Photo by Andrea Drugay
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Red is a temperamental hair color! It likes to make a bold entrance, but doesn’t like to stick around.
If you’re a natural-born redhead, you might notice a gradual fading of your vibrant hue over time. And if you color your hair red, you might notice that it often fades quicker than other colors.
There are a couple of easy home remedies to perk up your fiery hues, without slathering your head with chemicals.
The first, and perhaps most well-known, option is to use henna instead of hair dye. Henna is a plant that’s been used since ancient times ~ think Cleopatra ~ to impart a red luster to locks. It’s an excellent all-natural choice if you’re looking to dye or to replace chemical dyes with something simple and time-tested. However, be aware that it’s a commitment, usually taking several hours from start to finish. Hairdressers claim it coats your strands, making it impossible to ever be stripped, so if you’re a commitmentphobe, stay away.
However, if you’re looking for all-natural, easy ways to enhance any naturally existing red tones or to brighten up fading color, look no further! It’s extremely simple to make your own red-highlighting hair rinse using just tea. If you’ve tried my homemade hair lightening spray, you already know how easy that one is. This one is just as easy ~ even more so because it only contains ONE ingredient!
This DIY spray will impart warm, red highlights. You can use it on individual strands or chunks, or on your entire head for an allover refresh. When used over time, it will keep your color vibrant, bright, and fiery!
If you are a blonde or have blonde highlights, be sure to check out my post on DIY hair lightening spray. If you’re dark-haired, stay tuned. I’ll be posting tips for you, as well! (My hair has been just about every shade in the book, so believe me, I’ve done them all.)
Stuff to Know:
- This rinse is recommended only for hair that is its natural color or has been colored only with natural products, such as henna or herbs. If your hair has been chemically treated or if you go to a salon for highlights or coloring, please talk with your stylist first.
- Spot test any products or ingredients before using any homemade products on your face, head, or body, especially if you have sensitive skin or are prone to irritation and/or allergies.
- This rinse can be stored in a cool, dark, dry spot for up to 1 week.
For a container, I used a small plastic spray bottle from the drugstore, which cost $0.99. I had all other ingredients on hand.
Photo by Andrea Drugay
Hibiscus Hair Rinse for Red Highlights
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers OR 3-5 bags of hibiscus tea **NOTE: Celestial Seasonings Zinger teas ALL have hibiscus as the first ingredient! You can use any one of the zinger teas for this hair rinse, but Red Zinger, Raspberry Zinger, or Tropic of Strawberry are your best choice.
- 2 cups purified water
- pinch of paprika (optional)
Steps
- Boil the water in a saucepan. Once the water has reached a rolling boil, turn off the heat.
- Add your tea bags or flowers to the steaming water. Steep for 5-10 minutes. The longer you steep it, the stronger your rinse will be.
- Strain the flowers or tea bags and allow the water to cool completely.
- As an optional step, you can add a pinch of paprika to the tea. Mix well until incorporated.
- Transfer to your container. Store the remaining tea ~ or drink it!
To use:
- Spray on dry, clean hair, either all over or in small sections for targeted highlights.
- Comb through. Leave on for one hour, then rinse and shampoo as usual.
- For expedited red highlights, blow dry your hair while the spray is still on it, or sit in the sun while your hair air dries. The heat will speed the highlighting process.
Do you have red hair or red highlights?
Have you ever used henna or other natural hair coloring?
I have naturally red hair, and I used to use a henna shampoo that really added amazing shine. I can no longer find that shampoo. Hibiscus is a great idea. I know a girl who regularly dyes her hair with beet juice….It’s a vibrant red purple color. Beautiful!
ShiKai makes a great shampoo for red hair! It’s called Color Reflect: http://www.shikai.com/products/colorReflect_order.htm I haven’t tried beet juice ~ been a little wary of purple tones with my coloring ~ but I’ve heard it works great, as well
Interesting, plus I bet it smells good too!
My hair was every color in the book too…haha
I love the smell! And the taste
Hair color is fun, I think. I love to play with it!
That’s a brilliant idea! I’m blonde so I’ve heard of using chamomile to highlight blondes – it makes total sense that hibiscus would work really well for redheads. I’m from the Cayman Islands and hibiscuses abound there – they’re just the most beautiful flower! My favourite is actually iced hibiscus tea. So good!
LOVE it iced. So good
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Can i make this on a dark brown hair ??
cause i really want my hair red but am afraid of dying it
Well, it won’t dye your hair red, it will just add highlights. I would definitely try a strand test first to see how dark / bright it comes out on your hair color!
I actually have blonde hair, and I am trying this for the first time today. I have read that Red Zinger tea has ingredients that are good for your hair anyways, so I figured I might as well try. It washes out on the first wash anyways, because the tea is not permanent. So, I’m going to be daring and try it out, then if it looks insane I’ll wash it out. Though, I have heard that blondes have done it and it only tinted some strands reddish, but did not dye them. I am hoping to get some pretty subtle results! I will come back and leave a reply when I have the results.
Well, I tried it, and there was no change in my hair color at all. It made it feel a little bit dry, and quite straw like. I sprayed a bit more of the tea into my hair, and yet again it did nothing. Oh well! It was worth a try, and I guess I am glad that it did nothing, rather than turning my hair the color of a tomato.
Thanks for sharing your results
I personally got very bright results, so I guess everyone’s mileage will vary. Good reason to always do a strand test first! 
Maybe the herbs just do not react to blonde hair as they do to darker hair?
Oh well! I love playing around with my hair anyways, so it was fun to do and then wait for the results.
Also, it could be possible that I did not use enough tea bags, I only used 2 in 2 cups of water. Maybe I will play around with it again sometime, no one drinks the Berry Zinger tea here anyways.
How often do you use the spray? I had red hair when I was a little girl and then it faded to blond and now its kinda coming back. I love red hair and would like mine to be darker. I’m super excited to try this spray.
Well, I only had to use it once to see results. Your results might vary! I would do a strand test first, to see how your hair reacts. Good luck!
How often do you do this?
As often as you like or need, as long as your hair is unprocessed! Everybody’s hair is different, so it will vary.