How To Dye Hair With Walnut Shells

You can dye hair with walnut shells, and it’s one of the most natural ways to get rich, brown tones without harsh chemicals.
 
The green husks that surround the hard shell are packed with juglone, a natural dye compound that stains almost anything it touches.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to dye hair with walnut shells, the good news is that the process is simple, affordable, and completely doable at home.
 
It won’t lighten your hair or give you a bright color, but it will deepen your natural shade and cover grays with warm, earthy browns.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to dye hair with walnut shells step by step, plus the prep work and aftercare that make the color last.
 
Let’s get into it.
 

How to Dye Hair with Walnut Shells: The Basics

Learning how to dye hair with walnut shells starts with understanding what you’re working with.
 
The dye comes from the hulls, not the hard shells you crack open for snacking.
 
Those green husks are loaded with tannins and juglone, the same compounds that stain your hands when you handle black walnuts in the fall.
 
When you dye hair with walnut shells and husks, the color binds to your hair without penetrating the cuticle too deeply.
 
That’s why it acts more like a stain than a permanent dye.
 
It builds gradually, so you can start light and go darker with each application.
 

1. What You’ll Need

Before you dye hair with walnut shells, gather your supplies.
 
You’ll need about a cup of dried walnut hulls, which you can forage, buy online, or find at herbal shops.
 
You’ll also want a large pot, a stainless steel or glass bowl, gloves, and an old towel you don’t mind staining.
 
Skip metal bowls, since they can react with the tannins and affect the color.
 

2. Who This Method Works Best For

Walnut shell dye works best on medium brown to dark hair.
 
If you have light blonde hair, you can still dye hair with walnut shells, but the result will be a noticeable medium brown rather than a subtle tint.
 
On gray hair, the dye covers nicely and gives a natural, warm finish.
 
Just keep in mind that how to dye hair with walnut shells is a darkening method, so it won’t lift your color.
 

How to Dye Hair with Walnut Shells Step by Step

Here’s where the magic happens.
 
The actual process of how to dye hair with walnut shells takes about an hour, plus steeping time for the dye.
 
Follow these steps and you’ll have beautiful results.
 

1. Make the Walnut Dye

Start by simmering your walnut hulls in about four cups of water.
 
Let them steep for at least an hour, or overnight for a deeper, stronger dye.
 
The longer they steep, the more potent your walnut shell dye becomes.
 
Strain the liquid once it’s cooled and dark as strong tea.
 

2. Prep Your Hair

Wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo and skip the conditioner.
 
Clean, product-free hair absorbs the dye much better.
 
While your hair is still damp, brush out any tangles so the walnut shell dye coats every strand evenly.
 

3. Apply the Dye

Put on your gloves and pour the walnut dye into a bowl.
 
Working in sections, saturate your hair from root to tip.
 
If you’re dyeing hair with walnut shells to cover grays, pay extra attention to those areas.
 
Comb the dye through with a wide-tooth comb to make sure nothing gets missed.
 

4. Let It Sit

Cover your hair with a shower cap or plastic wrap to trap heat.
 
Let the dye sit for 30 to 60 minutes, depending on how dark you want the result.
 
The longer you leave it, the deeper the color when you dye hair with walnut shells.
 

5. Rinse and Repeat

Rinse your hair with cool water until it runs clear, then let it air dry.
 
You’ll notice the color right away, but it deepens over the next day or two.
 
To build a richer shade, repeat the process weekly until you reach your desired tone.
 

Tips to Make Walnut Shell Hair Dye Last Longer

Once you know how to dye hair with walnut shells, the next step is keeping that color around.
 
Here are a few tricks that help.
 

1. Rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar

A diluted apple cider vinegar rinse after each wash helps seal the cuticle and lock in the walnut shell dye.
 
It also adds a little shine, which never hurts.
 

2. Wash Less Often

Every shampoo pulls some of the color out.
 
Stretch your wash days and use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo when you do lather up.
 

3. Avoid Hot Water

Hot water opens the cuticle and lets color escape, so rinse with cool or lukewarm water instead.
 

So, How to Dye Hair with Walnut Shells?

You can dye hair with walnut shells by simmering the hulls into a strong dye, applying it to clean, damp hair, and letting it sit for up to an hour before rinsing.
 
It’s a natural, chemical-free way to deepen your brown tones and cover grays.
 
The color builds over time, so patience is your friend when you dye hair with walnut shells.
 
Just make sure to prep properly, leave the dye on long enough, and care for your hair afterward to keep the shade rich.
 
Now you know exactly how to dye hair with walnut shells, so go ahead and give it a try.