DIY Natural Hair Dye | Will Coffee Cover Gray Hair?

[@TheMidlifeRide]

I did 6 new experiments with at home hair dye, from viewer suggestions! here’s a link to the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaeWq2R6ec2Uoqc Thanks for watching:)

[@moco1216]

I used to dye my hair with a product that had a "hair prep" product, dye and conditioner for AFTER the dye process was complete. The dye itself used more of an alcohol base for carrier purposes (thus the stench). The conditioner would close the hair shaft which would stop the hair from receiving dye. Try just straight coffee diluted in minimal amount of water (only what's necessary for application to your hair). Good luck.

[@annerink4327]

conditioner = SEALS the hair, the coffee had no chance

[@TheMidlifeRide]

@@annerink4327 i did try without conditioner in the second video kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaeWq2R6ec2Uoqc

[@TheMidlifeRide]

@@moco1216 i did try without conditioner in the second video kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaeWq2R6ec2Uoqc

[@cali524]

Wonder if you could use the Java without conditioner possibly not sure what to thicken it with though 🫤

[@TeresaAngelena]

Just so you know, Honestly your natural gray hair looks really nice on you! Looks like natural highlights. Looks Very PRETTY as is .

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thank you :)

[@hithere8140]

​@The Midlife Ride I came to say just this. Your grays are naturally beautiful. People pay top dollar at salons to make their grays look exactly like this, its called gray-blending. It looks like you do this, lucky you!! Perhaps an edgier cut or style may allow you to see it as we see it. The coffee did add something more.

[@lourdestorres2.0]

I completely agree! Very beautiful grey. It looks great in you.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

@@lourdestorres2.0 Thank you:)

[@lourdestorres2.0]

@@TheMidlifeRide Your hair's perfect!

[@lorri763]

I was a hairdresser for several years so I know how haircolor works. The ammonia in haircolor lifts the scales on your hairshaft which allows the pigment to enter the shaft and deposit the color. Another option is henna which works in two ways: intense staining properties and also coats the hair shaft. You will get more and more color and shine from henna with additional applications because it builds on itself.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for the info!

[@dancingyuli]

Yap, Henna and Coffee or indigo powder

[@mimi1o8]

Remember if you do Henna and for some reason you want to go back to ordinary hair color, your hair will turn up green, I was told that bu hairdressers and still did it and that is what happened 🫤

[@denisebanto3185]

ohhhhI cant help myself. 🙃 My loving lifelong passion. Non toxic Cosmetology. I would have been shocked, as a Cosmetologist, if you had any result but softer hair. The coffee by itself has staining properties and works very well mixed with henna for the coverage you are hopeful of. It does put a layer like colored cellophane over the hair. The stain is on the hair surface only. Multiple applications layer the color. Shampoo, conditioner, wind, and styling wear it away over time. Finding the right reapplication for each person is different based on wear and desired maintenance. Less about exact color. Although mixed with a few different ingredients that also donate their color and staining abilities there are some choices in blonde, browns or reds. (Btw: the condition is just to keep the coffee from running, but conditioner coats the hair so there could be minimal toning over time with the minute coffee stain in the conditioner. No one would notice, mostly not you. 🫶) The point of coloring it is to make yourself FEEL better. Something is missing!? A sparkle? A skin glow? Your clothes colors dont match you anymore? There are several things to look at when we look in the mirror and feel something is just MISSING. You are in a time of transition. Ride the wave. You will know you are beginning a new stage of growth when the mirror starts talking to you. It isnt always about the looks, in fact it usually NEVER is on this particular day when the mirror SPEAKS; but the hair is the first to go! A good hairdresser will talk you down from the cliff with options! This one skill saves many lives and could create world peace. (Anyone can book a consultion with a hairdresser. Some charge, some dont. In this day Im sure even a phone consult is possible! ) When one looks in the mirror and feels something stirring, look at your surroundings, do they make you feel the same? What are your options? What about your clothes? Do they make you feel the same? What are your options? And so your journey begins... 💐😘🫶 ❤Natural Nouveaux

[@TheMidlifeRide]

@@denisebanto3185 thanks for watching and sharing:)

[@Alice-fr1ef]

As a small child my grandmother always combed my hair with black coffee and castor oil. I hated the smell and always cried but she told me it would make my hair very black. I am now 80 but up until about 5 yrs ago, people always asked me if I dyed my hair because it was so black. I had never colored my hair and still do not but it has now begun to turn gray which I don't like because I am not used to that color at all. So coffee and castor oil worked. It was not instant coffee but Folgers Drip Coffee and the Castor Oil.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Sounds like you have some good genes in the family. Nice memory :)

[@safiairfan2348]

Castor oil is great but smells awful

[@Alice-fr1ef]

@@safiairfan2348 That is why I would cry when my Grandmother used it on my hair with coffee but it worked. It doesn't have the smell now thank God.

[@hasnaakther2272]

Can you explain procedure to apply with castor oil and back coffee. Did you boil coffee? How long did you use to keep on hair? Did you use to shampoo after that? Thanks.

[@Alice-fr1ef]

@@hasnaakther2272 When I was a small child my grandmother drank folgers drip coffee as long as I could remember. When she combed my hair she would pour a cup of black coffee out of her pot and then she would put castor oil in the cup with the coffee and brush my hair with it. She would never wash it out but would braid my hair and put on ribbons. I would cry because I did not like the smell but she would tell me that it would make my hair really black. She did this all of the time I was growing up. She would wash my hair twice a week. It must have worked because all of my life people would question me on how black my hair was. I did not began get to grey until about five years ago at 75. Evven now there is only a bit of gray hair and I have never colored my hair. I am 80..

[@josietartamella1876]

I used 1 egg yolk 3 tbs of olive oil and I tbs of instant coffee put it on my hair covered with a plastic wrap left it for 2 hours I had instant results my white hair is now caramel Color and last long

[@TheMidlifeRide]

What brand/roast of instant coffee did you use?

[@josietartamella1876]

@@TheMidlifeRide nescafe

[@josietartamella1876]

Put an egg yolk in a little bowl whisk it ten add one tsp instand coffee stir until it’s well dissolved then add three tsp of olive oil apply it on clean har wrap it with Saran Wrap leave it as long as you want then I rinse with cold water and voila

[@TheMidlifeRide]

@@josietartamella1876 thanks, maybe I’ll try it!

[@josietartamella1876]

@@TheMidlifeRide i will correct myself 1 teaspoon coffee 3teaspoons of olive oil with 1 egg yolk this is a recipe for shirt hair double or triple the dose if you have longer hair

[@trenawawrzyniak4397]

At 57 my hair is white n I love it. Started getting gray at 23 n dyed my hair all the time. My hairdresser always did a great job with my hair. 10 yrs ago I just stopped dying it. I love my edgy pixie hair cut n I love my white hair. I fully embrace my natural hair color.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Good for you! I’m working on that:)

[@amandacarter7740]

I hate salt nd pepper type of colour but whitr hair usually looks great

[@billiep4338]

Use Black Walnut hulls, & use gloves 🧤🧤& old towel. It lasts about a month in between regular washing. My Grandmother would scrape out the insides of the hull every year when we gathered the walnuts. She would heat it to a low boil,& let cool, strain it into Mason jars.She kept them in the bottom of the pantry. I helped apply it to the strands of her hair when she got older,& needed help. We also used it to stain furniture, weaved baskets, etc. It works great as a scratch covering on many things.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for sharing and for the suggestion!

[@southernsunshine2566]

What do you mix it with for a thicker consistency?

[@billiep4338]

@@southernsunshine2566 The longer you cook it the thicker it gets.

[@olgabolivarrodas4367]

Thanks for the tip. Did some one tried on hair?

[@billiep4338]

@@olgabolivarrodas4367 Yes, apply to strands & let dry. If you wash hair daily, it lasts about a month.

[@Stephanie-lg1cm]

Your hair is beautiful, from the photos you shared, it’s always been beautiful. I’m 65 and have allowed my grey to shine for the last 5 years and I love it! No colour maintenance, loads of compliments and great condition. I’m very low maintenance, had my brows and eyeliner permanently airbrushed on and I keep my nails shot and natural. As I age I feel that time is best spent with the people I love doing the things I love, rather than trying to keep the clock from ticking forward.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thank you:) I’m glad to hear you’re happy with your grays and have accepted aging as it comes. I’m working on it. I really do enjoy not having to color anymore. I agree we all have more important ways to spend our time. Thanks for watching and sharing!

[@Engelhafen]

Won’t dark eyebrows look odd as you get older?

[@starrylife888]

Is permanently airbrushed eyeliner the same as tattoo eyeliner ?

[@TheMidlifeRide]

@kreistagrace8244 I don’t know anything about either of those.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

@Engelhafen My mom complained about her eyebrows thinning and getting lighter. I never really notice eyebrows unless they’re very unusual.

[@88pynogrl]

Thanks for doing this. You saved me time, and frustration. I wasn’t worried about you ruining your hair, because none of the ingredients were toxic. Actually, box dyes are probably more worrisome.♥️

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for watching:)

[@debraallen63]

They don't call them "dyes" (Dies) for nothing; it's Killing Your hair and some brain cells too!!!!

[@anisfatima1559]

👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@alicerafferty9595]

You have nice hair. Why change your hair?

[@kimhefler]

I wonder if it’s the conditioner that’s making it not work. I read someone used castor oil with coffee. That might work better

[@Kay.in.FL.HI.SA.JP.OZ.NZ.RIO..]

The function of conditioners is to close the hair cuticle AFTER the cuticle was opened (and color had time to penetrate the hair). Conditioner then closes the cuticle to lock the color in. The first step is to open the cuticle with mild shampoo (or chemicals). Then add color, wait for it to penetrate (a warm bonnet/towel wrap helps); then condition and rinse. Then use "color safe" hair products to keep the cuticle closed, so color doesn't leach out as fast. On the other hand, using coffee (and other things like beets, henna, etc) will 'stain" the outside of the hair strands (it does not penetrate the hair shaft like dyes do). If you stain your hair, be aware the stain will buildup on the ends & dry areas; so you'll want to compensate for this during repeat applications. Stained hair may fade somewhat, but will remain until it's cut off or stripped out of hair (using stripper, lemon, etc.) Which will definitely dry out your hair. Beware some hair is more or less "resistant" to dyes and/or stains; thus may not be viable (especially if using conditioner at the onset).

[@TheMidlifeRide]

I used the conditioner because that’s the recipe that other videos claimed worked.

[@Kay.in.FL.HI.SA.JP.OZ.NZ.RIO..]

@@TheMidlifeRide I understand. However, they are incorrectly using the conditioner; most likely to act as a thickening agent, for convenience sake. Thus your results are mild at best. For everyones convenience, I've edited my original post and better explained the process above. I hope this helps!

[@TheMidlifeRide]

@@Kay.in.FL.HI.SA.JP.OZ.NZ.RIO.. I appreciate the information. The whole point of this video was to either confirm or debunk. Now, others won’t have to waste time with this method. Like I said in the video, there are a lot of videos claiming it works, but no actual proof. So, hopefully, watching me try and fail will be the proof they need.

[@colourmequaint9690]

You claim that if the third try doesn't work, then there is absolutely no way one can cover grey with coffee at home. That statement is inaccurate and specific to conditioner+ coffee. So the comment above is justified

[@Kay.in.FL.HI.SA.JP.OZ.NZ.RIO..]

​@@colourmequaint9690 You are obviously addressing the wrong person since I never said anything of the like.

[@CC-qg6zl]

I don't use conditioner. Conditioner coats the hair and reduces potential absorption of colour. I pour it on over a bowl then squish my hair around in the bowl, even decant it again over my hair into another bowl. Leave it under a shower cap...do my thing, then condition (seal) and rinse. It definitely has a blending affect. Rosemary, rooibos and coffee ( grounds and all) all feed the root, exfoliate the scalp and boost circulation. Don't give up!

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Do you brew the coffee or just mix instant into water? I don’t want to use a bunch of ingredients I don’t have, but I’m willing to try again if it’s not too complicated:)

[@Closereveryday]

​@@TheMidlifeRide I just happened to have your channel suggested. I would like an uncomplicated way too. Have you had any success? Thank you for doing this, sharing it and just being a natural down to earth woman.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

@@Closereveryday I haven’t tried anything new yet, as I’m still collecting info and planning my next move. So many recommendations and I’m very skeptical of most claims, but then again, I just won’t know for sure unless I try myself.

[@Closereveryday]

@@TheMidlifeRide I definitely understand. Be careful if they seem too far out there. Think I'll stick to the box type for now. I'll let you know if I come across anything that actually works. Thank you

[@simlahunsraj1456]

F

[@thinkcentre2974]

Another urban legend . Thanks for saving us time & effort.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for watching:)

[@earth6275]

Yes!!!!

[@starkiss77]

I would avoid using conditioner for the purpose of coloring your hair. It will prevent the colour to penitrate. I know boiling walnut leaves can dye your hair brown. Use the liquid as rinse. Let it sit on your hair for a while. Henna is also efficient in dying your hair just make sure you get the right colour. It tends to be red. I ended up with red hair once.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for the suggestions:)

[@virginiabarnum6558]

That’s what I thought too

[@desilanni8144]

We had a walnut tree in our yard. It was impossible to grow anything under it. That's why I question it's use on your body. Maybe someone knows about this.

[@gizellelouis5066]

Combine, henna, tea and coffee and the results are different.

[@lindaross783]

Yes!

[@chrismickel7431]

Make a concentrated rinse from sage leaves, rosemary & guava leaves. Apply the rinse & leave in hair for at least 4 hours or more, covered in shower cap to keep moist. Then rinse out with water. Do this about 4x/week to start. Then gradually taper off to once/week. Herbs are our great allies. They work gradually over time to darken your hair. I have been extremely happy with the results.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Can you provide a more detailed recipe in case anyone reading wants to try it out?

[@chrismickel7431]

@@TheMidlifeRide Sure thing: 1/2 cup dried sage, 1/2 cup dried rosemary, 1/2 cup dried guava leaves. Bring 3 cups water to boil, add herbs. Simmer on stove top for 15 minutes. Cool & strain.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

@@chrismickel7431 thank you!

[@themamabear7786]

I have been doing a mix of sage, rosemary and clove 4-5 times a week for almost a month and I'm still not seeing results. I even added black tea a few times and that hasn't made a difference either unfortunately :(

[@chrismickel7431]

@@themamabear7786 🤔🤔

[@joegoe8556]

I think your natural greying hair is beautiful! Maybe someone has already suggested this, but, the best friends my hair and my looks had at your age (i am in my 70s now) was a great hair cut - even if that cut was a trim, precision is the keyword, and secondly, get your colors done and rethink your wardrobe top to bottom, including accessories and jewelry. Also with your upwardly mobile age, your style along with your lifestyle is changing. Don’t lose sight of that.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

I really appreciate the sage advice. I’ve never cared anything about clothing though. I have zero fashion sense and wear mostly jeans and t-shirts, no jewelry, no accessories. It’s just who I am:)

[@carmenmarcinkiewicz7149]

Your hair is naturally GORGEOUS......without any added color!!!

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thank you:)

[@MarleneBertrand]

Thank you for your wholehearted effort. I tried using coffee and it didn't work for me either, but then I thought maybe I didn't put enough effort into it. I was just about to try it again and then I saw your video. Thank you for saving me a lot of time and anguish.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

I’m so happy to help save you from wasting time trying this again. I was disappointed it didn’t work, but I’m glad that I finally know for sure. I might try some of the other things people have suggested and I’ll be sure to record my experiences. Thanks so much for watching and for the comment:)

[@susjv7032]

I have seen videos where people are putting a lot of instant coffee directly into the conditioner and blend until dessolved. Maybe that works better as there will come more coffee into the hair that way. I have natural black hair so I can't test it myself. I just thought that I would share

[@TheMidlifeRide]

@@susjv7032 Thanks for sharing. Are the results evident in the videos and do the people have visibly gray hair?

[@ms.njeruflorencemuthoni7560]

@@TheMidlifeRide have tried coffee herbal oil, by boiling coffee with coconut oil/olive oil, black seeds, fenugreek seeds, rosemary and cloves, and Yes..this makes grey hair turn. Try this!

[@elizabethgillespie-gray1214]

I have no trouble using the coffee with hair conditioner. The coffee needs to be dissolved thoroughly with the hair conditioner. Some may have to be patient and treat the hair this way every time you wash your hair. I do and my hair is a lovely chocolate brown. 🌹

[@Secular-Serenity]

No one’s hair can ever be too thick!

[@TheMidlifeRide]

You better believe I know that now! I’d do anything to have the hair I had when I was a teenager!

[@JaneSmith0709]

Oooh yes it can! I'd give you a month with mine and you'll be ready to go back to thin!

[@CynergyDiva]

I concur

[@CynergyDiva]

@@TheMidlifeRidebe careful what you wish for

[@mattmcmahon8311]

your hair is so beautiful even with the gray!

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Aww, thank you!

[@ElidacSolis]

Ok please try Nivea cream n mix up with rosemary tea n try it or rosemary tea mixed with oregano tea n see the difference

[@ElidacSolis]

Thanks

[@GloriaLafont]

I've been using coffee on my hair for a few years. It does not completely cover my grey completely but it gives it a golden hue that mixes nicely with my darker hair. The color doesn't come off. You don't need to mix it with conditioner, coffee is a natural product with vitamins and antioxidants, I put it on my hair and leave it till it's dry, then rinse and wash with a mild shampoo, it leaves my hair super shiny and feeling strong and healthy. I use expresso coffee because it's what I drink, just make a strong brew and put in on. Hope it helps.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for watching and sharing:)

[@Tawadeb]

How long do you leave it on??

[@TheMidlifeRide]

@@Tawadeb she said she leaves in on until it’s dry. I’m guessing she just lets her hair air dry, rather than using a hairdryer. But, you (and I) might be interested to know how often she does this (everyday, twice a week, etc.)

[@GloriaLafont]

@@Tawadeb I leave it on until it dries. Sometimes I use the blow dryer, most times I don't.

[@GloriaLafont]

@@TheMidlifeRide I do it every other week sometimes 3 weeks. It depends. For reference, my hair grows fast and I used to color it every other week. The coffee stain doesn't come off or change color like it did when I colored it. Also, I have oily hair and wash it every day.

[@faunanightshade243]

I have blonde hair but what worked for me was simple extra strong brewed espresso coffee no conditioner and dipped the clean hair in the still warm not hot coffee and it took almost instantly but I left it on for an hr. . . Then rinsed in cool water to close the cuticles and used My conditioner. This made my hair soft and a nice caramel color. The coffee seems to act as a clarifying treatment. (My theory is the warm water opened up the hair cuticles allowing the staining of the coffee to be deposited easier.) Next test I will be doing is black tea with the same application 😊

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Can you provide an exact recipe? What brand? How many TBS of coffee and ounces of water? Is your blonde hair natural or chemically treated?

[@shaffergirl1732]

I’ve used black tea, rosemary and sage on my ‘dirty dishwater’ blonde hair. Same procedure as you described. By the third application my hair was gorgeous. I kept it up for quite a while with weekly tea dyes. It’s been about 10 years since I did it, thinking about starting up again. My hair has turned mostly white since then.

[@MultiZoobie]

​@@shaffergirl1732 well how much and what kind of tea? How much rosemary and sage and what kind, how much water? Was your hair wet or dried when applied? Don't just tell us it works without telling us how to do it.

[@BJones-yw4dd]

@@MultiZoobie What is there that is so unclear? So demanding! She clearly writes: "extra strong brewed espresso coffee no conditioner and dipped the clean hair in the still warm not hot coffee and it took almost instantly but I left it on for an hr. . . Then rinsed in cool water to close the cuticles and used My conditioner." We may think for ourselves and experiment with tea and coffee as we see fit.

[@happycook6737]

​@@BJones-yw4dd To get the same results requires knowing the strength of the brew applied. Nothing wrong with asking questions.

[@doyoubelieveityall]

Thank you, I've tried this twice, and absolutely nothing happened. You've saved me from feeling like I was doing something wrong.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for letting me know! Have you tried anything else? So many people are recommending other things, like not using conditioner. But, I’m not convinced.

[@lindahaynes3475]

@@TheMidlifeRide What about using pure ground coffee it would be stronger , just a thought ...

[@TheMidlifeRide]

@@lindahaynes3475 tell me more. We grind our own coffee everyday. What next? Brew it or add the (non-instant) grinds to something?

[@shaffergirl1732]

I used black tea, rosemary and sage. After the third application I could really see the gorgeous brown in my otherwise, ‘dirty dishwater’ blonde hair. My hair goes too coppery with commercial hair dye but I love the tea dye color.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Can you provide an exact recipe, please?

[@nidh1109]

52 would like that recipe Plus exact instructions. Thanks.

[@GodswordwithHanna]

Same pls!🎉

[@debbiekrusch9405]

Yes yes please

[@debraallen63]

A recipe would be helpful. I already have everything you listed..... How much of each? Leave in for how long??

[@melissasueferrin3409]

For a while I used black tea, it did give my greys a golden color but I am naturally a lighter brown and the thing is it washed out every time I washed my hair, but I could do a final rinse or use a spray bottle of strong black tea and it would make the greys look golden.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Interesting! I don’t really care whether my light hairs are gray, white or blond. I just want all of my hair to be brown again:)

[@lifeschool707]

Thanks for sharing and to all of you that keep this conversation going. I’ve been on this journey of searching for a non toxic way to color the greys in my Dark brown hair. I will try some of the herb, tea and maybe add walnut powder to the mix. So far what’s worked for me is Surya Brazil dark brown color. It’s free of PPD, resourcinol and some other very toxic ing. Another option is Hairprint it’s expensive but non toxic and brings your hair back to you own true color. If you try Surya Brazil color just know that it washes out relatively quick, so as a result, I tend to wash my hair once a week. I try to make it last 6 to 7 weeks if possible with using temporary crayons and powder to stretch between coloring. Good luck and let’s keep the information going 😊🙏🏼🌸

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for watching! Do either of the products you’ve mentioned fade/wash out evenly? I absolutely do not want a root line again after spending years growing out my grays. I was having the semi- or Demi-permanent coloring done in the salon while I was growing it out because it comes out everywhere gradually and doesn’t permanently stain.

[@sitolm9791]

Yahoo for you! I’m so proud of you for trying all of that and for your honesty! You did great! And, by the way, I think your hair is pretty grey

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thank you:)

[@gwenbliss129]

I touched up my henna dyed roots with instant coffee and it worked great. I wonder if the conditioner is washing out the coffee? Henna dyes like tea, so if you still have the patience, I would recommend making a paste out of instant coffee and leaving it on for an hour or two. It will get crispy and takes time to rinse out, but it did work for me. Or you could try henna in brown. I have used light mountain naturals for 4 years and it is awesome and affordable. No dry broken straw like fragile hair because it is a stain, and does not bleach out your natural color before depositiing the new shade. It's so good for my hair, I can use it as often as I like on my roots. t's less expensive than a box at the store. See what you think.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for the suggestion:)

[@crystalclear5339]

Appreciate your honesty. This is what we like no matter what. God bless you.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for watching!

[@roseannsalerno7335]

I have a friend that was prematurely gray. She used black powder henna and added Expresso coffee. The gray came out royal blue. I loved it.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Interesting. Not sure I could get away with blue hair, though!

[@lalitadev1493]

Black henna is a dye not mix with coffee.

[@Solitude11-11]

Black henna, unlike the natural leaf powder, is a chemical cocktail with potential horrendous side effects. Don’t ever use it anywhere on your body, and if you have, be aware of the allergies and sensitivities it can cause when you come in contact with other substances from then on. Google it. Horrible stuff.

[@coffeelvnwmn8706]

@@TheMidlifeRide The blue would be more like highlights, and not the actual color. Thank you for being brave and debunking this myth; then again, expresso is a lot more darker than the other two coffees.🤷 Btw, I read some years ago that the black walnut shell can be boiled and the 'tea' is used as a darkening agent to dye hair; IF you do, wear gloves and avoid getting it on your skin as it will stain. I've only read about it, haven't tried it yet.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

@@coffeelvnwmn8706 several people have mentioned walnuts lately. I’m definitely curious…

[@nerryjimenez6530]

Thank you so much for this video and to show that Coffee does not color your gray hair! That shows that all these people are giving the viewer false info! I have tried it, and not working! I am so glad I show your video! Thanx! Blessings, Nerry Jimenez

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for watching!

[@Abe-rz1nm]

I was completely white since my 30s (originally dark brown hair) and someone told me about colloidal copper (taken as a liquid). I've been taking it for 2-3 months now and about half of my hairs have grown back dark brown. It seems to be increasing slowly. My regrowth is definitely less noticeable. I also massage my scalp regularly to get the blood flow going. I feel as though this is the best solution I've tried so far. I'm so tired of colouring my regrowth (I was doing it almost weekly) so I think I'm just going to let it go for a while now.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Wow! I’ve never heard of that, but I looked it up and it seems promising. I’ll ask my doctor about it. Keep me posted on your results. I hope it continues to work for you:)

[@joseanker2059]

Thank you for submitting yourself to this experiment. My brief excitement of a possible way to cover my grey hairs has gone. Enjoyed watching your efforts!

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for watching:)

[@goatsandroses4258]

I had to wonder while watching this...with all the different coffees now, maybe some people were using coffee that MIGHT have some kind of added dye to make it look richer. I haven't looked at different brands of coffee, but honestly that wouldn't surprise me. Maybe added dyes might make a difference in the result. THANK you for the serious work you put into this, and it just shows how many of us are looking for more natural alternatives.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

I’m not sure about that. I would hope that all normal coffees only have one ingredient: coffee! But, who knows? Thanks for watching and I hope you stay tuned…I’m determined to put some of these “arguments” to rest:)

[@aq9396]

Great video thanks! I wanted to try this today and you saved me alot of time. Loved the honesty, and your exact methods every time. Usually we don't hear all of that.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for watching and for the comment:)

[@cperkin6880]

Your natural color is beautiful. You worked hard for those gray beauties!

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Lol! Thank you:)

[@audreyvaz8106]

For those who have been using chemical hair dye. It takes time to catch color. I use henna and indigo 2 step process which is excellent. Except that you can't wash or shampoo your hair for 48 hours. Was looking for an alternative to color my hair. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for watching and sharing:)

[@rachelr8837]

TY for trying. Tried this once & it didn't work. I never tried it again. It seems like a nice concept, but I think if it worked, there would be no one in the salons! I like cruelty-free solutions as well.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Agreed. Too good to be true. Thanks for watching:)

[@jackiec9285]

Your hair is pretty as it is. Thank you for experimenting. I’ve always wondered if it works! I saw a remedy for gray hair by boiling black walnut hulls You have to be careful because it really stains so watch countertops, floors, clothing I think it might be too dark for me. I really have no proof this treatment even works

[@TheMidlifeRide]

I was just talking about that with another viewer. Hopefully they will test it out and let us know:)

[@annetteolson2428]

Try the purple shampoo every other time. It will add shine to the grey and make it even prettier! I found out that if you use it all the time the hair will get a purple hue. I have a natural ombre look that many want to know how I did it. Your hair is moving in that direction, hope the ombre look stays popular.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for the suggestion:)

[@ilax4244]

Discovered purple shampoo this year. My hair is shiny. Every other day is a good tip.👍

[@TheMidlifeRide]

@@ilax4244 thanks for sharing:)

[@ClarysanexII]

What is purple shampoo? Which brand?

[@ilax4244]

@@ClarysanexII shampoo that is tinted purple... gets brassiness out. Loreal Aussie both make it.

[@Yogagirl9935]

Back in the day, I used Sun In too, in Jr. High!

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Ah, the good old days:)

[@gypsysoulikigai]

Very informational. I was wondering if the conditioner was more of a barrier, preventing the hair shaft from absorbing color?

[@TheMidlifeRide]

I don’t know. My boss, who has a degree in chemistry, told me after I tried that this would never work without a chemical like peroxide. As we are avoiding chemicals, that defeats the purpose for me. Thanks for watching and please let me know if you do find something that works:)

[@alyntoncmc]

I wondered same thing.

[@farahmughal]

I love your greys! They look like highlights!!!! I'm in the process of growing out my grey hairs and have them grey blended with highlights. I'd kill to have your natural 'greylighted' hair!!!! You are beautiful.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thank you :) It took a long time to grow it all out. I used semi permanent color during the process, but kept the grays to use as highlights. So, instead of painting in the highlights, they painted in the base color. It worked out pretty well and made it much more bearable. Good luck to you!

[@debistanley2791]

You’re a trooper. I would of only done a section with the syrup recipe. I still think the conditioner is not allowing absorption because conditioner is the last thing to do in the hair dye kits. The coffee is not a chemical designed to bind to hair so if I were doing it I would have poured the coffee with my head over a sink and wore a shower cap. Also the coffee being water based when rinsed might be enough to wash it out. I’m a blonde getting white hairs. Have no clue where I’m going with it. Thanks for trying this. I was hoping it worked. My 88 year mother in law likes her grey covered but her skin is getting too delicate, natural would be better.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for sharing. Aren’t there some box dyes that claim they’re natural? I’ve wondered about those.

[@VeredS]

Thanks for sharing your own experience with us and for the straightforward review. You actually saved me from wasting my time on this project. 🙏 many thanks

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Happy to help! Thanks for watching:)

[@alagahinorondez8525]

Yes am n this journey has been since my mama's passed n hannah much pew I try this thankx power also menopause cause I'm worried freak

[@TheMidlifeRide]

@alagahinorondez8525 good luck to you:)

[@karenfinneganart2480]

brave lady, I have given up covering my grey hair, I don't know if I have embraced fully yet but there you go that's another one off my list of things to try thanks to you

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Sounds like we’re in the same boat. I’m getting used to it, but haven’t exactly embraced it:)

[@66moonshine]

I really enjoyed and appreciated your video. Thankyou so much for putting yourself through it all, you've saved me a lot of time. But honestly your hair with those grey streaks i luv it, how lucky are you. Embrace your natural beauty. I agree with you about not wanting to waste hours in the Salon wasting dollars, ive been doing my own hair colour for 25years ive been brunette, blonde and tried the natural grey but my greys didn't look like yours if they did i would've stopped there. Thankyou again❤

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Awww, thanks so much for watching and commenting!

[@sevenirises]

Loved your experimentation. It may not have changed the color, but coffee is a key ingredient in some hair regrowth products so you still might get some benefits.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

I hope so! Thanks for watching:)

[@VegasBestIdeas]

I'm all for the natural and cheaper options for self as a lot of these things have got so expensive! Interesting about the coffee! I've been doing my own hair for at least 5 years now and saved thousands 👍 I'm no pro, but it does the job 😉

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Your hair looks great! Guess I’ll have to settle for a box of semi-permanent color. I was just trying to avoid the chemicals. My hair can’t take much more.

[@VegasBestIdeas]

@@TheMidlifeRide Try to find one that is ammonia free, that will help 👍 Thankfully there is more natural options these days!

[@phoenx333]

@@VegasBestIdeas How about Henna. I heard that it's natural.

[@margarettickle9659]

I never thought I'd like grey hair but since it's coming in, it looks like I'm streaking it. I love that now I can wear darker reddish lipstick now. My skin coloring looks brighter. I'm definitely suprised I like it. Grey is in!

[@judymcgowan2881]

@@TheMidlifeRide used colorsilk by Revlon for a long time . Not expensive. Semi-permanent and is ammonia-free. Very nice after color conditioner packet. I colored my hair for years started getting gray at 27 or earlier. I had breast cancer in 2016 and when my hair grew back it came in white. A very nice white ! Took getting used to but I love it !! Took getting used to though. That includes looking I mirror in morning and going " oh right that's my color now " But I am 72 now I earned them all😅

[@hoboonwheels9289]

I tried a similar experiment but it was so time intensive I've never tried it again, wearing a shower cap was recommended, and everything was from scratch, no commercial products. Thank you for showing your results. I used to get my hair colored but it became a red tinge, it did seem to make me look younger. All the chemicals was what made me stop.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for watching and sharing your experience:)

[@TrudyConway]

Henna. I love using powdered henna. Mix with the hot water & can even add coffee to red henna to mute it. leave on for about 2 hours (or more) and rinse.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

I don’t think henna is right for me, but thanks for the suggestion:)

[@SCSC-qz7rr]

Thank you for doing this experiment and showing us the true results, it saved me time. However, I have heard that mixing the coffee with the shampoo it will prevent your hair from falling so that is my experiment now because my hair is thinning out and falling a lot, but it’s too soon to tell.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Good luck with your experiment!

[@joywrenncreative]

I always wonder if the conditioner blocks the opening of the hair shaft that would allow the coffee to penetrate the hair. I appreciate your efforts! I might try it without the conditioner and just condition my hair after.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

I don’t know. My boss, who has a degree in chemistry, told me after I tried that this would never work without a chemical like peroxide. As we are avoiding chemicals, that defeats the purpose for me. Thanks for watching and please let me know if you do find something that works:)

[@sundaymorning6779]

The conditioner is the problem, just use a little bit of water and more instant coffee, the paste should be made from the coffee not conditioner. If your goal is to color vs conditioning the hair.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

@@sundaymorning6779 thanks for the info!

[@nonagrams4656]

Thank you for your honesty. I too have experimented with this recipe to dye my hair. Total BS. COFFEE WILL NOT DYE GRAY HAIR OR blonde for that matter. I have completely stopped viewing every KZbinr who has uploaded a BS video. KZbin is a great platform to share & give ideas but only when its legit information. Good for you for choosing the right side of this platform.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

I watched a lot of that BS, too, before finally trying it for myself. It’s very frustrating to be misled and I’m hesitant to try anything else. If it sounds too good to be true… Thanks for watching:)

[@tyshat3371]

Your natural hair has a beautiful color!

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thank you:)

[@CynthiaAAzzam]

You did a great job, you look very nice. The hair came out warmer in tone, very nice, it seemed to soften the skin tone. You look super nice either way.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for watching:)

[@supriyapanwar6155]

Hello dear When you mix heena powder with instant coffee and apply to your hairs it will definitely turn all Grey's to coffee brown with super conditioning. Just have to find the heena powder in you area.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for the info.

[@notaclue822]

Thanks for posting. I'm like you, spent a lot of time growing out my grey, so it's a big step to go back to colour. My hair texture is just like yours and the thickness too. Hair thinning is almost a good thing. I've looked into it and grey hair is stubborn. It takes a lot to colour it and the colour doesn't last. I use a temporary hair roux once in awhile just for a change. i don't mind my grey hair really, I just don't care for the way it alters how you're perceived. Maybe one day there will be a better product on the market.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

I couldn’t have said it better. I am fine with it now that I’ve had it awhile and I just don’t care enough to do anything that will require upkeep. I try not to compare myself to others, but it’s easier said than done. It would be easier if everyone accepted how they age. I definitely don’t feel as old as my hair makes me look:)

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Oh, I have a question though. What temporary hair color product do you use? Have you found something that washes out evenly over time, without creating the dreaded root issue?

[@notaclue822]

@@TheMidlifeRide it's not even temporary dye, it's a product called Fanci Full and it washes out after one shampoo. It's a roux, very temporary but fun to play with. It doesnt transfer onto clothes or bedding, although i dont know why not. It's getting harder to find.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

@@notaclue822 thanks! I’ll check it out.

[@Solitude11-11]

@@TheMidlifeRide I play around with crazy colours on mine, same natural colour as yours, I use a product called La Riche Dimensions…not sure if it’s available in the US but there are a few similar ones. It washes out quite quickly, without any root issues. Purple on mine turned teal, particularly on the drier ends, but I actually like that. It all fades completely eventually, quicker if you wash vigorously and frequently which I don’t. I don’t know if you can get browns etc but try looking for that type of thing, and check Amazon reviews for pics. Or go wild with some colour 😊

[@alyntoncmc]

I’ve used coffee to dye material & natural fibre to get a skin tone colour in rag dolls, but never occurred to try it on my emerging grey/white hair strands!

[@supportvawa2213]

Thank you for the live demo. I've been wanting to try this but was skeptical. If it actually worked, don't you think we would have all been doing for the last few decades? We got introduced to henna long ago. I would think that coffee would have been married to that trend, for those who don't want red hair. And lemon works to lighten your hair. I've been doing that since the 1980s!

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for watching! Yeah, I think we’d all know by now what works and what doesn’t. I’m just starting to research, though, and there is just so much information out there. It’s hard for me to distinguish between truth and lies!

[@kathyb-007]

I love your gray as I do mine but sometimes I need a little change without doing anything too drastic as I'm a low maintenance gal. I noticed a few years back when I used a dark brown semi permanent dye, over time the gray parts turned lighter and inadvertently gave me some wonderful highlights. Thank you so much for taking the time to do these honest vids!

[@TheMidlifeRide]

That’s exactly what I’m looking to do. Temporary color that won’t crear a root line and that washes out evenly over time. What semi permanent product did you use?

[@dawnmccabe5168]

Very sweet of you to try for all our benefit. I appreciate it. Your natural hair is just great anyways.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for watching :)

[@elizabethgillespie-gray1214]

I have had great results with Nescafe Coffee. It worked very well. I only left the coffee in my hair for one hour. Good luck. It does work with the right brand of coffee. I use the coffee each time I wash my hair. The colour I achieved was a lovely chocolate brown.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

What is your recipe? Like the first time I did it, mixing with the conditioner? How often does it last/how often do you use it?

[@mayratrueba3181]

Just get meduim brown henna from light mountain and the 1 pond bag will last you for years only 1 hour on hair and no red at all. End of story.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

@@mayratrueba3181 Thanks for the suggestion. I’ve heard mixed reviews on henna and haven’t researched enough to feel comfortable with it yet.

[@jacquelinelam3022]

@@mayratrueba3181 Please can you tell me more? Is "light mountain" a brand for henna? I though henna is the same colour? Thanks in advance.

[@Hnotan]

@@TheMidlifeRide dont use conditioner!! with it. it closes the hair where it should be open.

[@Laurs949]

Thanks for the fun and interesting video! I went gray during the pandemic also. When I want a little darkening, I use the olaplex purple shampoo. It doesn’t make it brown but it brings some depth that’s very pretty. I’m going to have to watch more of your channel!

[@TheMidlifeRide]

I’m planning to try some purple shampoo soon. Hoping it will give a bit of shine to the dull color. Thanks for watching and sharing!

[@shieldoffaith8798]

hey have you ever tried henna? I know the colors are more limited but if you do a 1:1 ratio of organic pure henna powder with organic indigo powder, you can end up with brown hair :) it has many benefits and covers grey well. it may take 2 applications depending on your hair type. leave in for up to 4 hours then rinse without shampooing

[@TheMidlifeRide]

This was the first thing I tried, but I’ve heard of henna. Do you use Lush? Any idea how long the color lasts from each treatment?

[@rr8339]

@@TheMidlifeRide use indian or pakistani henna powder mixed with amla powder mix it with brewed coffee and black tea for a black/brown hair color since natural pakistani/indian henna are reddish toned. add indigo powder if you want black hair

[@TheMidlifeRide]

@@rr8339 thanks for the tips!

[@vlalvani]

@@moonmist9 indigo powder needs to be carefully used. It has side-effects! After application of henna, leave your hair for one day, next day apply indigo powder. Let it sit for half an hour and then rinse your hair. The result is good and safe as it is natural/ organic unlike chemicals.

[@margaretImhappy]

Light Mountain Color the gray works well.

[@Solitude11-11]

The conditioner is cancelling out any ability of anything to coat your hair. I don’t know if it would work anyway, if it does it will only be by coating the hair, it won’t be absorbed because you aren’t opening the cuticle at all. Maybe instant coffee powder with oil? There are lots of wash out colours, though they are chemical based. Coffee may work like henna, which with repeated application will build up a coating. Thinking about how to apply henna, maybe the coffee with boiling water, lemon juice and a drop of oil? But I don’t know the chemical reactions of coffee vs henna with lemon etc. Henna would make white hair orange, which is probably not what you want lol, but coffee would be a more brown shade. I think you can get henna with indigo for brown, but henna doesn’t fade much, you’d get roots.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

I definitely don’t want orange and I certainly don’t want to deal with roots again. Doesn’t seem like henna is the right choice for me. What kind of oil and for what purpose?

[@merlyncash3972]

Im 75 years old and have been using henna and indigo for years. My hair is a nice auburn color. I do have to apply it more often nowadays because of the extra grey. But it works. I mix it with concentrated black tea and beetroot water (i reserve the water when boiling beetroots). No harmful ingredients.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for sharing! Glad you've found something that works for you:)

[@lables3693]

I think your hair looks pretty, natural, with grays.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks:)

[@DoubleX77]

Your natural hair color is so gorgeous ! Good experiment though ! I’m going natural like yours . I have about 10-15% gray right now . My mom was only 50% gray at 70 . Hoping I take after her .

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Good for you! Good luck and thanks for watching:)

[@lauriceday5976]

What's frustrating for me: shiny bright white amongst my really black hair! Ugh! It isnt even grey! At least shiny grey is fashionable😢

[@TheMidlifeRide]

@@lauriceday5976 I think mine just look gray next to the brown. When I find them all over the floor, they look pretty white to me:)

[@DoubleX77]

@@TheMidlifeRide same here !

[@giselatolstoy620]

Dear Midlife Ride - try strong black tea instead of coffee. I rinse my hair every time I have washed it with ca 1/2 Liter of strong brewed black tea (tea bags for english tea you add milk to) and it certainly has helped a lot. The gray hair does not completely disappear, but it makes it more brownish in a pleasant way - at least with me. Erverybody in my family says so. Happy to help.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Are you saying that, in the shower, you wash your hair, remove the shampoo, then dump 1/2 liter of black tea over your head and don’t rinse it off? Sorry, confused about the exact process that you’re trying to recommend. How often are you doing it?

[@giselatolstoy620]

@@TheMidlifeRide Yes exactely, just leave it in, I wash my hair about twice a week. You can also thin the tea to ca 1 Liter if you have long or thick hair, and be careful with your basin and towels. The dying is quite powerful.

[@nikkinikki1075]

@@TheMidlifeRidedoesn’t work

[@TheMidlifeRide]

@@nikkinikki1075 are you saying black tea doesn’t work?

[@nikkinikki1075]

@@TheMidlifeRide I’ve tried the black tea doesn’t work

[@ClarysanexII]

Woman!! Your hair is gorgeous as it is! I wish my greys were so evenly and not front patches!

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thank you:) I know it could certainly be worse. I’m just not ready to be so gray, but I’m getting used to it!

[@michellethomas4928]

I love your hair, it's a warm toned gray and beautiful. I wish I knew how to warm up my silvers..

[@TheMidlifeRide]

@@michellethomas4928 Thanks! Have you tried purple shampoo? I really like it. I think it blends in all the different shades. I Tried Purple Shampoo for a Month | What Did Purple Shampoo Do for My Brown and Gray Hair? kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6uoZKeNl6yWpKs

[@michellethomas4928]

@TheMidlifeRide No I haven't, I will check it out! Thanks🤗

[@gee7248]

I’ve used the coffee few times to darken my white hair and it’s working. Using it is a continuous process. Seeing the results to darken the gray/white hair by using it a few times may not be noticeable. I included other ayurvedic products as well into the coffee. It’s working for me.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Glad you found something that is working for you. Feel free to leave all the details so others can try. (Exact recipe, how long you leave on hair, how often you do it, etc.)

[@amyzierlein7979]

I'm going to use the coffee and henna and walnut leaves. I have a walnut tree in my backyard

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Good luck!

[@user-lo9cw6pq7j]

I like your gray hair! You know the motto gray hair don’t care?! Lol! I finally stopped dying my hair and I’m loving the ~silver ~ streaks and I get lots of compliments! Go figure!!

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Lol! Gray hair, don’t care! Got it. Thanks:)

[@pumpkinpie7254]

You and your gray hair are beautiful. I stopped coloring about 2 and a half yrs ago ( maybe 3 ) and find it liberating. I'm fair skinned and all I really concentrate on is color for my eyebrows and a little bit of lavender lipstick ( it's gorgeous with gray hair ). If you're so inclined wash your hair once or twice a week with a good blue shampoo along with conditioner. I promise the grays you have will sparkle and cancel out any brassy hues some of us get whether it's from hard water, medications or environmental pollution in the air. Rough terry cloth towels are a no no. Enjoyed your video, big thanks from New York 🤗💯

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for watching and the suggestion. I’m thinking the same right now. I feel okay with the color, but it seems very dull. Someone recommended purple shampoo but that didn’t sound like it would help me. I’ve never heard of blue shampoo so I’ll look into it now. I think all I need is a little shine:)

[@pumpkinpie7254]

@@TheMidlifeRide Hey TMR, so if your pockets allow it try and steer clear of Shimmer Lights it's cheap junk and will dry your hair out ... Blue shampoo is what blondes use and us silver sisters can pull off using it too ... Sally sells Loreal Ever Pure Sulfate free and it's named purple shampoo ( violet ) w/hibiscus 23 oz , also purchased the conditioner ... Embarrassingly enough at 56 I never knew clarifying was important however it should not be used frequently ... I purchased Kristin Ess deep clean clarifying shampoo at my local Walmart approx $ 12.00 and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND ... Sorry for the long rant and STAY GRAY & BEAUTIFUL.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for the info:) I’ll try the L’Oréal, since I use that line anyway.

[@fabbydabby7194]

You're greying gracefully. I put henna on my hair and mixed about 2 tablespoons of coffee in the henna adding kettle water to mix into the thick paste. Kept on hair about 4 hours and my white hair came out a golden brown

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Glad you found something that works for you:) Thanks for watching and sharing your recipe!

[@pondgazer1]

I've never heard of coffee and conditioner as a way to self-color your hair. Thank you for giving this very entertaining demo! Eight hours!! Holy Moly! I'm in my sixties and I think I'll stick with my coffee and henna. Yes it's time-consuming and can leave you with a very "earthy" kind of aroma but my hair is so much more healthy than it was a year ago when I was having it professionally colored. Also it's stopped falling out and breaking.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

That’s great! I’m glad you found something that works for you:)

[@rephaelrechitzky9763]

Catherine, you are beautiful woman and you don't need any changes. Nothing is healthier and with no risks. The change in color is normal, as we age and you are fine.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Aww, thank you for the kind words. Most days, I’m fine with it. And, you’re right. It’s perfectly normal to experience these changes as we age :)

[@phoenixkb134]

She wants to colour hair grey's and look better, and if she has a complex with grey hair than she should dye it if that makes her happy and feel more youthful.

[@margiepoulos1028]

Thanks for going through all this for the rest of us.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for watching!

[@MH-hw4uh]

Ok here is exactly what I did step by step. I soaked about an handful of the roasted coffee beans in water, (not from the tap) and olive oil overnight. The following morning, I blended it and of course added more olive oil and water for the consistency I’m looking for. Not thick not too runny but more runny than thick it vital. I then strain through a cheese cloth or any clean thin cloth can do and that’s it. I applied enough to slightly wet hair (not soaking it) and leave to dry on its own. I styled after. It was gorgeous with a sheen , I believe from the olive oil. It was so lovely I did it the morning after again. It’s just this week, so I’m hoping for continued result as I plan to do this just once a week. My hair is approximately 24 inches long and I’m older, and have at least 4 shades of coloring. So when I look and just see dark brown and a darkish appearance overall, I’m happy. I had originally black hair. Don’t know how long this will last but I will see. Because my grays are rapidly on me and I will never use chemical dyes. So I will continue using this. Unless, however, I see where it’s affecting the texture or showing something otherwise not good. I plan on using it in my wash days too. But I was glad when I see that video with the introduction of using it with olive oil. That person washed out hers but I haven’t. Like I said I used it as a leave-in conditioner.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for sharing. How often do you wash your hair? If you do this once a week, how long do you plan to go before washing and then how long before you will use it again after washing?

[@MH-hw4uh]

@@TheMidlifeRide You are welcome. The point is I don't wash my hair the day it's applied. This is my first week.

[@1suitcasesal]

I really like your natural hair color. It may be grey but it's a nice soft shade of grey.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thank you :)

[@misupport6735]

Thank you for this video! Im 61 with grey hair since middle school. Been needing to find an alternative to gracefully move to my natural hair color but dreading the grey line for two years. I'd pretty much decided to wait until retirement :( not as soon as I had hoped. anyway thanks for the video again! Ive been following the Midlife Ride for awhile now and trust your honesty and integrity. I hope you do more of these videos.

[@misupport6735]

Always admired your hair color! I have to colir $7 box color, every week. Used to go to the hairdresser but it was getting too costly since the dye wasn't taking and the grey started showing within less than a week.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

It can be tough to wait for color to grow out, but I've been there! I used Everpro Gray Away Quick Stick when my roots were first growing out. I never tried the spray, but I've seen videos and it looks like a good option, too. Once I had several inches of growth, I started going to the salon for semi-permanent (only before our vacations). The stylist would paint it on, using my grays as the highlights, and it worked really well. Washed out evenly over a few weeks, so I could go back to using the stick when I needed to leave the house.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

@@misupport6735 Thank you! So, I assume you're using a semi-permanent box color. I'm interested in trying Natural Instincts to see if it washes out evenly. I will never go back to permanent color because the upkeep is torture! Let me know what you're using, if you don't mind...

[@misupport6735]

@@TheMidlifeRide you are a sweetheart! Thanks for asking. I just took a look on the box 😆 and it says Permanent 😢. It's Revlon and now made with Keratin. 😢... Anyhoo, I will check out the sticks that you mentioned. I tried the oil-based lipstick-shaped ones in the past but those were too messy as my hair is very dark. Going to the salon for maintenance color is not financially an option for me. About 15 years ago I had the opportunity to go natural and it took 2 years for it to grow completely out. Unfortunately, in recent years, i had to start coloring my hair again. 😆 😢 I looked at wigs but for the life if me I couldn't see how anyone would want to put a wig on daily - with all the gluing to hide the edges. Anyways, I'm rambling! Thanks for your concern! 💘

[@TheMidlifeRide]

@@misupport6735 if I had known about semi-permanent box color, I would have done that instead of the salon. Definitely look into it. Says it lasts around a month, or 28 shampoos. Will probably last longer for me, since I only shampoo a couple times a week. Should be a better option for you than permanent while you’re trying to grow it out.

[@valmckenna4754]

Your hair actually looks nice. Just leave it as it is 😊

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thank you :)

[@thefenster300]

As much as I drink, you'd think my hair would be dark.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Lol! Same here! Thanks for watching:)

[@Kristi22]

You should look up using fermented rice water. It's so amazing

[@LindaLaAfroLatina]

Thank you so much for doing and showing this experience/experiment ❤ you have saved me so much time and aggravation. I just wanted to let you know that when I googled the subject, your video popped up immediately! Thank you all again

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@Beezer.D.B.]

I was thinking back to the days that I was into herbal dyes for cotton fabrics etc. (I’m much older than dirt, so I’ve had many hobbies) and I remember black walnut was one that produces a brown dye that was historically used as a dye, unlike coffee. Coffee and tea were used as dyes, yes, but mostly to “age” fabrics (make them look old or antique), not dyed brown. Maybe look up Black Walnut hulls as a possibility? They also have anti-parasitic properties so it may or may not be suitable for the scalp, I don’t know.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for sharing! I am researching black walnut hulls:)

[@lorettatampabay]

​@TheMidlifeRide Black walnut hulls certainly dyed my hands brown when I removed them to get to the walnut and my hands were brown for days. So that sounds very promising as a hair "dye" to me.

[@chrismickel7431]

You may want to try out henna if you are looking for something that is immediate coloring. It gives a drastic color change. But henna by itself gives gray hair a bright orange color. It can be quite harsh - "Bozo the Clown" color. Therefore, I strongly suggest mixing the henna with a strong coffee or black tea brew to create a brown shade. Or henna can also be mixed with indigo to produce a brown shade.

[@nonagrams4656]

I've tried this recipe and my grays turned orange too lol. I then added the indigo but no change. I may have to redo it with better measurements. I will share if it does work.

[@chrismickel7431]

@@nonagrams4656 did you apply the indigo by itself or did you mix it into the henna?

[@manuelester7420]

Henna causes cancer.

[@stj971]

You cannot dye gray hair w henna unless you do red henna first leaving you w orange hair and then do black henna on top of it. I'm a hairstylist and have worked w henna for years.

[@chrismickel7431]

@@stj971 I have mixed henna & indigo to make a brown shade that can be applied in 1 step.

[@laurasalas3483]

Saludos respetuosos desde México 🇲🇽. Le recomiendo Henna Lush Brown. Eso le dará un suave tono Rubio. Sin tantos experimentos. Ojalá tenga traducción.

[@catialucero2373]

You did a great job! Thanks for sharing. I started my natural hair color journey only this year after 3 years of losing my hair non-stop and finally realizing it was hair coloring and ammonia. I’m 43 and decided I’m allowing myself to be. The upside: my natural hair is healthier. No more stressing over all the hair loss and thinning. My hair is thicker, who knew?! It’s shiny and regained its body. The downside: I hate all the 3 different colors going on as I decided to just let my hair grow. It’s been a test to my patience but I’m. Determined after all the upsides I wrote about. I’m hair happy! Your hair looks nice. The color is lovely actually! Best of luck :)

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Nice! I’m glad to hear you’ve accepted the new, natural you:) I wish my hair was healthier. Do you use anything that helps with the volume and shine? I’d love to find something natural.

[@Olga-d5r4g]

Thank you so much for your initiative to experiment with what so many were going to, and see the results, thank you! All the best)))

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for watching:)

[@helenarodrigues5464]

I love your honesty ❤️

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for watching!

[@stacy1pt18]

I have blonde and gray hair. I actually tried this last night. I saved a few of my used coffee pods and added about 1/2 a cup of instant coffee. I boiled it in about a cup of water. Once it was cooled, I strained it and added conditioner. It was messy and watery but I put on anyway. Then, I put a plastic bag on and left it on for about 45 minutes. I noticed my regular hair has darkened but my gray is still there. It does look kind of different and has different shades of sort. My hair did seem to do a better natural curl. I do coffee scrubs anyway so either way no harm and my hair didn't smell bad probably because I love coffee...lol!

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Interesting that it darkened the blond but not the gray.

[@stj971]

@@TheMidlifeRide That's bc the blonde, lifted hair, is porous. If it's natural blonde it will just stain easier. White hair has no pigment for color to grab onto.

[@Vegas.777]

I saw in the comments you're trying to avoid chemicals/damage I found a few brands of conditioner that also deposits color I've never used them so I can't say how well they actually work but the reviews on some are good I've seen a mocha brown as far as most normal color also comes in bright colors red, blue, purple ect.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for the info! I’ll check those out:)

[@bluewaters2231]

i didnt thk u ver going to cme up wth no hair. i salute yr patience. thk u, lovely lady.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for watching!

[@LyraLove1]

I use henna and when I was researching how to apply it, it was recommended never to use conditioner as it covers the keratin so the dye doesn't enter the hair follicle. you could try using neutral henna (cassia obavata) perhaps as a carrier, it's powder, or use nothing else, just straight coffee.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for the suggestion :)

[@firstnameusagi9158]

have you tried henna sooq? ive been looking into it to make my hair darker, but i see a lot of women loving the results for gray hair

[@TheMidlifeRide]

This is the only thing I’ve tried since I stopped coloring my hair. A lot of people recommend henna, so I might try it at some point. Thanks for watching:)

[@stj971]

@@TheMidlifeRide Henna does not cover gray unless you want orange hair. You can do the red then black after. As a stylist I would recommend blonde highlights. It blends gray in and roots not as noticeable. Touchups less frequent.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

@@stj971 thanks for the info. I wasn’t sold on henna because a lot of people are saying the same thing. I don’t want red. And, my grays are pretty blended throughout, not just at the root, so I won’t go back to permanent color either. I’d rather just keep it as-is if I can’t find something natural (and easy) to darken my hair.

[@dolliegurl4607]

Just be grey! I loved my dark hair but now I love my grey hair. Same as you, I didn't like the idea of wasting so much time coloring my hair for it to last just a few weeks. So I had to decide to accept it, like it, and eventually love it. There's a lot of fun to be had without worrying about hair!

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Agreed. I love not having to waste time coloring. I’m working on liking the gray:)

[@dianebales2388]

Just turned 67 this month. I’ve played with everything on my hair over the years. Took many years of back and forth -in the end high light/ low light and cut and then just did it…. Let it all go natural. I was dish water blonde so always mouse like color Now I have shoulder length layered bang cut and my hair is natural white gray and never been healthier. After retirement I slowly have pulled back on products and just wash and rinse ever few days and just a moisture detangler spray after towel dry. Changed my 50 years of wearing my eye makeup dark to a brighter eyelid, mascara and touch of lipstick gloss for color on lips and soft natural blush to cheeks. All that coloring over the years gave me 3 weeks of gratification and then another few weeks of dull washed out misery. A touch of olive oil to my hair and hands/nails and I feel / look better now than in years for Pennie’s on the dollar! “Less is more” ❤ I wear glasses too so I find having a couple of pairs gives me a different feel/ look and throwing my hair up in messy bun or flipping up instead of under are easy fun ways to change things up. I spend way less time getting ready for the day now than all those years of constantly trying to artificially change my hair color. You have a natural healthy look many would love to have. Embrace that. Always keep that beautiful smile and walk out the door knowing the world is waiting for you!!

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for watching and sharing:)

[@olgabolivarrodas4367]

Oh! I am looking for the same and very thankful for your experiment. I also wondering if I give up to soon....

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for watching and good luck!

[@teresawalker7666]

Hello! Found your video in my feed. I'm in my late 50s. I tried this experiment 10 or so years ago. Alone it didn't work. I use henna mixed with coffee and rosemary. Works by toning down the Grey into a soft warm color.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Do you have to use that regularly to keep roots from showing? I haven’t tried henna because it sounds more like a permanent that won’t fade out evenly.