How to Use Walnut Husk for Hair Dye? (The Ultimate Guide)

Perhaps you’ve already heard of walnut stain? With its brown pigments, this vegetable colorant is mainly used to stain and protect wooden furniture.

But what does this have to do with our manes? and How to Use Walnut Husk for Hair Dye? Walnut stain has many virtues and is also a natural ally for our hair!

Whether used as a dye or a mask, walnut stain can also be used as a hair care product. Not only does it contribute to the health of our hair, but it also beautifies it thanks to its beautiful natural coloring with brown highlights.

Here we tell you all about walnut stain, its specific properties, and how to use it!

What is Walnut Husk?

Everyone knows about walnuts, but what exactly is walnut husk?

The walnut husk is made from the bark that covers walnuts. This bark is green when young and turns brown with age.

This is because the bark contains tannins that oxidize in the light and turn brown. Once mature, the bark dries out and then opens to release the nut, which falls to the ground.

Walnut stain is therefore a colorant obtained from this brown bark, which is dried and burnt to a powder. It has the advantage of being entirely natural and ecological, as well as economical!

What is walnut husk used for?

So you see, the walnut stain is a natural colorant that can be used to tint our pretty hair!

In addition to giving your hair a pretty brown color, vegetable hair coloring with walnut stain will make your hair softer, more supple, and shinier!

What hair colors can I achieve with walnut husk?

Used on its own, walnut husk will give you a very natural, nuanced color with lovely warm brown highlights. Combined with henna, it adds beautiful auburn highlights to the color.

Walnut stain can be used to tint and darken lighter to chestnut-colored hair. For blond hair, it provides a darker, yet very luminous “golden” color.

Red hair can also use walnut stain to achieve a lovely, darker, coppery red. Finally, for white hair, the walnut stain doesn’t completely cover it but gives it a more natural, golden color.

How do I use walnut husk on my hair?

Walnut stain can be used on its own, or mixed with henna or other coloring powders, depending on the final color desired. Of course, it can be used to make coloring pastes, but it can also be used as a mask or added to your shampoo to maintain color.

There are many possible recipes for preparing your hair color. Here’s an example of coloring with walnut stain.

All you need is :

• Walnut stain. Quantities vary according to length: approx. 100g for short hair, 150g for medium-length hair, and 250g for long hair;
• Water ;
• Gloves;
• A wooden utensil (no metal utensils for this preparation).

Then follow these simple steps:

1. Heat the water to a simmer;
2. Gradually add the water to your walnut stain and stir until you obtain a smooth, consistent paste;
3. Leave your coloring paste to cool for around 30 minutes;
4. Apply a thick layer to clean, dry hair;
5. Wrap your hair in cling film to keep the paste warm;
6. Leave in for 1 to 3 hours, depending on the intensity of color desired;
7. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and admire your new color!

Can I use walnut husk on bleached hair?

We don’t recommend using walnut stain on recently bleached or chemically-colored hair. If your hair has not been recently bleached, it’s possible, but the results may be different from those observed on natural hair.

If you have bleached hair, don’t hesitate to ask a professional.

Where can I buy walnut husk to color my hair?

To buy walnut husk for coloring hair, you can try looking at natural health stores, herbal shops, or specialty stores that sell natural dyes and ingredients for DIY hair coloring. Online retailers such as Amazon, Etsy, or specialty websites that sell natural products may also have walnut husk available for purchase. If you have a local farmer’s market or co-op, they might carry it seasonally or be able to direct you to a supplier.

How do I make my own walnut stain?

Walnut husk is very easy to make yourself… provided, of course, that you have a walnut tree near you!

The homemade recipe below is made in autumn when the walnuts (and their brown husks) fall to the ground.

To make your autumn walnut husk, you’ll need :

• Twenty or so browned walnut shells ;
• A little water;
• A pair of gloves and old clothes (walnut stain is very stubborn!);
• A container.

Once equipped, here are the steps:

1. Crush the browned husks with a pestle;
2. Put them in your container and cover with water;
3. Pound the mixture to release the brown pigments;
4. Heat for two hours over low heat;
5. Once cooled, filter the mixture twice using a sieve and then a paper coffee filter;
6. Leave to stand for a week before use.

Your walnut husk is ready! You can dilute it to obtain a lighter shade if required.

After each use, remember to close your container tightly. Store your walnut stain away from air, moisture, and light.

You might like to read also: How To Use Hair Color Remover?

Related Q&A

• What is walnut husk hair dye?
  Walnut husk hair dye is a natural hair dye made from the outer shell of black walnuts.
• How does walnut husk dye hair?
  The walnut husk contains juglone, a compound that darkens hair by forming a chemical bond with the keratin in hair.
• Is walnut husk hair dye permanent?
  Walnut husk hair dye is semi-permanent and will gradually fade with each wash.
• Can walnut husk dye cover gray hair?
  Walnut husk dye can help darken gray hair, but the results may vary depending on the hair’s original color and texture.
• How do you make walnut husk hair dye?
  To make walnut husk hair dye, crush the husks, boil them in water, then strain the liquid and apply it to the hair.
• Are there any risks associated with using walnut husk hair dye?
  Some people may be allergic to juglone, so it’s important to do a patch test before applying the dye to your hair.
• How long does walnut husk hair dye last?
  Walnut husk hair dye can last up to 4-6 weeks, depending on how often you wash your hair.
• Can walnut husk hair dye be used on all hair types?
  Walnut husk hair dye is suitable for most hair types, but it may not be as effective on very light or bleached hair.
• Can walnut husk hair dye be used with other hair dyes?
  It’s best to avoid mixing walnut husk hair dye with other hair dyes, as it may alter the final color result.
• How can I enhance the effects of walnut husk hair dye?
  For deeper color, you can leave the dye on for longer or apply heat using a hairdryer or steamer.