darker shades and beautiful colour depth. Walnut husk can also be used.
- Chestnut leaves: provide rich and warm tones, enhancing highlights with a slight copper hue.
- Ivy leaves: give shiny highlights and help to mask grey hair.
For white or grey hair
- Bluebell flowers: provide silver hues and lighten grey hair.
Other ingredients
- 500 ml of distilled or mineral water.
- 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar: acts as a natural preservative and balances the pH of the lotion.
- Optional: essential oil of lavender or rosemary to add a pleasant fragrance and antiseptic properties.
Utensils
- A glass or ceramic bowl for mixing.
- A strainer or filter to strain the lotion.
- A glass bottle with a spray top for storage.
Preparation steps
Now that you know which plant to choose based on your hair colour, it’s time to move on to the preparation. Here are the detailed steps:
1- Start by harvesting the plants from your garden or purchasing quality dried plants. If they are fresh, wash them to remove any dirt or insects. You will need approximately 2 to 3 tablespoons of the chosen plant (fresh or dried).
2- Boil the distilled or mineral water and pour it over the plants placed in a glass or ceramic bowl. Cover and let steep for about 30 minutes.
3- Use a strainer or cloth filter to strain the preparation, keeping only the liquid.
5- Add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.
Optional: you can add a few drops of lavender or rosemary essential oil.
6- Using a funnel, pour the strained lotion into a clean glass bottle with a spray top.
Tip: Before applying the lotion to your entire head, perform a patch test on a small strand to ensure the desired colour is achieved.
How to use the lotion?
Now that your homemade hair lotion is ready, discover how to use it for the best possible results.
Option 1: for intense highlights
1- Wash your hair as usual with your favourite shampoo. Towel dry it roughly. Your hair should not be completely dry.
2- Shake the bottle well before use, then spray the lotion onto your hair, focusing on the areas you wish to lighten or darken.
3- Allow the lotion to sit for a few minutes.
4- Then carefully wipe your hair with the towel to remove any excess lotion.
5- Allow your hair to dry naturally.
Option 2: for light highlights
1- Wash your hair with your favourite shampoo. Squeeze it with a towel so it is slightly damp.
2- Shake the bottle and generously spray the lotion over your entire hair.
3- Allow the lotion to sit for 20 to 30 minutes. For a more intense effect, you can even leave it for an hour.
4- Rinse your hair with clear water to remove any traces of lotion. If desired, you can apply a conditioner to moisturise your hair, although the apple cider vinegar in the lotion already has moisturising properties.
Application frequency
Use the lotion 1 to 2 times a week to maintain highlights. You can adjust the frequency based on the results achieved.
Storage
You can store the lotion in an airtight glass bottle at room temperature, for up to two weeks. Prefer a cool, dark place. For longer storage, you can place it in the refrigerator, which will extend its shelf life to up to a month.
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