From the page: Your hair is born in the kitchen

Idea 5

Black tea for darkening

Easy 40 min

Black tea became an ally of dark hair long before industrial dyes: its tannins and natural pigments deposit on the hair shaft, creating a subtle dark veil with each application. It works because the color is superficial — it doesn't open the hair cuticle, it just covers it with fine layers of pigment and tannin.

What you need

  • 4 to 5 black tea bags (or 3 teaspoons of loose leaf)
  • 500 ml of filtered water
  • 1 tablespoon of dried sage or rosemary leaves (optional, deepens the tone)
  • Saucepan, lidded jar and a clean spray bottle

How to make it

  1. 1

    Boil the water and turn off the heat before adding the bags, because boiling the tea burns the pigments and makes the result bitter.

  2. 2

    Let it steep, covered, for at least 30 minutes — the more concentrated and darker, the stronger the effect on the tone.

  3. 3

    Strain well and let it cool completely before touching the scalp.

  4. 4

    Wash your hair normally with your shampoo and remove excess water with a towel.

  5. 5

    Spray or pour the tea section by section, massaging from root to tip as if it were a final rinse.

  6. 6

    Do not rinse afterwards: let it air dry so the pigment sets into the fiber.

Finishing touches

Repeat 2 to 3 times a week for the darkening to appear gradually. Store the rest in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, always in a clean, closed jar. Do the touch test on your inner arm before first use.

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