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How to Get Attractive, Colorful And Strong Hair Using Coffee?

Do you want to dye your hair? I sure do!

But after one really damaging experience where my hair turned orange, dry and brittle, I had to cut it all.


Since then, I tried my best to prioritize healthy hair and avoided heat products.


I am also constantly conditioning my hair, and being extra careful with it in order to promote length and strength.


And now it’s finally long and healthy again.

Frankly, after all that hard work, it seems like a waste to throw it all away on a single dye job.


So I went on a quest, my friend, seeking answers to the one ultimate question: is it possible to dye your hair a different color while still promoting its health?


Boy, are you in for a surprise, because you probably brewed it at least once today. Yep, you guessed right! 

In this article, I will teach you how to use coffee to dye your hair and improve your hair health in many other ways too. Excited? Me too.


But first, a word of warning!


Applying coffee topically (to your scalp) causes it to be absorbed really fast into your bloodstream.

This is a great thing for adults (read on to find out why), but very bad for little ones 


I know! I can’t wait till my little girl is old enough for me to share with her the joys of coffee, but for now she’ll just have to stick to orange juice.


This tutorial is really simple. All you need is access to ground coffee (duh!) and other items you probably have around the house. So drink coffee & keep your coffee hot, then follow my instruction.

You Will Need:

  • Brewed Coffee (not instant; the darker, the better)
  • Hair net or old towel
  • Favorite Shampoo/Conditioner
  • Bowls
  • Coffee Grounds (used)
  • Honey
  • Olive oil
  • Castor oil
  • Tea bags (white, black, and green)
  • Jars
  • Beeswax
  • Cocoa powder
  • Cocoa butter
  • Egg

1 # Yogurt Coffee Hair Benefit 
(Prevents Hair Loss)

Why?

The hormone DHT, which weakens hair follicles and causes them to shrink and eventually stop producing hair, is the most common cause of hair loss.


According to National Center for Biotechnology Information, coffee combats that directly by releasing ATP and energizing the cells in the hair follicle, allowing the hair and follicle to continue to grow instead of shrinking.


How?

While drinking coffee technically promotes healthy hair, the amount required to have any noticeable effect equals about 60 cups of coffee a day, which is dangerous (and impossible. I mean, I love coffee but c’mon!)


Instead, there are promising results through topical application (applying it on your skin or scalp) since caffeine can be absorbed through the skin. 


Pre-shampoo Treatment


You’ll need:

  • Coffee grounds (ground espresso for full strength).
  • Shampoo and conditioner


Directions:

  • Step 1. Brew a strong cup of coffee
  • Step 2. Apply the used grounds (after cooling!) directly on scalp.
  • Step 3. Massage mixture into scalp for a full two minutes to make sure the caffeine reaches the hair follicles.
  • Step 4. Rinse and shampoo as usual. Don’t forget to condition!

Tips:

Many coffee shampoos, like Truepure’s caffeine shampoo boast the same benefits, but if you are wary of the price tag or don’t want to give up your favorite brand, you can make your own DIY coffee shampoo.

Here’s the recipe:

DIY Coffee Shampoo

You’ll need:

  • 1/2 a teaspoon coffee powder
  • 4 to 5 tablespoons shampoo of choice (amount will depend on length and volume of your hair)


Directions:

  • Step 1. In a separate small bowl, mix the powder and shampoo until fully combined (the mixture will be dark)
  • Step 2. Another way is to mix the coffee with some hot water, then add it to the shampoo, whichever is easier for you
  • Step 3. The second way blends better. Some bloggers recommend waiting 24 hours before using this recipe
  • Step 3. Apply to damp hair
  • Step 4. Remember to wait the full two minutes
  • Step 5. Rinse and condition.


You may use the waiting period to give yourself a stimulating scalp massage for maximum hair benefits.

Pro-tips

If you would also like add a clarifying effect to combat product buildup or dandruff, simply mix together a ¼ teaspoon baking soda to 2 tablespoons coffee powder and 2 to 3 tablespoons shampoo of choice (amount will depend on length and volume of your hair).

Use this one every three to four weeks at most for shinier hair.


Directions are the same as above, then condition. (As a curly girl, I cannot stress this enough.)


Note: The sulfates in the shampoo may wash away the benefits of the coffee, so it’s best to use a sulfate-free one in this case.

2 # Hair Coffee Benefit
(Unruly Hair Remedy)

Why? 

Since coffee is generally less acidic than water, it causes the hair cuticle to lay flat, which is the same thing your conditioner does.


It adds slip to your hair to make it more manageable and easier to detangle.


How? 

Roasting coffee beans creates melanoidins in coffee, which are antimicrobial among other things.

That means they naturally clean your scalp and hair.

 

Various other antioxidants in coffee also promote cell health and prevent unruliness by maintaining the hair shaft.


DIY Coffee Hair Smoothing Treatment

You’ll need:

  • Ground coffee
  • Shampoo + Conditioner


Directions:

  • Step 1. Grab a handful of ground coffee (around two tablespoons)
  • Step 2. Massage into scalp completely, wait 15 minutes, and then rinse with shampoo and conditioner

3 # Hair Coffee Benefit 
(Hair Growth Stimulant)

Why? 

Coffee is a proven hair growth stimulant.


A study of NCBI talks about an experiment where two doctors took samples from men in the early stages of hair loss.

They applied caffeine to some of the samples, both caffeine and DHT (the hormone that causes most types of hair loss) to others.


In just 14 days, the doctors observed that all the hair started to grow noticeably faster, with the samples that had caffeine only growing the most!

(If only I can get Mike to give it a try, but he says he wants to drink coffee, not bathe in it!)


How? 

To explain it simply, caffeine is the opposite of DHT.

While DHT cause hair follicles to shrink and slows down hair growth as a result, caffeine stimulates the follicles, making the hair grow faster and longer, regardless of the presence of DHT.


I definitely recommend this one for men in the early stages of hair loss.

Vla Da’s Grandma’s Growth Secret

This youtuber’s grandma gave her a recipe for hair growth when Vla Da was suffering from thinning hair, hair loss, and self-esteem issues.

Vla da says it’s a miracle worker on her blog, and channel.


You’ll need:

  • 1 large Egg
  • 1 tablespoon yogurt (2 more teaspoons optional)
  • 5 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon coffee grounds


Directions:

  • Step 1. Mix ingredients into thick paste
  • Step 2. Apply to scalp and hair (be sure to use a lot on the scalp)
  • Step 3. Wait an hour and rinse with shampoo and conditioner


Vla Da recommends using this recipe three times a week, and says results will appear within two weeks.


Looking at all the ingredients, this mask should hydrate the hair fully while promoting hair growth, thanks to the protein, and olive oil added.

Related reading : Starbucks Keto Guide

4 # Coffee Hair Dye

Why?

Coffee contains a compound called Tannin, which is in many plants, including tea.

Tannins belong to a class of chemicals called phenols, which bind to proteins easily.

A protein called keratin, as you know, makes up your hair.


How? 

When you get coffee on your hair, the tannin causes it to bind to the hair shaft.

And because of the dark color it ends up staining your hair as well as your mug cup!


DIY Coffee Hair Dye


You’ll need:

  •  1 cup strong organic coffee, preferably espresso 
  • 2 cups leave-in conditioner 
  • 2 tablespoons coffee grounds 


Directions:

  • Step 1: Mix the two cups of leave conditioner with coffee grounds and one cup of cold brewed coffee. 
  • Step 2: Apply the mixture to your hair for an hour.
  • Step 3: Rinse with shampoo and conditioner.

Pro-tip:

Adding a tablespoon of cocoa powder can give you a darker shade.

I personally use dutch-processed unsweetened cacao powder.

Also, rinsing off with ACV will make the color set in more and last longer.

This is a great way to hide grey hair. If you’re a brunette, this will enhance the color of your hair, and if your hair is lighter in color, this will make it a darker shade.


Alternatively, you can just use a rinse, which I talk about below.

5 # Coffee Rinse

Why? 

Alternatively, you can get some great hair benefits by keeping a rinse on hand.


Using it at the end of your shower will make your hair shinier, softer, and more hydrated.


If you do it regularly, you can reap the dye benefits too.



How? 

Coffee has many antioxidants, and the acidity allows it to strip hair of any impurities as well as buildup from your shampoo or other products.

Don’t worry though, the acidity isn’t strong enough to hurt your hair or your skin; it has less pH than water.



Be careful though: coffee stains hair a darker color, so if you have naturally light hair, or just had it dyed and want to keep it that way, it’d be best to stick to a lighter coffee like light brown coffee.


Coffee Rinse


On the following video from youtuber beautyklove shows the effects of this method on different colors using hair extensions:

You’ll need:

  • Brewed coffee
  • Old towel or shower cap
  • 2 containers
  • Bathtub 

I’m not kidding about that last one, or this will get very messy very fast.


Directions:

  • Step 1: Brew your coffee of choice and let it cool in one container
  • Step 2: Lean your head over the coffee container, and use the second one to pour the coffee over your head
  • Step 3: Repeat step 2 until desired color sets in. Some users have reported up to 15 times for a certain shade of darkness. Others just a couple. Try it out and see.
  • Step 4: Rinse off with ACV rinse, then plain water

Tips:

Using this regularly is key, so keep a spray of the coffee brew in your shower and spray your hair when you’re done. Rinse with water and you’re ready for the day.

6 # Hair Texture Remedy

Why? 

The various benefits of coffee, from clearing up buildup to smoothing down the hair cuticle to strengthening the hair shaft, make it especially effective at improving hair texture.


Many of the newest hair products now a days have coffee or caffeine as a main or secondary ingredient. 

Unfortunately, they are either rare or really expensive! 


How?

This is more anecdotal than scientific, meaning people tried these things and recommended them to each other.

This is great for us coffee lovers since that is how we buy most of our beans: by recommendation!

 

A rinse after a regular shower (see above) is the usual method, but there are other methods available as well.



Hair Smoothing Coffee Pomade (200 grams)


You'll need:

  • 4 tablespoons of coffee
  • 2 bags each of black, green, and white tea
  • 130 grams of castor oil
  • 30 grams beeswax
  • 40 grams cocoa butter


Directions:

  • Step 1: Infuse castor oil with tea and coffee using a water bath for five hours then strain
  • Step 2: Melt and mix the remaining ingredients in a double boiler 
  • Step 3: Pour the oil into the mix and use egg beater to whip the pomade for 2 minutes
  • Step 4: Store in jar and use to touch up hairstyles or as a pre-shampoo treatment


Note: 

A water bath is basically two bowls, with one containing water inside.

You heat up the one with water so that the water is hot, and then place the second bowl inside the water.


This way you can heat up whatever is inside the second bowl without worry of anything burning.

This is important in the case of oil, which can burn easily.

This pomade has some hard steps but it is definitely all natural and hair-friendly.

7 # Potent Hair Masks

Why?

It should come as no surprise for you that, since coffee can promote growth in as little as 2 minutes, leaving it on for longer enhances the many benefits it gives. 


Keep in mind that, research shows, there are no benefits over the 30 to 40 minute mark for a hair mask though adding heat (like a bonnet or a warm towel around your head) does make the mask set in more. 


How? 

Absorption through heat or prolonged contact is the best way according to stylists.

Just avoid doing this close to bed-time because coffee is absorbed fast through the hair follicles and you might feel very awake.


Honey Oil Coffee Mask:


You’ll need:

  • 1 tablespoon of honey
  • 1 tablespoon of olive oil
  • Two teaspoons of coffee powder


Directions:

  • Step 1: Mix into smooth paste, and then apply to hair for 30 minutes
  • Step 2: Rinse with shampoo and conditioner.


You can make this without the honey as well, but it won't be as moisturizing.

8 # The Leave-in Conditioner

Why? 

When using brewed ground coffee instead of ground coffee, you can apply it before styling for maximum shine and manageability.

Using a leave-in after helps lock in moisture and retain the benefits.


How?

Caffeine is a polar molecule, and because of that it infuses easily in aqueous solutions, like your conditioner.

So applying the conditioner after helps the coffee work for longer.


Leave-in Conditioner


You’ll need:

  • Brewed coffee
  • Two plastic containers
  • Leave-in conditioner


Directions:

  • Step 1: After shampooing your hair, rinse it then gently squeeze the excess water out
  • Step 2: Pour brewed cool coffee into your hair using the two plastic containers
  • Step 3: Continue pouring the coffee through the hair until the plastic container runs out, and leave it on for five minutes
  • Step 4: Apply your leave-in conditioner and wrap your hair up for half an hour
  • Step 5: Rinse your hair with lukewarm water then use cool water as a final rinse. Style as usual.

Pro-tip: 

Rinsing your hair with cold water adds shine to it, so try doing so after you finish washing it, but before you step out of the shower.

Coffee can be drying so this leave-in conditioner recipe is awesome.

9 # Improves Scalp Circulation

Why?

Improving circulation to the scalp promotes hair growth and hair follicle strength, both of which coffee does in around 2 minutes of application.

I also recommend massaging the scalp gently for ten minutes every day.


How?

Any kind of blood-flow to the head spreads to the follicles.

This makes them grow hair faster and longer.

Using a coffee oil would be your best bet at unclogging and enlarging hair follicles, which also redirects more blood flow towards your scalp.



Coffee Hair Oil


You’ll need:

  • ¼ a cup coffee beans
  • 2 cups oil of choice


Directions:

  • Step 1: Roast the hair oil it in the coffee beans at low heat for about 8 hours. (Make sure to stir occasionally to avoid burning it!) 
  • Step 2: Strain the oil, and store in a jar.


You can use this once a week, but I prefer using a little bit of oil after washing my hair to lock in moisture.


You can also coat your fingertips with the oil and use it to massage your scalp.

10 # Scalp Exfoliation

Why?

Scalp exfoliation is thanks to the grainy nature of coffee. 

And its pH level, which, when massaged in, takes care of problems ranging from product buildup to extreme dandruff.


How?

The coffee will clear up dead cells and the deep conditioner will rehydrate your hair making it oh so soft and smooth.


Coffee Scrub


You’ll need:

  • Coffee grounds
  • Deep conditioner


Directions:

  • Step 1: Mix some coffee grounds into your favorite deep conditioner to form a mask.
  • Step 2: Apply it all over your scalp and massage gently for 5 – 10 minutes
  • Step 3: Rinse off using shampoo and conditioner

Pro-tip: 

Throwing a towel in the dryer and wrapping it around your head for 20 minutes after the massage will promote further penetration by the conditioner.

Doing this treatment once a week is great for hydrated hair and faster growth.

It is also great at making hair softer and more manageable. I live for the days my hair takes ten minutes to style!

11 # Hair Shine Treatment

Why?

Remember how we said that coffee’s pH level lays the hair cuticle flat?

Well, that is the basic principle behind shiny hair too!


How?

Much like the underside of a leaf, when the cuticle is flat instead of raised, it creates a surface that reflects light.

This equals more shine reflection in your hair.

Hair Smoothing Coffee Mask (source:https://goodhealthall.com/beauty-benefits-of-coffee/)



Hair Smoothing Coffee Mask


You’ll need:

  • Two tablespoons coffee powder
  • One tablespoon olive oil
  • One tablespoon honey


Directions:

  • Step 1: Mix ingredients together thoroughly.
  • Step 2: Apply the paste to your hair, leave it for 15-30 mins and then rinse with shampoo and conditioner.

Pro-tip: 

Heat the honey gently to make it easier to mix. 

Conclusion

And there you have it! 11 ways coffee is the best thing for your life and hair.

How did you like this tutorial?

I still remember my hair before I cut it: thin, brittle, lifeless. 

Unhealthy hair, much like I am before my morning cup of coffee, is a monster to manage, and impossible to deal with.


(You can ask Mike, my husband!)

And to think that years of care can be undone in a span of a couple hours makes my head spin.

 

The process of dying hair uses hydrogen peroxide and oxygen in order to lift the cuticle and color the shaft underneath.

This is very drying for your hair and causes it to be brittle and eventually thin out.


Dying your hair to make it shine, and having it become unsightly is too disheartening for me.

But using coffee however, which is a bean full of antioxidants and hair growing properties, can actually increase your hair follicle’s growth phase, all while staining it a lovely dark shade.


 

This proves that you don’t have to give up fun in the name of health any more than you have to cut out dessert to lead a healthier life.


And you know what? 

There are many healthy desserts nowadays too!

Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think. Don’t forget to share the article!

Sarah Price
 

Creator & editor here at House Of Arabica. I'm a proud mother of one baby girl. Passionate about coffees and their variations. Love to review coffee accessories! Please feel free to put your comment below.

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