Coffee is a natural and affordable way to subtly darken your hair color without using chemical dyes. The deep brown pigments in coffee can stain hair strands, creating a richer, shinier tone. While not as dramatic or long-lasting as traditional hair dye, a coffee hair rinse is a simple technique you can do at home to enhance your natural color.
Coffee contains melanoidins, which are brown substances produced when coffee beans are roasted. These melanoidins deposit onto hair strands and oxidize upon contact with air, creating a darker color. The effects are temporary and will gradually fade out with washing. Coffee rinses work best on lighter brown to black hair. Blondes may not see much change, while brunettes and raven-haired beauties will notice extra richness.
What types of coffee can be used?
The coffee you use will impact the results. Darker roasts contain more melanoidins for darker color deposit. Here are the best options:
Espresso
Extra-dark espresso is intensely concentrated with melanoidins that can really amp up your hair’s color. It may require diluting with water to avoid drying out the hair.
French Roast
French roast coffee beans are baked until very dark and oily. A French roast coffee rinse will infuse glossy reddish-brown tones.
Turkish coffee
Turkish coffee is an ultra-fine dark roast ground to a powder-like texture. This allows for maximum extraction of pigment.
Cold brew concentrate
Cold brew coffee is steeped for hours, yielding an ultra-dark liquid. Using cold brew concentrate eliminates the need to brew a hot coffee rinse.
What is the basic process?
Coffee hair rinses are quick and easy to do at home. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Ingredients
– 2 cups freshly brewed coffee, cooled
– 1 cup water
– Shower cap
Steps
1. Brew 2 cups of your desired dark roast coffee. Allow it to fully cool.
2. Pour the coffee into a bowl and mix in 1 cup water to dilute. The exact dilution depends on your hair length and thickness. Thicker hair needs more concentration.
3. Shampoo and condition your hair as usual, then towel dry. It’s best to start with clean hair.
4. Pour the coffee mixture over your head, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends. Avoid getting it on your scalp.
5. Massage the liquid thoroughly into your hair and put on a shower cap.
6. Let sit for 20-30 minutes for maximum absorption.
7. Rinse out with cool water until the runoff is clear.
8. Style as usual. The color will develop more over the next 24-48 hours as it oxidizes.
9. Gradually shampoo out over several washes. Avoid hot water to make it last longer.
How long does the color last?
A coffee hair rinse is not permanent like traditional oxidative hair dye. You can expect the color to last:
| Hair Type | Color Duration |
|---|---|
| Blonde | 1-2 washes |
| Light brown | 3-5 washes |
| Dark brown | 5-10 washes |
| Black | 10-15 washes |
As you can see, the darker your original hair color, the longer the coffee color will adhere. Regularly rinsing with coffee once a week can maintain the richness.
What are the benefits of using coffee on hair?
Beyond temporarily enhancing color, coffee offers other benefits for hair health:
Antioxidants
Coffee is loaded with antioxidants which can help combat free radical damage to hair strands caused by UV rays, pollution, heat styling, and chemicals. This helps increase shine and prevent breakage.
Exfoliation
The slightly grainy texture of coffee grounds provides a gentle physical exfoliation to remove dead skin and product buildup from the scalp and strands. This unclogs follicles and allows for healthier growth.
Softness
The oils in coffee can coat the hair cuticle for added softness, especially if your hair tends to be dry. A weekly coffee rinse adds moisture.
Volume
Caffeine is a mild stimulant that can improve circulation in the scalp. More blood flow helps boost thickness and volume at the roots.
Dandruff treatment
The exfoliating effect helps slough off dead skin cells that cause dandruff. Caffeine also has anti-inflammatory properties to reduce scalp irritation.
Are there any risks or downsides?
Coffee hair rinses come with minimal risk, but keep these precautions in mind:
– Can dry out hair if overused. Limit to 1-2 times per week maximum.
– Requires repeated application as color fades quickly.
– May cause scalp staining if applied directly to roots. Keep focused only on the lengths.
– The coffee smell will linger until washed out. Not ideal for those sensitive to fragrances.
– Heat from hot showers or styling tools can accelerate fading.
– Those with sensitive skin may experience irritation from caffeine. Do a patch test first.
– Coffee particles may cause plumbing clogs if rinsed down the drain. Wipe residues off with a paper towel instead.
How to maximize results
Follow these tips to get the most dramatic color payoff from your coffee hair rinse:
– Choose an intensely dark roast like espresso, French, or Turkish coffee for concentrated melanoidins.
– Opt for freshly ground beans rather than pre-ground. Grind them yourself immediately before brewing.
– Brew the coffee extra strong, using 2-3 tablespoons of ground coffee per cup of water.
– Steep the coffee for at least 5 minutes before straining for maximum extraction.
– Use coffee concentrate and mix with minimal water for deeper penetration on hair.
– Apply to damp, freshly washed hair and massage thoroughly from roots to ends before rinsing.
– Process hair with heat after rinsing to seal in the color. Blow dry or use a flat iron.
– Repeat the rinse weekly to maintain the richness as it gradually washes out.
Regular Coffee vs. Instant Coffee
We don’t recommend using instant coffee. Here is why:
| Coffee Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Brewed Coffee | – Higher concentration of pigment – Can customize intensity of brew – Freshly ground beans optimal |
– Needs to be brewed hot – Can be messy to prepare |
| Instant Coffee | – More convenient – No brewing required |
– Lower melanoidin content – Weaker stain on hair |
As you can see, brewed coffee made from fresh grounds provides much richer melanoidins and stronger staining power. The additional effort is worthwhile for noticeably better results.
Other ways to naturally darken hair
If you want a longer-lasting effect than coffee or are looking to disguise grays, you can try these other natural methods to darken locks:
Black tea
Brew a few black tea bags in hot water. The tannins help add subtle darkness when applied to hair. Rinse out after 30 minutes.
Cocoa powder
Mix a few tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder into a conditioner or hair mask. The chocolatey tones provide a sheer tint.
Dark beer
Flat beer left in a glass overnight contains tannins and melanin pigments for subtle staining when applied to strands.
Black walnut hull powder
Available at health stores, this powder infuses brown undertones to blended grays. Mix into conditioner and leave on 10-15 minutes.
Henna dye
Henna coats the hair shaft in a reddish dye that lasts 4-6 weeks. It’s ideal for blending gray roots for a seamless regrowth.
Conclusion
Hair can easily be darkened at home using a simple coffee rinse technique. The brown melanoidin pigments in the coffee temporarily stain strands for added richness and shine, especially on brunette and black hair. While not permanent like traditional dye, a weekly coffee rinse is an easy, damage-free way to enhance your natural color between salon appointments. Be sure to use a deeply concentrated dark roast for the most dramatic results.