Chocolatey Colored Hair
Organic Cocoa Powder – Nature’s chocolate color
Who would have thought that cocoa powder could be used to dye and color hair?
That’s right. Cocoa powder is a natural darkening dye. When it comes to dyeing hair, box dyes done at home or at a salon are usually the go-to choice for most women. Box dyes are simple and usually get the job done, but often, they also contain harmful chemicals like ammonia that can irritate the hair or scalp and cause allergic reactions. A bad dye job can even leave hair over-processed and damaged, causing it to look limp and wispy – or even break off. Because of this, more and more women and men are seeking organic and safe ways to dye their hair, and the popularity of natural dyes has increased recently. Along with coffee and henna, cocoa powder holds its own as one of these natural dyes that not only adds beautiful color to the hair, but makes it healthier as well.
Cocoa powder is exceptionally nourishing. It is filled with essential vitamins and minerals that nourish not only the body, but also the hair and scalp. These include magnesium and zinc, which help to fight hair loss, and calcium, which promotes healthy hair growth. Cocoa powder also contains protein and an extremely high level of antioxidants, which also help the scalp to grow longer, stronger and healthier hair. Using cocoa powder in a hair mask or treatment not only adds perfect dark tones to hair, but adds moisture, shine and volume to hair while promoting growth.
Cocoa powder’s dark color evidently makes it perfect for coloring hair. It brings out dark tones in hair, so its effects are best when used on light to medium-brown colored hair, but lighter hair colors like blonde can also use it for a slighter darkening result. When used together with cinnamon, lemon juice and coconut oil, cocoa powder gives hair a very natural looking and flattering brown color that’s arguably better than any box dye. The lemon juice and cinnamon both have natural bleaching or lightening properties, so it’s possible that these two work together to bring out natural highlights in dark hair while the cocoa powder works to enhance the darker tones. Coconut oil is essential to any dye job, as it helps hair to retain its moisture and shine. In this coloring treatment, the coconut oil helps to keep hair soft and protect it from the dryness that the lemon juice may cause. Though you may have to apply the cocoa powder mask a few times before you get to the shade you desire, you’ll see a noticeable change from your very first use. It’s a perfect mix of ingredients that complement each other’s properties and work in a safe, inexpensive way.
Simply put, cocoa powder is one of the amazing natural ingredients with coloring properties that is organic, vegan and cruelty-free. You can use cocoa powder to darken hair along with cinnamon, lemon juice and coconut oil as mentioned, but simply using cocoa powder and water to create a nice, thick paste can give you great results. Being conscious about what you put in your hair is just as important as what you put in your body, and thankfully, cocoa powder works wonders for both!
