When deciding what vegan hair dye to use on your curly hair, it’s important to make sure you’re using a Vegan hair dye that won’t dry out your tresses.
The last thing you’ll want is splotchy or flaky hair. So let’s get down to the nitty-gritty details, shall we?
Is Vegan Hair Dye Better for Curly Hair?
The short answer is yes, vegan hair dye can be better for curly hair because the chemicals in some non-vegan dyes can actually dry out your locks.
How does vegan hair dye work for curly hair?
Curly hair tends to be drier and less elastic than straight hair, so it is often more difficult to dye. Fortunately, there are several vegan hair dyes on the market that cater to women with curly hair. These dyes contain moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, aloe vera, and jojoba oil.
They also contain natural ingredients like henna and indigo. You can use vegan hair dye on color-treated or previously dyed hair. The only exception is if you have bleached your hair with a harsh chemical like hydrogen peroxide.
Vegan hair dye can lighten your hair color, but it cannot lift roots because it does not contain peroxide. If you have bleached your roots, you will have to color them separately with a non-peroxide dye before using a vegan product.
Vegan dyes typically take longer to process than traditional dyes because they are not as strong. This means you might need to leave the dye on for up to two hours instead of 30 minutes when using a traditional dye.
Be sure to follow the directions carefully so you do not cause damage to your hair.
Types of vegan hair dye
There are three different types of vegan hair dyes:
- Organic Henna Hair Dye
Henna hair dye is the first option for vegans. It is made from the leaves of a tropical shrub called “Lawsonia Inermis.” This plant is native to Africa and Asia but, today, it is grown in many countries all over the world.
Henna has been used by people in these regions for centuries to dye their hair. Today, henna products are growing in popularity with people who want natural-looking hair colors.
Treatment with henna does not use harsh chemicals that may cause damage to the hair or scalp. Many women with very healthy, strong hair consider it a very healthy option for dyeing their hair because it adds color to the hair without damaging it like other dyes may do.
The basic ingredient of this type of dye is an orange-red powder which comes from the ground-up leaves of the henna plant.
This powder has been used for centuries as a dye and one of its major benefits is that it will not damage your hair or scalp like other types of dyes may do.
- Soy Hair Dye
Soy hair dye is one of the most popular types of vegan hair dye. It is made up mostly of soy protein. Soy products have been used in Asian cultures for centuries as a skin and hair care product.
Soy products are also used in many foods that we eat every day, such as soy sauce and tofu.
Soy products are known for their bright colors and their ability to hold those colors for a long time. Therefore, soy is a very popular ingredient when making vegan hair dyes.
- Amla Hair Dye
This 100% vegan hair dye is made from barberries which help prevent premature graying, stimulate the lymphatic system, cleanse the bloodstream and purify the scalp.
It is also used for treating dandruff and other scalp diseases. Amla has a strong herbal smell that will cover up any herb-like smells from your hair.
It comes in dark brown with a burgundy tint that will give your hair the darkest color possible without using peroxide. Amla Hair Dye can be found on Amazon or in Indian grocery stores.
How to choose vegan hair dye for curly hair
Whether you have curly hair or not, vegan hair dye is safe to use for all hair types. And the best part, it’s free from harmful chemicals that can damage your hair and skin.
Here are 10 tips on how to choose vegan hair dye for curly hair:
You can only find vegan dyes that are free from ammonia, peroxide and other harmful chemicals. And keep in mind, some brands may contain small amounts of these ingredients but are considered safe if used in limited quantities.
- Check the Scent
Vegan hair dyes don’t have any fragrance added to them so they don’t smell like typical hair dyes. Usually, they have a chemical-like scent that goes away when the product dries on the hair.
- Go With a Natural Color Base
When choosing a vegan color, it’s important to keep in mind that some shades may be more difficult to achieve since they won’t cover gray, as well as other shades, do. It’s best to go with shades of lighter browns and reds when using an all-natural color base. However, if you prefer darker shades, you’ll need to use a permanent dye instead of a semi-permanent one.
- Choose organic hair dye if at all possible
It is less likely to have been produced using chemicals and more likely to be vegetable-based. If you use henna, the process of harvesting and drying can leave residue on the henna which may still contain traces of ammonia so it is best avoided if you are really concerned about this issue.
Contents of vegan hair dye
The contents of vegan hair dye do not contain any animal products.
The ingredients in most vegan hair dye are:
Titanium dioxide: Used to make the hair appear white or brighter.
Resorcinol: An ingredient that creates a “hard-setting” effect like a perm.
Hydroquinone: Used to lighten dark spots on the skin or the scalp.
Sulfates: Used in some products to reduce lather or for cleaning purposes.
Phenoxyethanol: An antibacterial agent that is frequently used in cosmetics.
Dimethicone: A silicone-based polymer that helps keep color from fading and also adds shine to the hair.
Isopropyl alcohol: This is a solvent that helps dissolve other ingredients in order to mix them together.
Ingredients to avoid in vegan hair dye
Carmine. This red pigment is derived from crushed beetles or insects. The FDA recognizes carmine as safe for use in food and cosmetics (in small doses), but if you’re a strict vegetarian or vegan, it’s not something you want in your hair dye.
Glycerin. Glycerin is made from animal fats (among other things) and is sometimes used in hair dye to give color a thicker texture. Some vegans avoid glycerin altogether because it’s not always possible to know where it comes from.
Gelatin. Gelatin is made from animal collagen and can be found in some hair dyes and texturizers. Vegan gelatins are available; look for the vegan symbol on packaging to make sure you’re getting an animal-free product.
Bone char. this controversial ingredient is used to purify sugar by filtering it through charred animal bones. When it’s used in cosmetics and personal care products, the bone char is slaked or treated before being used so it doesn’t make its way into the final product.
Understand some of the health benefits
Vegan hair dye is a type of hair dye that excludes animal products. It’s made from plant-based ingredients such as henna, indigo, amla, and rhubarb, along with synthetic chemicals.
The reason why people choose to use these dyes is two-fold. Animals are not harmed when the ingredients are harvested, and they are also better for the body because they’re free of chemical additives.
Here are some health benefits of using vegan hair dye:
- Vegan dyes don’t contain chemical additives like ammonia or peroxide, which can be damaging to hair. Harsh chemicals in conventional hair dyes can strip the scalp of its natural oils, leading to dandruff and other scalp problems. Some people have also reported allergic reactions to harsh chemical dyes like this.* Vegan hair dyes are inherently gentler on the body and tend not to cause any side effects.
- Vegan hair dyes don’t cause any damage to the environment as conventional dyes do. Animal-based dyes require large amounts of water for processing and often lead to pollution of nearby water sources as well as soil erosion.
How often should you use vegan hair dye?
Vegan hair dye can be used as frequently as you want. The chemicals in these dyes are not harsh on your hair and they do not strip it of its natural oils. This is why they have become so popular.
They also do not contain ammonia, which is found in many other types of dyes. Vegan hair dyes usually come in powder form, which makes them very easy to use.
They can also last a long time and you do not need to reapply them as often as you would other hair dyes.
Final Thoughts
Vegan hair dye is ideal for those who have curly hair and wish to maintain a perfect mane.
The vegan dyes are safe for your hair, unlike the traditional dyes that claim to be healthy but are not.
Vegan dyes are derived from natural herbs and plants that can leave your locks looking vibrant and healthy rather than coated with harmful chemicals.
