How to Dye Hair with Coffee

Brew the coffee. Prepare about 1-2 cups (240-480 ml) of organic coffee. Using organic coffee helps avoid chemicals and preservatives. Ensure you use dark roast or Espresso to achieve a coffee-black hair color. You can also make it stronger by adding more coffee than the usual amount needed for 1-2 cups (240-480 ml).

• You can brew the coffee using any method you prefer (French press, stovetop), but instant coffee is usually less concentrated and less effective for dyeing.
• Let the coffee cool and use it when it's completely cooled or still warm.

Mix coffee with hair conditioner. You can use any type of conditioner to mix with coffee, but thicker ones are easier to apply to your hair. Combine 1 cup (240 ml) of coffee with 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of hair conditioner and 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of organic ground coffee. Use a spoon to mix the ingredients thoroughly.

• If your hair is long, you can increase the amount of coffee and conditioner. The exact measurements here are not strict rules but rather guidelines.

Apply the mixture to your hair. Use your hands to spread the mixture onto your hair, and a wide-tooth comb can help distribute it evenly. While applying, twist your hair to keep it off your face and allow the mixture to penetrate. Leave the mixture on your hair for at least an hour. After an hour, the conditioner may become dry and stiff.

• Apply the mixture in the bathroom and use a mirror to avoid mess and monitor the application process.
• Use an old towel you don’t mind staining to drape over your shoulders. This prevents the coffee mixture from staining your clothes.

Rinse your hair. Rinse out the coffee and conditioner mixture in the shower. Avoid using shampoo; simply let the water wash the mixture out of your hair.

• You can repeat the dyeing process a few times to achieve your desired result.

Wash your hair. Shampoo your hair to ensure it’s clean, free of oils, and without any hair products before dyeing.

Brew the coffee. Similar to the previous method, prepare about 2 cups (470 ml) of strong organic coffee. Brewing 2 cups (470 ml) is recommended since you’ll need to pour all of it over your hair during the dyeing process. The more coffee you have, the easier it will be to distribute evenly.

• Allow the coffee to cool to room temperature or cooler.

Transfer the coffee to a large bowl. Once brewed, pour the coffee into a large bowl or pot. Essentially, you need a container large enough to hold all the coffee, making it easy to scoop and pour over your hair while also catching any excess that drips down during the process.

Pour the coffee over your hair. Place the large bowl or pot in the bathroom and position your head above it. You can dip your hair into the bowl, then use a smaller container to scoop and pour coffee over the remaining sections. This method is particularly useful for ensuring the coffee reaches the back of your hair when full immersion isn’t possible. Repeat the pouring process about 15 times to ensure even saturation. Squeeze out excess liquid and let the coffee sit in your hair for at least 20 minutes to several hours. You can also twist your hair to prevent dripping.

• Alternatively, you can pour the coffee into a spray bottle and mist it onto your hair. Regardless of the method, ensure as much coffee as possible coats your hair.

Rinse your hair. After letting the coffee soak into your hair, rinse it out thoroughly with water.

• You can repeat the coffee soaking process several times to achieve your desired shade.
• Rinsing with apple cider vinegar can help the coffee color last longer.